We recently had the chance to connect with Sara Turbyfill and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sara, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up in the morning around 5:30 am, make a cup of coffee, and start my day by answering emails. Depending on my workload, I will then start on a project in my pipeline. This could be editing photos from a recent community event, designing a business card, or working on a website for a client. I will spend the next 4-6 hours working on projects. At the end of my day, I will wind down by checking my email one more time, scheduling out social media posts, or working on a promotion for my business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Sara Turbyfill, and I’m the owner of Sara Turbyfill Photography + Design in Denver, Colorado. I’m a Certified Professional Photographer and brand designer with over 10 years of experience. I curate brand strategies, one-of-a-kind imagery, and visual experiences for businesses and individuals.
Although I’m located in Denver, I offer my photography services throughout the state of Colorado. I commonly serve the following areas: Aurora, Boulder, Castle Rock, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Golden, Fort Collins, Littleton, and Parker. I provide my design services throughout the United States. My ideal client is someone who is celebrating a special occasion, starting a new business, or in the process of rebranding.
Here are some of the services I offer:
• Branding
• Graphic Design
• Marketing
• Photography
• SEO
• Social Media
• Videography
• Web Design
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a girl obsessed with manatees. At an early age, I developed a love for manatees and wanted to do everything I could to save them from extinction. I spent the majority of my childhood reading books and watching documentaries to learn as much as I could about these gentle creatures.
Throughout elementary school, I used every opportunity to educate others about threats to manatees and what could be done to prevent them from going extinct. When possible, I even featured manatees in my school projects. There is no telling how many times I stood up in front of the class to advocate for manatees and wildlife conservation. When I was around 10 years old, I decided I wanted to become a marine biologist.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Growing up is hard. As a kid, I loved the ocean and all of the creatures that lived in it. I wanted to pursue a career as a marine biologist so I could work near the ocean and help save manatees from extinction. I held on to this dream for most of my childhood. However, when I got to high school, everything changed.
At the beginning of my junior year, I had to pick a career path to help prepare for college. I had done extensive research and found a college in Florida that offered a marine biology program. I was prepared to do everything I could to get accepted into the program. I met with my guidance counselor and explained the plans for my future.
Not long into the conversation, I was interrupted by my guidance counselor. She encouraged me to rethink pursuing my “childhood dream” and focus on a career path that would be more financially secure. After talking for a few more minutes, she recommended that I go into the medical field. This was new. I’d never considered becoming a nurse or doctor before.
By the time I made it to my senior year in high school, I’d settled on a career in physical therapy. I’d grown up playing sports my entire life, so if I had to pick a career in the medical field, this was it. I found a great college in Texas that offered a physical therapy program, so I applied. I was accepted into the college and started my first semester the following year.
I ended up switching my major several times. I eventually majored in entrepreneurship and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Although I’m proud of the degree I have hanging on the wall in my office, I always wonder what would have happened if I’d pursued my childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist. I wish I could go back and tell myself to “follow your dreams and don’t worry about what everyone else thinks.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that AI will take over all creative, design, and marketing-related jobs. Sure, AI is a great tool, but will it replace human creativity? I don’t believe so.
Like many creatives, I’ve been using AI for years to cut back on the time I spend completing mundane tasks. I use AI for everything from sending mass emails to scheduling posts to responding to messages. Because I’m able to utilize AI and speed up my processes, I have more time to be creative. It’s wonderful!
However, I’m afraid we’re moving toward a society that wants to use AI for everything. As I mentioned, AI is a helpful tool, but it’s no replacement for human creativity. It’s great at generating blog post topics, content ideas, and talking points. But is it a good idea to have AI do everything for you? Probably not.
We have to remember that AI is getting its information from somewhere. Chances are, the information it gives you isn’t a unique idea. It’s important to keep this in mind when creating content. Search engines value unique, high-quality content over AI-generated content.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop doubting myself and just go for it! I would embrace the time I have left on this earth and make the most of it. I wouldn’t let fear or the thought of “what if” hold me back. I would dedicate the rest of my life to following my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saraturbyfill.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/saraturbyfill/
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/saraturbyfill/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/saraturbyfill/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@saraturbyfill
