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

Sara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Inner Light Aura, our mission is to help people see and embrace their true selves – beyond the surface, beyond the stories they tell themselves and beyond what they may believe the world expects of them.

As the founder, I have intentionally created a space where people can connect with the energy that radiates from within, using aura photography as a visual and soulful tool to offer that unique reflection. But the mission is deeper than capturing colors; it’s about empowering people to feel truly seen, to celebrate their unique beauty, and to leave feeling a little more connected to their inner light.

I started Inner Light Aura because, like many of us, I spent a lot of my life feeling unseen or misunderstood. We all carry so much within us – our experiences, our dreams, our struggles and that shapes the energy we put out into the world, even if we don’t always notice it ourselves.

Through my own journey, I discovered how powerful it was to have someone hold space for me and allow me to feel that I was seen, heard, and valued. That experience of feeling truly seen was life-changing and I knew that I wanted to offer the same for others.

What makes this mission so meaningful is that our work isn’t just about creating a beautiful photo; it’s about honoring the soul of each person who steps into our studio. It’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment where people can open up, reflect, and see themselves with a new perspective.

Our team is comprised of a smattering of vibrant souls who bring a unique sensitivity and intuition to each aura portrait session. We understand firsthand how valuable it is to be in an inclusive space, where different ways of seeing and feeling are celebrated and honored.

Through our work, we’re inviting people to pause, to breathe, and to recognize the light within them – often a light they didn’t know they had or hadn’t looked at in a long time. We hope each person leaves with a renewed sense of self, a reminder of their unique essence, and a feeling of connection to a community that embraces them just as they are.

This is a mission that’s as much about healing as it is about celebration, and I am beyond grateful to be able to share this journey with every person we photograph.

Sara, 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?

Hi, I’m Sara Silverstein, and I’m so honored to share a bit about myself and the journey that brought me to create Inner Light Aura.

My work is rooted in a deep commitment to helping people feel seen, valued and connected to their unique essence. As someone who has always been curious about the hidden layers that make up our individual energies, aura photography became a beautiful and natural way for me to turn that passion into a purposeful path.

My journey into this industry began through my background in somatic healing and energy work. For years, I worked with clients to help them reconnect with their bodies, heal emotional blockages and embrace a deeper sense of self-love and acceptance through coaching and Breathwork. I left my career in Corporate America to travel the world and uncover more of what my true essence was and that led me to living in Bali, Indonesia where I helped people on their healing path.

Over time, I noticed that people craved a tangible way to witness the energy they carried – a visual representation of their inner world. That’s when I decided to devote my attention to aura photography and the transformative power it holds for clients. Aura photography allows us to capture a person’s energy in colors, shapes, and patterns, creating a kind of “soul portrait” that reflects their internal landscape. For many, seeing their aura provides an “ah-ha” moment where they feel validated, inspired, and deeply seen.

Inner Light Aura offers a variety of experiences and services, from individual aura sessions to group events and pop-ups. Each session is designed to be more than just a photo – it’s an experience where clients can pause, reflect, and engage with the energy they bring into the world. I want every session to feel like a safe, inclusive space where people can explore their energy without judgment, supported by a compassionate team. And our team at Inner Light Aura is incredibly special. We’re a collective of individuals who bring unique sensitivity and intuition to every session, creating an environment that is welcoming, empathetic, and deeply respectful of each client’s unique journey.

What sets Inner Light Aura apart is that we’re not just capturing colors on film; we’re inviting people to connect with themselves on a deep soul level. Our clients often come to us seeking validation, self-discovery, or simply a new perspective on their energy. I’m most proud when clients tell us that their aura session left them feeling more aligned, inspired, or accepting of who they are. For many, our sessions provide a moment of profound self-recognition and joy, as if they’re seeing themselves for the first time.

I want potential clients and followers to know that Inner Light Aura is a space for everyone. You don’t have to have any prior experience with energy work to feel the impact of an aura session. All you need is a sense of curiosity and an openness to exploring the beauty and wisdom within you. My hope is that through this work, we can help more people feel empowered, celebrate their unique energy, and leave with a renewed connection to their inner light.

I’m beyond excited to continue creating spaces where we can honor the beauty of our collective energy and shine a light on the vibrant souls that make our world so extraordinary!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a reputation with my clients and community has been such an organic journey, shaped by authenticity, trust, and a few serendipitous moments that helped us reach more people than I could have ever anticipated.

It all started back in Bali, right before the pandemic took over. This was a time when so many of us were searching for a deeper sense of connection and self-understanding. I had the vision for Inner Light Aura as a way to hold space for people to connect with their inner energy, especially when the world around us felt so uncertain and disconnected.

What began as a small endeavor quickly grew as people started to share their experiences and photos with others. In those early days, I saw how powerful it was for clients to connect with their own aura and feel seen in a completely new way. After some time had passed, I made the decision to return to the States on a whim, bringing with me this vision for Inner Light Aura to see if I could create that same energy and impact in Bali but back here at home.

Soon after moving back, everything changed when Philadelphia Magazine wrote a piece about Inner Light Aura. I’ll never forget the day that article was published – it catapulted me into a new level of visibility that I never expected. Suddenly, there was a wave of people reaching out, excited to experience aura photography, and I was overwhelmed by the support and curiosity from the community. The article really connected people to the story behind the brand, and I think that resonated with them on a human level. Because of this article, I was able to begin to build a team which has now grown into 10 souls who I get to work alongside of.

What has helped Inner Light Aura build and keep our reputation since then is staying true to our core mission. We never want people to feel like they’re just coming in for a “photo session” – when you are with us, it is a meaningful experience where they can feel truly seen, understood, and celebrated.

The team and I take great care to create an inclusive, safe space where every person’s energy is honored and where they can leave with a renewed sense of self. Being a group of queer, empathetic, neurodivergent souls, we understand the importance of spaces where people feel respected and valued exactly as they are, and I believe that sensitivity shines through in every session we offer.

This journey – from Bali to Philadelphia and beyond – has been a beautiful reminder that when we pour our heart into our work and stay aligned with our purpose, the right people and opportunities naturally find us. I’m so grateful for the trust our clients place in us, and for each person who comes through our doors ready to connect with their own inner light.

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

One of the most memorable moments in the journey of Inner Light Aura was a time when I was faced with an incredible opportunity – and a significant challenge to my values.

I was approached by a prominent television network who wanted to feature Inner Light Aura on one of their daytime shows. Initially, it seemed like a dream come true – a chance to share our work with a larger audience and introduce people to the transformative power of aura photography.

However, there was a catch: the producers only wanted our Black employee to represent Inner Light Aura on screen, excluding me, the founder for no defined reason.

This request didn’t sit right with me. I immediately recognized the problematic nature of their request, which felt like they were capitalizing on our team member’s identity without a genuine commitment to inclusivity. When I brought up my concerns with the producer, they reacted defensively, refusing to acknowledge the underlying bias of their decision. It was disappointing and painful, but I knew I couldn’t proceed under those terms. I believe in protecting and supporting my team fully, and I refuse to exploit anyone for a moment of notoriety. So, I made the hard decision to turn down the opportunity, knowing that our values were more important than any TV appearance.

After some time, the producers reached back out to apologize. They acknowledged the flaws in their approach, and their willingness to take accountability made me feel safe enough to reconsider. This time, we approached the collaboration from a place of mutual respect and understanding.

This experience reinforced my resilience and my commitment to ethical business practices. I believe that staying true to our values, even in the face of a major opportunity, ultimately strengthened Inner Light Aura’s mission. It showed me that standing up for what’s right – even if it means walking away from the spotlight – will always be worth it. This decision not only protected my team but also paved the way for a more authentic collaboration, one that aligned with the integrity we bring to our work every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.innerlightaura.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerlightaura
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@innerlightaura