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

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is such a tricky word because it can mean so many different things to different people. I think the most important thing when it comes to success is to define what it means to you, or else you can easily end up chasing society’s or other peoples’ definition of success, and in that way you’ll never truly feel successful or happy when you get there.

I also think that success can be an ever-evolving thing. For goal-oriented people, there’s often no point that they’ll reach when they’ll say, “I’ve arrived! Now I can stop!” There will just be another goal or another milestone to reach to feel “successful.” So truly sitting down and defining what’s enough for YOU in your life to feel happy and abundant is absolutely key to being successful!

Think about it; is it the process that you love? Is it an end goal or result? Why? You really have to dig deep here! What does a happy/successful life look like to you? Is this truly your definition of success or are you living out someone else’s goal for you?

If there is a particular goal you want to reach that will make you feel successful or like you’ve made it, the hardest part is often just believing in yourself and taking that first step to go for it! So many people have dreams of things they want to do, but have never sat down and actually mapped out how to get there or taken even the first step. So find that self-confidence and can-do attitude, figure out what you need to do to make it happen, and decide to start!

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 a colorful wedding, lifestyle, and commercial photographer based in the hills of Oakland (San Francisco Bay Area) and mountains of Mammoth Lakes, California. My style is vibrant, creative, and whimsical; and my clients are primarily joyful couples and creative businesses.

I’ve been a professional photographer for 6 years, and these days I can be found capturing everything from products to personal brands, colorful events, and unique weddings! I love how varied my days are and I’m constantly amazed by the wonderful people and creatives I get to meet and work with!

My journey to photography started when I became burnt out while working in the medical field (I was a full time nurse practitioner and prior to that worked as a critical care nurse in a trauma/neuro ICU for many years) and felt that I needed more creativity and joy in my life. So I picked up a camera, practiced relentlessly, and taught myself everything I needed to know about photography and starting a business!

Now I have my own business, work full time as a photographer, and spend my days surrounded by the happier things in life! In addition to my own photography, I also mentor other photographers, sell my San Francisco Bay Area Location Guides and colorful Lightroom presets for photographers in my online shop, and will be starting hands on lighting workshops this year! I love teaching and helping other photographers to learn and grow in their own craft!

I do still work occasionally as a per diem critical care nurse to stay fresh and grounded, but it’s definitely much easier to manage the trauma and tragedy when I’m not in it every day. Plus I think the nursing aspect of my life informed my bright, colorful, and joyful photography style I have today! For me it’s all about balance, seeking daily joy, creating a life that I love, and recognizing that that can change over the years!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Spreading joy! The initial tagline and inspiration for my business was the phrase “simply joyful life,” and I think that still holds true today. It’s about leaning in to the simple pleasures of life and pausing in those little moments to really appreciate them. It’s about spreading joy and sharing that joy with others! Smiles and truly joyful emotions are so infectious in a good way! It’s coming up with whimsical yet simple concepts that make people smile, using space and composition to stop them in their tracks and make them see things in a different way, and focusing on colors that feel like happiness! The world needs more happiness!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me has been just being different and true to myself! You tend to stand out a bit when your work or what you do is a bit different, and while that can repel some people, it will attract the people you actually want to work with who love what you do!

Sharing about myself and the person and heart behind the business has also been important since people like to work with their friends and creating connections outside of the work that you do draws people in and makes them want to work with you! This is especially important in a service based business since so much of my brand is my own personality and the energy I personally bring to a photoshoot or wedding day. It’s not just about the final product, it’s also about the client’s experience and how you make them feel throughout the process!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://saraheichstedtphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraheichstedtphotography/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sarah-eichstedt-photography-oakland
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/saraheichstedtphotography/

Image Credits
The first photo of me with the yellow wall and white sunglasses is by Mary Costa. The other photos are by me: Sarah Eichstedt Photography (sorry there are more than you asked for because it’s not letting me delete any so feel free to choose your favorites!) The mural behind the woman with the sunglasses and pink pleated skirt is by Fernanda Martinez, a local Oakland artist/painter/muralist!