Today we’d like to introduce you to Sawyer Jones.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I guess we can thank my mother for my artistic abilities and my love for photography with my grandparents. I started in photography around fourteen years old – though I grew up dropping off film rolls to get developed with my mother for as long as I can remember.
When I was in high school I started photographing my friends for fun which quickly became photographing friends of friends and it was like a domino effect – long story short. When I had my senior photos taken the summer before my senior year in high school I asked who photographed them if I could intern for them. I knew nothing – so major thanks to Happy Everything Co. for allowing me to photograph so many weddings with you over the years and taking a chance on me, I honestly will never be able to truly express my love for these amazing people. During my senior year, I was on the yearbook staff and worked with photography too along with taking AP Art and submitting a photography portfolio. These steps brought me to attending SCAD with a focus in Photography after high school.
I went to the Atlanta campus and it was the best decision I’ve made. My eyes were opened to a whole new world (growing up in a small town, these were the things I dreamed of at my fingertips) and I soon jumped into a film photography class, rediscovering my love for film photography that I developed as a kid. At SCAD my intention, in the beginning, was to be an in-studio fashion photographer but my heart just kept being pulled back towards real moments. I then pursed film photography with weddings, editorials, and lifestyle work. Once I started photographing my work with film things changed for me. I felt like an artist for the first time and I could not only tell by my spirit but also by the work I was creating. It was home for me.
I branded Sawyer Baird in the spring of 2014 and I have had the honor to have worked with some of the best wedding professionals in the industry, stylist, and designers. Today I photograph weddings, editorials, lifestyle work, and travel photography.
This journey has been an uphill climb with certainly highs and lows. The highs were high and the lows teaching me so many lessons to better not only myself and craft but how I serve others with my art. I’m just grateful to create and do what I love – truly feel so lucky.
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?
I tapped into this a moment ago but certainly not a smooth ride (just a few bumps). When I started dappling into the photography I was 14… when I started interning I was 16…. and when I branded my business I was 19 going on 20.
Being ‘young’ in the industry has been a huge struggle, believe it or not. My theory at the end of the day is it isn’t about the age when it comes to art, you either like it or you don’t. Though being young you learn things the harder way I believe, there were many things I had to learn the hard way because I hadn’t been exposed to them in any prior way before.
I had to learn the ends and out of the business side of photography and that certainly wasn’t an easy task. Some could say I am still learning new things every day with the direction I am taking my work. I also let age define my success in the beginning. Today I embrace it and love that I am young. Nobody else can be me and within that, I want to embrace all that I am.
Another struggle with being creative is just that… you are creative. My brain has at least 20 tabs open at all times thinking of so many ideas within and outside of photography.
From dreaming up spaces, designing homes in my head, editorial shoots, and even dreaming up other business ideas. It’s hard to keep myself focused sometimes when I have so many ideas in my head. I almost quit photography once and that’s the thing about the things you love… even when you want to give up on them they don’t give up on you.
Last but not least, the earlier you learn that not everybody is going to like your work the easier it is. You aren’t a one size fits all kinda deal… and that is okay. The people who do love you are golden and finding your market is so rewarding.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sawyer Baird – what should we know?
So I am a photographer – who just so happens to dapple in creative design, branding, and writing. With being a photographer you kinda play a creative director a lot on shoots.
With photographing weddings I am hired for my creative vision and I love that. I am able to really show the way I see things.
I am most proud to be able to help others in their vision and create magic. Nothing excites me more than getting a great group of creatives together and making something amazing. From a wedding to an editorial shoot. So many people go into creating these events and shoots and being able to work with such amazing talents is so humbling.
What sets me apart from others? I’m me. You can’t be me and I’m confident in myself and my artistry. I’m far from perfect but showing my voice in what I do is what I love the most about being an artist.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
1) Confidence in yourself.
2) Setting crazy goals. You are what you set your expectations, dream big.
3) Never forget where you came from.
4) Loving others – be kind to others and good things will come.
5) Have patience.
^ these are the things that get me through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sawyerbaird.com
- Phone: 706-482-8946
- Email: hello@sawyerbaird.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/@sawyerbaird
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sawyerbairdphotographer
- Other: www.pinterest.com/sawyerbaird
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