Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Kamara.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a Jersey girl, born and raised. My parents are Sierra Leonean Immigrants who instilled high values and set high expectations of me that I did my best to live up to. I went to college, got a B.S. in Accounting from Penn State University, an M.S. also in Accounting from Rutgers University, got a great job in public accounting, and aspired to climb the corporate ladder as a Certified Public Accountant. (CPA). However, after embarking on a spiritual journey to Christianity, I became particularly intrigued by the idea that God created us all for a special purpose. It made me realize the lack of passion and purpose I had for my current profession. Shortly after, I decided to quit my job in faith, fully committed to identifying my passions and learning my purpose in life. I soon learned I simply wanted to inspire and uplift others in whatever way I could creatively, so I did just that. I began to create spaces for women to be uplifted and encouraged. I launched a beauty brand called Rooted Radiant Beauty to promote self-love and God’s love. I started speaking at events sharing my faith and entrepreneur journey. I mentored young women in their faith and finances putting my accounting degree to use. I also started a YouTube channel making videos to share my faith journey that would inspire others. That’s when I got my first camera and fell in love with portrait photography. Shortly after, I became a freelance brand photographer. About a year ago, while in the midst of growing in my journey in my walk with God and my entrepreneurial ventures, I felt called by God to move to Dallas, TX, to relocate my life and attend seminary/ministry school. I have since moved to Dallas, begun seminary school, and have begun relaunching my ventures here in Dallas, focusing on brand photography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say the road has been anything but smooth. It’s been pretty bumpy to say the least, but each bump has come with new lessons and new gratitude, so I’m grateful for it all. I think the biggest struggle has been fear. Fear is such a ruthless emotion that threatens everything in its path. I felt fear at every pivotal point in my story. Getting past it has been challenging, but I’ve learned that sometimes you have to “do it” scared, whatever it may be. And it turns out fear is just an illusion. Another struggle has been the art of graceful transition if there is even such a thing. My life has been full of transition over the years, but nothing more jarring than uprooting my life in New Jersey and moving to Dallas. Learning to navigate transition can be a challenge, especially because we’re not always meant to be moving amidst transition. Sometimes, we just need to be still while life works itself out. That’s the part of the road I’ve more recently been on. Being still and letting my story unfold while all the parts around me are still moving. And lastly, the struggle to simply have faith when everything looks chaotic. Relaunching my photography business in a new city where I don’t know anyone or have clientele causes hesitation, but that’s where my faith had to kick in and carry me, and it has.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I am in seminary school studying Theology and Christian Education, I am also a brand portrait photographer here in the DFW area. I specialize in photography for brands, business owners, and influencers. I also specialize in engagement photography. I love capturing my subjects through my lens, telling their stories, and, most importantly, showing them a view of themselves that they don’t always get to see or appreciate. I am most proud of becoming a published photographer for my cover shot in the Dallas Theological Seminary Magazine, Summer 2023 Edition. I think what sets me apart is my passion and my ability to see people the way I believe God sees them, in all their captivating beauty and glory. I have the ability to translate that into photos that portray the true essence of my subjects. When I’m not in school and photographing, I am creating YouTube content and preparing to launch a Faith and Finance Life Coach Ministry.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I have learned along my journey is to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). If you seek God, be purpose-minded, and walk in faith, you will land exactly where you are supposed to be, and there your gifts will make room for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bio.site/signedsallyk
- Instagram: @SignedSallyK and @ShotbySallyK
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/SignedSallyK
