Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Herpin.
Hi Rebecca, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born in Springfield, Illinois of all places. As soon as I was allowed to ride the train my mother and I came down to Texas to be with my grandparents and dad, eventually moving to the Webster area. As a child, I worked very hard in school. I was involved in a lot of different activities– soccer, volleyball, orchestra, honor society, etc.–classic “nerd stuff”. I owe a lot of my academic success to my grandparents. In fact, my grandmother taught me how to read. I was fortunate really.
When it was time to apply to colleges my guidance counselor suggested I look in state. I was in the top 15 of my class at the time. My Nanna wasn’t having that, and strongly encouraged me to apply to some Ivy League universities. My journey to attend Columbia University in the City of New York ensued.
It was an eye-opening and transformative five years in the Big Apple, but I’ll save the college stories for another time. I dabbled in Film Studies, Psychology, even Chemistry at one time. My path led me to the field of Visual Arts: sculpture and photography became my loves. I graduated with a B.A. in 2018.
It was a bittersweet feeling returning to the warm winds of Texas shortly after. The road of Adulthood loomed ahead, a mirage of grace, horror and possibility stretching for miles in front of me. I had a half-drawn out road map in hand, but my tank was full of ambition. Life did its thing and I was able to put to work the knowledge and skills I’d been accumulating over the years. Yes, Houston is a city of business; but, it also has a creative community full of trailblazers. As I’ve made connections and found my niche here, I’ve gained new professional skills, colleagues, heard stories and made friends that have inspired me to keep molding the best version of myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s no secret that we live in a complex world. Navigating what you want and determining what makes you happy can be a big challenge in the face of life’s “normal” problems–family, money, politics. It’s never a smooth road; I’m constantly adapting and trying to self-improve.
While attending university I learned what exactly mental health was, and how to take steps to protect your emotional mind. Long story short, I endured some dark times; but, with the support of my friends and family, I actively worked to find a good balance for my mental health. Even if the road isn’t smooth, you can give yourself tools to get over the bumps and around the pot holes.
So, with all of life’s lessons and personal difficulties, I’ve learned to give my best in each new adventure I tackle, and try to mindfully enjoy the celebrations and small wins (easier said than done for a Virgo who can be their own worst critic!). Although everyone has a shadow, if you let your light shine the world can be your oyster.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I’m the Account Manager at Social Behavior here in Houston. Working in social media management is fast paced and always changing. Social media is still a new field if you think about it, and the industry landscape is always evolving to meet consumer needs.
Influencers, the monetization of the creator networking, the creation of viral content and trends are driving factors in our understanding of information, entertainment and product consideration. I’ve always been interested in how people perceive things and share stories. Art, film, writing and photography are all passions of mine, and thankfully I can experience the intersection of these in my work. Collaborating with my teammates and contributing to the exposure of Houston businesses is really wonderful. I’m interested to see how social media continues to evolve as a business and platform for self expression over the next decade. Outside of my role in digital marketing, you’ll find me at art openings or taking photos!
How do you think about luck?
I wouldn’t call it luck, more like blessings coupled with networking, hard work and determination. Navigating the business world as a young professional can be intimidating. Truthfully, it took me a while to come around to the idea of networking. Couldn’t I just be hard working and stay in my lane to get where I wanted to go?
Ironically, I hadn’t realized I’d been networking without even realizing it. You never know where people are going, and how you can be of assistance to those you cross paths with. All the experience I’ve accumulated in different fields– transportation logistics, office management, film and media, marketing, customer service- culminated into a decent set of professional skills! It’s really pretty amazing how life works in your favor even if you weren’t sure exactly what you were doing. Even when you think you’re stuck, the situation you’re in will somehow benefit you in the future.
Casting a wide net and continually honing your skills keeps you prepared for when the perfect professional opportunity arises for you. I owe a lot to my past colleagues and bosses who took the time to help me develop as a leader, and allowed me the space to make mistakes. You’d be surprised at who is willing to take a chance on you if you’re not afraid to work hard, dive in, and be unafraid to grow.
Pricing:
- $75/ hour photography session
Contact Info:
- Email: rebeccaherpnart@gmail.
com - Website: https://
rebeccaherpin.pb.gallery/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/rebeccaherpn/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ rebeccaherpinphoto
Image Credits
Marlene Rivera
Josh Thorne
BTS
Rebecca Herpin Photography
Big Bend
Alex Starr
