We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Foster recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rebecca thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I never had a solid idea of what I wanted to do when I was growing up. I went into college and was pursuing a Business Administrative degree, concentrated in Human Resources. I was in my Junior year of college when I had to take a random credit course – I chose Photography. After the first class, I really loved the class and had a sit down chat with my professor of if he thought I could be good if I continued photography and changed my Sports & Event management minor to Photography.

Well, he didn’t say yes (or no) – but he did encourage me to think about it for myself and let me know that with work I could always grow into it. So I switched over my minor the next day and began multiple courses in my photography path! It wasn’t just that chat I had with my professor that helped me love the art more, he helped me learn, gain random paid gigs, gave me options and support. I graduated back in 2018 with my degree and from there I did a LOT of free shoots to continue to learn, express my own personal emotions through the art of photography (depression, anxiety, and did a highlight one month on sexual assault). I was able to creatively outlet my confusing emotions and what I never showed.

It wasn’t until August 2020 that I actually decided full on that I would be going forward and opening my business. From there, I have continued learning and growing in my skill and focusing on the lighter emotions – love, compassion, happiness, and here and there I’ll throw in some shoots where I can express that raw hidden emotion.

Rebecca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a travel wedding photographer based out of Pensacola FL! I frequently travel from Iowa to FL and across the states, including recently West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and some upcoming Montana shoots!

Although I focus heavily on couples, engagements, and weddings, I also love to shoot families, branding, and seniors.

My motto in my photography is: photography for the weird, the edgy, the creative. This speaks truly to me as I love to be the “weirdo” the goofy, the fun person behind the scenes so you can feel the most comfortable while I capture your photos. The edgy, because who doesn’t love to be a little badass? and the creative, to think outside the box and look at objects, locations, and see how we can interpret who you are and make it art.

I am a fully inclusive vendor, all loves are welcome and safe when working with me.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is being able to speak to, understand, and bring to life the visions of my clients. Whether it’s through their wedding day, a special surprise proposal, or a couple who wants to integrate their personalities into the shoots – I get to help do that.

It brings me so much joy being able to sit down and go through the nitty-gritty details to create a shoot or document moments that I KNOW will be a huge part of my clients life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I have to deal with is that my husband is in the military. Therefore, when it’s time to me – it’s time for my business to move too.

Back in 2020 I moved form Iowa to Florida to live with my husband as he had just PCS’ed from Japan to Pensacola, FL. When I did this, I had to quit my full-time Human Resources job and move across the country to a place I have never been – all while I was pregnant and due with our first child. I started my business as a full-time photographer to be able to make some extra income while I had to be a stay at home mom. I was in this position because of COVID, no openings for daycare, and pushing outside my comfort zone to start making this passion a little bit more to us.

I have continued and grown so much, I truly am shocked and so grateful for all the people I have met, created with, and shot over the last three years while in Florida. While we are preparing again to move back to Iowa for a few years until the next duty station, I have begun to transition to push shoots and my availability in the Midwest/Iowa region.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.becsjpg.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/becsjpg
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/becsjpg

Image Credits
All images provided are mine and I own the copyright to them.