Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir
Rebekka is a visual artist and photographer from Iceland. She was named the “Web’s Top Photographer” by the Wall Street Journal and recently shot an ad campaign for Toyota’s hybrid car Prius.
Her breath-taking imagery is now available for purchase here, at her Shopify store.
Interview with Rebekka
Jaded Pixel
Please tell us about the person behind the camera. What do you do if you are not taking pictures?
Rebekka
I’m currently studying visual arts at Icelands academy of the arts, and have two little boys as well, so I have plenty to keep me occupied when I’m not focusing on my photography. My free time (what little there is of it) I like to spend reading, knitting and working out (yoga, dance and weightlifting). I guess you could say im a firm believer in using every moment to do something productive. If im bored, then I’m doing something wrong.
Jaded Pixel
What do you enjoy most taking pictures of?
Rebekka
Well, to be honest, I most enjoy creating self-portraits that tell a story, although longexposure landscape photography is quite a passion of mine as well. I enjoy the challenge of photographing people I don’t know, and creating childrens portraits… and horses… and.. well, to be honest, there are few things I don’t enjoy photographing..
Jaded Pixel
What made you pursue a career in photography?
Rebekka
When I really started getting into it, around the same time I started displaying my photos on Flickr back in 2005, the combination of positive feedback from viewers and the sheer enjoyment I felt creating photos made me realize this was something i wanted to do more of. I set out to learn every technical aspect of photography, and constantly strive to challenge myself with new goals that force me to work harder at this. Little by little, the hard work is paying off.
Jaded Pixel
How did your success on flickr affect your photography?
Rebekka
It’s had quite an impact. I’ve recieved an enormous amount of attention, which has, among other things, led to some cool job opportunities, and has of course reassured me that I’m on the right track, that photography is indeed my calling.
Jaded Pixel
Has your approach to taking pictures changed since you have attracted so much attention? Knowing that thousands are going to see the pictures you take, is that thought present in your mind while you are shooting?
Rebekka
I admit that it has.. Mostly it’s made me quite self-conscious, and I’ve raised my own bar with regards to the quality standard of what I display. Which is both good and bad.. it’s taken some of the original playfulness out of using flickr, because I feel people expect a certain quality from me – I do realize I have no real obligation to live up to these expectations, but I strive to anyway, because it keeps me on my toes, and it’s so rewarding when I do manage to create an image that adds something to what I’ve already done. The perfectionist in me needs that sort of challenge.
Jaded Pixel
Are there plans for more ad campaigns?
Rebekka
I have one such project coming up so far, for the airline Iceland Express.
Jaded Pixel
How did you find out about Shopify?
Rebekka
My friend, who’s helping me with this endeavour, heard about it from a friend and suggested it to me when we were first trying to figure out how to best go about setting up an online store.
Jaded Pixel
What made you choose Shopify over other e-commerce systems?
Rebekka
I’ve never been fond of choosing the most-travelled path, you could say. Wasn’t too thrilled about using Ebay. Shopify looked like a very simple, no-nonsense approach, so i decided to give it a try.
Jaded Pixel
How long did it take from setting up the store until your first sale?
Rebekka
About a week, I believe.
Jaded Pixel
How is your experience with Shopify so far? What do you like, what could be done better?
Rebekka
I’m really quite happy with it so far. It’s simple, it works, it has a personal, friendly feel to it, off the top of my head I can’t really think of anything to complain about..
Jaded Pixel
With having achieved so much already, what are your future goals?
Rebekka
I still feel like I’m just starting out, despite having already achieved more in the last two years than I ever dreamed I would. I constantly need to top myself; do more, go further, be better. My future goals aren’t any more detailed than that. I’m an optimist, and look forward to whatever the future has in store.