We recently connected with Sarah Bokone and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Even though I’ve always had a creative mind and even went to Art School for Photography, I didn’t really know what I was going to do with it. There was no actual plan to run a business but I fell into that and never looked back! When I graduated college, I had intentions of shadowing another photographer and seeing where that lead. Instead, he presented me with an opportunity to rent from him and utilize everything in his studio. It was too exciting to pass up and I was quickly reminded that I had zero clients! It took a little bit of time, trial and error but I eventually learned how to build my clientele and a year later I had my own studio. I didn’t have much equipment and couldn’t afford much at the time, so I always found ways to just work with what I had. Over time I was able to add to my studio. I’ve always been a bit of a free spirit, so it does not surprise me that it all just sort of happened.
Sarah, 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?
Looking back on my childhood, I always documented my life through photographs. The disposable film camera was a necessity! I found myself taking pictures of all the things I loved. My dog, friends, family, sentimental items, and even my stuffed animals. Once I hit my teenage years and was gifted my first digital camera, I began expressing myself through self-portraits. Perhaps that was my way of learning to love myself too. At the time, my mind didn’t process how profound photography can be, it was just something I felt a strong connection to. I am now a 36 years old business owner that specializes in Portrait Photography. Boko Photo just reached its 15 year anniversary in June and I couldn’t be more proud! While I still love documenting my own life, I have a deep passion for connecting with people. Being photographed can be a vulnerable experience and to be able to make that a safe experience for others is something I take pride in. It is essential that my clients leave my presence feeling better than when they first arrived. They’re important, you know? We all deserve to feel important, relevant, and appreciated.
Portraits don’t need to be complicated. It’s nice to keep a moment as it is. Sometimes it’s fun to play with different techniques and setups depending on the purpose of the photoshoot, but ideally, I love to keep it simple and timeless. Lighting and expression are two of the most important aspects that make a portrait pop. Whether I’m in my studio using a professional setup or working with the sun, I am always chasing the right light that suits the mood of my subject. The story we tell through imagery either comes down to the status of my own mental health or theirs. So if we really want to dig deeper into why I do what I do, it has always been rooted in mental health; the journey of appreciating life, learning self-love and how to be present.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Aside from sharing my portrait work on social media over the years, I’m also known for being pretty personable. Some may frown upon this, but it’s something that has worked out for me, unintentionally. Being raw with my emotions and sharing parts of my mental health journey has really connected me with like-minded people. It feels good to relate to others and oftentimes, people feel more comfortable working with me because it’s a personable experience. If my personality was cold and closed off, that would reflect in my work. I wouldn’t recommend sharing all aspects of your life. That is something I’ve learned over time, but depending on the clientele you’re trying to reach, let them in a little bit.
When I’m not working with my professional camera, my iPhone camera is my best friend. I love sharing photos from when I’m out in nature, spending time with loved ones, my pets, textures, landscapes, and pretty much everything I used to photograph as a kid. I take everything I have an appreciation for, make it visually appealing and then I share it with the world. It’s all relevant.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to express emotion and fulfill my purpose. Sometimes the portraits I take are the last portraits ever taken of someone. It’s bittersweet and also an honor to capture their true personality for others to look at and reflect. I love freezing moments so we can relive them as many times as our heart desires. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bokocreative.com
- Instagram: bokophoto
Image Credits
Boko Photo