Behind the lens
Hi, I’m Sarah, art director, photographer and studio owner. But before all that, I was just a little girl passionate about photography, well before even imagining that it could become my job.
As a child, my mother would bring home those little Kodak digital cameras, and I would photograph everything my Barbies mistook for mannequins, my friends at school during recess. I was that girl who roamed the halls with a digital camera, capturing everyone’s life in its rawest form. For me, these were moments I knew I could relive someday, simply by looking at those photos. I would go home, download everything, print the pictures, and bring back stacks of them the next day. My mother still laughs about it, recounting how she had to hide the printer because I went through ink and paper at an incredible rate—and it’s worth noting that it wasn’t cheap back then! Even at that age, I understood how much I loved preserving those moments.
Despite all the joy it brought me as a child, photography was never really considered a career. I remember the end of high school and my doubts about what to study. When I mentioned photography to my mother, it didn’t seem like it would offer much stability. So, as a precaution, I started working in a photo studio at Walmart, where I gained experience with cameras and portrait photography. I loved the job, but it wasn’t sustainable. I barely earned enough to pay for my studies. Eventually, I started to think my mother might have been right, and I gave up on photography altogether…
Until she gradually reappears in my life.
During a particularly difficult period, I was working for a company, and the 9-to-5 routine was suffocating me, both mentally and physically. The salary was good, but I felt an inner emptiness. Around that time, I bought a camera, thinking I would simply blog about natural hair and makeup. Instead, I became fascinated by what was happening behind the lens. Then, in 2017, I went to a Jorja Smith concert and took photos from the front of the stage. I shared the photos on Instagram, not expecting much. But they traveled far beyond what I had imagined. Seeing my images reposted and shared was the moment I stopped thinking of photography as just a hobby and began to see it as something much deeper. At the same time, I felt the need to step back and reflect on my life. Despite my love for photography, I had always been passionate about psychology, which I therefore studied. Despite the fulfillment that photography brought me, I initially opted for the path of security. I studied psychology and eventually became a withdrawal management counselor. I truly loved this job; everything felt right. Supporting people through the most difficult moments of their lives taught me a great deal about empathy, resilience, and the complexity of human behavior. But deep down, I knew that I wasn’t completely fulfilled in it.
In 2023, I took the plunge and followed my calling. Leaving that career was incredibly difficult. Imposter syndrome was ever-present! I questioned whether I was being irresponsible, excessive, or unrealistic. I experienced genuine self-doubt. That season tested me financially, emotionally, and spiritually. But it also brought me clarity.
Since then, I’ve worked with over 300 clients, created my own studio, and built a fantastic team for which I am immensely grateful. None of this was achieved alone. I was surrounded by collaborators, creatives, and a community that genuinely believes in my project and wants to see it succeed. Even during quieter or more challenging times—because entrepreneurship is rarely predictable—I always feel supported. That’s when I knew I was on the right path.
I’ve always been drawn to the world of beauty, not just for its aesthetics, but also for how beauty is interpreted, experienced, and internalized. My background in psychology has always been a constant. I pay close attention to how people perceive themselves, how identity is constructed, and how confidence emerges when someone finally feels accurately represented.
When I photograph someone, I don’t just think about lighting or angles. I think about their state of mind, their story, how they see themselves in the world, and their aspirations. Because I’ve lived these things myself, I encourage them!
Choosing this path meant giving up a certain level of comfort, but it has also given me something far more precious. I left behind security to build something authentic. Today, in the studio I created, surrounded by a team and a community that believe in me, I can say that all those sacrifices were worth it.
Photography is not only my job, it is also the tool and the gift that allow me to understand people. This is the most authentic version of my life.