Bekah Wriedt
Bekah’s a fashion and lifestyle photographer building her dreams from Chicago, IL.
For Bekah, staying connected to God is both a way of life and pathway to creativity. Inspired by who He is, and the difference they can make together, she uses every opportunity to help others get to know Him a little bit better.
Whether she’s shooting for globally known companies and nonprofits, entrepreneurs or fashion brands, Bekah sees purpose in it all. It’s not just a shoot, it’s bringing vision to life.
What dream are you currently turning into reality?
I’m currently working as a full time photographer to scale my business and take on larger fashion + beauty + lifestyle brands!
When did you first realize you discovered your dream?
When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with making movies with my brother and friends. I’ve always loved bringing people together to create a dream! Since high school, I knew I wanted to be a photographer, and the dream evolved in a really beautiful way throughout high school and college!
How does your faith go hand in hand with pursuing your dream?
Photography and faith are deeply interconnected. I believe we need to create from a place of intimacy with God, not a performance to please Him.
My favorite images have been created in tandem with the Holy Spirit. He speaks to me through light and visuals. So, many times as He is revealing Himself to me, I will get a vision for a photoshoot to share about the character of God with others.
God has clearly placed us in the industry to be a light. So, when it gets hard and you want to quit, listen for Him - He’ll quietly remind you that He has you here for a reason - To bring light and His presence into spaces.
This quote from JonMarc Comer’s book, “Garden City” was a profound revelation the Holy Spirit gave me when wrestling with my calling in photography:
“We’re called to a very specific kind of work. To make a Garden-like world where image bearers can flourish and thrive, where people can experience and enjoy God’s generous love. A kingdom where God’s will is done “on earth as it is in heaven,” where the glass wall between earth and heaven is so thin and clear and translucent that you don’t even remember it’s there. That’s the kind of world we’re called to make. After all, we’re just supposed to continue what God started in the beginning.”
What’s one or two practical steps you take to keep moving forward?
I’m always learning! Whether that’s by assisting photographers, learning a new part of the industry, reading books, cooking, beautiful moments in life, etc. All of this continually inspires me!
It’s easy to let the grind of running a business get the best of me, so I have to intentionally time block spaces to be creative just for me.
It’s a space to enjoy the process and not worry about the final product. I’ve found that these times refresh my creative soul and consequently bring more creativity into my paid work.
What encouragement would you share with someone who’s going after their dream?
Make time for work, rest, and art. Work hard at your dream and take care of your soul. Burnout is real and ends up killing creativity at the end. Pacing yourself is a good thing. Also, ask for help - I’ve learned so much by assisting experts in my field. Their guidance and constructive criticism have been crucial in my growth as an artist and business owner!