Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sabrina Patterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sabrina , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is something that I absolutely struggled with, specifically in the beginning years of building my photography business, just like so many others do.
I believe that imposter syndrome can also stem from low confidence. Whether it be personal confidence, or confidence in your business, it absolutely is a contributing factor.
I did a lot of self healing over the years in therapy, and I know that when I started to value my uniqueness as a person, my perspective on my art also transformed. When I stopped caring about what others thought about me, I started to create art + a brand that was truly authentic to me.
Imposter syndrome won’t exist when you’re reflecting authenticity in your business/brand.
Most importantly, I understand that the photography industry is an easy place to compare yourself to others successes, but what is the point in doing that, when you are on your journey to fulfill?
Success will come, when you let all of the negativity go.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a documentary photographer + artist based out of Pensacola, Florida. I travel worldwide for my couples, (heading to Italy October 2024 to document a very special couple!)
I have a documentary approach to my photography, and I specialize in capturing love stories, the feeling of parenthood, and the moments in pregnancy.
I document these love stories digitally, on 35mm film + also on Super8mm motion picture film.
I have a love + appreciation for human kind, and the uniqueness that every single person has, and my goal in my art is to always reflect that.
My style is very warm, nostalgic + poetic. I hope that my art provokes emotion to the person viewing my art.
I’ve been a photographer my whole life (it’s just always been a part of my soul.). But, I have been in business for going on 7 years.
I launched my online and in person education + self love programs at the very end of 2022.
I have a unique + powerful method of helping photographers learn the ins and outs of marketing and entrepreneurship, helping overcome imposter syndrome, encouraging them to practice self love, and leading them into creating a unique brand for themselves.
The key takeaway to all of my education programs is to encourage my clients to work on building a strong mind to help them build a strong business.
There was a time, 7 years ago, where I worked a 9-5 job and TRULY HATED where I was in life. I wanted more, and so I had to force myself to chase after it. I quit college classes, it just didn’t feel right.
I started to work at the Alaska Wildlife conservation center after I was fired from the 9-5, but then I could no longer afford gas to transport there. I had to say a hard goodbye to that job that I truly loved. I then got fired from another job, where I unfortunately was mentally and verbally abused. I had hit my breaking point, and just took all of those hardships and struggles as my sign to just go headfirst into photography and focus on what felt right, even if it didn’t seem like the safest option at the time.
I know that photography was the path I was meant to follow, and am really proud of the resilience, and bravery it took for me to get to where I am today.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think that being in therapy was a very important part of helping me maintain my business over the years.
There was a lot of stored up trauma in my body that needed to be released + healed, a lot of anxieties in general that I didn’t know how to navigate, and a few mental illnesses that were unresolved when I began my business. If I never took the (very brave) initiative to begin my healing journey, I truly believe I wouldn’t be in business today.
On the other hand, I know that adjusting my mindset from being negative when it came to the conversation of money also impacted my business in a positive way. Money doesn’t have to be a negative connotation. Once I understood that money isn’t always in combination with greed, I felt better about making it.
Lastly, my business transformed when I stopped accepting clients that I simply didn’t align with.
With choosing the entrepreneur path, you ARE allowed to be picky with your clientele. If they simply don’t align with your beliefs, or are not wanting to hire you with the intention of simply loving your art + what you bring to the table, then they probably shouldn’t be working with you. Work with people who appreciate your time, value + art, and release the rest.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I am currently struggling with the fear of the unknown. This is something I struggle with in my everyday life, as someone who has really intense anxiety. I am working on the act of letting things go until they need to actually be worried about, but it’s definitely a challenge I am facing.
I am relocating my business to Pittsburgh PA, July 2025, and the mental load of relocating my business is a handful to handle. I am confident and excited for this move, but I am definitely feeling some nerves!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theturningpagephotoco.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theturningpagephotoco
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/theturningpagephotoco
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