We recently connected with Sierra Anderson and have shared our conversation below.
Sierra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
Absolutely, let me share an experience that profoundly shaped my journey as a business owner. During my time at a Real Estate Photography company, I encountered a situation that tested my creative freedom and confidence in my abilities. The company insisted that I use their beginner-level camera and adhere strictly to their preferred settings, composition guidelines, and lens choices, despite my extensive photography skills and experience. This restriction left me feeling stifled and disconnected from the passion that once drove me.
However, this challenging experience ultimately became a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. It served as a powerful reminder to always trust my instincts and stay true to my artistic vision, even in the face of opposition. Upon leaving the job and starting my own LLC, I carried with me the invaluable lesson that my creativity should never be compromised. I realized that allowing creative professionals the freedom to express themselves is essential for producing their best work.
This experience reinforced the importance of honoring my unique perspective and approach to photography. It taught me to value my intuition and stand firm in my convictions, knowing that my authentic voice is what sets me apart in the competitive world of photography. As a business owner, I strive to create an environment where creativity thrives, empowering myself and others to unleash our full potential and produce work that resonates deeply with our audience. After all, it’s when we’re allowed to do our thing that true magic happens!
Sierra, 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?
Hey there! I’m Sierra, the creative mind behind SierraAnn Photography. My journey with photography started way back in high school, where I always had a camera in hand. Fast forward nearly a decade, and I’ve been living my passion every single day. It all began with a gig at a Real Estate Photography Company, where my love for interiors was ignited. But I couldn’t ignore my passion for capturing people, so I set out to merge the two worlds.
Many suggested I separate them into two businesses, but that didn’t feel authentic to me. Instead, I embraced both sides of myself, and before I knew it, my passions seamlessly came together. Then in 2018, my husband, Brandan, joined me in this adventure. Together, we’re commercial photographers specializing in interiors and brands, as well as down-to-earth photographers capturing the love of families.
Our clients come to us to elevate their brand and create a cohesive vibe across their marketing platforms. But more than that, they come to us to capture their passions authentically. What sets us apart is our commitment to keeping it real with a touch of that timeless film feel. We want our images to transport you to the moment while evoking the warmth of a cherished memory.
What makes us proudest is the relationships we build with our clients. They become more than just clients; they become friends and even family. From attending life occasions to sharing Thai lunch dates, we’re grateful for the genuine connections we’ve made along the way!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Investing in branding has been absolutely key to growing our clientele! We firmly believe that who you are in business should reflect who you are in life, and conveying that message to the world is essential. Our website has also played a significant role in our growth. Thanks to the talented Sarah at Posy Pine, we were able to craft a website that truly tells our story and resonates with our ideal clients. It’s been amazing to hear new clients say, “We felt like we knew you the moment we landed on your website!” And let’s not forget about SEO—making ourselves discoverable to clients searching for what we offer has been crucial. By combining branding, a stellar website, and effective SEO, we’re able to connect with clients who are the perfect fit for us.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Absolutely! The COVID era was undoubtedly a test of resilience for us, but it reinforced the importance of trusting our instincts and diversifying our services. With quarantine and social distancing measures in place, we couldn’t meet clients in person, but our decision to include interiors in our offerings proved to be a game-changer. It kept our business alive during those challenging times. This experience taught us the valuable lesson that movement is life; we must adapt quickly to thrive. We’re firm believers in trusting your gut; it often knows what’s best for us, guiding us through the toughest of times and leading us toward growth and success!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sierraannphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sierraannphotography/