31Woman Series: Rosina Waszaj

I am very excited to introduce you all to our next Proverbs 31 woman in our series, my friend Rosina. I've never actually met her in person but my husband's cousin told me all about her work when they found out I was a photographer. Now normally when I hear that someone is a photographer, I just nod my head because these days it seems that everyone and their mom is...but Rosina is special. The minute I started paging through her work was when I realized how much I could learn from her. Her images opened me up to a style of portrait & wedding photography I had never seen before. Nothing is posed. There aren't any forced smiles. Just pure emotion. She has an INCREDIBLE eye and her work is truly honest. 

Aside from her incredible talent, the reason why I call her a Proverbs 31 woman is because of her love for the Lord and her dedication to her family. When I started really getting serious about photography, I came across a blog post of hers that talked about how she understood that her gift was from God and apart from Him she could do nothing. He is the One that gives and takes away and she recognized that taking pictures is an opportunity. I remember reading that and admiring her humility. I also love that she only does a limited number of sessions per year to ensure that she has time for her kids. Rosina realizes her role as a wife and mom first and this really put things into perspective for me once I had my son. I'm blessed to know her and appreciate all the advice she has given me within the past years. Rosina's work is a true reflection of a God-given gift and honestly displays her love for her family and all the people she encounters.

Without further adieu...meet Rosina :)

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a stay at home mom with three children. My oldest is 5 and my youngest is 6 1/2 months. I've been staying at home since my oldest was born. I grew up in Southern California and so I'm a beach girl at heart. : ) In July, our family of five moved from the West coast to the East coast. Now I live in New Jersey.

What’s your favorite bible verse?

John 15:5-- "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." It's so true...everything belongs to God. Without His permission or His 'okay', we can accomplish nothing. For me, it's very humbling to keep that in mind, no matter where I am in life.  

When did you start taking pictures? Professionally? 

I started taking an interest in photography when I was 16 years old. I took a basic photography class back in high school and enjoyed working in the darkroom. I then wanted to get a photojournalism degree in college. Long story short...my mother convinced me otherwise. I got a teaching degree instead and  started taking pictures when my daughter was born back in 2008. I had a Canon point & shoot and one day I just decided I wanted to have nothing to do with the 'auto' mode. I manually shot everything and that was the beginning. : ) 

 

How did you learn?

When I finally got my pre-owned DSLR (a canon rebel xti), I read the manual from cover to cover and then I experimented. And then I read the manual again. And then I experimented again. I kept doing this until everything made sense. Once everything made sense, I just shot and shot and shot. Personally, I feel shooting is the BEST way to learn. : )  

What or who inspired you to start photographing?

Oh, definitely my kids. I love their forever-innocent faces and I wanted to freeze that innocence forever.

How would you describe your photography?

 I've always been drawn to story telling which is why I wanted to study Photojournalism in college. There is just something about 'telling a story' that intrigues me. I was never really into posing, although I did go that route in the very beginning. It was when I realized I hated every moment of it that I decided to stay true to myself. It feels really good to stay true to what I believe in.

What makes you think “That would be a great photo!”? 

When I can feel the authenticity of one's emotions and feelings...like when someone is reminicsing his childhood or telling his love for grandma's cookies...

What goes through your mind as you’re taking a shot?

 I'm not sure. I don't really 'think' much when I shoot. I think I'm in a completely different mode when I have my camera in my hands. I just shoot.   

Do you have any rules for yourself as a photographer? 

Yes! Always, always believe in yourself. Be inspired from within. I don't ever visit other people's blogs to "get inspiration" because those are other people's ideas, not mine. I want to be original and I want to be me. Once you get inspired from within, you will always be able to create!

What camera equipment do you shoot with?

 I have a Canon 5d classic and a 35 1.4. That's what I shoot with 99.9% of the time. When I have weddings I rent. Normally the 135L. I love prime lenses. That's the only kind I use. : )  

What is your go to lens? 

Definitely my 35 1.4.

What advice do you have for moms trying to take pictures of their kids? 

Stop asking them to look at the camera and smile! After all, you want to remember who they are. Not all kids love to smile and that is ok! My oldest hates the camera so I never ask him to smile and I'm ok with remembering that he hates the camera lol.

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers? 

Stay.true.to.yourself. NEVER look at other people's success and envy that. Why do you pick up your camera in the first place? Is it because you love the art of capturing life or is it because you want to 

"be that famous photographer"? If it's the latter, you will end up hating it. Always strive to be better than what you were. Know that you are created to be a creator. Know that you CAN.

What are your goals as a photographer? 

Personally, I really don't like that title. To me, I am a wife and a mom. My job is to play those two roles well. But what are my goals as an artist? I would say I'd like to be bolder, more daring and I'd like to become better in making more real and authentic images of people as they are.

Have you had any struggles as a photographer? 

Absolutely. In the very beginning, before I really knew who I was as an artist, I used to look at other people's images and hate every single one that I made. In my head I believed I would never be as good as some other people. Not until almost a year ago, I attended an amazing workshop put together by the Parsons (www.wearetheparsons.com) After that I quit comparing. It was the best decision I made.  

Who inspires you? 

Aside from my kids, the Parsons do. I love them.

What inspires you most about the Proverbs 31 woman? 

That she knows and understands her role as a woman...she knows and understands whom she was created for.   

How do you think taking pictures relates to the Proverbs 31 woman? 

Know who and what you were created for. This desire and talent is a gift from God, so always stay true to this gift. Be honest. Be content. Be thankful. 

 

How do you balance your work life and your home life? 

It is SO hard! With our newest addition, I have ZERO time to focus on photography right now. I also realize that my kids are so little, they really need their mommy at their age. They will NEVER be this little again. So I am only taking a handful of bookings a year. Once they are older, if God willing, I would love to pursue more. Right now at this very point in my life, I feel that playing the role of a wife and a mom is definitely more important. I don't want to have any regrets. I only work on photography when their grandparents can take them for a day. This way I know I can concentrate. When they're at home, i don't even really think about it.

Besides photography, do you have any other hobbies?

 I'm not sure if this counts as a hobby...but I love to have coffee with friends and catch up on life. I wish I had more time to have coffee with more friends and I used to love to read. I'd like to do that more, too!  

Where can we find you? www.rosinasphoto.com