Meet Rebecca Ralbovsky

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rebecca Ralbovsky a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I started out the professional life as a teacher. With photography, I didn’t realize I was finding my purpose when it started… I just knew something inside me was shifting.

I taught for eight years, living by lesson plans and bell schedules, pouring so much into everyone else that I didn’t even notice how much of myself I’d set aside. Then I became a mom, and everything changed. Motherhood cracked me open in ways I didn’t expect; it was beautiful and raw and disorienting all at once. In the middle of that chaos, I picked up a camera just trying to freeze time… to hold onto the moments that felt like they were slipping away.

What began as taking pictures of my son turned into a way of seeing the world differently. I found photography through motherhood and, in many ways, I found myself again through photography. The more I photographed other families, the more I realized how much connection, beauty, and healing can be found in the ordinary.

My own VBAC birth stories took that even deeper. Learning to advocate for myself, to trust my own body and voice, lit a fire in me. It led me to birth work, and ultimately, to becoming a birth photographer and doula. That experience taught me that my purpose isn’t just capturing moments; it’s helping people feel seen in them.

Leaving my teaching career to take a chance on myself was scary. But every session, every birth, every story I get to witness reminds me why I did it. Photography helped me find my voice again, and now I use it to help others see the beauty in theirs.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Las Vegas based birth photographer, and I also photograph newborns, maternity, and families. Alongside photography, I offer doula services, and I’ve found that the two truly go hand in hand. Whether I’m supporting a mom through labor or documenting those first moments after, it’s all about being fully present and holding space for people in one of the most meaningful chapters of their lives.

I love baby snuggles (I mean, who doesn’t?), but what really lights me up is watching a family become one. The way a mom looks at her oldest as they step into that new role, or the quiet awe in a husband’s face as he watches his wife become a mother. Even the love between a young couple, before they realize just how much deeper it’s about to grow… I love it all.

My work has a warm, vibrant feel. I’m drawn to golden light, soft sun flares, and colors that make you feel something. My photos are meant to feel cozy, nostalgic, and a little bit magical, like a favorite memory you can step right back into. I love romanticizing the season you’re in right now, the chaos and the calm, because these are the days you’ll want to remember.

One of my favorite things is surprising people with how easy sessions can be. From planning to delivery, my clients often tell me they felt completely at ease and that I worked magic with their little ones, capturing the photos moms really want without the stress or chaos they feared. It’s such a joy to show families that a photo session can actually be fun.

Right now, I’m expanding my birth and doula services and beginning to mentor newer photographers, especially military spouses who want to build something beautiful and flexible wherever life takes them. At the end of the day, Rebecca Dawn Photos is all about connection and storytelling. It’s about capturing the love, the light, and the little moments that remind you why it all matters.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three biggest things for me have been connection, adaptability, and confidence.

Connection is everything. My background as a teacher taught me how to meet people where they’re at, and that skill carried right into photography and doula work. Whether I’m calming a nervous mom before a session or supporting a family in labor, real connection makes all the difference. My advice? Slow down, make people feel seen, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is one of the best tools you can have when you’re learning anything new.

Adaptability has been huge, especially as a military spouse and mom of three. Life changes fast, and building a business around that means learning to pivot with a little bit of grace and a lot of coffee. Stay curious and open because growth usually hides in the messy parts.

And confidence, or at least being brave enough to try before you feel ready. Leaving teaching to chase photography full time was scary, but trusting that quiet voice inside me changed everything. I’ve learned that sometimes confidence starts as a little bit of manifesting and a whole lot of “fake it till you make it.” You show up, you keep showing up, and eventually you realize you’ve actually become the version of yourself you were pretending to be.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was teach me the value of hard work and curiosity about the world. My dad ran his own fix-it business and worked endlessly to provide for us. He lived to work, and while my brother and I both inherited that drive, it also taught us how important it is to find balance and make space for life outside of work. My mom worked odd shifts to keep things running and still found ways to nurture our interests, especially when it came to nature, science, and the arts.

They kept things real with us. We had honest conversations about money, effort, and choices. They didn’t talk down to us, they brought us into those conversations and taught us how to think things through. And when I say they kept it real, I mean real… I was actually in the room when my brother was born. I was little, but that moment changed me forever. Looking back, it’s wild to think I got my first glimpse into birth work right then.

We also worked hard right alongside them. My brother and I used to mow lawns with my dad for spending money, and it taught us that if you want something, you earn it. My dad always said, “There’s no such thing as trying. You either do it or you don’t.” I later found out he was quoting Yoda, but the message stuck. My parents worked hard because we were their why, and now my family is mine.

Photography became a way to support my mental health. It gave me a creative outlet, purpose, and peace. And now it’s growing into something that supports my family too. It feels like everything they taught me about work, heart, and finding your why has come full circle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rebeccadawnphotos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdphotos.lv
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rdphotos.lv
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-ralbovsky/

Image Credits

Rebecca Ralbovsky– Rebecca Dawn Photos