We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Kay Love and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah Kay Love, how do you think about risk?
“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” – John K. Kennedy

Taking risks is undeniably one of the scariest and bravest endeavors one can embark on, regardless of its magnitude. As someone who finds solace in familiarity, order, and a well-devised plan, it has always been challenging for me. However, there are certain moments in life when I feel stagnant and unfulfilled, repeating the same patterns with no change in sight. It is during these instances that I realize the need for a leap of faith, a daring change that beckons me to take the plunge.

Every risk, every significant change I have embraced has yielded fruitful outcomes, propelling me towards the career I now proudly possess! Growing up in Arizona and graduating from Santa Clara University, I decided to move to New York City without knowing a single soul or having any job prospects.

After roaming the city with a resume, I secured a position with Nigel Barker, a renowned commercial photographer and esteemed judge on America’s Next Top Model and The Face. From that point on, I consistently sought out new challenges, pursuing them even with a bit of fear, which ultimately led me InStyle Magazine. Several years later, I was ready for something that had more creativity and more of a leadership role. It was at that moment when I realized that the next opportunity was approaching, pushing me to embark on a journey as a photo editor for The Knot Magazine, the wedding industry’s premier magazine publication and website. NO idea if I was going to get the job or not but why not try?! After more than 5 incredible years there, I learned more than I could have ever imagined and really ready for the next chapter.
I took the leap and started my own creative agency specializing in branding, website design and digital marketing, which brings me to where I am today!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There is always something intimidating about leaving the corporate world and starting your own business. The thought of being solely responsible for your success and potentially failing can be overwhelming. My corporate life was spent as a photo editor where I had experience in producing and curating visuals on a variety of media platforms from print to digital editorials, covers, advertising campaigns, and social media channels. I always knew I wanted to venture out on my own. The journey became less intimidating when I identified a gap in the market and took steps to fill it – that’s when I discovered my true calling! This gap lay within the wedding industry, particularly in how companies promoted their services. I noticed a common struggle among many of my clients – the challenge of creating a cohesive brand image. With the rise of technology and social media, it became increasingly important for businesses to have a strong online presence. But with so many different aspects involved – websites, social media, branding – it was easy for their message to become fragmented.

Being a creative soul myself, I understand the overwhelming task of navigating various platforms – from websites and social media to branding and networking. It often seemed that my clients approached me when they were at different stages, struggling to piece together their vision which sometimes got lost in the grand scheme of things. They would seek one person for brand design, another for website development, and yet another for social media assistance, resulting in a disjointed message. Drawing from a decade of experience in the industry, I gained insights that now enable me to provide guidance in both creative direction and business development. My love of people and creativity and marketing doesn’t stop there and my clients range now not just within the wedding space but are now in larger corporations that range from health and wellness, real estate, hospitality, fashion and more! I have a team behind me that has been with me through the years and we always push each other to craft innovative, boundary-pushing narratives, striking visual content, and authentic strategies for brands that let their imaginations run wild! We get to know your story and share it in a big way! I am really proud that our team takes on every client with a new excitement and wanting to know what makes them unique and how we can tell a story different from anyone else, I love seeing my clients exceed and business boom after working with us!

The lessons I have learned along the way in my career have been invaluable. I have learned the importance of building relationships, always treat everyone with kindness, both with clients and within my team. Communication is key in any successful project and relationship and it’s not different in the world of visual storytelling. Being able to effectively communicate with clients and understand their vision is crucial in creating impactful and successful content. I’ve also learned that mistakes make magic. Sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected mishaps, and perfectionism can hinder the creative process and it’s important to not be afraid to take risks and try new things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

My dad and I have a standing ”Tuesday Night at Tarbells”, it always holds a special place in my heart and a spot in my belly for spaghetti and meatballs haha

I am a sucker for sushi I love Nobu Scottsdale; from the delicious food to the incredible cocktails pairings, it never disappoints!

La Grande Orange Grocery for a morning coffee and French pancakes or dinnertime Gladiator pizza!

Belly Kitchen and Bar; incredible Vietnamese, there is always a new flavor profile to try and experience!

I am a member of the PHX Art Museum and go monthly to see all the new exhibits! A lot of digital design work is behind a computer 😉 so getting out of the house and finding additional inspiration and creativity, especially locally is so important! I am a big fan of the current Barbie exhibit right now.

Hike Camelback Mountain for the views and then pop over to the pool and Jade Bar at the Sanctuary for cocktails/wine overlooking the incredible view on Camelback Mountain.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has always been the biggest support system; from an early age they always were there every step of the way with words of encouragement and investing so much of their lives into making my dreams a reality! There are a lot of friends in the industry that also have been crucial to me for starting my own business. The incredible team at the AZ local website platform, Showit.co, were my friend clients when I decided to leave my corporate job and take a chance on me! From hiring me, getting me acquainted with the local community to marketing my services, I am always so grateful for them! Rebecca Yale and Rich Lander of Chard Photo are two photographers who supported my leap into my own business and were there helping me get a portfolio together, taking headshots for my website etc. I always feel so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life, I really wouldn’t be here today without all of their support!

Website: https://www.sarahkaylove.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahkaylove/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-love-a459b626/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahkathrynlove/

Image Credits
Credits on images

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.