Interview: photographer Sarah Arnold

1. Please describe your career journey as Woman in the Arts and what you enjoy most about your profession.

"I started photography in high school as a creative outlet. My brother was a fantastic painter, and I didn't think I had an artistic bone in my body.  My mom suggested I try photography and in no time, I fell in love with it. When I was in college, I’d come home during the summer and capture senior photos and family portraits. By the age of 22, I had established my business as a wedding & portrait freelance photographer! I spent 10 years with photography going from a hobby to a side job to then eventually a full-time business. It grew little by little as I perfected my craft, invested in new camera gear, put marketing and advertising efforts in place, and developed my brand. What I love most is connecting with my clients! I love having conversations with people and helping them feel comfortable in front of the camera."

2. What barriers have you faced as a Woman in the Arts?

"Photography tends to be a rather female-dominated industry, so I haven’t faced any sexism or have been underestimated, but I have experienced times when clients have taken advantage of me or asked me to alter or manipulate photos outside the scope of what I would normally do per the contract. For example, I’d been asked to add clouds in the sky to make them look fluffier, remove building signs or other obstructed objects that were out of my control in the background along with adding in individuals in the photos that were not initially there. I’ve had to learn to set boundaries and educate clients that I can and cannot do within the scope of the project."

3. How did you &/or do you overcome those barriers?

"I have had to stay true to my brand and style and remind myself that if I continue to put out reputable work, people will find me, and my work will be known in the community. I’ve also found that client reviews on Google and various social media platforms have helped me tremendously. Getting to know my “competitors” as friends has really helped me to break down the barrier of feeling like I’m up against others. When we realize there are more people in need of our services than there are photographers, it helps me to remember there is enough business to go around for everyone."

4. What advice do you have for girls interested in pursuing a career in an artistic field like photography?

"Education is key! You can never stop learning and growing! There is so much to know from camera basics, posing/style, editing, software, the administrative side of a business, building a website, gaining and maintaining consistent clientele, streamlining processes and so forth. Make friends in the industry and don’t be afraid to take work for free when you’re getting started as it’s the best way to learn and grow a portfolio. If you can shadow photographers you admire, it’s a wonderful way to gain knowledge that will help carry you through your career."