We recently connected with Sara Keith and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I started the Atlanta School of Photography as an accessible space for learning everything photography. There are few resources between YouTube and college education to learn from working professionals. I wanted to fill that gap. I’m so proud to have created a space for professional photographers to share their knowledge with anyone willing to learn. We keep our classes affordable so you’re not breaking the bank to experience something new. We offer classes for all learning stages in photography; from super “I just bought my camera” beginners, to folks learning to start their careers.

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?

My Grandpa was in advertising in Chicago in the 50’s and 60’s, there he quickly picked up the hobby of photography and built a darkroom in his basement. He gave me my first camera at 12 years old, I was really lucky he was enthralled with digital when it first hit the market, it gave me a great head start. I went on to SCAD Savannah and graduated in 2011 with a BFA in photography and a minor in film and television, and soon after moved to Atlanta. I fell in love with the city and found it the perfect place to start my photography and video business. I am so blessed to have the Alliance Theatre as one of my first and long-time clients, and having the opportunity to work on amazing projects such as the Palefsky Collision Project. Also soon after arriving in Atlanta, I started teaching with The Showcase School of Photography. In 2016, they announced they were closing their doors, so I asked if I could buy the school. I opened the Atlanta school of Photography in 2017. I’m hands-down most proud of keeping our doors open and my friends employed through two bridge collapses and COVID. It’s been a rough road, but so happy to be here with my amazing team.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A month after I opened the school, I-85 burned down, just an exit down from our location on Sheridan Road. Absolutely one of the most awful starts to a business; there was traffic everywhere, white a major artery to our business had been lost, and we didn’t know for how long, all when we were just getting our footing. I had just signed a multi-year lease, so this could not be a death sentence for us. I reached out to all of our business partners, asking for support. Some graciously even invited us in to teach our classes at their business locations. I stood on Cheshire Bridge with a sign that said “Traffic Sucks, Take a Photography Class Instead!”. We bounced back months later and were able to stay afloat. As if that wasn’t enough, COVID hit. We were an all in-person business, I always saw competing with online photography lessons as an impossible task. However, COVID forced our hand and we had to give it a try. Our students were so incredibly supportive, signing up for classes and workshops and asking for more. I realized what set us apart in the space was people already knew us, we were more accessible and relatable to a general audience. It was by far the hardest time in my career, but so happy to have made it through.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I’ve learned the most from previous bosses and managers, unfortunately of how not to be. I let every one of my employees know that this job is not the priority of their life, their family and health comes first. In previous jobs, I’ve worked myself near to death (even went to the emergency room) over the stress of a job. I wanted to be sure that my employees never felt that way. Recognize your employees have full lives outside of work, and the more respect you give them, you’ll get it back ten fold. Creating a positive work environment isn’t magic or science, it’s just respect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atlschoolofphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlschoolofphoto/