Conversations with the Inspiring Sara Donnelly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Donnelly.

Sara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan where I rode horses and bikes, swam in lakes in summer, threw snowballs in winter. And I was always a creator. One of my earliest memories is using small, blunt-tipped scissors at the desk my dad hand-built for me.

When I was eight, my Dad moved to Colorado and I started spending a lot of time here. Like so many before and after me, I knew this is where I was supposed to be and eventually made it my home.

It has been a convoluted journey, but I now own my own photography business as well as teach art at the Art Garage, a non-profit art center here in Denver.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
All along my journey I have battled feeling “not good enough” and I still have to remember not to use other’s successes as the yardstick by which I measure my own. I have learned along my way that you need to embrace and lean into all aspects of you. Can you take your challenges and leverage them as a strength? I have a rather short attention span, but I figured out that it makes me good at certain tasks because I can easily change gears.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Sara Elise Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I wear two professional hats, so to speak. First, I am a photographer and own my own portrait photography business. I focus on families and high school seniors. By doing both families and seniors I get to capture different small moments as well as important milestones in people’s lives. I think I am known for beautiful natural light images filled with authentic emotions.

Secondly I teach art at the Art Garage, which is a non-profit community art center here in Denver. I am passionate about the importance of art in childhood development. At the Art Garage I encourage the discovery of student’s unique visual language through exploration of art. I want children and adults alike to feel empowerment by learning a new skill or way of creative self-expression.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My parents divorced when I was in kindergarten, I moved often and I changed schools a number of times. It was the 1970’s and still somewhat unusual in small-town Michigan. I had to learn to process change, and a little different, skills that serve me well now.

Contact Info:

• Website: saraelisephotography.com
• Email: sara@saraelisephotography.com
• Instagram: saraelisephoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraelisephotography

Image Credit:
Sara Elise Photography

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