How did you get into photography? Are you self taught or formally trained?
I started photography when I was in high school, planning photoshoots with beautiful friends. When I was in college (for a hot minute) I started getting mentored by a wedding photographer named Kyle and he really took me under his wing. This guy believed in me and asked me to come second shoot a wedding with him. As I was shooting that first wedding, I thought, “This is exactly what I am supposed to do with my life.” Honestly, go check out Kyle. He is epic, and I can’t thank him enough!
Describe your style in one sentence.
Adventurous photography aimed to capture the wild, crazy, and authentically in love.
What’s been your favorite experience as a wedding photographer?
I love creating connection and making people feel loved. I photographed a wedding where the groom was a police officer. I remember he was a little reserved at the first meeting. After the wedding I got one of the sweetest texts from the bride thanking me and telling me that her groom really doesn’t open up and trust easily because of his line of work, but he felt so comfortable and at ease with me and my second shooter. Looking back at the photos of him laughing make me feel even more blessed that he allowed us to see that part of his life.
What do you love most about photographing weddings? Why do you photograph weddings in particular?
To put it simply Love & Jesus. I get to be with my couples on the best day of their lives. Everyone is stoked, every emotion is present, and authenticity is inevitable. I mean how rad is it that these beautiful people trust me to share in a huge part of their life story.
Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?
The most unique place I have photographed so far was in Pine Colorado, up in the Rockies. I live for adventure and man did that live up to my expectations. I was so inspired by the mountains and the trees, the textures of the bark and the cliffs. I wanted to capture everything. The most challenging part was when it started raining during our bridal shoot. I had to decide whether I should run and hide my camera, or embrace the moment and capture the bride and the groom laughing in the rain. I’m so glad I decided to stay in that moment!
Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?
I love to capture laughter. The nose crinkling, eyes squinting, authentic type of laughter. For me that is the most important photo to capture.
What’s the most unique photo you’ve ever taken at a wedding?
I absolutely love the photos I took of Emma & Zach in the red bus. VW busses make my heart skip a beat, so we really went crazy when they had one at their wedding!
As a photographer, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?
My biggest wedding day challenge is when things start to stray from the plan and the bridal party tells the bride. Then she starts crying or has this look of panic and anxiety on her face. That is where my job turns from photographer to counselor. I try my best to diffuse the situation and bring her back to the mindset of joy and love.
What piece of advice would you give brides and grooms to ensure that they get wedding photos they love forever?
A huge piece of advice is not to worry about the dress past the ceremony. You bought it to enhance your day, not control it. Don’t worry about getting it dirty. Sometimes brides will be so concerned about their dress you can see the fear on their face. I always remind them to enjoy the moment. It’s important that they don’t worry about the grass, the dirt, the spilled drink on the floor, but just embrace their hunny and dance the night away.
If you were planning your wedding what would it be like?
I am planning my wedding right now! Our dream for the wedding is that everyone will be filled with joy and happiness. I want everyone to celebrate their faces off because God has brought us together to glorify Him. We are crazy and we want our wedding to reflect that. The vibe is boho, but I want everyones smiles to be the biggest focus rather than tons of little details. Also we are going to have a Komboocha bar. Needless to say things are going to get lit.
How do you think an app like Joy can help make weddings better?
Joy, the app, is super encouraging and uplifting. I think it reminds people that the true beauty of a wedding is about the people who are joining together.
If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?
I would be in Africa on the mission field, sharing Jesus’ love, dancing and shucking corn with the beautiful people in the villages.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
I love that! I think when your planning a wedding you should spend more time nourishing your relationship and less time on the type of tablecloth you want. Joy that lasts a lifetime needs a solid foundation to be built on, so even when the hard times come up in marriage you don’t fall through the cracks. For me, that foundation is Jesus Christ—who is teaching me how to love unconditionally. That is what truly brings joy into my relationships.
Do you want to see more of Sarah’s gorgeous images and to find out how to book her for your special day? You can find her on the web and on Instagram!
