Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Kleinmann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
I firmly believe that everyone should have a job in sales or be a waitress at some point in their youth. The lessons learned about having superior customer service and earning your living based on your personality and ability to become a chameleon and get along with others is essential to life. And, for a double whammy, I did both so I feel uber prepared now as a business owner! When you waitress or work in sales your tips or commission are based on how well you do. From the minute you meet with your clients until that very last goodbye, everything you do and say and even HOW you do or say it will determine your connection therefore equating to a monetary gain. In waitressing, you alone are responsible for how your guests feel about the restaurant and if they’ll enjoy their time out with their loved ones. Your ability to problem solve quickly or cheer someone up with fun banter or goofy dad jokes is an essential trait that will translate into many situations later in life. The strength that comes from working in sales and having doors literally slammed in your face was helpful to gain and would toughen anyones skin. As a business owner I’m VERY sensitive to customer service and always want to ensure my clients are happy no matter what. I love chatting with families and getting to know them during our time together thanks to my years of waitressing. I don’t consider my work a one stop shop. I’m helping families along the way from our very first interaction picking out outfits with them and suggesting tips to help them during our sessions. Thanks to my years in sales shaping my personality traits and ability to make others happy, my business has grown into my dream job!
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
My story started back in high school and college when I could always be seen with a camera in hand annoyingly snapping away at every event. There has always been something about photography and capturing a moment in time that I’ve loved and I’m so excited to be fulfilling that passion. I really didn’t start learning beyond point and click, however, until I was pregnant with my first in 2010. That was the year that I bought my first ‘big girl’ camera and learned everything I could. I practiced every day on our 4-legged family members and thought I was pretty cool when I shifted the mode dial off of ‘auto’.
It was about a year later when a friend asked me to take their family pictures. It was during that time that I KNEW I was hooked. I LOVED working with the kiddos and creating memories for my friend behind the camera. I worked hard for 2 years learning everything I could from books, online courses, mentors, workshops, YouTube videos, etc. all while photographing everything I could.
In 2013 Sarah Marie Photography opened and I had my first official paying client. From there my business has remained my passion even with moving multiple times. In 2015 I shifted from the corporate world to doing photography full time and never looked back. Meeting new families and creating memories they’ll look back upon and cherish for decades to come is my passion!
I pride myself on making sessions fun and absolutely love when a family is shocked by how easy it really can be! I understand that people dread pictures. I mean in the 90’s we all had to sit on colorful carpet and hold our smile for an hour so I get it! With me, we play games and run and wrestle and tell jokes! I adore “crazy” toddlers who don’t sit still and love capturing the in between moments that exemplify emotions and connections.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes! I was {gasp} laid off from the corporate world in 2015 from a company I had worked at for a decade. While I had considered leaving and doing photography full time the stability of my job kept me there. I had to quickly pivot and throw myself into my business, but it was almost as if it was meant to be. I never regretted going full time with my business and haven’t looked back since. While I miss some aspects of the corporate world, owning my own business with three children has given me the flexibility I need in life!
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Honestly most of my clients become friends! I don’t have time to make instagram Reels or create paid ads for Facebook. What I invest in are my clients and their happiness which then translates back into more clients. My brand is known for giving back and high customer satisfaction. I’m constantly donating mini sessions to charities dear to my heart as well as all of my kids school auctions. If I can photograph an event to help a group out free of charge I will and I love that people know that. I also love taking pictures of dogs about to cross the rainbow bridge as I know how much those pictures will mean to those clients once their furbabies are gone. I also live in a tight knit community so I see clients often. When a kiddo runs up to give me a random hug in the store, I know I’m doing something right. :)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahmarie.photography
- Instagram: @Sarahmariephotog
- Facebook: facebook.com/smariephotog
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smkleinmann/