We recently connected with Sydney Lackland and have shared our conversation below.

Sydney, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve made so far is purchasing my full-frame camera. Going from crop to full-frame was literally life-changing for me. My pictures were really nice but the quality on screen and in print was not great. The overall quality of my work became so much better. My business was blessed before, but the clientele really started pouring in after I updated my gear.

Sydney, 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 Sydney Lackland! I am a photographer, videographer, and content creator that services clients based in central and eastern Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. And I am always available to travel! This is my passion and there’s nothing I love more than Capturing YOU.

I started my photography business in 2015. I have always loved the art of capturing moments. Any moment – small and big! Ever since I was a little girl my dad always bought me digital cameras. I would take pictures of just about anything. Taking pictures has always been my passion! I decided to turn my passion into a business after my freshman year of college. My first paid photoshoot was high school graduation pictures. I remember coming home for the summer, advertising that I was a photographer, and receiving my first client!

I think one of the main things that helped me was never advertising that this was something that I was going into. I just dived right in with my packages, pricing, ideas, locations – I was serious! I advertise myself as a professional photographer and it’s just always been that way.

I graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in May 2018. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in
Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Theatre. I had the pleasure of working with my school’s news station to create videos and capture moments for television. I was a public relations intern for the College of Fine Arts there as well and I got to attend events, take pictures, and write. I really enjoyed that as well!

My business and my craft is so unique because I’m not just taking a picture or recording a video. I’m capturing a moment, I’m getting to know my client, I’m making decisions that are best for them. I’m reassuring them that they have options. I’m servicing each individual client in a way that is unique to their needs and what they envision their moment to be. I take pride in every inquiry that anyone has ever sent me and any session that has ever been booked. I’m grateful. My clients are special to me and I genuinely care about them. This isn’t just taking pictures to me, it’s building a relationship, it’s boosting confidence, it’s making someone happy, it’s capturing a moment that they can look back on forever and share with their families for generations to come.

My grandmother is 97 years old. When I look back at pictures of her when she was my age, I always wonder if the photographer thought about their picture one day being a staple picture in this person’s family, or that this couple is one day going to be the patriarch and matriarch of a family, what kind of gear they used, etc. For me, it’s something fun to think about and funny for me and my grandmother to talk about as well. As you can imagine, photography was totally different back then!

I am truly so proud of how far Opal Optics Productions has come and where we are headed!

When I’m not making memories for my clients, I enjoy spending time with my son, Maverick Jace (5), family and friends, traveling, reading, and home décor shopping!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been social media, with Facebook and Instagram being the biggest. There’s so much power in the share button! There’s so much power in posting your work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing my ideas and my vision come to life. I love when my clients allow me to be as creative as I’d like. My client trusting me to kill it is everything!

Contact Info:

• Website: opalopticsproductions.com
• Instagram: @opalopticspro
• Facebook: Opal Optics Productions, Inc.
• Linkedin: Sydney Lackland
• Youtube: Opal Optics Productions, Inc.

Image Credits
@sydneylackland @opalopticspro @sincerelysiara._