We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sharon Lange. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sharon below.

Hi Sharon , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I do every year is my annual Halloween food drive. Every year in October since 2008, I have held a one night event, where in exchange for a bag of non-perishables you get a 5×7 portrait of your child(ren) in their Halloween costume. Pets are also welcome and I even have whole families that participate and do a themed family costume. I have several families that have been coming every year, despite their kids getting older, they still show up. I have loved watching the kids grow up, and am always excited to see their costumes every year. All the donations go to New Path Food Pantry. It is important for me to give back. I was once a single mom, and fell on hard times myself a couple of times. Having to ask for help is hard. Not knowing how you will feed your family is stressful, and having a place like New Path available for people that fall in the cracks is important.

Sharon , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I would consider myself a portrait artist rather than just a photographer. Taking pictures of people can be much different than photographing other things. Every single person is different, has different insecurities, different likes, personalities. Part of my job when you hire me, is to help you look your best. It can be as much of a therapy session as a photo session. Most people really don’t like to be photographed and can be nervous to sit in front of the lens. It’s important for the person behind the camera to be friendly, and encouraging, to help them feel comfortable. I didn’t start out wanting to be a photographer..I studied art at Wright State. My initial dream was to become an art therapist. Growing up though, I was always drawing or painting portraits of people. It wasn’t until I became a young mom, and finally had access to a quality camera that I understood that perhaps I was meant to be a portrait photographer instead.. I instantly fell in love with taking black and white photos, mostly of my son at the time .He was a good little model. When I later found myself divorced and a single mother of 2, I really wanted to go back to school for photography, but instead I had to go full time into the workforce to support us. I was lucky to find my first job at a portrait studio though, and was trained on the job. A few years later, I was starting my own company, and then a couple of years later was lucky enough, thanks to a lot of good people who believed in me, to be able to open my own studio full time.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I have always had a need to be creating something, ever since I was a child. Drawing, painting etc, they were my therapy early on. Part of what I love about having photography as a creative outlet, is helping others to see how beautiful they are and can be. I have had clients tell me after their session that it was the most beautiful they have ever felt. I call that a win for sure. Nothing excites me more, than getting a good shot, being so excited to show them how amazing they look on the back of the camera and seeing their faces in amazement as they say…is that me?? Having moms cry(in a good way) at the sight of their child’s graduation photos.. Having a really shy child give me a hug after their session, it really is the best feeling.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Imposter syndrome. It is still something I struggle with. I can’t say yet that I have unlearned it. I really think that a lot of creatives probably struggle with feeling like an imposter or worry that they aren’t good enough. Creatives especially probably compare themselves to others. Art can be so subjective and Photography can be such a competitive field. When I first started out, it was still a pretty male dominated field. I feel like it’s pretty equal now, but the digital age has made it so much easier to make it a career. So there are a lot more photographers to choose from. I have had to force myself not to constantly compare myself to other Photographers in my area and not to just jump on the latest trend. It’s hard not to get upset if you see a long time client start going to someone else. I try to stay true to myself as best I can. I have learned what works best for me, is to be inspired by other photographers outside of my area, whose work inspires me to keep striving to be better.       

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.sharonelainephotography.com
• Instagram: Mysharona0722
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049957277606&mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lange-6210822

Image Credits
Sharon Elaine Photography