Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Wesche.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I feel like my photography journey was something that I just kind of fell into. I don’t have a degree and I’ve never taken a single photography class– and for me, that was almost better. I think if I would have studied it in college, I would have suppressed the creative “eye” for the sake of being technically perfect. Obviously, the technical side is necessary but I feel like I can overthink things and would get caught up in trying to be technically perfect and just end up forfeiting the artistry of a portrait. I don’t want to say that studying kills creativity. It definitely has its place and I know so many photographers with degrees that are incredible artists. I just knew myself and that route was not for me.
I began taking pictures early on in college (I studied Spanish and Education which is a far cry from what I’m doing now! Haha!) and bought my first DSLR camera to take with me on a study abroad trip to Spain. After I got back from that trip, photography just progressed with the events in my life. My friends started getting engaged and asked me to take engagement photos for them, I did family photos for my parent’s friends and things like that. The thought that I could do this for a business never even crossed my mind during those times. I mean seriously–who was going to pay me to take their photo? I never studied, I wasn’t a professional, and I had SO much to learn. I was really good about talking myself out of doing things I was interested in because of my insecurities, my lack of experience, etc. I think projected that onto others and just assumed they thought those things about me because I did. So, I just assumed because I knew that I didn’t have the educational background and technical experience, that EVERYONE thought the same way and would never hire me.
I met my incredible husband in 2012 and we were married in 2013. He was an officer in the Army (and is also a photographer), so for a while, I just put the camera down and took time to adjust to married and military life. Nine months after our wedding, we found out we were pregnant with our first daughter Emma and were so thrilled! After Emma was born, the demands of being a stay-at-home mom set in and I quickly recognized the need for a creative outlet. It was so easy to just get sucked into motherhood (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) but felt like I lost myself a little bit. Don’t get me wrong… my favorite thing in the world is being a mom and I wouldn’t change it for the world! But it is a selfless job and sometimes you can neglect yourself to a fault for the sake of your child. So, I tried to think of things I could do from home that would financially contribute to my growing family and allow me to take a little bit of time out for myself. I looked into work from home jobs like medical coding but nothing sounded… right. Whenever I would talk to friends or family, almost EVERY single one suggested that I do photography as a business. My husband pushed me and just said to throw up a Facebook page for my photography and see if I generated any interest. I had photos of my friend’s engagement sessions, photos from Spain and that was pretty much it! The day after I put my page up, I got inquiries for a newborn session, a family session, and my first wedding! I did every type of session that came my way and then realized that weddings were really what got me excited and inspired. So now, I completely focus my business on weddings and have just recently added family sessions back in.
I didn’t officially start my business until 2015 and even though we’re on year four, I still consider myself a novice in the industry. I’ve learned and grown so much thanks to experience, doing the research, and thanks to so many other photographers who took the time out to mentor and teach me, but I know there’s always something I can improve on. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I’ve “arrived” as a successful photographer but that’s a good thing and will make me keep pushing and keep growing.
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?
Haha! Absolutely not! I think the struggle was trying to juggle growing my family and growing my business. For me, family came above my business and so there were times where I’d have to essentially put my business on the back burner so I could take care of myself and my kids. I don’t regret it one bit, but it definitely makes it hard to get the ball rolling again. I also struggled these first few years and compared myself to others in my industry who were in their 7th, 8th, sometimes the 10th year! It was so easy to think I was doing something wrong but everyone’s journey is so different and the challenges they face in their business are so different. So, comparing your business journey to someone else’s is like apples and oranges to me and is frankly unfair. I just learned the importance of giving yourself grace and just focusing on your own growth instead of comparing it to others.
What I would tell any young woman out there thinking about starting their own business is to know that there is no such thing as an “overnight success.” It’s OK if things are slow going or even not really going at all! It takes so much work and patience to get to a place of “success” so don’t give in to the comparison game. Find those in your niche or industry that you admire and look up to and reach out to them! Find someone who will mentor you, who will let you pick their brain apart about everything that goes into that particular business. Educate yourself, invest in business courses because that is 80-90% of it! Anyone can learn how to take a good photo and I absolutely invested in courses and education that improved my skill level, but it really has been the business courses that taught me how to market, how to define my brand, that has been invaluable. And just know–there will ALWAYS be someone out there in your industry that does it better so instead of comparing yourself to them, stay in your lane and compare yourself to yourself! If you can look back in six months or a year and say “I’m further along now than I was then” you’re on the right track.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Wesche Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in wedding, engagement, and family photography. I think what I’m most proud of is just how far I’ve come since I started. I knew NOTHING about the technical side of photography, the important business strategies that were crucial to running a business, and by all means, I should have epically failed the first year. But by the grace of God, I’m still here! Haha! Since then, I’ve done the work to research, educate myself, and seek out sources of information that would help me improve my skill (courses, mentors, etc.).
I honestly can’t say what sets me apart… which is probably not the best thing to admit! Haha! I think what’s different is that I truly want what’s best for anyone who inquires for my services. I care about that person more than the success of my business if that makes sense..? (Again… not the best business practice but I value relationships over financial gain.) I always tell my potential brides that I want the BEST fit for them for their wedding day and if that’s me – GREAT! I’d be so honored! But if not–it’s still great and I’m so happy to still serve them and help them find that perfect fit! I’m happy to suggest other photographers/vendor recommendations if that is something they need. The phrase “people over profit” is what I want my business to reflect so while it’s probably not the best business practice in terms of money, it’s the best for building relationships. I just want them to know that I see them like an actual human and not a money sign. So, whether you end up becoming my client or not, you are equally valuable and worth serving.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Absolutely. My parent’s raised me and my three siblings to work hard for what we wanted. If we wanted to buy things for ourselves, we had to get jobs to pay for them. We grew up in a pretty affluent area where most of the parents just paid for everything for their kids and I don’t think that was wrong by any means. To each his own. We couldn’t afford that and I think that because I started working part-time when I was 15 and had to pay for the things I wanted, it prepared me a little earlier for #adulting. Haha! Because my siblings and I had jobs, we had to learn how to do our own taxes, pay for our own clothing, car, gas, etc., so I think I just valued those things more because I had to work really hard for them. I worked and went to school full time and the last two years of college I paid for tuition myself. At the time, I thought it was so unfair but I’m so thankful, my parent’s raised us that way because I see the value in it now. That work ethic and mentality that they instilled in me has definitely shaped how I run my business and prepared me for the administrative and financial side of it (budget, taxes, etc.) in ways I couldn’t have known.
Pricing:
- Wedding Collections start at $1800
- Portrait Sessions start at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weschephotography.com
- Email: wesche.photography@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/weschephotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeschePhotography
Image Credit:
Main image: Meghan Stewart Photography, Action shot of me with camera: Allyson Fitzwater Merchant- Fitzography, Everything else: Wesche Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
