We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sara Saldivar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sara below.
Sara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?
When I first took photos for an artist in 2018, I was 21, going to community college and had a full time job. I was planning to study a field completely different from photography or any creative career. At this point, taking photos was just a hobby. I’d go to so many music events in LA and meet different people, from photographers, artists, managers, promoters. I realized how big of an industry it was behind the scenes. In 2019, I felt confident enough in my work to reach out to artists and promoters to work their events or sets. I luckily met several other experienced and talented event photographers who gave me tips and advice that I always took and ran with. A huge part of me was scared to pursue this field as a job or career for fear of judgement, failure and honestly disappointment for not following the ‘normal’ path I was on. It wasn’t until around April 2021, while on a leave from my full time job, with more free time, I was finally back to the swing of working events, everything was opening and I started getting more offers from artists and promoters running events. I decided to stop letting fear stop me and just go for it. I do wish I would’ve pushed myself sooner and believed in myself the way I do now.
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 name is Sara Saldivar, majority of my work is in Music Event Photography, I also offer portrait work and special event Photography. I work closely with DJ’s/Producers, and Promoters running the show, working in Los Angeles, Orange County or anywhere you need me. I go into every job aiming to capture the story of the event. I specialize in Photography but I also provide video footage at the clients request. Every job I offer both photo and video services, more than often they are both needed. Since the content I shoot can be used for promotion or for quick next day recap on social media, I push myself to turn around select to all content as fast as the next morning, day and within the next 48 hours, especially if it is asked of me sooner. What sets me apart is I always add extra to every job, wether it be social media content throughout or for after. If I’m taking photos, I’ll send extra than expected, if I’m hired on for photos only but they don’t have a videographer, I’ll take a few to send in. These are the people that continuously hire me because they know I care about their brand and I really just want to help tell their story. I look for a story in every scene I’m in, Im a fan first so I always interact with the fans, and try to capture them in a zone or off guard. Im proud of the way I haven’t let failure make me give up. Its always a lesson learned and it only makes me want to better my craft.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn is comparing myself to others. A lot of the fear of failure I had in the beginning of my journey came from comparing myself to others experiences. I thought I had to be at a high level right away. I had to learn not to beat myself up because I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I still have a long way to go but If I told back then me about the experiences I have had since, she wouldn’t believe me. I was scared to reach out for certain jobs because I thought I wasn’t good enough, but how was I supposed to get to that level without at least trying. I was told growing up, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no” and now that sticks to me.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy came from when I first started going to music events, I was a fan first, still am. Being genuine is the best way to grow, put yourself in places you want to stay in. I put myself in those places, talked to people I was inspired and motivated by. Took advice from wherever I can get it, even if its from someone just starting out. Everyones opinions are valid as long as they come from a good place. Use social media to your advantage, it’s where potential clients are most active all day. You never know who’s looking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarasphoto.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_SARASPHOTO/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdsgmedia
Image Credits
Self Photo: Juliette Dawson