Rebecca Firth
Rebecca’s an editorial and branding photographer getting after her dreams in Dallas, TX.
Through the highs and lows of life and industry, it’s Rebecca’s trust in God that’s been her strength for every next step. Whether it’s choosing faith over feelings, courage over doubt, or purpose over probability, Rebecca keeps moving forward simply because God’s asked her to.
Using all she’s learned from the past to build toward the future, Rebecca’s craft, creativity, and business continues to excel. With a reputation of capturing unforgettable moments and creating memorable experiences, Rebecca’s become a top photographer to work with.
Even with all her success on the creative side of things, she remains focused on helping those around her to dream big and trust that God’s got them.
What dream are you currently turning into reality?
I’m currently pursuing photography and creative design. In the future, I want to get even more into editorial and branding photography. I’m moving to Dallas, Texas and hoping for more opportunity, and to be around more friends that have the same goals!
When did you first realize you discovered your dream?
Discovering my dream came after a lot of trial and tribulation. I grew up in a university town where the standards for careers were centered around the school + academic success. Growing up, I only dreamed of meeting up to other people’s standards. Art (in a broad sense) has always been a huge part of my life, but I always shoved away my creativity because I was told it wasn’t going to get me anywhere in life.
In highschool I had so much anxiety about graduating because I genuinely had no idea what I wanted to do with a career. School was always a struggle for me - Having severe ADD. So, honestly the thought of more school was draining. I dreamed of fitting in. However, during my senior year, multiple painful life events took place - Including the separation of my parents.
All of these added stressors and pressures outside of school, mixing with my stress in school, resulted in triggering a genetically inherited nervous system disorder. I had catatonic anxiety and deep depression. I couldn’t function enough to do simple daily tasks. I couldn’t even move to get out of bed, let alone get to school. So, 3 months before I was supposed to graduate, I ended up having to withdraw from school (Aka dropout). The most humiliating thing to happen to me (at least in my hometown community).
I reached a point where I truly had nothing else except the Lord. Growing up as a believer, this was a turning point for me. The point where I decided to pursue a relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Backtrack to before the anxiety/depression really hit, I had the opportunity to attend a Christian conference with my youth group. It seemed a little overwhelming, but I felt pulled to do it. It was the best decision of my life. I really met Jesus there. And, not only that - I also met some of my sweetest friends to this day.
One dear friend in particular kept in touch with me all through the mess that would go down regarding school, family, etc. When I felt well enough, I visited her and met even more friends from her home church.
Seeing this different community + church that embraced creativity - All gifts God has given his children - Really sparked my love for art again. It seemed possible for it to be a part of my career and my purpose serving Christ. So, at 18, I realized I had discovered my God, my Father, my Savior. That led to discovering my purpose in this lifetime, which led to me dreaming of getting into photography as more than just a hobby.
How does your faith go hand in hand with pursuing your dream?
My faith is the only thing that really drives me to pursue my dreams, because I know that I’m human and have limits. We’re not perfect, and we can’t make it all happen the exact way we want it. But, just know - God will make anything happen if it’s according to His will.
So, rather than putting all the weight on yourself trying to “make it happen”, give it all to God. He’ll lead you step by step. Let Him tell you how to use the gifts He gave you. You really don’t have to do anything except remain as faithful as you humanly can to Him, (thank you Jesus for defeating sin because we’re all very human and flawed), and remind yourself why you do what you do.
Also, just having the confidence that Jesus would love us so much that He would sacrifice Himself for all of mankind. He’s so gracious. How could we think He wouldn't be gracious enough to also help us through a career decision?
Our careers seem like such a huge deal, but they are actually such a tiny fraction of our eternal lives. Don’t get me wrong, what you do with your time on earth as a believer is important. But, it’s about the bigger picture. Again, how you serve Christ in this lifetime - Not about it looking the exact way you want it to look. When you trust Him, He blesses you. My dream is His dream for me.
What’s one or two practical steps you take to keep moving forward?
The most practical step is to always pray. That’s the simplest yet most powerful action you can do. Everyday, make your desires known to God, while also thanking Him for everything He’s already given you. Once I’ve prayed, talking with God and reflecting on all He’s done, it gives me the courage to take the next step.
The second practical step for me would be to ask for help. I cannot expect to just do everything on my own, especially when things get frustrating or overwhelming. I can get overwhelmed with planning schedules, with my work week, or learning how to improve my craft. We’re not supposed to do everything alone, so a practical mindset would be preparing to ask for help!
It’s impractical to think that you’re going to grow in your career and do Kingdom work all by yourself. When we try something new, we don’t have to do it by ourselves. When you ask for help, you’re tackling multiple things at once with support.
What encouragement would you share with someone who’s going after their dream?
I want people to know that God always provides. You can persevere when you put your faith in Jesus, accepting the gift of grace, and realizing you now have The Creator of the entire universe on your side. Sometimes, and most likely, the path isn’t going to be linear. There may be side hustles and aspects of your career that are not your dream for a while.
The most important thing to remember is our true purpose here on earth is to be disciples and to serve the Lord. When we look at our careers in that way, and choose to find joy in whatever season we’re in, God will reward that. Remember who you are really serving while pursuing your dreams.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men” - Colossians 3:23