Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebekah Claborn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rebekah, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome is a never ending process. I never fail to think I’ve moved beyond, only to see myself doubting my skill set.
I think the key is to maintain blinders, so to not be swayed by what’s going on in other people’s businesses–which is usually just the highlight reel anyway.
I find when I just hunker down and work, I am so much more confident. And it’s also important that I catch myself looking at others in the industry, other photographers to compare rather than to be inspired.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I tell stories through a very specific medium: digital photography. Vast majority of my stories are love stories–couple’s going from engaged to married. Photographing a wedding is a roller coaster of a day and emotions. You have to be great at reading and working with people, in my case, I also have to be a good leader because I have a team every wedding with me. And while working to so many people, with so many backgrounds, there is an extremely high pressure to create both a great experience, and spectacular images. In the course of a few hours I have to tackle multiple photography styles–still life, editorial, photojournalistic–all with a smile on my face. It is as exhilarating as it is nerve-wracking.
I’m expanding my services to branding photography, because creating brand photos is much like creating wedding photos, just for a entrepreneur or business, not a couple.
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?
I’m really good with managing people and keeping it fun–kind of hilarious since I’m an introvert. That innate ability I think is really what has propelled me thus far. While looking back, I can see the natural eye I have for photography, that is really a skillset that can be taught, whereas handling stressful situations in a manner that makes them seem not stressful, is harder to achieve and learn.
For a specific skillset: find an educator you click with, and focus on learning just from them. If you’re new in your journey, too many voices will lead you to confusion.
For the people skills? Get a job as a tour guide and become really good at it. I can see so often how those job experiences factored my abilities now.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I have been fortunate to work with a lot of lovely individuals, and the repeated traits I see in them were: they trusted me, they valued my work, and they were willing to put in the effort to have amazing photographs while still being a relaxed persona overall.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://byraclaborn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybyraclaborn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographybyraclaborn
