My Approach
I am a firm believer that photos should be fun. There is nothing worse than trying to put together your family, your house, or even just yourself for photos, and then standing around awkwardly for an hour, having a miserable time in front of the camera. NO! That stops now! I do everything in my power to make my sessions enjoyable through a variety of prompts, poses, and games (and constant reassurance that your kids can do no wrong). All you have to do is come prepared to love on your people and enjoy some time together. I promise you it will be a good time and we will make magic.
About Me
Hey there! I’m Sarah.
I think it’s super-important to feel comfortable with the person photographing you, so here’s a little bit more about me.
I’m married to the sweetest man in the world, and we have two adorable (and cuckoo-rambunctious) kids. I love taking pictures of my kids, and use photography as my diary. (I have a terrible memory too, so I love having pictures to remind me.)
I’m a lifelong Alaskan, who doesn’t really enjoy hiking— unless of course it’s blueberry season. Then you can’t stop me.
I feel naked without a camera and believe the best remedy for a bad day is blasting 90’s music while driving with the windows down— no matter the weather.
Fun Facts about Sarah:
I have been to 14 Hanson concerts.
Kaladi coffee, a chocolate croissant, and a crossword in peace
are my ideas of a perfect Saturday morning.I’ve taken a photo every single day since January 1, 2010!
I used to teach elementary school and also worked as a TV producer.
My favorite author is Jane Austen.
When I met my husband in Alaska, we learned that my college roommate in
Minnesota was his high school girlfriend in North Dakota!
She officiated our wedding.
Q & AQuestionAnswerHow do I book?
The best way is to get in touch with me on my contact page and fill out my inquiry form. From there, you’ll hear back from me within 48 hours. (If you haven’t, please try again!) Once we chit chat about your project and set a date that works for both of us, I’ll send you a contract and invoice. A 50% non-refundable retainer is required to book your spot on my schedule.
What if the weather is bad the day of our session?
Alaska definitely throws some wild cards our way, and there really isn’t a blanket answer for this one. When working with just adults, I usually say “let’s go for it!” Rain and snow can produce really beautiful images!
But if rain is in the forecast, I’ll be in contact ahead of time to see if you want to reschedule. (Usually if small kids are involved in the session, I recommend postponing since we don’t want everyone to be miserable. That being said, you know your family the best, and I’m totally game for a little rain if you are!) If our session is a winter session, I will reschedule if it is colder than 15 degrees.
What in the world should I/we wear?!
Never fear! I have a couple tricks up my sleeves to make this part easier. Once you book, you’ll have access to my client guide. There are plenty of tips about dressing your whole group, making sure you feel comfortable— but also so that you feel like yourself! I’m always happy to talk outfit options before we meet.
I really want golden light for our outdoor photos. How does that work in Alaska?
Lighting is always going to make your photos more magical, so it is important to schedule our session around it— whether it’s sunset or any other time. I usually don’t nail down a time for our session until we’ve picked a location— because mountains can also change the kind of light we’re working with. I like to shoot about an hour or two before sunset, but that doesn’t always work in Alaska. (Hello, June!) I do recommend that if golden light is important to you, you plan on a fall or spring session. For outdoor sessions, we would be meeting anywhere from 5 to 11 o’clock at night (depending on the time of year) and if yours is a family where bedtime routines are best observed strictly, we should pick a date and location that will allow for us to stick to that. For indoor sessions, I usually aim for morning, but that isn’t set in stone.
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My clients are my heart and soul of what I do. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. Here’s what some of them are saying:
Testimonials
Over the years I have hired several different people to photograph my family and Sarah was the absolute best. Not only did she provide us with so many beautiful, artistic, timeless, fun, candid images but because she has a way with people (and especially children) that puts you at ease and makes you feel great about yourself. That is the kind of person you want taking your family photos, trust me! Look no further!