We were lucky to catch up with Sian Siska recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents did a lot ‘right’ in my eyes. They’ve always made sure I know how much they love me and make me a top priority. Because of that, I know that everything they did was done with good intentions. Though if I had to pick one specific thing they’ve done that has helped shape me and support me in my career it would be the way they let me dream big and experiment without ever shaming or discouraging me. I could (and did, haha) come to them wanting to go to school to become a holistic nutritionist one day and months later I’ve decided I’m actually going to pursue wedding and portrait photography and build a business for that from the ground up, and they sat their and listened. They did flinch at my ideas (to my face at least). They always asked how they could support me in my goals. They believe in me so strongly that no matter the self doubt I had or the discouragement that gets pushed onto young girls through media, peers, etc. I grew up determined and ambitious and knowing that without a shadow of a doubt my dreams are going to gradually unfold and become reality for me.

Sian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Sian (pronounced Shawn), a 26yo portrait and wedding photographer based in the Twin Cities. My dad was the one who introduced photography to me. It wasn’t in a ‘you should try this’ way, but he’s always loved it, and I’ve always loved trying things my dad loves haha! After high school I took quite a long break from photography but RAPIDLY fell back in love with it when my ex boyfriend from high school reached out to me to take engagement and wedding photos for him and his fiancé. I said yes. I don’t know why I said yes, but I did and am so happy I did. After that wedding I had never felt more certain in my life that this is what I wanted to be doing everyday. Fast forward about four years and many weddings later, I will actually be transitioning out of weddings being my main niche and back into family, motherhood, and boudoir. Don’t get me wrong, I love weddings. I am DEEPLY passionate about weddings which is why I’ll never fully stop booking them, but my personal life is guiding me in the direction of photoshoots again. I speak a lot about boudoir and how personally passionate I am about the experience of it. As for family and motherhood, it’s an honor to get to capture moments and milestones for families to treasure forever and the beauty and strength in mothers. I don’t know if you can tell by now, but I’m just a big fan of women and unconditional love. My biggest goal with any couple, family, and women I work with is that I capture your unique experience, dynamic, and journey.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m still working on this, but I don’t need to be the stereotypical photographer personality in order to market myself. I don’t mean this rudely by any means. I just mean that I don’t need to promise a bubbly bestie. Prompts are great, but I don’t need to make sure I use the most popular ones just because they’re a hit. Slowing down and honoring my authentic self, trusting my artistic eye, and allowing my experience with lifestyle, journalistic, and editorial to create its own unique concoction of individual style as been the best thing I could have ever done for my business and my creativity.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Right now I’m experiencing a shift in my business actually. In May my partner and I found out I’m pregnant. This was news that came about four years earlier than we’d planned and has given me a lot to think about business wise. I feel as though I’m growing and evolving through this experience in a ways that I’m still trying to figure out. Weddings are magical, but they’re also a huge commitment. My wedding couples have always been such a top priority for me. There is nothing that could stop me from making sure I capture your day to the best of my abilities. Unfortunately I don’t see myself wanting to commit my whole heart to that many weddings months, sometimes years out once our baby is here. Starting this fall I am transitioning my businesses focus back on family, motherhood, and boudoir sessions. And I’m not saying that my deep commitment to those clients are any different than weddings, it’s not. I feel so powerfully driven to show up for every person that trusts and books with me. Sessions are simply a more digestible load on me personally mentally, physically. and schedule wise.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sianelizabethphotos.com
• Instagram: sianelizabethphoto and boudoirbysianelizabeth
• Facebook: sianelizabethphotos
• Other: Pinterest sianelizabethphotos