Inspired, A Very Special Project | Sara Seeton Photography
Morning Everyone! I wanted to get this up and running since its running a tab bit behind! 🙂 This week we have a super fun and multi talented photographer to feature here! In addition to her Photography she also does a ton of behind the scenes work help and encouraging members of clickinmoms through mentoring and other means! She runs her own business helping photographer’s find their own voice through their branding and plans to offer much more in the future! I love her soft pretty processing and the whimsical air to her photographs! Truly inspiring!!
Let’s get to know Sara a bit better!!
You can find her website HERE and her Facebook Page HERE.
Hi Sara!
Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
i am very casual + laid back. i am a creative soul + love anything to do with design. my taste is very modern + simple.
What sparked your passion for Photography?
i have always loved photography. i still remember taking pictures with my old neon pink concord 110EF film camera + having my mom take the film to the store to get developed. remember when you used to have to wait like a week to get your photos back?! lol but like most photographers now-a-days, the real passion began once i had kids + wanted to take better photos of them. my dad bought me my first DSLR…a canon rebel XT in january of 2008.
Whats in your camera bag?
canon 5d mark ii, 85 1.2L, 50 1.4, 35 1.4Lyou can find out more about what’s in my back here (my ‘a peek inside’ feature on clickin moms).
What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
when i first started my business (april 1, 2010), i was using a canon 40d, tamron 28-75 2.8, 50 1.8
If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
if it was an indoor session i’d use my 35 1.4L. it is the perfect lens for lifestyle + indoors when you don’t have much space to work with. if it was an outdoor session i’d use my 85 1.2L. i love the creamy bokeh + the vivid colors + the sharpness/clarity…amazing lens!
What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
start slow…there’s no rush. even if you think you’re ready, you’re probably not! most people begin charging before they really should. practice, practice, practice….shoot your close friends + family. once you have a strong portfolio + are are consistently nailing focus, exposure, white balance + all the technical stuff, have a professional critique your portfolio. feedback from a professional with lots of experience is worth every single penny.
What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?
barb uil (jinky art)
What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?
just every day/lifestyle type shots of my kids. i actually probably take more photos lately with my iPhone! lol i’m an instagram lover! i’m ‘saraseeton’ if you want to follow me 😉
If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
such a tough question. honestly, i would love to have some photos of my mom with my girls. my mother passed away from cancer 6.5 years ago, before my girls were born. i cherish every single photo i have of my mom + it breaks my heart that my girls never had the opportunity to meet their ‘nana’.
Describe your style in 3 words.
fresh. modern. fun.
Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?
can’t really think of anything! i’ve probably accidentally flashed my butt-crack at several newborn sessions….lol they make jeans seriously low-cut now-a-days! haha
Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?
being in business is always full of challenges! but i believe that is what makes you learn + grow.
Favorite time of day to shoot is?
sunset…golden hour.
If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
graphic design. or just be the best mom ever.
Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?
nope. i have learned what i know from trial + error + being active on clickin moms!
How do you get your clients to relax with you?
i communicate a lot with my clients before + during their session. i make sure they know what to expect during + after the session, i have them fill out questionnaires so i can get to know them better + so i know what to talk about with them at their session. a lot of my clients are repeat clients, so i already feel like i know them + they already feel comfortable with me, which is nice!
Do you ever get nervous before your sessions?
i used to! but not as much anymore.
What would your dream session be like?
a gorgeous senior girl with great fashion sense, in an overgrown grassy field with a golden glowing sunset.
What are your photography related goals for 2012?
i don’t have too many expectations for this year since i am pregnant with baby #3 + i’m due august 8th. so i plan on beginning my maternity leave in june since it will be so hot + i’ll be miserable! lol i’ll probably start taking sessions again sometime october, just in time for the cooler fall weather 😉
How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning?
this is something i constantly struggle with. i feel like personal projects push me to grow + learn, but i have a hard time committing to them! i used to participate in the cmpro daily project but i fell off the wagon. it might be time to start back up again! it definitely pushed me to get creative….and that’s what i need.
Biggest Photography related insecurity?
i leave every single session worried that i didn’t get enough great shots. then i get home, upload the images + can’t quit staring all my favorites! i usually end up with 40+ image galleries. lol but it doesn’t matter…it still happens EVERY single session. i’m just a worrywart.
Digital or Prints?
digital.
Fun stuff:
Favorite Color: grey
Favorite Season: spring
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: blue bell dutch chocolate ice cream….in bed….at midnight.
Pet Peeve: people who don’t use their turning signals
Favorite Pandora Station: rosi golan or lifehouse
Studio or On location: on location
What did you want to be when you grew up? in high school i wanted to be an advertising executive
One thing no one knows about you is: i eat weird meals – things i’m craving that don’t necessarily go together (like pizza + fried zucchini or a few side dishes with no main course…lol).
Pc or Mac: mac
Lightroom Or Photoshop: photoshop
Film or Digital: digital
Props or No Props: simple props here + there
If you could travel anywhere it would be: new zealand. or bora bora.
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: depends on the day! lol
Favorite photo ever taken: it’s so hard for me to choose just one….i have so many of my girls that i really love, but this has been one of my favorites for awhile. it’s just them, doing their thing….just like we do every day. it’s real. that’s what i love about it so much.
Raw or Jpeg: raw
Favorite Music to Edit to: rosi golan, brett dennen, lifehouse
Favorite Quote: my husband gave me this exact advice years ago when we were dating….. ‘do not let things which you cannot control consume you’. i always try to live by it.
Most valued material possession: my mother’s bible.
Processing Style: warm + hazy. i’m a little bit obsessed with backlighting!
Coffee or Tea: coffee.
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? no clue. i’m not really into the whole celeb thing like i used to be! i have no idea what goes on in the celeb world anymore.
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? i currently have a kelly moore classic bag in grey, which i love. but i’m so excited for a photographer friend of mine who will be launching a line of camera handbags in the very near future! so i will be sporting one of those as well pretty soon.
Loved reading this! Big Sara Seeton fan and lucky to call her a friend. <3
Sara is amazing, both as a photographer and a person! Great interview!! 🙂
Sara is an amazing photographer and a beautiful person, inside and out. <3
Loved reading more about you Sara! You are so sweet, and so incredibly talented. (PS, I do the same thing with food. :))
I love Sara Seeton! I’m such a fan of her and her work … such a wonderful person and photographer (and designer!!). Now I’m interested in those new camera bags, Sara!
Sara’s work is so beautiful. I love the honest emotions she captures from her clients and her awesome understanding of light!
you are amazing Sara Seeton!!! mom, photographer, designer, and friend. I love love love you + your work. so wonderful to see you featured on Sarah’s awesome site!
I love Sara’s work and she is a fabulous person too!
Great interview Sara!! Can’t wait for you to get your new camera bag 🙂
Love love love Sara’s work!!! And she’s such a sweetheart on top of being extremely talented. It was fun reading your interview Sara!
awwww…thank you so much for the interview, sarah! you are beyond sweet + i am so impressed with your dedication to this huge project! i am very blessed and honored to be featured alongside so many other talented artists in this industry. xoxo