Check Out Sara Walsh’s Story

Hi Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been “that person” who would take photos at parties and events, which then pushed me into taking some formal photography classes. I started taking a film class, which included developing in a dark room, which I found incredibly romantic and foundational. In the classes, I made some friends who asked if I would be interested in wedding photography. Having never done it, I said sure and began working as an apprentice. After about a year and a half of working for free, I had a portfolio that I felt was solid, and I basically sat on it for a little while. I didn’t have any clientele and I wasn’t too keen on spending money on advertising since I didn’t have any. Thankfully, that’s where my friends came in. I shot my first wedding for a good friend, for free, in 2005 and from there, it blossomed out into family photos of friends and birthday parties. I then ventured down the path of websites, marketing services, and all of the other facets of the photography world. I feel as though I learn something new at every shoot, and it’s fun to reinvent myself year after year.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Photography is an interesting career, as it’s typically feast or famine. Granted, my clientele has built itself nice framework overtime. There have been some serious droughts. Of course, then your confidence gets rattled a bit because you think, “why am I not being booked when other photographers are? “I’ve never really found a good answer to that. I just roll with it and take it as it comes. I find that comparing yourself to other photographers is something that most of us fall victim to periodically, and it definitely is the thief of joy! I think if there’s one thing that I have stopped consciously doing is comparing myself. We are all artists in our own right.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As my husband says, I am the “teller of the tale” with my pictures.  I try my best to make my pictures reflective of the time by infusing laugher and fun into the photo shoot. I want real smiles and honest moments reflected in my photography. Whether you want headshots, small or large family photos or your wedding moments captured with care and love, Soulshine Photography has your back.  I’ve photographed close to 100 weddings and to many families to count and I’d be honored to add your family to my Soulshine Family!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t compare! It’s SOOOOO easy to compare your work to someone else’s – but don’t. Comparison is the thief of joy! Find your style and also be careful to NOT try to be EVERYONE’s photographer. I thought I would add the type of newborn photography that involves a lot of composite work and putting babies in poses that aren’t necessarily natural but super cute. It’s not my thing, and I’m not good at it – so I ended up stressing out and wasting time and money.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@soulshine-photography.com
• Website: www.soulshine-photography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulshinephotographycolorado/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulshine.photography

Image Credits
Alex and Alyssa Pekar Andrew and Allison – they asked me NOT to use their last names. Donahue Family Mitchell Family Jaramillo Family Abby Rose