Capturing the Magic
Rebekah Kamsky is an amazing person. She’s one of those women you meet, who does it all, humbly and effortlessly - she’s a mother, a wife, a mentor, a photographer and a digital specialist… I say effortlessly because even during our brief conversation I felt that that is the only way it could be! She lives and breathes her passions, she makes her passions her life, as the personal and professional merge - so there will always be a way to make it work!
Here we talk about life, travel, making it work through the trials, becoming who you’re meant to be and sharing this with others. Enjoy…
Photography throughout by Rebekah Kamsky
How important is it for you to be your own boss Becky?
As a creative person, I’ve always loved momentum and being static in a 9-5 job was sometimes quite stifling for me. It felt as though I was a hamster on a wheel and I knew I needed to get away from it as with time I felt it was killing my creativity.
Being my own boss is a much better lifestyle - I definitely enjoy it more, I wake up every morning enthusiastic and look forward to the day ahead..so it is definitely what I wished for.
Being a mum and having flexibility was also an absolute priority. I like the fact that I can always be there for my son, work at different times of the day and know that I do not have to worry when he wakes up sick. Prior to working for myself I used to feel bad attending a doctor's appointment, worrying about the time I was off work, and everything else. Now that I’m my own boss I can shift my day around my priorities and I wouldn't have this any other way!
This comes at a cost sometimes, meaning that I may have to wake up and work at 5am or work late in the evenings and also often find it hard to take time off work in general. Working for yourself is a totally different ball game.
It’s not all rosy, as at times I miss the team collaboration you get in an office, but I find alternative methods of gaining this by joining networks, communities and online coaching courses.
Do you want to tell us a bit about how your photographic journey started? On your website you write that photography chose you, do you want to tell us a little bit about that?
It was while travelling that I picked up a camera, and I really never looked back. I started taking photos and I felt a connection to the workings of the camera. I enjoyed being able to capture moments in time; I feel like life flits by and I tend to flit around too, everything is so fast-paced; yet the camera is the only thing that slows me down and helps me appreciate the moment.
When I picked up the camera it was as if something inside just felt right. I wished I had explored it earlier, but at the same time I’m just glad I found it. When I’m on a shoot time stands still because I’ll be so fully immersed that I won’t notice time passing by. That’s how I know I’ve fully found passion. Till this feeling continues, I believe that my passion for photography will remain alive.
I love how you point out that even though you’re behind the lens most of the time, the lens has also taught you to live the moment.
Definitely, I appreciate photography because it has given me a wider sense of appreciation in life in general. It’s taught me to stand still, notice the details, appreciate the fragments of life, appreciate light and the different hours of the day, be patient and capture moments in time.
How important is it for you to have people around you who understand you, even though they are not in the same field as you?
It is always a huge advantage to have a support system around you. I’ve come to learn that you can always find a network of people who you can go out and shoot with, such activities were a learning curve for me too. It’s good to set yourself goals too and let other people join in to have someone to be accountable to. My first project was a 365 day project and it was my first leap into the photography world. There’s a saying that your first 10,000 photos are your worst, and that’s so true! I look back at those 365 days and I think ‘What terrible photos!’, but they started the momentum to get to where I am today.
Photography is very subjective, as with art of course, but you have to have the courage to put yourself out there. That’s why I would say that at the beginning having a community, a sense of support is very important, especially if you lack confidence. There’s a saying that: ‘You are what your closest 5 or 7 networks are’, and I really believe this. So if you immerse yourself in a culture of photographers, the chances are you’re going to build your confidence around photography and you’re gonna learn new skills.
Okay so I have two questions out of this. Firstly, compared to Australia, how easy is it to connect to the same people here, or how does it differ? Secondly, you mentioned preferring the natural look to photography, have you ever tried to develop your own film or do you prefer to use digital?
Australia’s landscape, artist scene and environment is very supportive to artists and photographers. There are several networks, groups and communities to join and collaborate with. When I was living there I was extremely committed to explore different areas - portraiture, wedding, food, fashion...etc and to discover which field made me happiest. There are so many niches, you have to pick one, or two. I started by shadowing people who inspired me and the community was extremely supportive.
Another way I really learnt was to work with other artists for portfolio work. This is a fantastic way to gain experience especially if you’re just starting out. At first I thought this would be a struggle in Malta, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think it’s also very easy here to network with people and work and collaborate together.
I most definitely prefer documentary style photography which by nature offers a softer more natural look. This is also why I’m very attracted to analogue photography. If photography in general makes you stand still and appreciate the moment, film photography is next level. There’s nothing more beautiful than printing out a fresh roll of film or developing in a dark room.
An Afternoon with Ellen
I bet it’s an amazing feeling, knowing that there’s the whole process of developing in a dark room exactly the way you want it.
Exactly, and it’s perhaps the beauty behind how it all started as well. This is an area I’m really hoping to grow more in as I feel I have a lot to learn.
Do you hold your own courses for people, for those interested in becoming photographers?
Not currently, but I hope to do so in the future. Right now I’ve created a course for my other line of work which is for my digital strategy studio Littleisle.com. I support entrepreneurs who are starting their own business or becoming virtual assistants/freelancers by giving them the tools they need to grow and thrive in the online space.
Though I do not currently offer courses in photography, when budding photographers approach me and tell me they wish to learn, I always say that it isn’t a problem and they can join me on my next shoot. I believe what goes around comes around and I’m so grateful to the photographer’s before me who have supported me that I’d love to give back. If I had to create any photography courses in the future though, most likely it will be on portraiture, as it is by far my favourite area.
Portrait of Sarah
How come portraiture?
There is nothing more beautiful than capturing a portrait of someone and telling a story. My favourite thing is allowing people to give their own interpretation of the story. A portrait can mean something to me, and something completely different to someone else, and can evoke different emotions. I absolutely love that.
As a photographer are you totally engaged at all times, or perhaps when it comes to family you try to put it aside? How does it work for you?
Well, ironically I think it’s similar to the situation of the shoemaker. Everyone would think that my son would have so many photos but he really doesn’t and I haven’t even finished his first album yet. I have taken photos of course but I tend to put my camera down much more with him, and be present in person without the camera in my way.
How about we explore some of your favourite shoots or projects? On your website I noticed one in particular called ‘Another World’ which was interesting.
That’s one of my favourites. First I started to meddle with underwater photography because I was interested in a whole new realm of photography; but I wanted to do portraiture underwater. I’m not interested in scuba diving or anything like that, it was more about experimenting and seeing how portraiture looked underwater. That’s how that project started and I had a series of portraits.
Underwater you can’t hear anything, you see minimally actually so you have to be very present which is so beautiful. Apart from the fact that underwater everything floats differently, things move in a different manner and time seems to stand still. I absolutely love that.
The World Below; Sisters; The Underwater Dance
There’s the photographer-model connection too to consider, recently I shot two sisters underwater and it was an amazing experience. I think this is the project closest to my heart. Even more so because while I was in Australia I came across this foundation called onegirl.org which funds girl’s education in Africa. I discovered that for around 150 euros a year you can fund the education of a girl in Africa.
So I decided to run my first exhibition together with some other artists in the hope that we would raise enough money for five girls. This was really outside my comfort zone - I had never exhibited before, let alone run an exhibition or plan one! Needless to say it turned out to be a success and we ended up raising money for not only five girls but for a whole classroom.
It was a really big lesson for me, not to underestimate myself. Every one of my photographs sold and it was life changing to realise that my talent went to support something greater.
‘Another World’ Exhibition
Was there something in particular which sparked the interest for the underwater series?
I’m not sure where it came from. Perhaps it’s because I’m an island girl...I spent my entire childhood by the sea. It’s also about wanting to do something different and experimenting and challenging myself too. There’s an underwater photographer called Elena Kalis, who inspires me but she shoots very differently - her style is unique, very creative and beautiful.
Are you ever inspired by art or literature?
Definitely. I used to spend hours at the National Library in Australia, which is something I really miss browsing through the old magazines and the old art books. I also draw inspiration from art, poetry and even literary quotes. You can find inspiration everywhere and sometimes I like to remind myself that for international photographers Malta is a gem; a dream, so I try to not take it for granted and appreciate the landscape we have here.
I think you’re right in saying that things are a bit different here, when it comes to the libraries, museums and the availability of certain elements - it just isn’t the same experience one has abroad.
Malta can lack a little in terms of new exhibitions, and availability of offering resources such as libraries with new books and magazines. However being in the heart of the Mediterranean means we are on the doorstep to Europe and a hub of inspirational destinations. While in Melbourne there was a new exhibition every other week, here in Malta we walk the streets of history every single day. Both are special in different ways.
That’s a lovely way of putting it!
Which is quite amazing right. Malta is so much older in comparison to Australia so we can have a sense of appreciation for that.
To go back to your projects, something like ‘Another World’ can be re-run, do you have anything similar projects or perhaps your own exhibition, in the pipeline?
For sure, the plan was that after having my son I would organize another exhibition or at least be part of one. The first year was tough, then last year disrupted plans, so I’ve placed that idea on the shelf. But I’d definitely like to bring it back, and I’d really like to team-up with other photographers here - which is something I’d like to do more often anyways. So I will be going back to it.
For now I’ve put some focus into growing my digital marketing studio at Little Isle Studio. While photography might not always be my focus, it merges in beautifully with other projects.
How about we delve into Little Isle for a bit? Was this a way of keeping things fresh and as you’ve said, keeping things together? The two strands make sense together and help each other in many ways...
Yes, well to be completely honest photography was always my side thing, it was never my full time job. Now it almost feels like it’s more of a major component because the two compliment each other evenly.
In Australia I was head of digital at an agency for five years, so photography was something I did on my weekends and during my free time. I also studied in London for my MA in E-marketing and Social Media.
So I quit for two reasons actually. One, life is short and I wanted to travel, experience different things and create a little more flexibility in my working day. Secondly, I read this book by Tim Ferriss, The Four Hour Work Week, and in it he mentions having many mini-retirements in your life rather than waiting to retire in your 60s or 70s, when you’re uncertain of what will happen or what state you’ll be in by then.
I wanted to travel and I thought this would be a good time to do that, so I left and took a giant leap of faith. Looking back, it was the best life decision I’ve ever made. When I returned to Malta, I wanted to work for businesses I was passionate about, and which aligned with my values. That’s how Little Isle Studio came about. It started out small, but in the last 3-4 years it’s really taken off.
I enjoy being able to offer the complete package of photography, branding, website development and digital strategy. I enjoy bringing their vision to life, I really enjoy working with women because I can relate to the process of being self-sufficient and working from my own set-up, of having children and working. Sometimes I feel women are stuck, they can’t find a way out or they give up easily, so I’m very passionate about helping women realise their passions, as well as supporting sustainable businesses which have a vision geared towards the future and helping future generations. So I take on projects like these, otherwise it’s not as fun for me either.
Sample of the Little Isle Studio Portfolio
That’s fantastic!
Little Isle Studio has become a team of freelancers, of videographers, graphic designers and other creatives. We work in a supportive system that allows us to share resources, networks and grow and thrive together.
So what advice would you give anyone starting out in photography, marketing...any area you specialize in really?
My best advice would probably be to not think about step 25 of your journey, just focus on step 1. A lot of the time, and I speak from personal experience, I was tempted to give up to go down a safer route - and apply for a job. It can be very scary, especially until you take the first step. The most important thing is not to think about what you have way ahead and look at what you don’t have yet; but to think and focus on step 1, believe in yourself and surround yourself with a supporting community - the rest is all possible.
The next thing which I learnt is invaluable these last two years, is to invest in a business coach. I joined an online Mastermind course, and it has made my business grow immensely. Sometimes it’s best to have someone to confide in rather than figuring it out on your own, especially someone who has been down the path before. Also the advantage of a community is that you remain accountable, and that’s very important.
Stay tuned, Rebekah will be launching a course through Little Isle Studio, for women who want to work from home and/or for themselves. The ability to become virtual assistants has grown immensely from this year, so she’s really looking towards the possibilities of the future workspace. She will be teaching you all the tools and skills to run a digital support system/platform and business to be able to support others whilst still working remotely.
For more details DM on Instagram at @little.isle
Ophelia - derived from Greek οφελος (ophelos) meaning "help"
“Photography has always been my escape. Underwater photography allows me to enter a world where everything is surreal, beautiful and quiet. It is a true escape.”
In a world in which we seem to be running after our own lives, I relish such conversations which are truly so grounding for me. I love that with Rebekah it all felt so real, so relatable. Her work is outstanding and the development and understanding of her subject means that I could easily look at such works for hours and simply float away … escape. The escape is real, the escape is needed. I don’t think it’s an escape from our lives, I think it’s an escape from our ruminating minds on nothingness. The escape is a time to simply be filled with an-other, to be overcome, to be empty, to be thoughtless - to exist in a beautiful contradiction, and to be okay with that.
The process of becoming totally focused is also very important and part of this escape, as Rebekah mentions time simply doesn’t exist when she’s behind the lens. A time when time is irrelevant is a time well spent. This conversation reminded me of how important it is to pause, to appreciate and be truly grateful for each passing moment, for each person in our lives, for who we are and what we are becoming…together.
Thank you Rebekah
Details
Rebekah’s Photography and Little Isle Studio