We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sasha Renee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sasha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Trends can be an amazing wave to ride or become an elusive bunny that constantly needs to be chased. Some of the biggest trends I see are utilizing AI to replace old workflows or to render art without the technical know how. I guess it’s all how you view it. There has always been arguments around photography being a pure art form which needs to be fixed and revered vs. a medium that can be manipulated with no rules. For me it’s a bit in between. I’m learning how AI can be helpful when editing MANY photos. However, I adore the process of taking a RAW image and applying my editing know how to make my clients happy. Case in point, I photographed a session with a branding client. She is an Event PropMaster whose specialty is table top presentations (table clothes, chair ribbons, plates, cutlery, flowers, glasses, etc). In all, she had 12 table tops with chairs to photograph. She wanted all the details as well as the stylized table settings as a whole. I had about 300 RAW images to choose. She chose 210 of those images and wanted the end result within 24 hours. I won’t lie, I was nervous. So, I ended up using an AI batch editing software. I adored how it cut down my overall editing time to about an hour. I was still able to add my stylings. My client was happy and I learned something new. At the core of all trends, there is always something to learn, add value, or even create a new trajectory for yourself. Just another reason why I love photography. With every trend brings creative Possibilities and opportunities!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My Photography journey began in a very unusual way. My father was blind and I lived a childhood of translating the world to him. One day, he asked what red looked like. I couldn’t answer. So, I came up with an idea to boil rocks and let them cool a bit. Later, I placed a cold rock in one of his hands and the hot rock in the other. That day he had a vivid idea about the colors red and blue.
Those experiences transformed the way I looked at the world. I was introduced into a photography class and learned the art of the darkroom, transforming a seemingly blank piece of photo paper and watched an image appear. That’s when it hit me. Photography is another way to translate. Instead of hot/cold stones for my dad it’s using the visual to capture and translate a feeling, a mood, a connection, a truth, a moment, and most important … a whole story!!! Photography is a ultimate time machine. Looking at a moving image of a loved one can transport you into great feeling or wonderful memory. I chose to dedicate my passion to helping others embrace their story with all the laughter, compassion, witty humor, and more.
My documentary style is strong and polished with heavy emphasis on emotive charm. I offer creative lifestyle portrait photography, Family Photography, branding, food, and events. I love vibrant and fun storytelling. I see shapes, light, expressions, and energy. I’m dedicated to documenting events and portraits in the most authentic, artistic, thoughtful and attentive to even the smallest detail. I add a sprinkle of star-dust to showcasing your unique vision. whether its your big day or you big moment or even photo proof that your upcoming dream is at hand,, I ensure a fun, engaging, and hearty photo session.
The variety of photographers sometimes can seem overwhelming. Luckily there is always a photographer to meet everyones needs. I make sure my clients feel like family. I offer one-on-one sessions that can include everything from clothing options, locations, posing, help with their children during the session and even how to help utilize their photos after the photoshoot. I’m with my clients from they moment they inquire about my service all the way to picking the amazing art to showcase to family and friends.
As of 2025, Sasha Renee Photography will be offering a new services which include photography seminars. Stock Image Gallery, and the beginnings of a photography collective designed to help up a coming photographers find their voice in the industry.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Ahhh, the Pivot! For me, it was the burnout and then the pivot. At the time, I was bored with what I was photographing, I was bored with myself, and discouraged because I didn’t seem to climb with my photography as I’ve seen others do.
So, I just stopped. I had to take time to decompress. I had to see what else was out there with other passions I’d long neglected. At the time, I figured if it was meant for me to continue with photography then things would land that way. Oh, was I in for rude awakening and YES I’m back in my groove with photography! With making such decision comes many things to face, discover, discard, re-learn, and on it goes.
From it comes the magical time to take the lessons learned, get up and make choices. Which is what I did. Very happy for it. Not many people want to admit they are burnt past their limits. Even if everything around them is crashing down. It’s one of the things artist of any medium struggle with. If your brave enough to walk through that type of fire, you will find a weird emptiness. One that you’re not quite sure what to do with. I chose to fill that emptiness with fresh new perspective, all the things I’ve learned and now using, nurturing a new community of entrepreneurs and photographers, and most importantly peaceful confidence. Hey, it sometimes take a village to aid in transformation.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
UNlearn. Yup. Being annoying does not keep clients in your good graces!
I found one of those, “we will teach you everything about photography marketing! For a fee of $3000.” Yes, I jumped at it. I did 6 weeks of intensive listening, jotting down notes, and excited to use the plan they offered. When the course was done, I applied what I was taught. With dismal results. I figured it would take time to implement so I stayed the course and after 3 months. I only attracted 3 people. Super bummed. I called that company for advise they said, “Hey for a mere $12,500” we will give you a coach and you will see the difference for the better. Um..NO.
Well one of the teachings was to do a triple time 3 follow up with clients once the session was done, when they received their photos/art, and 2 weeks after to do a follow-up. Sounded reasonable to me. However, they added on that I should also call the clients once or twice a month to pitch them for future session opportunities. Like a weirdo I did that for those 3 months. It almost because a bit of a habit. It wasn’t until one my clients told me to please lose their number and stop harassing them. Ouch.
So for all the training etc. I had to re-program myself to come up with better ways to attract leads/clients and have a healthy aftercare. Bottom line.. Have a little faith and trust yourself. There are plenty of ways to learn new business and marketing skills that match your company culture. Also, Way cheaper!You live, you learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sashareneephotography.com
- Instagram: sashareneephoto
