We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara Sanner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara below.
Tamara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I think of this question often because I am inspired by an overarching question of purpose and the value I bring to the world. At the end of my career and my life, I want to be able to say: I was true to myself; I treated people with kindness and respect; I chose to uplift and highlight people and communities that have had less visual representation – both in my images and with the creatives with whom I work.
I want to be able to say that I’m leaving a legacy of bravery, being brave to show up for my dreams and being brave to be seen. I hope that one day a little girl or boy can see my work and hear my story and see themselves in my story and be inspired, knowing that a girl who grew up in a small town from a lower-middle class background is worthy of photographing for some of the most well known people, most sought after brands and well known magazines in the world and who uses her voice for good.
Tamara, 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?
Hello readers! My name is Tamara Sanner (Tamara rhymes with camera). My fashion photography career all started with meeting a model on a llama farm! I know, it sounds wild, but I couldn’t make it up even if I tried! How it all started was a mixture of years of working on my craft and divine timing.
I had been doing photography as a hobby for years but I had never taken a course. In 2020, my dad’s health started declining and before he passed away, I had shown him some of my work. While he was never a man of many words, he said: “Wow, these are really good.”
Several months after he passed, with those encouraging words ringing in my ears, I decided to take the plunge with an online photography course called The Photographer’s Path by Horizon Found (created by Nicole Hill). I had been doing photography and was able to get some amazing photos, I genuinely had no idea how to confidently operate my camera to get the images I wanted. The course was truly a game changer. After the course, I thought I’d do portraits and weddings (but in my heart of hearts, I always wanted fashion photography). I started my photography business Photos by Tamara Lynn. I started going down the portrait and wedding photography path, but every wedding inquiry, I was either unavailable or the couple chose a different photographer. The doors would not open for me, no matter how hard I tried (and I tried).
The anniversary of a year of my dad passing was approaching and I knew I needed to get out of L.A. and into nature. I found an Airbnb on a llama farm. There were several cabins on this farm and was a perfect getaway. I *just so happened* to bring all my camera equipment because I figured I might want to take photos of the llamas. While I was driving in, a woman was walking on the property next to my cabin. She smiled and asked if we could go in the llama pens. I told her I didn’t think so, but I would check. It was sunset, so I decided to grab my camera to take some pictures of the animals. She was next to the fence when a camel approached her and she began to pet it. The sun was beautiful behind her and I snapped a picture of what seemed like a magical moment. I approached her and introduced myself and found out her name was Katty Ukhanova. I asked her if I could send her the image. She replied, “Oh! I’m a model! Do you want to do a photoshoot now?” To hear someone say they are a model in LA is like saying you’re a teacher in other parts of the US. So, I didn’t think much of it. We had an absolutely magical time. As I began asking her questions about her dreams and about what she was most proud of, I began to realize… “oh, she’s a model, model.” We do an entire photoshoot and afterwards, we decide to meet up again in LA a couple weeks later for another photoshoot. From there, I’ve been able to work with some of the top agencies in LA and up and coming model talent, have had my work published and have won an award for my photography. A llama farm is where it all started.
What sets me apart from others is that the person behind the camera is me. I am my brand’s greatest strength. I understand the importance of co-creating with the incredible people and team I work with (the models, hair and make-up artists, and stylist and brand). I also highly value and execute clear and timely communication with brands, agencies and creatives. For each photoshoot, I have and communicate a clear vision. I also recognize that I am the one who can set the energy for the photoshoot.
I do fashion photography, with a focus in natural lighting and editorial work. My style focuses on feminine strength. In my work, I am passionate about showing diversity in the images I produce.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
There are a couple of things that have helped build my reputation. The first is how I choose to treat people. The quality of my work has also been very important in building my reputation. At the same time, how I treat people through the entire process is just as important. My reputation is built on encouragement and positivity and the quality of my work.
The second, is seeing the people I communicate with and the people I work with as people. Clear and timely communication is so important. I want to make each of our jobs as easy as possible. The industry may have “standards” but because I’m newer to the industry, I get to decide what my standards of practice are: to treat others with respect and kindness while still honoring myself and my creative voice.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
That is such a great question. I don’t know if I can pick just one! Some of the most rewarding aspects are getting to work with other creatives to collectively accomplish a vision. It’s truly a group effort. Another aspect is getting to see the work I am creating and see how much I’ve grown in my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: tamarasanner.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/photosbytamaralynn
Image Credits
Model: Katty Ukhanova – represented by Wilhelmina Models Model: Stefia Sloan – represented by LA Models Stylist: Calli Martin Make-up: Amy Galibut – represented by The Rex Agency Hair: Amber Ramirez