Today we caught up with one of our favorite South Bay photographers, Self Image Photography. We wanted to learn a little more about Rivkah’s company, so here’s what she had to say!
Tell us about your company?
“I am a family and newborn photographer. My sessions are focused on providing the family with a good time together and I guide my clients into positions that help represent their closeness and connection so that when mom and dad look back on those images they are reminded of how much they are loved and how much they love each other and the family they are building together. One unique service that I offer is that I work with clients from start to finish, meaning I want to create a relationship of trust with a family, planning their session to match their family’s style and personality, and then after the session, I meet with them to create artwork for their home with the images from the session. That way, when we’re done, they don’t have to even worry about hanging up the artwork, I do that for them too! In addition, I’m expanding my business to include a special offering for women entrepreneurs in the South Bay as a Personal Brand Photographer. I’m really excited about this, since it will merge my passion for connecting with other women and telling their stories with my photography services.”
What inspired you to launch this business?
“I have long wanted to find a career that supported my need for creativity and allowed me to make decisions that really made a difference in the business. Owning my own business has definitely afforded me that ability and challenged me to learn all I can about business and photography to best serve my creative soul as well as my clients’ needs. When I first had my children (who are now 8,6 and 5) I was so inundated by mothering that I didn’t know who I was, what I enjoyed and had bad Postpartum Depression after 2 of my births (despite having had amazing birth experiences). I really struggled to find an identity on my own and having gotten married at 19 I never gave myself much time to break out my wings and learn to fly. When I started learning photography, it opened me up to a whole world of support and joy that I have never felt. I am so grateful to be able to work in a field that gives me such fulfillment and satisfaction.”
What is one of your proudest moments?
“Every time a client beams at their images, I am filled with plenty of pride too! I’m also proud of the fact that I volunteer with an organization called Walk with Sally that helps children who are affected by someone in their family having cancer. I’m just so impressed and amazed that I’m doing so much in such a short time and that I am continuing to learn what I need to about photography and business to make it a success.”
What can one expect when working with you/visiting your location?
“You can expect a friendly mom who wants to be flexible and accommodating to your family’s personality and needs and provides a level of service that is personal and practical. I know what it’s like being a busy mom in the South Bay and it’s important to surround ourselves with people who are supportive and don’t judge us. I want to be that person who gives you the word of encouragement you need to help you forgive yourself and move on, realizing what an amazing person and mother you are. I want to take images that remind you of that and trigger a sense of pride and peace every time you look at them.”
Tell us a little about you!
“I grew up in Los Angeles but honestly never heard of the South Bay until I met my husband, who is a Redondo Beach native. We lived in Brooklyn for the first 4.5 years after we got married and then when I was pregnant with my third, we decided we wanted to be around family and left New York. I’m so happy we did, too! I love living near the beach and have found that the community has so much to offer, both as a businesswoman and as a mom.”
What do you enjoy doing in the South Bay when you are not working?
“I love reading, on my patio or at the beach and love being in book stores or libraries. I try to take walks fairly often. I am still discovering a lot about myself and sometimes think I’m not so interesting but always remember that I can take my time. I want to be a lifelong learner, both about myself and the world around me. I’m impatient to ‘get there’ but am learning that life is better lived when you focus on just being and appreciating who you are and what you can do one day at a time.”
How do you give back to the community?
“I work at events put on by my children’s preschool and day school, Growing Garden Preschool and Academy and I also work as one of the volunteer photographers at Walk With Sally, which is based in El Segundo.”
Click here to learn more about Self Image Photography.
