Becy Stabler
BECY STABLER: “When I take photos, it's capturing the world as I see it, and so that reflects everything I've ever learnt. ”
What are your favorite songs you play in your car/at work/bathroom/kitchen right now? : Adele - easy on me!
Who are you? Describe yourself in a few words.: Creative, mama of 3, hard-working and kind (I got my husband to answer this one!)
Any plans for the future you would like to talk about ?: I am (trying) to write a book on Motherhood, writing is another passion of mine and the words have always been in my head so it's about time!
Where do you come from? Give us details: I was born in Liverpool, raised in a small town on the Wirral and then left to study fine art in both Newcastle and Germany. We then moved back to the UK in 2015 when we were expecting our first daughter, Belle, we then moved up to Skye just 2 years ago!
What move you in this adventure/journey?: Having Belle was the inspiration to start Belle Art Photography, I wanted to utilise my creativity and passion for photography and film whilst making enough money to support my family.
Is it important to have the support of your loved ones, family, friends?: Absolutely it is! I couldn't do it without them, especially my husband.
What are you the proudest of?: My family! The life my husband and I have created for ourselves and our kids on Skye after so many trials over the years.
What kind of jobs did you have before your career took off?: I actually worked for many years in Hospitality, managing and waitressing in restaurants whilst studying and then afterwards when I had Belle. When we moved to Germany I also taught English.
If you could interview a creative person (past or present), who would that person be? Please explain your choice.: Lucien Freud, was always my favourite artist throughout my childhood and through art school and I would love to pick his brain!
Do you think that creativity involves putting your heart and soul into your work?: I've found that it's less of a choice and as a creative, my heart and soul is so intertwined with my work. My experiences past and present, my passions, difficulties all shape how I create. Even when I make work for others, it can never be so objective. When I take photos, it's capturing the world as I see it, and so that reflects everything I've ever learnt. In terms of wedding photography, I really care for each of my couples and their experience, so that's where the heart comes in too.
If you had the chance to live during a different artistic movement other than now, which one would you choose?: ooh the surrealist movement in 1920's and 30's. I was always fascinated by their art and ideas about death. N
If you had to start over, would you choose a different path in your career?: I wouldn't change my life now, but I almost wish we could live many different versions of our life as there are so many things I would love to try...architecture for example! I don't think there is enough time to dabble in everything.
Do you think that you would be able to teach what you do?: Yes, I really love teaching. I loved teaching English in Germany but teaching something I am so passionate about is absolutely amazing! I love seeing other creatives grow in confidence too.
What inspires you on a daily basis?: My little growing children, and the beautiful island I live on! I find the ever-changing landscape so inspiring, and whilst I used to seek inspiration through art galleries...I find that just immersing myself in the mountains here really gets the creative juices flowing!
“Comparison kills creativity and I don't feel the need to compare anymore, I've muted many of the big social groups and I try not to spend much time scrolling.”
If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend your day?: In bed with my whole family drinking coffee.
What does it mean to get older for you?: older and wiser....bit greyer and wrinkly. I say bring it on! Growing older is a privilege and I hope I get to stick around to see my children grow old too.
Did you feel like this journey would end? What is your approach to life?: I'm sure it will at some point, I'd prefer to see it evolve into something new when the time is right. Evolving is a much better way to think of it than ending.
Who is the most creative person that you have ever known?:
After these years of working on your craft, do you still feel the joy to do what you do?: I absolutely do, in fact, I don't think I could do this if I didn't. It is hard work being self-employed and so I think you really have to love it.
Do you believe that each person has the capacity to be creative? Why?: Yes I do, It's just something we feel but maybe not everyone knows how to communicate it. As if the medium of photography is just a way of communicating our creativity.
How do you deal with creativity blocks?: I accept them, during my last pregnancy I felt Iike I had a 9-month block, I didn't want to create any personal work and I also barely wrote. But then there was a lot going on at the time, pregnancy is difficult physically and mentally, I also had my busiest year this year where I captured 47 elopements and weddings after the pandemic. So I accepted that this is a time in my life where I can't be as creative as I maybe would have liked but that's okay, we will always have periods where we can only focus on the week or day ahead or even the task at hand.
Then now I've started to feel a bit more creative, I can almost feel the ideas seeping in and enthusiasm for personal work that excites me again. So I feel like this time I just had to ride it out. I don't think we are meant to be creative all the time, we also need rest.
Is there a particular place where you feel most creative?: Stood out at the Quiraing, when no one else is about.
How would you like to be regarded or remembered?: It would be nice to be remembered for some significant artwork that made an impact globally, but really I just want to know that I impacted my friends’ and families’ lives and made them better for being here.
Think back to your childhood. What did you hope to become as an adult?: I really wanted to be a famous actress or singer...And I mean now I really can't think of anything worse than being in the spotlight all of the time. So I'll stick to singing in the car.
What is for you a good story?: For me, a good story is one that makes you feel something.
What is your typical day like?: Currently, it's waking at 6 am to feed my youngest, to then be joined by our toddler, Eli who kicks and rolls on top of us until we get up to get his breakfast.
coffee, School run, feeds, emails and admin for the morning, feeds, lunch, then edit, feed, edit, feed, edit! Then we go out to pick up the kids and walk our dog through the woodlands and grab some more coffee before coming home to make the kids dinner, which inevitably ends up on the floor...oh the joys of parenting!
But on the days I have elopements, these are amazing and each one is different! Last week I hiked up the old man of Storr in the snow and sipped (a tiny bit) of champagne at the top whilst my toes froze and my expensive boots let in water...
People usually have learned from their own mistakes, what was your biggest lesson?: In business, this was probably to know my worth. Thankfully I learnt this after the first year but this was the biggest learning curve, and in doing so meant that I attracted clients who valued me and my work as much as I did.
Do you believe art should deliver a message?: Not always, art can be many things! Sometimes it's just about the creative expression of that person and the act of doing it is the power of it, no one else needs to understand it.
Do you have any regrets in life?: No, I think life is too short for that and thankfully I don't have any.
How do you fight the comparison and discouragements?: I love to support other photographers and creatives’ work, but I only really come online to do that, post a little and then put my phone down. Comparison kills creativity and I don't feel the need to compare anymore, I've muted many of the big social groups and I try not to spend much time scrolling. This really helps me with my own mental health too.
What are your tips for establishing a successful wedding photography business in under two years at a time when the industry is very saturated?: I would have to say, and it might sound cliche, but be true to yourself and your journey. What do you want out of your wedding photography business? How do you define your own success? Where will you find fulfillment, creatively or otherwise? Staying on your own path and trying not to emulate others or compare will help you stand out and build a successful brand without burning out.
I would also say, putting your clients’ experience first, treating them with kindness, caring about them, and doing what we do with love and heart. I honestly believe this is where much of my success has come from.
Who would you like to read from (Can you put me in touch with this person?)?: Chris Parkinson
What would be your question to this person?: What's the weirdest food you have ever eaten?
If you could ask yourself a question, what would it be?: Where do you want to travel to?
And your answer would be ?: Everywhere.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
DOB : 10-05-1992
LOCATION: ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND
OCCUPATION: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Copyright : STORY OF EVE
CONVERSATIONS AND CLASSES TO INSPIRE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS.
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