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Conversations with the Inspiring Sierra Anderson

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Anderson.

Sierra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember, all I ever wanted to be was a photographer. I fell in love with photographing just about everything and quickly realized photographing people was my first love, with interiors following closely after. Before I knew it, the two had melded into one big, all-encompassing love. The way our noses crinkle when we giggle, the way light floods into a home, bouncing off each angle, the sparkle in a person’s eyes when they say, “I do.” I live for these moments. In fact, even in my day-to-day life, I find myself watching the reactions of others. Watching a smile form is literal magic. What can I say? I’m a moments kind of gal.

I vividly remember the moment I decided to pursue photography full-time. At a crossroads in my life when all I wanted each day was to work with my camera, my mom said to me, “Sierra, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You aren’t paying a mortgage on a home, you don’t have children that depend on you, so what do you have to lose? You can take this risk!!” So I did, and I’ve never looked back.

The first year flew by! One year quickly turned into two, then three, then four, then five, and before I knew it, my husband, Brandan, was joining me in business. Six years in, and here I am: photographing professionally each and every day with a smile on my face, love in my heart, and a camera in hand, documenting the fleeting moments we wish would last forever.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has had its bumps for sure, but how you bounce back from them is key.

I thought I had lost every.single.image from the first wedding I ever photographed. I was in tears! I couldn’t think straight and was so confused. I mean, they had JUST been there! My mind went from bad to worse in seconds. Eventually, my husband gave me the boot and told me to take some time to breathe, to calm down, and to think rationally about the situation. After a few deep breaths, I came back with a fresh mind, and when I started uploading again, just like magic, one by one, all of the images appeared. Phew!

The takeaway: Breathe. Focus on your breath and let your mind rest, especially in times of stress. Lastly, don’t try to upload on a low battery (it can be frightening, trust me!)

When it came time to put myself out there and gain interior clients, I decided to scout out each (hopeful) client. I then sent over a simple document my husband and I put together showcasing my work and including my rates. I remember thinking what a great idea it was, but it seemed like I was the only one who thought it might work. Pushing my fear of failure aside, I went with it. The responses came flooding in!

The takeaway: Trust your gut, it will never steer you wrong.

Bumps or no bumps, the road is bound to drop you off somewhere so keep going!!

What should we know about Sierra Ann Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a husband+wife team specializing in lifestyle portrait, interior, and intimate weddings. Life is real, messy, and insanely beautiful. We document the in-between, the real smiles, and the hidden corners. We believe it’s more than just about how you look; it’s about how you feel. It’s creating a space for you to feel 100% you, for you to laugh and play with the ones you love, because spoiler alert, we love your love! The same goes for interior. There are many moments within it. A home is more than just a shelter; it’s where we love and where we feel. It’s an expression of who you are. Home is where life happens, and we want to tell that story.

We want to be your friends, not just your photographers. Life is too short to have surface relationships. We want to get down to the nitty gritty with you. We want to connect—and stay connected—with you because when you boil it down to our time on Earth, it’s simply about love. Said beautifully by Carl Sagan, “For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”

We’re about the moments. It’s that simple.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Communication is key! In my experience, there’s no such thing as too much of it. Be mindful of the things you fear. Ask yourself, “Why am I scared of this?” See if you cannot figure out how to tackle that fear. Hindsight will always be 20/20, so no matter what you’re faced with, give yourself some grace and treat each situation as an opportunity to learn and grow (both in life and in business).

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
There are so many wonderful opportunities for women today. The amount of all-female groups out there is inspiring. I am involved in quite a few, and in each one the belief is “community over competition.” I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be supported, challenged, and loved on by the community and fellow photographers within these groups. Women are natural caretakers, so being able to help (and be helped) as we navigate the bumpy road of owning your own business is a breath of fresh air. No matter your gender, if you love something, light that fire within you; listen to—but don’t always follow—the suggestions of loved ones. Let your heart guide you.

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Image Credit:
Sierra Ann Photography

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