Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Harrison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In 2016, I started an office job at a warehouse. It was stable, it was safe, and it paid the bills. All the while, photography had always been my side hustle since 2014 — something I loved deeply, but considered “part-time.” I never quite imagined it could become my full-time career… until the world changed.

When COVID hit, everything felt uncertain — except for one thing: my photography business took off. Suddenly, inquiries were flooding in, bookings were steady, and my calendar was full. Despite the global chaos, I found myself on fire. I met the kindest, most genuine people, and was reminded over and over again why I loved doing this work.

I had always been honest with my boss about my photography business. Everyone at work knew about it from day one, and it was never an issue. When I decided — four years in — that it was time to leave and pursue photography full-time, I had a candid conversation with my boss and told him the real reason why I wanted to go. He didn’t try to talk me out of it. Instead, he and the company surprised me by offering a part-time position, just so they wouldn’t lose me completely. I was floored.

I accepted the offer and ran with it. For the next two years, I worked part-time at the warehouse while running my photography business nearly full-time. It was exhausting, but it was also empowering. I understood that I was building something real.

Finally, after six years — to the day — I made the decision to truly leave the job I started on March 8, 2016. This time, for good. I had the experience. I had the clients. I had the confidence. And most importantly, I was ready.

Since that day, I’ve never looked back.

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?

I’m Sarah, the owner and lead photographer behind Sarah Barre Harrison Photography. I specialize in creating meaningful, polished imagery for individuals, families, brands, and businesses who want to be seen in their best light—literally and figuratively.

I’m originally from Canada. I was adopted at birth from South Korea and raised by my incredible family in Montreal, Quebec. My love for photography began thanks to my dad, who was an avid amateur photographer. In 1992, for my 11th birthday, he gave me my very first camera—a vintage Praktica LTL from the 70s. That gift sparked something in me that never left. I’m forever grateful that he shared his passion with me and helped me discover mine.

For years, photography was my side hustle and in 2016, while I worked a full-time job. But when COVID hit, something unexpected happened: my photography business took off. Despite all the uncertainty in the world, the demand for my work grew—and with it, my confidence. I found myself connecting with so many kind, genuine people who reminded me why I do this work in the first place.

After balancing both jobs for a while—first full-time, then part-time—I eventually made the leap to go full-time with photography. It was risky, but the timing was right. Now, I get to do what I love every day: tell people’s stories through clean, heartfelt, high-quality images.

I offer a variety of photography services including branding sessions, headshots, family portraits, senior photos, and lifestyle sessions. I also get into product and real estate photography from time to time and I love doing events of all kinds. My approach is always thoughtful, efficient, and tailored to each client. Whether it’s a small business owner who needs updated content or a family capturing a meaningful season of life, I aim to deliver images that feel both natural and elevated.

And most importantly, everyone is welcome here. Don’t be fooled by the fact that I sometimes work with well-known or high-profile individuals—because I genuinely love working with everyday citizens just as much. I am one. I do not—and will not—exclude anyone based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or beliefs. My studio and services are a safe, inclusive space for all.

What sets me apart is a mix of technical precision, artistic instinct, and people-first communication. Clients often tell me how easy and relaxed they feel during our shoots—and that shows in the final photos.

I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients place in me to capture their most important moments and milestones. I want future clients to know that I’m not just here to take pictures—I’m here to create a positive experience, deliver images you’ll be proud to share, and be someone you can rely on again and again.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Reviews! Reviews! Reviews! One of the biggest things that’s helped me build my reputation has been word of mouth and client reviews — hands down. In a small business like mine, where so much depends on trust, personal connection, and delivering a great experience, reviews are everything. They’re not just kind words — they’re social proof. When someone is looking for a photographer, especially for something meaningful like family photos, branding, or an important life event, they want to feel reassured that they’re in good hands. A positive review can be that deciding factor.

People tend to scroll past ads or slick marketing language, but they stop and read real client stories. Reviews carry the weight of experience — they show that I’ve followed through, made people feel comfortable, captured exactly what they needed (and more), and delivered quality work consistently. That builds credibility in ways I could never manufacture on my own.

And because photography is such a personal service, reviews also help me attract the right clients — people who value what I do, appreciate my style, and trust the process. That alignment makes for smoother sessions and better results.

The bottom line is, I can’t overstate how valuable it is when a client takes the time to leave a review. For a small business like mine, it’s like planting seeds that help more people find and trust me — which is how I’ve grown, client by client, photo by photo. Reviews are also a slow process in some ways, they take time to get. I started asking for reviews around 2020 and I’m proud to say that I’ve amassed over 200 5-star reviews over several platforms (Google, Thumbtack, etc).

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has definitely been a mix of word of mouth, client referrals, and service platforms like Thumbtack. When someone has a great experience and tells their friends or family about it, that kind of trust is priceless. Most of my strongest leads come from people who’ve either seen my work or heard directly from someone who worked with me.

Thumbtack has also played a major role, especially in the early stages of growing my client base. It helped me connect with people who were actively searching for photography services. Over time, building strong reviews and a solid profile there really paid off and brought me consistent, quality leads.

Along with that, Google reviews and social media (especially Instagram) have amplified my reach. When clients post their images or leave feedback, it adds credibility and builds momentum. But what truly fuels everything is delivering not just beautiful photos, but a great overall experience — that’s what people remember and talk about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahbarreharrison.com
• Instagram: @sarahharrisonphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photosbysarahharrison
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbarreharrison

Image Credits

All image credits go to Sarah Barre Harrison Photography