We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sierra Sexton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sierra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The short answer to this question, perseverance. It’s a fight every day, mentally and sometimes physically to keep pushing through and believing your hard work will turn into success. When starting your own business, you experience the high highs and low lows. I wholeheartedly believe if you can make it through all of the ups and downs and just have faith, your business will be successful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a photographer based in Tampa, Florida. I was raised in Kentucky and started my business a couple years out of high school. I was struggling with finding a passion until I started focusing on what I was good at, which was taking pictures. I bought a camera and started out just doing it for a hobby and testing the waters. I had so many people reach out and an ever growing community that was supporting me every step of the way to excel my business. My clients are truly the best. I have met so many amazing people, and photographed some of the most precious moments. I couldnt be more thankful.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media presence is SO important. I have learned so much through trial and error but what has been so true time and time again is that your clients want to know you. They want to see the face behind the business. I was one of those people who was shy and reserved on video. I didn’t love hearing myself talk, and overthought a lot about what I was posting. It wasn’t until I truly found who I was and shared in depth about my daily life, struggles, and behind the scenes of running my business, that I saw a huge growth in my following.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I moved to Florida right after covid hit and had to start in a city where I knew no one and no one knew about my business. I had to start finding ways to grow all over again, but in a city full of so much opportunity. I shifted my business and was open minded to all kinds of creative shoots, partnering with small businesses, and really focusing on building a community. That was the most profitable for me because the people you build up, rely on, and work with turn around and help you grow in ways you couldn’t have on your own.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sierralynnphotography.net
• Instagram: @sierralynnphoto_
• Facebook: Sierra Lynn Photography