We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Zimmerman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope my legacy will be how I made people feel when we crossed paths. I actually don’t think I’m the most innovative or creative individual, although I always try to challenge myself in those arenas, but I do feel that I am able to help people feel beautiful, at ease, safe, cared for, in love and loved.

So much of what one captures as a photographer is dictated by the emotion of your subject. If you help them to feel safe enough to truly be themselves right there in front of that big overwhelming camera lens, that’s where the magic materializes. That’s where they allow those armors to shed and the vulnerability, the beauty, and the warmth to reveal themselves as you capture those moments for them.

When people receive their images, I want them to feel like their truest selves, their most beautiful selves and see who they always hoped they could be, but may not realize they already exemplify. I want them to feel the love they have for each other and themselves that drives them through this beautiful miracle we call life.

I am always aware of how important wedding photos are, in that they are often displayed in living rooms, bedrooms and eventually event nursing homes. To be able to look at those images and feel what you felt in those moments, relish in the love that has guided you through, and feel confident and happy with what’s looking back at you is a true gift I’d like to provide to all that come my way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been a wedding and lifestyle photographer for almost ten years, and other than marrying my husband, its been the greatest endeavor of my life.

Prior to my business, I worked in a corporate environment, and always felt like I was going through the motions, following a path laid out for me that never truly felt like living.

I’ve always been driven by my passion for nature, and the infinite capacity humans, and really all animals have to love other and to feel love. I can think of no greater through line in nature than love and community.

Every day in this role, I have the honor of capturing that over and over again. Every couple and person is so nuanced that it always feels different and fresh, and I have the immense joy of getting to work with people during some of their most pivotal days filled with heightened emotions, stressors, tender moments and everything in between.

Especially, with the state of the world today, the opportunity to consistently witness the goodness in humanity is a gift I never take for granted, and I try to navigate through the world with the lessons I’ve taken from getting to capture these moments.

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

I hear from others in the industry and those I’ve worked with that I have a reputation for kindness, and it makes me so happy to hear this. I think it’s so simple to build a reputation like this if you try to leave every person better off or happier than how you found them.

So much of my business has become referrals, and time and again I hear people come to me because of how I made their friend or loved one feel. The beautiful thing that emerges over time are the countless connections with the most lovely people. In navigating your business with this in mind, you essentially get to curate your work environment. You get to work with people who will trust you implicitly, with people who are open to connection and authenticity, and with people who also try to walk through the world in kindness and love.

Some examples of how I’ve built this reputation over the years:

– I’ve had couples who have changed their wedding dates or locations where it was no longer an option for me to capture their day. My contract states no deposit refunds, however there have been times where it made sense for me to make an exception, especially when looking at the human element of a particular circumstance. Although you may think I lost money in these cases, and I did in the short term, decisions like these more often seem to far beyond pay for themselves with referrals from those very couples. Referrals are not the reason I do this, but they seem to organically often come. I hear people recite the phrase ‘stand on business’, and although I think there is merit to this as you can’t sustain a business, or a life, constantly being taken advantage of, but I find that if you sit back and look at situations through a more nuanced lens, it actually helps not only the client but your business as well.

– While editing I try to treat each image like I am the one in the photo. Then I determine would I feel confident and beautiful if I looked at this. If the answer is no, then I adjust or edit until I achieve that goal. It’s kind of my version of the golden rule but applied to photography.

– I try to work with vendors in a way to make their job easier, but that in turn makes mine easier as well. For example, when shooting with a videographer, I often try to ensure they got their shot as well before moving onto the next moment. By doing this, I notice they are more apt to give me space to get my shot since they know I have their back and won’t forget about them and their needs to serve the client as well.

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

Building connections seems to be a theme in my responses but it’s been the best way to keep my business going busy and strong for almost a decade. I get to know and become friends with venue coordinators, with planners, videographers and other vendors along with the couples themselves.

When people feel connected to you, and they feel you’re genuinely interested in who they are and helping them have a better experience as well, they are way more likely to refer you or book you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahzimmermanphoto.com
• Instagram: @sarahzimmermanphoto
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sarah-zimmerman-photo-san-diego?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits

@Sarah_damiani captured, edited by me

@tiffanylevisuals captured, edited by me