We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Carpenter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

For me, the best legacy I can imagine leaving behind is the ideology that everyone deserves professional photos of themselves that they love. In an era dominated by social media influencers, it’s easy to feel that only a specific group of people gets professional photos, while the rest settle for occasional selfies or group shots with friends. I’ve encountered countless moms who apologize for every part of their bodies, and the number of grandmothers and aunts who shy away from candid shots at weddings is beyond counting.

My primary goal with my business is to convey the message that you don’t need to fit a certain age, shape, or style to have portraits taken. As you are is exactly how your family and friends would love to see you. One poignant example is clients who request retouching of blurry cellphone photos of loved ones for funeral purposes, which always is heartbreaking. Another common scenario involves moms who have numerous photos of their children but very few with themselves. They end up documenting their family’s special moments and everyone else with their kids, often forgetting themselves.

Get those photos taken. Capture who you are right now. Preserve these milestones and memories for your children and family to look back on, including you. No one will notice the grey hair, extra weight, or lack of trendy outfits—they will only see you and remember the impact you had on their lives during that time.

Many clients also don’t realize the difference of working with a professional photographer until they’ve experienced it firsthand. My favorite feedback of all time is when clients tell me that the photos they received were the first ones they’ve truly liked of themselves. That is the legacy I hope to leave: that we all deserve high-quality memories to cherish and pass on to future generations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Sarah Carpenter.

I picked up a camera as a 7th-grade yearbook student and never set it down. Photography became a huge part of my life throughout middle and high school, leading me to start my own portrait business during my senior year. Winning a superior award at a National Journalism competition in my junior year gave me the confidence to begin charging for my work. When choosing my college program, I pursued an Education degree with an Art minor due to concerns about making a living as a photographer. I continued my business part-time through college, and after graduating, I took portraits while teaching 5th grade during a period when no Art teaching positions were available. I also took on other photography gigs, such as photographing college graduations and working in the Penny’s portrait studio during summers. However, after having my oldest daughter, I realized I didn’t want my business to remain just a side gig. I took the plunge then and haven’t looked back!

I grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, attended college in Moscow, Idaho (GO VANDALS!), lived in Nampa for a few years while my husband attended law school, and now reside in Pocatello. My fun, chaotic little family includes my husband, a 5-year-old daughter, 3-year-old twins, and our 3 crazy, yet lovable, dogs. I thrive on trying new things, meeting new people, and exploring new places.

My number one goal is to capture the special moments and people in life, creating photographs for clients to cherish for a lifetime. What sets me apart from many other photographers is my strong emphasis on creating timeless images with true-to-life colors and an extra touch of warmth and vibrance to bring them to life. I steer clear of trendy editing styles that may not age well. I meticulously hand-edit every image rather than using batch editing or AI, ensuring the highest quality product for my clients. I have chosen not to specialize and instead offer a wide variety of session types and continually challenge myself to learn and grow to provide the best possible service.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Starting in 7th grade, I discovered my passion for photography when I became a photographer for my school’s yearbook. Capturing memories became a joy that I nurtured through classes, camps, and competitions. By junior year, winning a superior rating in a national portrait competition boosted my confidence, leading me to start charging for my services. During my senior year, I expanded into senior photos, weddings, and family shoots.

Choosing the University of Idaho for its scholarship, I pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts due to the lack of a specific photography program. Concerns from loved ones about the viability of a career in photography prompted me to switch to an Elementary Education degree with an Art minor after freshman year, viewing teaching as a stable option. Despite this, I continued to hone my photography skills through various jobs and side projects during college, learning from mentors and classes while working also for JCPenny Portrait Studio on summer breaks and holidays. I also picked up a job photographing college graduations in the area.

Post-college, while teaching 5th grade, I dedicated summers and occassional weekends to photography and slowly grew my client base. Balancing teaching with photography became challenging after having my first daughter and then relocating for my husband’s job. When he graduated law school, we moved to a town not far from our hometown and close to family. Motivated by my desire to follow my passion and stay home with my daughter, I prioritized my photography business. I decided to quit teaching and follow my dreams full time. With renewed focus on marketing, networking, and refining my portfolio, I steadily built my clientele. I learned from other small business owners and photographers in the area. I made connections with makeup artists and models who continued to help me refine my skills.

After four years in the area, I took a significant step by opening my own photography studio. Despite battling imposter syndrome, this move marked a milestone in my journey. It took 13 years from the time I started charging to get where I am now. It wasn’t quick, linear, or easy, but I am proud of where I am now. Today, I balance my business with raising my children, a 5 year old and 3 year old twins, working weekends and evenings. While not full-time in the traditional sense, I’m fully committed to my dream of owning a successful photography studio. I eagerly anticipate the future as my children grow older and I expand my business further. I continue to grow and learn new things each day and hope to make my kids proud.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a photographer is creating mementos for some of the most special times in people’s lives.

I love capturing images of those significant moments that people cherish: marrying their best friend, having their first baby, graduating high school, and more. To be a small part of all these moments in people’s lives is truly special, especially with clients I’ve had since high school. From photographing newborns who are now sweet, older siblings, to capturing engagement photos for couples who are starting families, and watching high schoolers begin their careers—it’s an honor.

I feel deeply privileged by the clients who return year after year. They trust me to document their lives and have supported me through price increases, learning curves, and shifts in style. I am incredibly thankful for their ongoing support and the love they show me and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahmcarpenterphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcarpenterphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmcarpenterphotography