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

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Often times we focus more on what we did wrong so that we can learn from our mistakes and do better. However, when I became a parent myself, my parents have taught me to focus on the positive. That has stayed with me throughout the years. My Dad has always told me “Be the light so that you help bring people up.”

My parents have struggled in so many ways. My mom is an immigrant from South Korea. Raising kids in America in such a different culture was incredibly hard on her; it wasn’t easy for us kids either. However, every time I showed interest in something, they have always supported my decisions to help me get to where I wanted to be. We didn’t grow up financially secure. The struggle was very real. But they both worked multiple jobs to provide for my brothers and I. Their work ethic and emotional support has always been my biggest motivation to keep moving towards my goals.

As parents we don’t always make the right decisions, we are imperfect. I don’t fault them for certain decisions but instead I will focus on the positives that I practice in my business and personal life on a daily basis. Integrity, kindness and forgiveness, above most values, that they’ve instilled in me, has gotten me where I am today. My parents are my biggest supporters, right alongside my husband. Without their guidance, encouragement and kindness, I would not be where I am today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am not your typical portrait and wedding photographer. I live for those genuine moments of authenticity and try to document the real you. To help prepare for family portrait sessions/weddings, I simply tell my clients to be themselves, whatever that may look like to each person. I am constantly photographing, even when kids are “supposed” to smile and “cheese” at the camera but instead they’re looking up at mom giving her the biggest ornery smile. That’s the real stuff and what I enjoy documenting the most. I will absolutely get some amazing photos regardless of everyone looking at the camera or not. The best photos I have of my children are of them not even paying attention to me. Just them doing whatever it is they wanted to do in that moment. Those are the photos I have displayed in my home.

As for the creative process and editing, I always ask the clients their preferred style. I don’t believe in putting myself in a box and labelling myself a “dark and moody” or “light and airy” photographer. I don’t have one specific style. I like all the styles and I have trained myself to photograph and edit in those specific looks to accommodate each clients preferences.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Early on in my business journey I opened my ears and mind to everything. I took it all in. From the very beginning I was told I needed to do this, I needed to do that. As I sat there thinking of the why, I just didn’t understand it.

Why do I have to stick to one style?
Why do I have to do what everyone else is doing?
What happens if I go against the grain?
Will my peers look down on me because they I’m not doing what they’re doing?

I had to unlearn all of that and alter the course of my own way. A way that works for me. A way that works for my clients. But also in a way that doesn’t hurt the industry. It is why people come to me and stay with me over the years. I wholeheartedly believe that it’s ok to do things differently and find what’s true and beneficial for yourself and your business. I’m a firm believer that if you don’t like what you’re doing, change it. Life is too short to be unhappy and overwhelmed.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started my photography journey in Germany 11 years ago while my husband was stationed there in the Army. Moving every few years was hard. I had to start fresh every time. When I moved to Kansas City 7 years ago I knew no one. It was so hard coming into a completely different market, I had to shift my business model and make many changes I wasn’t used to. I tried many different ways to gain clients and failed. For almost 2 years after moving to Kansas City I contemplated quitting photography many times because I simply wasn’t booking much at all. With the support of my husband telling me not to give it up just yet, I listened to his advice and made the changes he suggested and it helped get me in the right direction. He’s so smart.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.saraclance.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/saraclancephotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/saraclancephotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-clance-349119113
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sara-clance-photography-kansas-city

Image Credits
Marie Wiedenmann