We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sabra LaVaun Romero. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sabra LaVaun below.
Alright, Sabra LaVaun thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
My learning began straight out of high school when I made the decision to take one “fun” course as well as my core collegiate requirements. I started with a photography class at the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) in my hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Inspired by the wealth of the school’s state of the art facilities available to me, my passion for photography began with learning the basics of the camera, processing my own film and printing in the darkroom. After spending so much time in the SFCC photo lab, I eventually worked there and gained a copious amount of knowledge about the chemistry behind processing and printing.
After completion of an Associate’s Degree in Media Arts, I transferred to the University of New Mexico (UNM) where I studied Fine Art Photography and Creative Writing. With a passion for the craft of photography, I focused my efforts towards learning a variety of alternative processes and developing my body of work as multimedia pieces, incorporating a photographic element for each object I created. After graduating from UNM, I felt I was lacking considerable knowledge surrounding the science of photography.
Although I was comfortable with the chemistry and technical skills of processing, printing, and creating a cohesive body of work, I still felt like I was missing something and was not yet able to exhibit the confidence of a professional photographer. After a year of working and doing very little creative work, I decided to expand my knowledge and experience and enrolled in Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California. At Brooks, I learned digital photography and was part of the first class to study only digital workflow methods. Breaking down the technical skills associated with photography in high immersion courses, I quickly learned many advanced and intermediate lighting techniques, appropriate posing, camera angles, digital settings, digital editing and retouching skills. After I completed the three year program at Brooks, I graduated with my final Bachelor of Arts Degree in Commercial Photography. My time at Brooks Institute truly provided me with the knowledge and skills that have spirited me on to where I am today.
Having the fortunate experience of attending not just one, but three schools which were highly ranked in their photography programs within the United States, and receiving extensive training in classical film photography, digital imagery, cohesive art forms, bodies of work and professional commercial photography, I find myself to be a well rounded professional photographer.
If I were to do anything differently, I would swap the order of my learning experience by starting with the technical skills and then transitioning into the fine art realm. Additional tidbits of advice to give my younger self would be to shoot more frequently, as practice and experience continue to be the key to my success. And, lastly, I would recommend waking up early no matter what, in order to chase the early morning light and get the amazing imagery that the New Mexico sunrise has to offer.
Sabra LaVaun, 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?
A Timeless Investment (My Company Slogan)
Having always been enticed by the allure of photography, I began my photographic journey by begging my parents for a Polaroid camera during my pre-teen years. Progressing to dressing up, while masquerading around with my friends as “models” and documenting our escapades with the camera, I eventually began exploring National Parks and Southwest landscapes. All this was prior to my multi-year trek of learning photography, which is described in the previous question.
After completing my degree, I launched my business, Sabra LaVaun Photography, LLC, in 2010 and quickly gained access to a variety of wonderful clients. This has resulted in my successful photography service available for individuals and businesses in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and much of northern New Mexico. Some of my amazing clients include St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, Santa Fe Public Schools and the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Blending a traditional background with novel ideas, I am able to incorporate my creative vision into my commercial work. Using a variety of camera techniques, lighting sources and digital processing, I am able to provide my clients with timeless imagery that appears in a natural form and allows the true beauty of the subject to shine through the photographs.
Photographing everything from people to food, I offer an assortment of services. Primarily photographing portraits and events, I also offer product, art, food and architectural photography services. Each project, no matter what it entails, offers a unique and enjoyable experience for my clients, capturing moments in time and providing long lasting memories resulting in a timeless investment.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal as a photographer is to ensure that my clients are happy with their final product. I want them to enjoy the experience and their time with me as a photographer. My intention is to make my clients feel comfortable and confident. I want them to have faith that I know what I am doing and that I am capable of delivering the quality of images that they are looking for.
I enjoy building relationships with my clients and creating beautiful images with them. Whether it be their portrait, their family members, their product, their home or something they created, I always include input from my clients, so that they have a final outcome that they are proud of and love.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I know the question asks for the single most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, but for me there are three that are ranked at the top.
I am going to begin at the starting point and build from there to fully answer this question. Beginning with the technical foundation that photography demands. Often referred to as “happy accidents,” I love the magic that occurs, or can be created with lighting, shooting, processing or digital technique. With a passion for alternative processing methods and mixed media hobbies, I like to explore my subjects through lighting and often bring in lighting flare, adjusted color temperatures, diverse ways of shooting, using lens attachments and techniques including double exposures, multiple flash exposures or painting with light. I also experiment with creative ways to process my photographs, whether in the darkroom or digitally. Of course, I always include straightforward images to offer success for my clients. However, I love to delve in and create out of the ordinary, non-traditional photos as well. This idea is very similar to the term in creative writing that is coined, “You have to know the rules of English, in order to break them.” It is the same for photography. I know what needs to be done to create a technical photograph, but some of my favorite images are captured when I am breaking the rules.
The next building block in my creative process lies within my interpersonal skills. Being a native Santa Fean, I have the gift of knowing many people within my community, providing me with an abundance of long-standing relationships. I recently had the honor of photographing a newborn baby with his young adult parents. The fascinating aspect of this particular photoshoot is that I grew up with this new father’s parents and am able to remember when they were pregnant with him as young adults. To have this historical connection with someone is very special and completes an important cyclical portion of life that always amazes me. Already having an established relationship through connection and history, combining past and present with a photographic subject is a true treasure. This is one example of many wonderful stories that keep me going even when I am discouraged. I truly enjoy interacting with my clients, which results in deeper connections to the work created.
As we reach the top of this trifecta, the most rewarding aspect of my work is evoking viewer emotion with the final imagery. Whether it be the giddy giggles of a high school student about to graduate, the tears of a bride as she recalls the special moments of her wedding day, the nostalgic parent looking back at the growth of their child over the years, or a complete stranger understanding my images in ways that I could have never imagined, creating art that leaves an impression, makes the arduous journey worth every second.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sabralavaunphotography.com/
- Instagram: @sabralavaun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabralavaun
