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

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I want to say I wish I started my business sooner but I also don’t know if I would be where I am today if I did. I’ve always enjoyed doing photography as a hobby but late into high school I started getting paid for sessions. At that time I focused on doing sessions for seniors, families, and events. After I graduated, I stopped doing photography because I honestly didn’t have the time with playing D1 soccer and focusing on school. Once graduating undergrad and entering my master’s program, I upgraded my gear and started a Youtube channel because I thought I wanted to be a vlogger. I quickly realized, being in front of the camera at that point in my life, was not for me. I instead, wanted to be behind the camera! I did so much research and reached out to local photographers to get an understanding as to what it takes nowadays to be successful in the photography industry. Without the research, education, mentorships, and learning what I wanted my niche to be, I am not sure I would be where I am today. With that said, as much as I want to say I should have started my business sooner, God knew where He wanted me and at what time.

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?

My name is Sarah Wilson. I am a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in the Tampa Bay area for the adventurous and lighthearted. I like to think of myself as not only a photographer, but also a wife, Jesus lover, dog momma, sports enthusiast, and coffee addict! I originally grew up in a small town in South Florida. My family prioritized the little moments and letting us kids be creative with what we had. From there I learned I didn’t want the small or large moments in my life just to pass, but to find a way to stop them in time and to cherish them for years to come. I then came to the realization I could create a business doing just that. I am often asked what got me into photography. My simple answer is always my heart for serving others and being creative while doing so. I truly love connecting with others and helping them see the true beauty, which is them.

Before starting my photography business I graduated from Stetson University with my Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus in finance and went on to get my Master’s at Florida Atlantic University. It was during my Master’s that I picked up photography again. I initially thought it was “too late” to start my business because there are already so many amazing photographers, but I am glad that doubt didn’t stop me. The business skills I learned through my education have helped me grow exponentially. Even in photography, your business skills need to be sharp as you learn to grow, market yourself, and do your finances, amongst many other skills.

Currently I specialize in wedding and couples photography. My style of photography is a documentary style. I like to capture moments as they are! The real, raw, and true emotions. When my clients receive their gallery back, the idea is for them to relive that day from start to finish. I not only do weddings and couples, but I also do lifestyle sessions. Lifestyle sessions can be branding, maternity, or senior photos. This type of session is surrounded by documenting the major milestones in your life. Life is such an adventure and I love being a part of those moments!

My number one goal as a photographer is to organically capture memories and make my couples feel as confident as possible throughout the process. I want every photograph to display someone’s most authentic self, which is why I choose a candid approach. My focus on candid moments and client experience is what sets me apart from other photographers. I go through extensive detail prior to any session or wedding to understand personalities and the vision for the day. This can be done by grabbing coffee for our first meet and greet, phone consultations, questionnaires, etc.

Each year I purposefully only take on a certain amount of weddings and sessions to ensure quality over quantity. I want every client to receive the same amount of attention, detail, energy, and experience. Photos are so incredibly important and I don’t take the job lightly. A photo can hold a memory of a loved one alive, it connects us to our past, reminds us of feelings, and it allows us to see the world from different perspectives.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I did a lot of research on social media strategies as I first got started. One of the common themes on building a social media presence surrounds the concept of “just showing up”. Sometimes people connect with your work and other times they connect with the person behind the business. Either way, just show up. We like to tell ourselves that people don’t care about what we have to say or about what we are doing, but that is simply not true. The more I posted on social media, the more I connected with people and built an audience. Showing up can look like posting on your feed, posting stories, engaging through comments, or liking other peoples posts. If you show up consistently and remain authentic, you have a really great chance to build the right audience.

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

Networking without a doubt is one of the main things that helped me build a great reputation in the market. I believe networking is important no matter how big or small your business is. Each month I try to network with a handful of individuals in the industry. This could look like going to a networking event, grabbing a cup of coffee, or connecting on social media. As a wedding photographer I also have the pleasure of working with various vendors on a wedding day. I try my best to make their experience working with me just as great as I try to make it for my couples.

Furthermore, I strive to give the best client experience. As a wedding photographer, you will not only find me taking photos. If the bride needs help buckling her shoes, I will be there. If the groom needs help putting on his boutonniere, I will be there. If the mother of the bride needs a cup of water in the Florida heat, I will be there. Treating my clients well and producing a high quality work product, translates into good client experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahmariephotographyfl.com
• Instagram: @sarahmariephotographyfl
• Facebook: Sarah Marie Photography LLC
• Other: Pinterest: @Sarahmariephotographyfl

Image Credits
Sarah Marie Photography