Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Nieminen.
Hi Rebecca, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am a writer and a photographer based in Northeastern Ohio. I have a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in English. In 2012 I was a divorced single mother, raising two young children, and earning a meager salary as an adjunct writing instructor at a local university, when I decided to start a photography business. I had minored in photography when I was earning my bachelor’s degree, and it had always been a hobby. Being self-employed would allow me the flexibility to be there for my kids, and working as a photographer would allow me to earn money doing something creative. In 2013 I bought a professional camera and started learning as much as I could. Things started out slow, but eventually, my photography became a full-time endeavor. I specialize in high-quality portraiture and fine art nature and landscape photography. I have a lot of portrait clients, but I am best known for my nature and landscape photography. My work has gained recognition and praise and has been featured in many local art galleries. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark IV and use Photoshop to process my images. In addition to my photography, I am also an author. I released my first novel in August 2022. Titled The Dance of the White Deer, the book is a work of literary historical fiction that is set in Ohio in 1825 and was inspired by true events. You can purchase the novel here: https://www.amazon.com/Dance-White-Deer-Rebecca-Nieminen/dp/B0B8BB1VHN
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I got married young and then, in my late thirties, went through a difficult divorce. After divorcing, I found out in a hurry how challenging it is to be a single mom raising two kids on a shoestring budget. I faced financial struggles that were exacerbated by an ugly custody battle with my ex. In regard to my photography–trying to earn a living as an artist is never an easy path. I live in a part of America that is considered economically depressed, the photography market is saturated, and I have no formal training in business. It has been a challenge to make it work despite the odds. In regard to my writing–snagging an agent or publisher can sometimes seem as unlikely as finding a million-dollar winning lottery ticket, even if a writer produces good quality work. (Think of all the stories you have heard about famous books that were repeatedly rejected). This is, in part, why I decided to give self-publishing a try. The past several years have felt like an uphill climb at times, but I just keep on climbing. I am someone who values personal growth and who is learning all things are possible when we believe in ourselves and keep striving toward attaining our goals. I believe we should pursue the endeavors we feel most passionate about, and I hope I can inspire others to do the same.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a photographer, I am best known for my nature and landscape photography. My images of Midwestern rural life, which include farmyard cows, country churches, weathered barns, windswept Great Lakes lighthouses, and vibrant sunrises and sunsets, have earned recognition and praise. Many of my photographs resemble paintings and have a soft, dreamlike quality with gorgeous golden light and dramatic skies. I often tell people the great outdoors is my favorite church, and I think my deep reverence for the natural world shines within the work I do. I strive to create images that encourage people to recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary. I want to inspire people to appreciate the beauty around them–beauty they may otherwise overlook or take for granted. I feel most proud of the fact that I have created something out of nothing. I have built a business based upon how I see the world around me, and I am fueled by my desire to capture what is beautiful and share it with others.
In regard to my writing–I have wanted to write books since I was a child. My first novel, The Dance of the White Deer, was loosely inspired by a true story (the 1832 murder of a teen girl at the hand of her lecherous stepfather after she refused his sexual advances). The novel deals with women’s issues of the time period and examines examples of unhealthy vs. healthy spirituality, as well as healthy vs. unhealthy marriage. It has a sequel that I hope to release soon. The manuscript was a finalist for the 2013 Eludia Award, but it sat in my computer for several years because I gave up on finding an agent or traditional publisher. With the help of my son and a friend, I self-published the book in August 2022. The self-publishing journey has been a learning experience, and there are things I will do differently next time, but I am proud of the fact that I got the novel out there and fulfilled a long-cherished dream. It sometimes still seems surreal that people are actually reading it and leaving positive reviews. It feels really great!
What were you like growing up?
I had many of the same interests in childhood that I have now. I loved to draw and paint, mostly horses and birds. (Now instead of drawing or painting, I create art with my camera.) I also loved to read books and write stories of my own. I was introverted and spent a lot of time in nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://storytellerphotographyimagesbyrebecca.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyteller_photography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StorytellerPhotographyImagesbyRebecca
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasns/
- Other: https://booklife.com/profile/rebecca-nieminen-100029
Image Credits
Rebecca S. Nieminen
