Showcasing “beauty and grit:” a night with HerHelm
/On November 4, HerChesapeake had the privilege of hosting Kristin Rutkowski, photographer and creator of Her Helm, a portrait project featuring women who are boat captains. The project celebrates these women as active leaders in the boating community - making their own way on the water and recognizing that women too have a place at the helm of vessels of all sizes. Before the event, we interviewed Kristin and Yvonne Brandt, one of the boat captains featured in Her Helm, about the project, getting out on the water, and pursuing your passion. One big lesson we learned - finding your passion isn’t always an “aha” moment, but that doesn’t make it less valuable. More important is simply doing the things you enjoy. There are many different paths to take and you can push boundaries wherever you are.
The night of the event, Kristin was joined by another boat captain featured in the project, Erica Baugh. Erica also echoed these points about finding your passion - you don’t always intentionally pick the things you become passionate about. Sometimes you just have a hobby and fall into something, but then you can become more immersed. What’s important is to keep doing it if it makes you happy.
We were so thankful to talk to all three of these awesome women - and for the space that Her Helm and HerChesapeake both offer to connect women from all parts of the watershed together.
(Interview answers were edited for clarity.)
You do portraits of all kinds as a photographer. What inspired you to focus on female boat captains specifically for this project?
Kristin: I like doing photography projects that are my own personal projects, and not necessarily driven by outside needs. Being around boats and at yacht clubs, I was buying into the stereotype that I wasn’t seeing any female boat captains - but through this project, I’ve learned that that’s not at all true. Her Helm has grown to be more meaningful than I really thought about to begin with. I feel great responsibility running this project, and I’m proud of all the women I’ve featured.
What about taking photos on the water is fulfilling to you?
Kristin: It’s a fun challenge! It’s easier in the studio to control all the different aspects of creating the art, control the lighting, etc. Taking photos on boats, docks and marinas is more challenging. You don’t always know ahead of time what the boat will be like or what the lighting will be like. It’s a fun challenge each time and makes me work hard mentally to photograph this particular environment. Plus, photos on the water are very romantic, and boats make great accessories.
What is the biggest takeaway you want folks to get from learning about your project and these captains?
Kristin: Try to break your own stereotypes. I started this project because I didn’t think I was seeing any female boat captains out on the water, but HerHelm has shown that the opposite is true. The other big takeaway I have is to push yourself. Even if you’re afraid of going out and doing something, knowing that there will always be challenges, you will thank yourself later for making steps to go out and just do it.
Yvonne: Tap into people with similar interests. If you want to start sailing, go sail with people who are excited about it all the time. We need a navy of people who will do something about the water.
What advice do you have for people of all genders who want to get outdoors or on the water but don’t have the background in it or don’t know where to start?
Kristin: Just do it. Get started. You will never feel fully prepared for trying something new. I felt like I prepared a lot for starting the Her Helm project but I wasn’t fully ready. It’s better to just get started than to wait to feel like everything is completely perfect. Even if you don’t feel ready, force yourself to get out there and it will all get better. There are plenty of local sailing clubs, Meetup groups, paddling groups and other resources to help you get started.
Yvonne: There are many resources out there - the American Sailing Association, local Chesapeake Bay groups, the Sailing Club of Washington, Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center, other community groups and mentor programs, and more. Whatever you can’t figure out how to do on your own, you can get help for.
How do you figure out what your passion project is? How do you find and pursue what makes you feel empowered?
Kristin: I’ve heard this quote, “A passion is something you can’t not do.” It starts with just an initial interest in something, and then you get deeper into it over time until your world encompasses it. I know it can be hard to articulate what you’re passionate about. It’s okay to just do what you enjoy or what you think is valuable. You really don’t have to worry about having some sort of striving need for it. Do what you enjoy, and it will satisfy your soul.
Yvonne: It’s an intimidating question. Why do you have to “find” your passion? It’s already there. It’s a matter of believing in yourself and saying it’s okay to go for that thing. Just do a little something every day towards that goal.