Rebecca Kowalsky

Ready to take your night photography to the next level?
I used to avoid tripods. I thought handheld was freedom.
Then I discovered what stability really unlocks: smooth light trails, sharp cityscapes, and intentional motion.
In this video, I share the moment that changed my mind, real examples from Jerusalem, Eilat, and even Dubai, and practical ideas you can try tonight.
Give it a watch and see night in a whole new way:
👉 https://youtu.be/bNlDSJQqHSw

6 days ago | [YT] | 35

Rebecca Kowalsky

Last week I photographed a bar mitzvah boy and his family.

I knew his grandparents long before their daughter was born.
That kind of continuity changes how you see a session.

We worked outdoors using natural light only and mostly prime lenses.
Fewer tools meant more attention on people, timing, and relationships.

The family had a full weekend ahead, guests arriving and a celebration to follow.
Even so, they arrived calm and present, which shaped the entire session.

Family photography is not only about the moment in front of you.
It is about the years that lead up to it.

I will be opening a Skool paid membership soon, where we will have ongoing learning conversations like this with more interaction and even more connection. Hang in while I get it all set up.
We will look at real family sessions and talk about decisions, presence, and long-term connection. Tell me about experiences you have had with shooting families, be it your own or other families!

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1 week ago | [YT] | 26

Rebecca Kowalsky

Meaningful photography isn’t about shooting more.
It’s about noticing more.
What’s one small thing you noticed this week that you usually would’ve missed?

1 week ago | [YT] | 17

Rebecca Kowalsky

Today I photographed a family outdoors with two small children. Not our first shoot together; and not our second!

Almost the entire session was shot using natural light.
AND:.
Most of the images were made with prime lenses.

And honestly, that combination is a great teacher.

Natural light forces you to pay attention. I really looked for the light 0 i wnated a lot of beautiful hair light.
Prime lenses force you to commit.

When you remove some of your technical options, you start relying more on timing, movement, and awareness.
I felt very free and liberated working that way.

If you’re trying to improve your photography, don’t look for perfect conditions.
Limit yourself on purpose and see what it teaches you.

I’ll be exploring this more in the future. Let me know your thoughts.

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 41

Rebecca Kowalsky

Film Photography: Why I Still Shoot Medium Format in 2026
I just got back a roll from my Yashica 6x6 medium format camera, and it reminded me why film still has a place in my work.
Quick explanation of 6x6:
Most film cameras shoot 35mm (standard film format). Medium format cameras shoot on larger film, in this case, creating 6cm x 6cm square negatives. That's why it's called "6x6."
Why it matters:
• Larger negative = more detail and richer tones
• Square format = different compositional thinking
• Only 12 shots per roll = forces intentionality
• Film grain, imperfections, character = something digital can't replicate
The real lesson:
Film teaches patience. You can't check your screen. You can't take 100 shots and pick one later. You have to think, compose, and commit.
And the imperfections, the grain, the subtle color shifts, the occasional light leak, the spots, they're not flaws.
Why I'm sharing this:
Whether you shoot film or digital, growth happens when you push beyond your comfort zone. Try the tools that scare you. Embrace processes that slow you down. See what happens when you can't rely on endless do-overs.

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 27

Rebecca Kowalsky

🎥 New video is live

For four days in Dubai, I taped my 24–70mm lens to 28mm.
No zooming. No escaping. No fixing it later. (Almost).

This isn’t a gear review.
It’s about discipline, discomfort, and what happens when you stop hiding behind options and commit to one way of seeing.

What surprised me most wasn’t the focal length,
it was how much clarity came from limitation.

If you’ve ever felt stuck creatively, overwhelmed by choice, or tempted to believe the next piece of gear will solve things… this one is for you.

👉 Watch here:
https://youtu.be/Y_xJeH0izQI

I’d love to hear:
What focal length scares you, and why?

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 22

Rebecca Kowalsky

📸 LIVE PHOTO REVIEW SESSION — SUBSCRIBER EDITION

🗓 Sunday, Feb 22
⏰ 8:00 PM (GMT+2)
🎥 Live with real interaction (camera on or off — totally your choice)

This live session is all about growth — learning how images communicate, how to strengthen them, and how to see your own work more clearly.

I already have 3 photos submitted and I’m looking for more.

👉 How to submit your photo:

Subscribers can send ONE photo (max 3 MB) to:
📧 photos@imagesthroughtime.com

Please include:
• Camera + lens
• Basic settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
• What you wanted to express with this photo
• What you like about the image
• What you’re not sure about
• How you’d like help specifically

I’ll give my own overall analysis as well — so even if you’re unsure how to phrase things, that’s okay.

✨ Even if your photo doesn’t get reviewed this time, I’ll save it for future live sessions.

Why join?

✔ Learn from your own image and others’
✔ Understand what makes an image work
✔ Improve storytelling, composition, and intention
✔ Ask questions live — or just listen and absorb

🎁 Giveaway!
One participant will win the
PGYTECH CreateMate High-Speed Mini Card Reader Case

Ultra-light, ultra-portable, ultra-fast — perfect for photographers and creators on the go.
Quickly transfer photos or videos, back up files, review/edit immediately, and clear your cards so you can keep shooting without running out of space.

It works like a card case + fast reader, but in a much smaller, travel-friendly form — ideal for anyone who shoots regularly or while traveling.

Bring a photo. Bring your curiosity.
Come grow with us 💛

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 9

Rebecca Kowalsky

Something I’ve been thinking about after this week’s events:

Two different families said the same thing to me, on two different days:

“It wouldn’t be a simcha without you.”

And it reminded me why I believe so strongly in photographing relationships, not just events.

When you photograph families over time, the images change.
They deepen.
They hold memory.

On Friday, we started with just the immediate family in the Efrat wadi/valley — quiet, personal, rooted in place. Later, we moved into the full family gathering: grandparents, cousins, and even an aunt who arrived straight from the airport.

Both moments mattered.
Both told the truth.

For those of you photographing people — this is your reminder:
You don’t need to manufacture emotion.
You need to earn trust.

That’s where the real photographs live.
Where do YOU feel that your real photographs live? Please share with me/us.

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 13

Rebecca Kowalsky

I’ve photographed four bar mitzvahs for the same family — three brothers and a cousin.
Each time, they travel from New York to Jerusalem to work together again.
And beyond the honor of that trust, it’s taught me a very clear lesson about meaningful photography:
People don’t return for photos.
They return for how they felt being photographed.
When you’re documenting milestone moments, your real job isn’t control or perfection.
It’s awareness.

Understanding the rhythm of ritual and family dynamics.
Respecting quiet moments just as much as emotional ones.
That kind of photography is built slowly.
It comes from consistency and sensitivity.
Takeaway:
If you want to do more meaningful work, stop thinking about “this shoot” and start thinking about the relationship.
That’s where trust lives.
And trust is what brings people back.
If this kind of photography speaks to you, I plan to talk about it much more deeply inside our Skool community (please join! - www.skool.com/meaningful-photography-6564), where we break these ideas down together in a more interactive way.
I also work with photographers, one-on-one and in workshops, for anyone who wants to bring more intention and depth to their work.
More than techniques — this is about learning how to see.

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 28

Rebecca Kowalsky

I am winding down a few days in Dubai and wanted to share a quick story with you all...



I'll be honest - I was nervous about this trip. Dubai has this reputation for being artificial and overly manufactured, and I wondered if I'd vibe with it. But keeping an open mind changed everything.



One day, we had this fantastic guide named Ali who took us to the spice market - just the colors and aromas alone were incredible. Then we hopped on a traditional abra (a little wooden boat) and crossed the water to the gold market. It was vibrant and bustling.



Here's what I learned: We don't always get ideal conditions. Not perfect lighting. Not perfect locations. Not perfect circumstances. But that's exactly when creativity matters most.

So whatever you're working on right now - don't wait for everything to be perfect. Push your creativity. Explore anyway. You might surprise yourself with what you create.

What's a place or situation that ended up inspiring you when you least expected it? 👇

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1 month ago | [YT] | 26