Meet Sarah Sheets | Photographer

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

Hi Sarah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being a newly stay at home mother of 2, a 3 yr old and a newborn, I knew I wanted to do something to contribute to my household but also something I could schedule around my busy life as a mom.

I had been doing photography as a hobby for about 3 years at this point. I photshoot here or there for a friend that was maybe expecting, or, just some family photos. O have always had a creative side that I enjoyed so much and I needed an outlet for that.

After doing my own hospital photos of my newborn due to the pandemic, I realized, this was it, this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to capture these precious moments for others. I immediately signed up for official photography and editing courses, taking them once I got my children to bed and started my journey in becoming a photographer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think, with this career, the best part for me, is I still get to be present in my kids’ lives and that is by far the most important thing to me. My kids come first no matter what. Being a photographer, I make my own hours, I can choose not to work holidays or birthdays. I can include my kids in my work and they can help with my work. I love it, it really is my dream job in the aspect of working around my life as a mom. I am really proud of myself for how far I have come. Just in the last 18 months, booking as much as I do, I have come a long way, especially for still technically being in a pandemic. Covid had put such a damper on trying to get my business out there. When I started, everything was still shut down, families weren’t gathering, it was not the greatest timing but slowly, I made it through with the help of social media.

I find this job very rewarding. I think the best thing for me so far has been, seeing my work, hung on a canvas in someone’s home. Knowing something I did, was beautiful enough, for someone to hang in their home and see everyday, is really just the greatest feeling.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I would definitely say it would start with something to eat/drink. Unfortunately my favorite restaurant is no longer open, that was Fajitas. They had the BEST food and their melon margarita was amazing. I have recently been to Salt in Westgate and they are a pretty close second for me. As far as entertainment, definitely a comedy club downtown or the axe throwing place in Westgate. SO much fun and just a very different experience. As far as kid friendly places, my favorite, hands down, would have to be the Odysea Aquarium. Really a cool place and so much to see, even the bathroom there is a cool experience! Hiking in Sedona would definitely be a 2 day trip at the least. It is one of my favorite places in Arizona. The sites, the eats, the peace and quiet. It’s just a dream town.

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?
My husband for sure deserves a majority of the credit for my success. He bought me my first camera and then my second and was there to help through my classes when the kids just wouldn’t sleep. He encouraged my mentorship with my close photographer friends and has also helped out as my assistant on a few occasions. He has been my rock whether it has been taking the kids so I can edit, coming along as my assistant for a wedding and even helping me find a last minute Santa for a mini session.

Also my two great friends James and Beverly with Arizona Ohana Photography. The have been true mentor to me, helping me in every aspect and never holding out on me. They have taught me so much about Photography, bringing me along as an assistant and allowing me to shadow them while working their own sessions. They have without a doubt, help me get where I am today.

Image Credits
Whiskey + Wy Photography