Meet Sarah Dooley | Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Sarah, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The biggest factor that played into my success as a wedding photographer was simply never giving up, and following where my heart led me. I am constantly asking myself what the next step forward is. There is always something to work on, to improve on, or learn more about. Challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone, and trying new things (even if its a little scary) plays a big role into how far you will make it. I am also not ashamed to admit that I had the drive to succeed in this business partly just to spite the people who didn’t believe in me.

Success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey filled with many milestones. Avoiding looking at the bigger picture helps a lot. It can be very overwhelming thinking about tall of the tasks you need to accomplish. Focusing on one step at a time is crucial. I knew from a young age that photography was my passion, and I simply just never let it go. I knew that some way, some how, I would make it work and have my dream job. There have been plenty of obstacles along the way, late nights and early mornings, but I am very satisfied to say that my 13 year old self would be proud of me. `

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We keep busy in this industry by reaching out to fellow vendors and building relationships with them. We all are in this together, and it is so important to maintain the sense of community. We have met some incredible people in this business journey, and have made some of our closest friends by connecting with and supporting them. When we aren’t out building our relationships, we stay busy with running social media, blogging, scoping out new locations, and creating a unique experience for our clients. We want each and every one of our couples to feel like they aren’t just a number. To us, they are people, and their story is important and deserves to be heard. So we work hard on getting to know them on a more personal basis, and create a way to connect with them in a way that is special to them. We provide personalized “thank you” gifts that are built with things that they love to do, eat, or experience. This can include a giftcard to their favorite restaurant, or toys for their dog, or chapsticks and bath bombs so they can relax with a spa day. It all depends on them!

Brad and I have been together almost five years now, and I feel that us being a couple goes a long way in the wedding industry. Whenever we are out photographing our couples, they feel at ease with us since we can connect with them, rather than just one photographer acting like a third wheel. It’s almost like how going on a double date is more comfortable than just inviting one friend. Also something that sets us apart is that one of us strictly shoots with natural light, while the other uses flash. Everyone is so different, and the bride might prefer natural light while the groom prefers a more dramatic look. This way there is a good mixture of both so everyone can be happy. The combination of both styles of work, as well as being a couple ourselves, keeps us booked up throughout the year.

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.
Western North Carolina is full of so many incredible places to see! The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great place to start. I am personally a huge fan of hiking, and there are lots of beautiful hikes there to experience. But it’s also such an amazing drive (over 400 miles to see!) that even if you aren’t very outdoorsy, you can still take in the sights of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Part of our clients experience is getting insight on some of the coolest, secluded and breathtaking spots in our area, so I can’t give away all of our secrets! But for starters, Water Rock Knob is a popular high elevation spot and there is also an old plane crash you can hike to along the beaten path there, for the more adventurous hikers.

Asheville has many awesome spots for fun food and drinks, like sushi burritos or fantastic Italian food, which are some of our favorites. Ichiban’s Japanese steakhouse is a personal favorite, along with Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. Talk about the best fried chicken you’ll ever have!

If you are up for an early drive, Pretty Place Chapel during sunrise is a surreal experience. I believe it is something everyone should do at least once. So quiet, so calm, and the view is incredible. I also believe checking out local shops in downtown Sylva, Waynesville, and Bryson City is always a great idea. They are filled with so many cool antiques, great food, and smiling faces. There is no hospitality quite like the South!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest support system came from my partner, Brad. He has always pushed me to follow my dreams, and has been extremely encouraging in this journey every step of the way. There was never any doubt from him that I would make a career out of a dream. He loved the passion I had for photography so much that he enjoyed tagging along to help assist me in any way he could. And now, because of his incredible attitude and dedication to the cause, we are both wedding photographers.

Website: sarahdooleyphotography.com

Instagram: @sarahdooley.photography

Facebook: Sarah Dooley Photography