We were lucky to catch up with Sara Sutton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
At first, I had no intentions or aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur, let alone a business owner: All I wanted to do was to take photographs. Since childhood, I’ve always had a “good eye” for seeing patterns or shapes, able to find beauty even in the most mundane and commonplace of objects. Wherever I went, a disposable Kodak camera (or three) was in hand as I faithfully documented my adventures and travels. That early instinct evolved into a photographic journey rooted in capturing local landscapes and cityscapes, where I sought to reveal the quiet beauty of everyday life. Yet beyond simply noticing patterns, what truly defines my work is the way each image is treated not just as art, but as a story. Through my lens I view photography as a bridge between fine art, storytelling and functional design.
After dabbling in a myriad of creative pursuits from dance to music to a multitude of art mediums, it was in my sophomore year of college that my passion for photography was reignited. I took courses in college and absorbed as much as I could from my professors and peers. The turning point came when I realized that my photographs could live beyond the frame, to capture and preserve a moment in time; each print would transform the spaces they occupy and that people could carry into their lives.
Over the years, I accumulated hundreds of images before I finally asked myself, “what are you going to do with all these? What’s the point of photographing if you’re not going to share them?” It didn’t feel right taking the time to plan and execute a photoshoot, spending time developing editing techniques and curating photos just to have them sit in a folder, collecting digital dust. Riddled with moderate angst about putting my work into the ether, I slowly migrated from a sparsely used Tumblr account to Instagram, where I have developed, curated and refined my approach to photography—and ultimately my brand—over the course of the last 7 years.
What ultimately gave me the confidence to turn this passion into a business was my academic and professional foundation. With a B.A. in Digital Media Production and an M.S. in Digital Marketing, I had both the creative training and the strategic expertise to see how photography could evolve into more than a personal pursuit. My ability as a professional marketer allows me to seamlessly blend fine art and artistry with strategy, storytelling, and functional design—ensuring that every image and product is not only visually compelling, but also purposeful, marketable, and aligned with a larger brand vision. This combination of creative instinct and marketing acumen made the endeavor feel not only worthwhile, but sustainable. I knew I could succeed because I wasn’t just creating art; I was building a brand rooted in authenticity, advocacy, and design thinking, with the tools to position it effectively in the marketplace.
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’m Sara Sutton, a solo freelance photographer and creative entrepreneur based in White Plains, NY. My journey into photography began in childhood, when I was rarely without a disposable Kodak camera in hand, documenting everyday adventures and finding beauty in even the most ordinary objects. Over time, that instinct evolved into a deeper practice of capturing diverse subjects, notably local landscapes, cityscapes, and abstract motifs, where I sought to reveal the quiet poetry of everyday life.
Although I explored many creative pursuits—from dance to music to other art mediums—it was during college, while studying Digital Media Production and later earning an M.S. in Digital Marketing, that my passion for photography was reignited. Those experiences gave me not only the technical foundation to refine my craft but also the strategic insight to see how photography could live beyond the frame, becoming both fine art and functional design.
Through Sara Sutton Photography, I offer a range of creative services and original works designed to meet diverse client needs and bring art into everyday life. Professional sessions tailored for a variety of clients and purposes, including landscapes, portraiture, nature, abstract themes, and more. Each shoot is approached with a focus on authenticity, storytelling, and capturing the intimate details down to the editing process. My Etsy shop features gallery-quality works that transform my images into functional art and home décor. Offerings currently include prints and canvas prints, home décor pieces, coasters, stationary, digital wallpapers. Every product is carefully packaged with small inserts that reflect my brand’s voice, values, and commitment to sustainability, ensuring that clients receive not just art, but a complete experience.
Through my services and products, I help clients bring authentic, meaningful art into their everyday lives. Each piece is designed to resonate emotionally while fitting seamlessly into the rhythm of their spaces and experiences.
What sets me apart is the way I fuse artistry with strategy. My background in Digital Media Production and Digital Marketing allows me to seamlessly blend fine art with storytelling, functional design, and brand strategy. Every detail of my work—from the minimalist editing style to the carefully curated packaging and inserts—is intentional and aligned with my brand identity. Beyond aesthetics, my photography is rooted in authenticity, advocacy and sustainability, ensuring that my creative practice reflects eco-conscious values and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Over the course of my journey, I am most proud of building a brand that is deeply authentic and intentional. Each product I create is selected and crafted with care, designed to resonate emotionally while fitting seamlessly into everyday life. I take a great deal of pride in the way my work sparks dialogue. For me, this is bigger than producing art: it’s about creating impact, connection, and meaning.
Sara Sutton Photography is more than a business—it’s a vision. My work is rooted in authenticity and exclusivity, with each piece thoughtfully designed to carry meaning beyond aesthetics. I believe art should be both beautiful and functional, enhancing everyday life while sparking dialogue and connection. Supporting my brand means supporting not only an artist but also a mission of community, advocacy and sustainability, where every product reflects care, purpose, and impact.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Looking back, I wish I had known more about the wealth of online platforms and communities available to emerging creatives. In the beginning, I was mostly experimenting on my own—posting sporadically on Tumblr, tinkering with editing, and storing hundreds of images without a clear plan for how to share them. I didn’t realize how powerful resources like Instagram, Etsy, and even local arts organizations could be for building a brand, connecting with peers, and finding an audience.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is the ability to capture and preserve moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about documenting a moment in real time and transforming it into an image that resonates emotionally with others. Knowing that my work can spark a feeling, a memory, or even a conversation makes the process worthwhile.
What’s most rewarding for me is seeing someone who connects with my work and engages in dialogue about it. Viewing or revisiting a photograph can be a transportive process: it invites the observer to immerse themselves into the details: color, lighting, mood, emotion. To me, the greatest reward is being able to include someone into that intimate moment and share a personal story through the image, creating a space for connection and reflection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarasuttonphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarasuttonphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarasuttonphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarasutton93
- Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sarasuttonphotograph
Image Credits
Image credits: Sara Sutton