20 on Tuesday: Rebecca Mitchell

I am constantly inspired by others.  I’m inspired by my mother who is ultra organized and gives the best gifts.  I’m inspired by my younger sister who dreamed of owning her own clothing boutique and went out and did it.  I’m inspired by my older sister who has endless craft projects that she features on her crazy popular craft blogs.  I’m inspired by my children who have such genuine and good souls.  My husband inspires me with his endless admiration and ceaseless patience.  As I’ve raised my kids, good friends have inspired me to nurture my children and to live in the moment.  Even characters in good books inspire me to improve myself in some way.

As I started getting serious about photography, I started looking around at other photographers and their work.  I became instantly intrigued and captivated and (you guessed it) inspired.  As my own photography has evolved and continues to evolve, I have had the opportunity to talk with many of the photographers whose work inspired me to pursue photography.  Some of these photographers are well known while many of them are not.  Yet.  They all have their own unique style whether it be lifestyle, traditional, whimsical, or moody.

I decided to create a weekly feature spotlighting many of these artists.  Every Tuesday I’ll interview a different photographer that I admire.   I’ve been inspired, and I hope you will be inspired too.

This week I’m talking with Rebecca Mitchell from Fresh From God Photography.  She and I “met” on a forum we frequent.  Her stunning newborn photography caught my eye right away.  She has an incredible gift for finding and using light in her images.  Her boudoir photography is beautiful as well. I was thrilled when I actually met her this past winter in Las Vegas when we attended WPPI and met up for brunch.  She is sweet and sincere and a truly gifted photographer.

Hi Rebecca!

Where are you from?
I grew up in a small mountain community just outside of Lancaster, CA  called Lake Hughes – My family moved a few times and there were major life changes in between but it never failed that I always returned “home”.
My Grandparents lived there for 40 years and I still get that warm fuzzy feeling once I hit the edge of town on my way in. There’s nothing like that old familiar feeling.
Where is home now?
I am now in Big Bear Lake, CA – another mountain community but much larger…and a little prettier….sorry hometown!!
Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?

I am self taught. I have plugged into a lot of online resources and I Googled A LOT. It all started with a D40 and an online free Hewlitt-Packard class my Mother in law sent me an email for. That was the last time I thought about anything else..well except for maybe my kids and my husband..and my dogs.

What words would you use to describe your style of photography?

Oh goodness, this question is so simple yet so hard! I think that I’m carefree and like to convey “natural” or at least that’s what I want to be. I also relate to the days of old and love vintage and retro sessions.  I also want my photography to speak something. Love or wonder, joy, beauty, passion, just speak. I love to incorporate the surroundings into my work a lot also.
What inspires you as a photographer?
Wow, another great question. I could be so long winded on this one! I am inspired by the beauty around me of course. Newborns! I get inspired by aperture too. it sounds a little weird I know but I love the amazing “paint brush” that f-stops can be. The simple decision about aperture can totally change a photograph. I’m inspired by love too, I’ve got this new found passion to photograph love…e-sessions and weddings…so fun! Photographs just ooze love on those sessions. Did I mention Newborns yet?
What is your favorite kind of session to shoot and why?
Newborns! I love them! First a little history…when I was little I was the girl who would ignore the cousins at family reunions so that I could hold the newest family baby for hours. I would rock them and feed them and literally disappear into Heaven with them. I have a deep love for babies. I have been a foster parent to infants since I was 20 so babies are so natural to me. I’ve also been married for 12 years and have never been able to conceive my own (but have been so blessed by 2 adoptions) so when I get my hands on a baby I am just in my own little world.They are magic to me and I love to capture every special little thing about them.

How do you stay motivated and your photography current?
I am constantly daydreaming. I’m always thinking of fun things to do and then even sometimes trying to find a friend to be my experiment. I also leave some room for creative inspiration at the locations. A lot of times I’ll show up and let the place speak up a little and then go from there. I don’t limit myself to “locations” either..by that I mean that it’s good to keep your eyes open for any little place with a pocket of light and some potential. I’ll pull over on the side of the road and use a tiny little patch of weed flowers that can be made to look like a whole field of flowersjust by getting the right angle. And of course I visit some of my favorite blogs for inspiration when I’m feeling a little dry.
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
I would follow my daughter around. She is 2.5 years old, a tiny little thing at only 22lbs and she is just really starting to talk. She’ll go into her room and talk to her toys and say the funniest things! She also scrunches up her nose and makes the funniest expressions and it tickles my heart so much! She’s so fun to spy on!
Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?
This question is so thought provoking that I had to leave it and come back and I have to say it would be my new friend Janet. The reason is because I’ve gotten to know her a little. Her kindness and warmth are so radiating and you feel so welcomed just by being with her. The portrait would mean more then just a portait since I know that about her. I would be able to look at it and feel her spirit.  I hope that makes sense. And she is a photographer.
What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?
Can I give advice before I’ve learned to follow it?? Ack! this is such a struggle. My kids see me sitting at the computer so much and they constantly bring me books to read them and tug at my arms and I have to send them away often times. There is so much guilt involved with working at home but I have to remind myself that 1) they are with me and that’s the most important. 2.) this is work and it’s necessary for giving them a decent life and 3) it’s important to stop every once in a while and read that darn Dr. Seuss book that I just can’t stand to read one. more. time. and it’s good to take 10 minutes and draw with chalk on the patio or push my chair away from the desk and spin in circles with them in my lap for a few minutes. With all that said I think it’s best to try and not look at the big old guilt monster but rather look at the tiny investment throughout the day that you can do to show them love. It’s hard to pull away from intense editing or whatever I’m working on and I’ve not perfected it but I hope to get better at it. Oh and my Hubs…well he works at home a lot too so we sit just a few feet from each other most of the time. I make him read me books
once in a while too!
What’s in your camera bag?
Ahhhhhhh, deep sigh of love. I have a Nikon D700, a Nikkor 50mm 1.4, Nikkor 85mm 1.4, Nikkor 105mm 2.8, a grip and an SB600. The 105 is my new love! Oh goodness it’s a beauty!
When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?
Aside from at the editing chair you could find me in the backyard now that Spring has finally “sort of” introduced itself! The kids and I have been gardening and making homemade bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. So fun!
If not a photographer what would you have been?
I have done so many things in life before finding this passion so I know what I wouldn’t be!  But what’s really important to me is being a good mom and wife first and then I think I would have done a children’s boutique. I always wanted my own baby boutique. That would be fun!
If you could live anywhere in this amazing world where would you build your dream home?
Oooh fun!! New Zealand or Greece..right on the cliff side in those cool stone houses…..or in a huge victorian plantation home on lots of gorgeous land where you could just smell the history of the people before you. I love imagining the history of an old house or farm.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would like to play the piano like a natural. I have taken self-taught lessons and I’m just not natural. I have to work really hard and it stinks! I think I remember a comment about just how UN-natural I look when “trying” to play. I must look like a big ol’ mess!
What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?
I just asked him and he said “passionate, impatient, (I told him to hurry up and he called me impatient!!!! haha!) and focused”.

Something that is over rated…
Disneyland. I cringe saying that because I know so many people love it but I just don’t. I think it has to do with the “impatient” thing my husband mentioned. *bag over my head*
Your favorite movie of all time?
I can’t just pick one…so Ever After, Eragon, The Princess Bride, Lord of the Rings and Avatar
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Reese Witherspoon
Name one blog you stalk regularly
I love Simply Bloom Photography – I admire their work and where they’ve taken their business and they just inspire me in so many ways.
http://simplybloomphotography.com/blog/

Would you share some of your favorite images with us?