Meet Darah Ingstrum | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darah Ingstrum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darah, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I’m proud of myself for actually making a work life balance for once in my career. It’s something I have always struggled with. Typically business owners are working 24/7 if I’m not answering emails during the 478th “mom watch this” it’s rescheduling dinners and dates, midnight editing sessions to make sure I’m meeting deadlines. There is usually always something that needs to be done. This past year we welcomed our second daughter, and being a mom of two really shook me to slow down….

I would love to be available every moment of every day for my clients, I love them! Truly. I love their kids, their pets, the growth I get to witness photographing them. I adore my clients. Making that choice to have working hours was insanely difficult for me. Trying my best this year to slow down and just enjoy. I blinked and my oldest is four. Babies don’t keep, and this faze of life really just flys by when your kids are little.
Slowing down is hard but Providing quality images to my clients rather than being able to fit everyone in before Christmas cards is important to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The word I think of the most to describe my work, and my business, and really myself is, authentic. The real you mixed with the real me and we make some real cute photos together.. at times I get lost, attempting to achieve the perfect Instagram photo. Don’t get me Wrong, I want to end up on your Instagram feed. But that’s not my only goal. My job is is capturing the most authentic version of my clients and their families. Early on in my career, I was worried with what everyone else was doing and what work everyone else was producing and now I can only worry what I’m doing, and being a better version of myself each year with my career.
My work is important to me, I may be the last good photo someone has of themselves or their loved ones.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question, but I’m going to answer it as the mom of two little kids who’s running off of iced coffee, about four hours of sleep in the past two days. Surviving by prayers and Disney+. One thing I do know is food. I am a restaurant girl. If given the choice of a home cooked meal or a restaurant. Get your shoes on honey, we going out!

If we are looking for a good mom’s night out, though, I will suggest Zona Cantina in Mesa. They have margarita flights and the food is great. After we get our margaritas, we’re going to be too tired to go anywhere else, so I’m gonna suggest we go back to my place to watch a movie or scroll on our phones and send each other TikTok’s while hanging out in the same room. We will probably last 15-20 minutes from the mixture of margaritas and it being past 8pm and both fall asleep on the couch.
only because my best friend is also in this crazy phase of life and motherhood I would definitely suggest she not stay a full week with me, two days max then treat yourself to a five star resort and some alone time, girl.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course my husband. I merely mentioned my love for photography and how I dreamed of turning it into something more than just a hobby over a decade ago and he’s been nothing but supportive and encouraging. He may be the MVP of this story. My girls are my driving force. I’ve never wanted to be stronger and more powerful yet softer and gentler at the same time. they’ve taught me how to be more patient and as a family photographer, that’s key.
Last but not least, my sister. The one who gives me that Toughlove pull you up by your bootstraps type of guidance. A woman who wears 1000 hats yet still has time for me always.
Honorable mention to my local Starbucks, Frys click list, and Target pick up for making things much easier for me to mom and run a business.

Website: Www.darahdoesphotos.com

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/darahdoesphotos

Facebook: Www.facebook.com/darahdoesphotos

Image Credits
Darah Does photos