Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Kleinmann.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story started back in high school and college when I could always be seen with a camera in hand annoyingly snapping away at every event. There has always been something about photography and capturing a moment in time that I’ve loved and I’m so excited to be fulfilling that passion. I really didn’t start learning beyond point and click, however, until I was pregnant with my first in 2010. That was the year that I bought my first ‘big girl’ camera and learned everything I could. I practiced every day on our 4-legged family members and thought I was pretty cool when I shifted the mode dial off of ‘auto’.
It was about a year later when a friend asked me to take their family pictures. It was during that time that I KNEW I was hooked. I LOVED working with the kiddos and creating memories for my friend behind the camera. Sure my images reflected a newbie level but from that point on I knew I wanted to be involved somehow in photography. I worked hard for 2 years learning everything I could from books, online courses, mentors, YouTube videos, etc. all while snapping everything I could.
In 2013 I had my first paying client and from there my business has remained my passion even with moving multiple times. In 2015 I shifted from the corporate world to doing photography full time and never looked back. Meeting new families and working with kiddos is just so fun!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As with every small business, it’s always hard to get your name out there and find the clients who are a good fit. This has been especially difficult with moving across the country twice and starting from scratch in each city. I’ve had to give myself grace and understand that clients WILL come. Thankfully our little community has been amazingly supportive and I now have tons of awesome clients in the area.
Photography is also ever-changing in what is popular or trending at any point in time. I’ve struggled with keeping true to my style while also appeasing clients and their desires, but much less than in the beginning. There truly is a photographer out there for everyone and I love helping people find someone else who fits their wants or budget if I don’t!
Sarah Marie Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My specialties are newborns, children and families. I’m a lifestyle photographer and if I had to define my style in three words, I would choose classic, real and fun. I pride myself on making sessions fun and absolutely love when a family is shocked by how easy it really can be! We don’t sit and stare at the camera smiling for an hour. Nope. We play games and run and wrestle and tell jokes! I adore “crazy” toddlers who don’t sit still and love capturing the in between moments that reflect emotions and connections.
On the newborn side I hold the sessions in the comfort of your home and it’s very relaxed and candid. You just do your thing snuggling your new baby and I snap away. Sure I might gently suggest locations to sit or hold the baby based on light, but overall it’s a very easy session that includes every family member, even the fur-babies!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Over the past couple of years I’ve won several awards, been featured in publications and on social media and even won ‘best photographer’ in 2017 when I lived in Arlington, Virginia. What truly defines success for me, however, is when my clients love their images and I get calls/emails/texts about how much they can’t stop staring at them. On that same note, I think it’s important to always keep educating yourself and never stop learning. I love attending workshops and shootouts to keep fresh in our world and will always strive to be a better photographer than the year prior!
Pricing:
- Sessions start at $300 and always include some digitals!
Contact Info:
- Address: Trophy Club, TX
- Website: www.sarahmarie.photography
- Email: sarahmarieinfo@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahmariephotog
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/smariephotog
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
