Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beth Van Alstyne.
Sarah Beth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My photography journey began with an artistic streak that has run through my veins from birth. Growing up, I competed in art contests, as an adult I’ve painted or remodeled furniture, and when I was impatiently awaiting my son to arrive during my 41st week of pregnancy, I taught myself how to use a sewing machine after reading a fifth book that week didn’t pass time quickly enough. In short, I love to create things that are beautiful to look at. If you look around my home, you’ll find my camera, a paintbrush from my last project, a tower of hand-sewn bibs from my ever-drooling son, and stacks of books strewn about the surfaces.
Picking up a camera is only a natural step in my artistic nature. I want to remember things the way that I see them through my eyes in that moment. Photography allows me to do that.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! No, it’s not a smooth road. You have to be willing to make yourself vulnerable to criticism. You have to be willing to take criticism to learn and become better. I would say that’s true for any profession if you want to be great at it. I started my journey with nothing more than a consumer DSLR camera and some outdated editing software. It takes workshops, time, and self-reflection to improve your craft.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the SBVA Snaps Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a family and newborn photographer in Frisco, McKinney, and Plano: I photograph engagements, outdoor family photos, birth sessions, in home lifestyle sessions, and posed newborn sessions.
My passion that I wish people knew more about is an up and coming type of style–lifestyle photography. Lifestyle photography, or “unposed photography”, is great for holidays, birthdays, or any normal day, Lifestyle photography sessions are for families who beautiful and authentic family photos taken in their own home and aims to capture and document real-life events or situations in an artistic manner. Some families may worry that their homes aren’t photo worthy, but that’s my job to frame it in the best light and coach families before the session! We all grew up leafing through our family photo albums and remembering those memories in our homes, and I can provide beautiful family photos to fill new albums.
Another type of lifestyle photography is Fresh 48 photography, it’s for families who want the first hours of their newborn’s life captured without having the entire labor or birth documented. Held within the first 48 hours of the baby’s life, these in hospital sessions are perfect for remembering that first days forever–pictures of baby’s first yawns, little baby feet, fingers, and first snuggles with mom and dad, first meeting with siblings, and family pictures in the hospital bed. These photographs are great because new parents typically just rely on cell phone pictures for this monumental time in their life and they shouldn’t have to!
Finally, I do newborn posed sessions in my home studio. But one thing you’ll notice about my newborn sessions is that I aim for a classic, natural, timeless look. You won’t see me dressing babies up in ladybug costumes or posing them in positions that aren’t natural. These are photographs that can be displayed on canvases as a piece of art.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see myself photographing more families in their homes once the lifestyle photography trend really takes off. I would love that! People just don’t know about this style yet. Once they do, I expect myself to be very busy. I am really looking forward to booking some Christmas lifestyle sessions so that people can create a more unique Christmas card this winter.
Contact Info:
- Website: SBVAsnaps.com
- Phone: 903-330-8010
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sbvasnaps
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sbvasnaps
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sbva-snaps-photography-frisco-3?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
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