Meet Sarah Maria

We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Maria recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, 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?

The meaning and value of photography was instilled in me at a very early age. I was not some sort of prodigy who picked up a camera at age 4 or anything like that. My brother passed away suddenly when I was 15 years old, and the photos I had with him and of him became the most important relics of his life. Subconsciously I knew photography is the most powerful way to document a person’s life. It wasn’t until much later that I would pick up a camera, but the lessons I have learned through my experiences with life and death have deeply inspired me to document that same level of importance for others. Whether they appreciate it in the moment or not, really makes no difference for my soul work. It is such an honor truly to document the seemingly casual and normal aspects of life, growth, birth, commitment, marriage. There is such a tremendous level of responsibility when it comes to being a photographer servicing the community you live in.

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

I provide film portraiture for a variety of reasons- artistic expression, documenting a wedding, a woman about to bring a new life into this world, and so much more. My biggest priority is to learn the people I am working with and reflect who *they* are. It can be tempting to have visions in my heart I want to carry out, but if they do not align with the couple, family, or individual I am working for, that’s when having discernment is so key. When an artist or service provider tries to squeeze all of their clientele into one category, one way of treatment, it is too robotic, too commercial. Tailoring to each client is how you really do an amazing job for them, because no two people are alike; what one couple is excited about, another won’t be, and the biggest thing is to take none of it personally. I am a big believer in respect, true collaboration, and treating those I work with like the complex human beings they are.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think it is easy to get caught up in the ego and feelings, but when it comes to running a business, you really have to separate how you feel with the actions you take. Standing firm on your boundaries and needs to run your business successfully will always leave you better off than sacrificing the two to try to people-please. You know what you need to work successfully, so confidently ask for it. If you are received with hesitation or rejection, take a moment to consider how difficult it is to choose someone to trust with such a vulnerable thing like portraiture, and realize that even if you are the best of the best, the most humble, the quickest responder, the most prepared, you still will not please every person. Contracts are extremely important to protect yourself in a business environment. Stick to your boundaries, separate your feelings from your actions, and make sure you have everything in writing, before you even consider leaving your house.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to partner with wedding vendors- venues, planners, florists, bakers, not only because my couples deeply value my recommendations for these very important factors, but also because it can be really fun to incorporate each other into our client work as much as possible. For example, sometimes a couple will reach out to me, they plan on getting married and are celebrating their engagement and want to have a portrait session to document their next life step. To elevate the portrait session, utilizing a venue, florist, and baker I am already in great standings with, not only gives the couple a chance to explore and see if they would like to book these vendors again for their wedding day, but it also gives us all a chance to work together in situations other than wedding days, so on wedding days, we are super comfortable with one another, having already worked together many times. Building confidence and friendship between vendors is one of the most exciting parts about what I do.

I would also like to collaborate with businesses and service providers in North Carolina in general. Trading services for photography with lifetime usage for the images is a great way to benefit from the power of community. I am from Asheville, North Carolina and currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the beaches to the mountains, I am deeply in love with our state and all her variety. I am so thankful my clients need me all over North Carolina and beyond because no two sessions are the same, just the energy I bring is, the warmth, humility, and safety.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarahmbphoto.com
• Instagram: sarahmbphoto, fuckthatnoise
• Other: Weddings, elopements, engagements, maternity, family: instagram.com/sarahmbphoto

  Artistic expression, musicians, self-love, provocative, NSFW: instagram.com/fuckthatnoise

Image Credits

All photos shot on 35mm film by Sarah Maria. Developed and scanned by Sarah Maria.