Here is what she said!.
Interviewer - Janie Britton
Interviewee - Rebecca Northcott
JB - Tell
us about yourself and what your business does?
RN - I come from Leeds, West
Yorkshire. I have lived here all my life but will soon be
relocating to Toronto,
Canada
- I married a Canadian just under 5 years ago so life has been very interesting
since we decided to move there.
I have been a Photographer for over 10
years now and it’s been sometimes a difficult journey but always rewarding when
each project comes to an end.
It is an art form, and as such every artist
may go through times of self doubt and finding their own style. My photography style
focuses on natural light; you can really create some beautiful images in
natural light especially once you have learned about the difference between light
and shadow. What your equipment can do and how to use it correctly.
JB - Tell us one
thing about yourself that nobody else knows?
RN - I secretly write poetry and have done
since I was young. It’s very deep and abstract. I’ve only showed it to my Husband
and he thinks I should publish it. There is always something you want to hold
sacred and keep to yourself. For me that is my poetry.
JB - Have you always
wanted to run your own business?
RN - I didn’t really know what I wanted to
do after school was done. I was lost; I flitted between every career choice
going. I think I started out wanting to be a vet, then a makeup artist, and
then finally found my love of photography. I didn’t even anticipate having my own
business until after University where I
studied Photography and Digital Imaging.
Over time I got my first paid job – an
admirer of my work from Scotland
wanted me to photograph her wedding, it was a big challenge for me. It paid off though, I’m so grateful that this lady had faith in me. I’ve now taken
hundreds of thousands of photographs and haven’t looked back in regret at the path I have taken.
JB - What were you
doing before starting up?
RN - I have always been confident with administrative
work. I did anything and everything within the office sector to save up for my education.
JB - Have you always
been creative?
RN - When I was a child, I used to watch my
Dad and brother draw and paint. My Mum also
has a hidden talent for painting; we have two stones by our front door that she
lovingly painted. The stones came from out of the river at Bolton Abbey. The
one I always loved especially was an otter swimming in the water. It’s so
detailed, I was memorized by it.
My favorite medium was watercolor pencils
and oil pastels; I am getting giddy just thinking about them now. I also have
always been influenced by colors, especially those at sunset. A love of nature
and of art has really been the foundation to my photographic style.
JB - What do you love
most about photography?
RN - l love
being able to capture what I see in my mind, for me it’s a freedom of
expression I never had with words. I can write well but verbally always
struggled to sound beautifully articulate.
I can express how I feel, what I
want to say and not say within the dimensions of a photograph. It is who I am.
I put my whole heart into taking photographs I want them to show the beauty
around us and within us.
JB - What do
you love photographing the most?
RN - Ah it has always been people. Photographing
people is my passion, their emotions, their expressions and how people interact.
I love photo shoots the most when people show true natural emotion.
I think for me it’s seeing those moments, a
parent hugging their child, a couple looking at each other totally in love
(photo shoots make really great dates) or friends laughing hysterically
together.
I
crave those moments myself in my life. I want to show those loving moments in
whatever form that comes in, that is my desire on what to capture.
JB - How does taking somebody’s picture make you
feel?
RN -I actually thrive from witnessing clients
look at their own photographs and make them feel happy. I’ve either had compliments from some guys who
have said afterwards with a big smile – “I didn’t think I would like that but I
did!, It went way better than what I
expected.”
JB - How do you decide the best location and light
for your subjects?
RN - I always look at the weather in
advance for a photo shoot – usually I let the client decide what the location
would be (a favourite park etc) or if they are stuck I may give suggestions.
Also please don’t believe the myth that if
it’s a cloudy overcast day you won’t have great images, it is actually one of
the most ideal times to take them.
JB - Have you ever
been printed?
RN - My work was printed on the cover and with
an article inside of “The NEW ERA” magazine. It’s quite well known especially
in the USA
and Canada.
I just recently got a photograph featured in another Magazine called “The
Ensign”.
I
really hope in the future to be able to work in Toronto and get myself into more worldwide
publications.
JB - Have you ever
exhibited your work?
RN - My photographs were exhibited in Leeds as part of a collection of other Artists called
“Echoes” this really taught me a lot and I was thankful for the experience.
There really is so much work that goes into an exhibition I was in awe of all the
people who helped us get it ready.
JB - What advice
would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
RN - Have a complete and utter passion for
what you do as this will carry you through all the hard trials. If you have a
love and passion for what you do it will help you to keep your eye on the end
goal. Don’t just quit at the first
hurdle.
The hardest thing for me was to learn that things
don’t just happen overnight. Especially so in photography, you have to build your reputation as well as
your portfolio. Never forget to thank people for their
kindness or for their time. It goes a long way and people never forget it.
JB - Where do you want to be in five years'
time?
RN - I would really love to be in Toronto with my husband
with a photography studio and being able to work every day in photography,
possibly with an assistant as it’s just me right now. I also would love to have
a child by then. I just want to keep learning and growing in my knowledge and
love of photography.
JB - What’s your
philosophy in life?
RN - I don’t have a catchphrase as such but
my philosophy is to love everyone no matter what, even if they don’t love you.
It really helps when you meet a total stranger. Treat them as you would want to
be treated yourself and nine times out of ten you always get a great response.
The pictures above are samples of Rebecca's photography , I think we can all agree that this is one beautiful talented lady.
Links
to Rebecca’s photography work
Written by Janie Britton - http://janiebritton.skyeladder.net/
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