Meet Skylar Ware

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Skylar Ware. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Skylar, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

It was 2019 and I was in the office of my community college guidance counselor as she asked me what my plans for the future were. I told her that I was thinking about becoming a high school English teacher, and all seemed fine as we went through an aptitude test.

But then, she gestured toward the test results on her monitor and told me, “Something to note- you scored a lot higher in creativity than my teachers typically do.”

I threw around some practical applications for my creativity in a school environment, but I think she must have sensed that I was trying to sell myself on it. “I mean, yeah, but…” she said as she sat back and shrugged. She continued to push back on me enough that I left feeling like I needed to reassess what I was doing. She did her job well.

I decided to take a semester off, which ended up being when Covid hit. I lost my waitressing job, scratched my plans, and immersed myself wholly into my family and homemaking. I leaned into slow living, learned how to cook from scratch, had 2 more babies, and I absolutely adored it. That time period in my life filled me with purpose and honestly, healed me.

It also revealed how deeply my creativity is fueled by the nuanced, raw beauty of real family life, which eventually inspired my entire business.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a photographer who loves documenting people as they really are: relaxed, in their element, and deeply connected. My sessions are about presence over perfection, and I aim to document the kinds of moments you’ll actually want to remember way on down the line. I’m all about creating a cozy, supportive experience where those photos come more easily.

What excites me most is when a photo feels like a memory; when it makes someone stop and feel something. I love the idea that I’m tilting the mirror just so, so that my clients can see the magic in their ordinary lives in a way they’ll get to hold onto forever.

Right now, I’m especially focused on creating work that feels honest and less produced, something that honors the season of life my clients are in but also the season I’m in as a creative and a mama.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Romanticizing is my superpower lol. I can always find something to appreciate- what I’m grateful for, what I’ll miss, and what makes the moment beautiful. It’s a big part of how I frame photos that really land emotionally.

I’ve also found that adaptability in the moment (like switching things up when the kids aren’t feeling it) makes a huge difference. But even more than that, connection has been key. I genuinely care about the families I photograph. I love learning their stories, finding shared experiences, and walking into sessions with a sense of trust already in place.

My biggest advice for photographers just starting out: shoot in manual mode from the beginning. It gives you full creative control. The more familiar you are with your camera, the more confident you’ll feel going into sessions, and that confidence frees up your mind to be adaptable and tune into your creativity. For better photos, I’d really recommend trying to look at your own life through rose colored glasses so you know what to look for in other peoples’. Also, a thoughtful questionnaire goes a long way in creating a connected, intentional client experience right from the beginning.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who trusts the process. They show up openhearted, totally ready to play and get cozy. They’re often sensitive and nostalgic like I am, and they’re looking for images that reflect the soul of their everyday life, not just a highlight reel.

They’re raising little ones, navigating the mess and magic of young family life, and they simply want to slow down and see themselves in this chapter… with a bit of filmy softness around the edges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.skylarwarephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylarwarephotography