Community Highlights: Meet Sarah Beranek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beranek.

Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For years I would casually take photos for my family and friends – using an iPhone, someone’s parent’s camera, literally with anything I could get my hands on. So a few years ago I decided I wanted to get a camera of my own. I was SO pumped. I started practicing on everything I could at home, bought a camera for dummies book and did two whole sessions. Then I chickened out. I got worried that I would step on people’s toes. That I wouldn’t be very good. That people would think it was dumb. So I stopped. I let fear take over.

Fast forward two years. TWO. YEARS. After a year of this pandemic, I decided it was time to pick my camera back up. In April 2021 I started asking friends and family to model for me. And to my surprise, I started booking PAYING clients. And I started to get better. And build a brand. And network. And after 6 months, I went freaking full time! That fact still completely blows my mind. It was like God was saying, “Hey, you know that thing I’ve been telling you to do for a long time? It really is time.” And holy buckets has it been amazing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been all smooth sailing getting to where I am today, but every bump and bruise has been worth it. The first photographer I ever talked to about the second shooting a wedding for literally laughed in my face. He said that I didn’t have what it takes to get into weddings, because portrait sessions are so much easier and you get to go back and redo what didn’t work.

Yikes, that was kind of a slap in the face. I cried. I doubted myself. And then I got back up. Because I knew deep down that I did have what it takes to be a wedding photographer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Wedding + Lifestyle photographer based out of Westminster, CO. I tell people that my favorite thing to capture is love, because I love love! Whether that is you saying yes to your person, a newborn lifestyle session celebrating a new member of the family, or a ten years anniversary session, I am here for all of it.

What sets me apart from other people in the wedding industry is that I will do my best to make you feel completely at home and safe with me throughout the entire wedding process. From our first time meeting to talk about your big day to gallery delivery day, I will make sure you feel like the most special person in my world. I am also an absolute goober, so I can guarantee we will laugh together.

I have worked hard to build my brand over the past year and I can honestly say I am insanely happy with where things are heading this year. I have had so many incredible weddings already in 2022 and have so many more to come. I still have availability for 2022 and am booking through 2023!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The most surprising thing that people may not know about me is that I am an introvert (97% introvert as a matter of fact). I am bubbly and outgoing and my whole job is to make people feel comfortable, so it always surprises people! But taking people’s photos and making them smile and feel like a million bucks fills me up more than just about anything else.

Pricing:

• 5-hour Wedding Package | $2,000
• 8-hour Wedding Package | $2,500
• Lifestyle Session | $300

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahberanekphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahberanekphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahberanekphoto