We recently connected with Sarah Harrison and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always loved photography, and I’m mostly self-taught. I started by watching a lot of online videos and taking various online courses about family and newborn photography. But honestly, the best way I learned was by just doing it. I practiced a lot on my family and friends, which helped me get comfortable with the camera and learn how to capture the best moments, especially with families and newborns.

Looking back, I think I could have sped things up by getting more hands-on experience earlier. Joining local photography groups, attending workshops, or even finding a mentor would have been really helpful. There’s so much you learn by networking with other photographers and joining workshops/masterminds and being with other like-minded professionals.

The most important skills for me were a mix of getting the photo right in-camera, and knowing how to connect with people. Technical stuff like understanding my camera settings and editing tools were key, but being able to make clients feel comfortable and capture genuine emotions was just as important.

One big challenge was the sheer amount of info out there. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the tutorials and advice online. Figuring out what was actually useful for me took some time. Plus, like anyone starting something new, I dealt with self-doubt and the fear of not being good enough. Getting past that and trusting myself was a big part of my journey.

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?

Hi! I’m Sarah Harrison, a family, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Pittsburgh, PA. My journey into photography started with a love for capturing those real, unscripted moments. Growing up in a big family with eight siblings, I’ve always been drawn to the chaos and joy of family life, and that’s exactly what I aim to capture in my work.

I primarily work with natural light to create warm, genuine images that showcase the unique connections and emotions within families. Whether it’s a giggling toddler during a family session or the extraordinary love new parents have for their newborn, I love telling stories through my lens. My goal is to provide a fun and stress-free experience, resulting in beautiful, timeless photos for the families I photograph.

What sets me apart? I think it’s my focus on capturing the authentic moments that truly reflect a family’s love and personality. I don’t believe in stiff, posed shots. Instead, I encourage my clients to interact naturally with each other. This approach brings out those genuine smiles, spontaneous laughter, and real connections that make each family unique.

One of the challenges many families face is the pressure to have “perfect” photos. I try to lessen that fear by creating a relaxed environment where everyone can be themselves AND by making sure my families are prepared for their session beforehand by knowing exactly what to expect from me. I’m there to capture the beauty of the everyday moments and the love that binds families together.

I’m most proud that I took a chance on myself and started a photography business. Photography is a complete change from my previous career, but had always been a dream of mine. When my second daughter was born, I knew it was the right time for a change. I left my corporate job and decided to follow my passion by starting my own photography business. Every day, I’m grateful that I followed my passion and embraced the challenge of building a business from scratch and had the courage to start something new in my 30s. It’s been an amazing journey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Outside of photography, I’m a mom of two young daughters and a huge fan of the outdoors. Hiking, exploring, baking, and collecting unique coffee mugs are some things I love. I’m also an Army veteran, which taught me about staying patient and bouncing back from tough situations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer and creative for me is the fact that people are paying me for my perspective through photography. I regularly think about how every single person and photographer has a different perspective. If you put ten photographers in a room and tell them to photograph the same family, you will get ten, totally unique and different galleries/perspectives/stories about that family. I’m honored that I get to showcase my perspective through my art and photography. This connection and the ability to impact others with my art is incredibly rewarding.

Also, the opportunity to capture and preserve the authentic, real moments between people is very rewarding and fulfilling to me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that every photo had to be perfect, with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. When I first started my photography journey, I was obsessed with getting everything just right – I thought the only way to do photography was the “formal portrait” style.

And honestly, I thought that because it’s the only style of photography I knew and saw. It changed when I tried to take my own family photos very early in my photography journey. Trying to get perfect photos with my two young daughters, one of whom is neurodivergent (unknown at the time), was a disaster, and honestly didn’t feel right. During that session, I started to let my daughter “be herself”, and tried to capture her just as she was. I stopped trying to force her to smile or stand still, and something clicked for me during that session. I realized that I can capture families as they are, and not force them to be something they’re not.

Since then, my approach has shifted to celebrating the beauty in everyday moments and the authenticity of real life. This mindset has not only made my work more enjoyable but has also resonated deeply with my clients, who appreciate the genuine emotions and stories reflected in their photos.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahharrisonphoto.com/
• Instagram: @sarahharrison_photo

Image Credits

Sarah Harrison Photography