Please join us in welcoming contributing photographer Rebecca Wise to the Dogwood Hill family! Some of Rebecca’s beautiful images were showcased throughout our 2020 holiday card collection. Read on to learn more about Rebecca including her favorite reads as well what inspires her photography.
Rebecca was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and received a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Birmingham-Southern College and a Masters of Education from Samford University. Her passion for photography began as a child watching her grandfather develop film and grew as he taught her the art of using an SLR camera as a teenager. As a college student, she purchased her first SLR camera and a love affair began. After moving into digital photography in her twenties, she began by photographing her first child. From there, I began reading everything I could get my hands on about the art of digital photography, as well as taking classes at Samford University on the side. Rebecca’s background in education helps her connect and interact with children of all ages, as well as her other full time job, taking care of her three boys. Her philosophy as a natural light photographer is to capture an ordinary moment and turn it into a beautifully constructed photograph that you and your family will cherish.
If you could have dinner with one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Julie Andrews, I would ask her about filming The Sound of Music, which is my all time favorite movie.
What is your favorite album of all-time?
Oh so hard to pick! Right now, the Hamilton Soundtrack, but I always tend to pick Paul Simon’s Graceland to play on my record player.
What’s a book that has moved you?
I love to read, so this is a really hard one, but I recently read The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makkai and it moved me to tears multiple times.
What was the last great film you saw?
The new Little Women. Such a good remake and the music is fantastic.
What are your three favorite foods?
Sushi, guacamole and good old southern succotash.
What is your favorite color?
Yellow
Beach or mountains?
Beach!
What inspires you most?
Great music, Broadway, amazing books and traveling.
What is your most prized possession?
Besides my children (since they are not technically possessions), probably my signed collection of Harry Potter Books.
Favorite road trip game?
Right now my kids like to look for Transformers hiding in plain sight. Points for spotting Bumblebee!
What is your go-to hostess gift?
A bottle of Rose or Pinot Noir.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I can slalom ski- maybe that’s not a talent, but every summer that I can still get up on one ski without face planting is a win in my book!
What did you dream of being when you were a kid?
I always wanted to be a choreographer. In a way what I do now is similar. I tell stories through a visual medium.
What fuels your creativity?
Reading. I always have a photography book on hand and a stack in my office that I will get to eventually.
What is your number one tool of the trade?
My Canon 5D Mark iv with the 50mm 1.2 lens. Don’t go anywhere without them!
Most inspiring Instagram follows?
For family photography, I love @katelphoto out of Boston. Her use of light and color is incredible. Locally, I love my friend @sarahsoulewebbstudios. Her account is funny and down to earth, and her paintings are incredible- not to mention I love seeing how she makes my underwater portraits come to life on canvas. I also love @eholmes for her spot on breakdowns of royal fashion.
