We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Jo Rusiniak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara Jo, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time I wish I would have taken my photography from a hobby to a business much sooner. Fresh out of high school I had developed an interest in photography since taking 2 years of it in high school. I quickly became known as “the girl with the nice camera”. I was asked by many friends and family members to take photos of their families, weddings and birthday photos. Many people had mentioned I should start a business however I was very intimidated by the business end of things. Not knowing any of the paper work needed or tax credentials or even where to start kept me from perusing the idea. After having my children back to back in 2018 and 2019 many people began to ask if I was still doing photography. It was then that I knew I had to decide to jump in with both feet or stop, I could not remain in the grey area. So I signed up with another local photographer for a year long mentorship. This mentorship was to push me into the business end of photography and it did just that. Right from our first meeting I was instructed to find an attorney and my own contracts and look for a book keeper. I began checking items off the list and off I went. I started my business in July of 2021 at the time I was a stay at home mom to my two toddlers and stuck in an unhappy marriage. I knew I needed to do something for myself that I could be proud of. Fast forward to now I am newly divorced a full time mom and a full time business owner. I completely rebranded my business to focus on food, cocktail and branding photography. This has been a great way for me to be creative and begin to find the things that truly make myself happy. Knowing what I know now I would have totally dove into the business way sooner had I known it really wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it was.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am from a small town called Pembroke located in WNY. I am a mother to two young children 6 & 5. Photography for me started as a hobby turned business many years later. I am now a Food, Cocktail & Branding photographer offering clients a way to capture their brand and culinary creations in creative ways. I help my clients market their business through imagery. We live in a world where first impression and technology are everything. Being able to capture stunning photos that help my clients audience stop scrolling to appreciate what they have to offer has helped my clients grow in ways they never even thought were possible. I am most proud of my growth over the years. I have found myself doing things I would never have done in the past. Approaching businesses and brands with confidence. Being aware that rejection is common and being able to overcome that and gain a contact and create relationships even if it does not turn into a session right away. It is important for my potential clients to know I am willing to work with them on every level. I truly understand that everyone starts somewhere and every situation is unique. My brand is focused on letting your personally and uniqueness of your business shine through in order to help each business grow to their full potential.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In September of 2023 I filled for separation from my husband of 7 years. This was a major pivot point in both life and my business. I was a stay at home mom for 5 and a half years to my two amazing kiddos. I was out of the work force for those 5 and a half years and it was time to kick it into gear and regain my financial independence. My life had revolved around my kids for so long I wasn’t quite sure how to make that transition into being a working mom who could still be present for my kids but support them as well. I was able to get a part time job as a class room aide in my daughters homeschool drop off program. I rebranded my business to focus on food and branding photography after my mentor had seen some photos I was posting on line to practice my camera settings. Those photos just so happened to showcase products and food items I had picked up from local businesses. I received a text from her saying ” I think we need to rebrand you as a food photographer”. My immediate response was “is that even a thing?”. Fast forward to April of 2024 and I am now 1 week away to taking my first solo trip to a food photographer retreat to continue to learn and grow my business.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I truly feel the most effective strategy to growing my clientele has been consistency and always investing in myself. I have been consistently researching new restaurants in the area and reaching out to see if I can help in any way when it comes to their marketing materials. I have also been sure to invest in myself which I feel has been huge. I started off with a year long mentorship followed by taking a food photography workshop, a coaching program, hiring a business finance coach and signing up for my first food photography retreat. All of these have helped me grow in so many ways and be able to offer my very best self to my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cravephotographyllc.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sj_photography_llc_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069931236453