We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Gasperik a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always loved photography and even though I studied it in college for a short time, the idea of the exposure triangle didn’t “click” for me until a few years later. And although I was outgoing in my friend group, I was way too shy to go up to anyone on campus when we had portrait assignments.

Fast forward a couple of years, I had a friend with a nicer camera than mine and he let me pick his brain. Finally I understood how to achieve the look I was hoping for in camera. I bought a cheap 50 mm 1.8 lens, otherwise known as the “Nifty Fifty,” and was sure I had it made now.

I took a couple gigs, capturing family’s and friends, but it wasn’t until I moved to Charleston and answered a Craigslist ad that I shot my first wedding. I had a Canon Rebel and my nifty 50 and I made $250.

Eventually, some photographers in town put on a Second Shooter workshop and I attended that, taking furious notes and doing my best with the styled shoot stations. With some help from my in-laws, I invested in professional camera bodies and lenses and took the plunge. I began assisting other photographers and made my way up to second shooting. By the second year I was busy second shooting 30+ weddings. Since then, I’ve second shot over 200 weddings and had over 20 weddings under my own business.

If I could go back and change anything it would be to take the leap sooner, attend more workshops, and learn as much as I could from wherever I could. I believe that working in the wedding industry as a photographer has opened me up to a more collaborative approach. I enjoy watching everyone work so hard to give somebody their dream day. I always make sure to ask any vendors/staff how they’re doing or if I can get them anything because as they say it takes teamwork to make the dream work.

My type A personality has been a strong asset as a lead photographer. I thrive on maintaining order in the midst of chaos. I enjoy bringing humor and light into the day!

Some obstacles that have stood in the way of learning more: Imposter syndrome for sure– it’s so easy to see your peers being more successful and wonder why you’re even trying. The wedding market in Charleston is full of amazing photographers and you can’t let intimidation deter you. The wedding industry is all about who you know and if people don’t know you, they can’t recommend you! So just getting out there is my personal challenge this year.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sarah Elaine Gasperik, but my business name is Sarah Elaine Photography (because if you don’t use your first and middle name, are you even a photographer?) Based in Charleston, South Carolina, I capture event, portrait, and commercial photography. I enjoy connecting with clients, hearing about their needs and their vision for their photos, and then making those ideas come to life. Whether it’s spending the day documenting a couple getting married, or taking headshots for someone starting a business–my professionalism and process doesn’t change. Wedding photography is my favorite kind of photography because I really feel like I get to use both sides of my brain equally: I thrive with timelines and keeping order, while also being creative and telling the story of the day with my lens.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I’ve always loved math and I’ve always been creative: now the two loves of mine merge in the world of photography (because if you think about it, there’s tons of numbers and fractions involved!) For my non-creatives unsure about trying photography–don’t worry about the creative side starting out, focus on the technical, numbers side!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of my first brides complained about her wedding gallery, stating that the photos were not in focus and that she wanted half of her money back. This was before mirrorless cameras came on the scene with their amazingly sharp focus, but the photos I had delivered were in focus. I post the gallery to a few wedding sites, asking for advice. I reached out to photographers I looked up to and asked what they would do. Everyone agreed the photos were in focus, but some people thought I should refund and move on. I knew it could damage the name I was trying to build, but I stuck to my guns and did not refund the bride. I told her that the job was completed according to our contract and the photos were representative of my portfolio at the time. She ended up coming back and saying “well actually they’re just too bright.” I went through her gallery, dropped the exposure, re-delivered and I never heard from her again.

Sometimes you have to bet on yourself (and its easiest to do when you’re right).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahelainephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahelainephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahelainephotos

Image Credits

All images taken by me: Sarah Elaine Photography