Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Witherington.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Even though I’ve been creative for all of my life, I didn’t pick up a camera until my junior year of college. I went to school at The University of North Georgia in the mountains of Dahlonega, and so there was PLENTY of beauty to photograph. I started working my way around campus and eventually started convincing my friends to let me get them dressed up to shoot around the town.
When I left school, I still wanted to pursue photography and so I cold called a photographer I knew that had photographed a couple of my sorority sisters’ weddings. She graciously let me come on as her permanent second shooter, and so began my career!
I spent a few years photographing weddings with her and then in 2010 someone suggested that I try out this new website called ‘Groupon’ to advertise my services. I was young, dumb, and had zero idea what I was getting myself into and so of course I said yes without question. I ended up selling over 2000 Groupons in a little under 7 hours, which kept me busy 24/7 for two years straight. Some of those Groupons were for portraits, some were for engagement sessions, some people wanted me to photograph their employees, and SOME women wanted to do a boudoir shoot.
I’d never heard of boudoir before, but I was contractually obligated to shoot and so I again said ‘yes’! I knew almost immediately that boudoir was the niche I wanted to pursue. I founded OWN boudoir in 2012 and by 2014, I was shooting boudoir solely, without any other ‘types’ of shoots on my calendar.
I’ve photographed over 1500 women and men over the last ten years and we’ve just moved our studio from Midtown to the Marietta Square. Clients fly in from all over the world to be photographed by us, and next year I’m going on a U.S. tour so that I can meet more women around the country!
My style of boudoir is definitely more sensual, with strong editorial and voyeuristic vibes. My clients come to me for a full experience where they get to focus on themselves for the day. They leave with a new air of confidence and an unbelievable set of images.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The first few years of my business were definitely a hard grind. I worked about three different nannying jobs while also photographing weddings on the weekend. When the Groupon was published, my calendar became inundated for two years straight and I had to figure out REALLY quick how to delegate and where I was wasting time.
I say that I got a two years master’s lesson on running a business in about two months, haha.
My biggest struggle lately is how to be a good leader to my staff and those that I work with. There are times when I forget that I need to communicate exactly what needs to be done, what my goals are, and what plans I have for my business. If I forget to communicate or communicate poorly, those that work with me won’t know HOW to work with me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Boudoir photographer in the Atlanta area. Boudoir photography has historically been seen as something that a bride might gift to her spouse as a wedding gift, but over the last decade that definition has changed greatly. Most of our clients choose to do a boudoir session for the sole reason that they WANT to. Our clients come in for milestone birthdays, personal goals, and ‘just because’.
My style of boudoir tends to be a bit more sensual, occasionally erotic, and a little moody. We provide the full experience of profession hair and makeup, a wardrobe styling session, and full posing instructions. Clients come to us because they know that they won’t have to do a single thing besides show up… and if they keep their end of the bargain then they’ll have some kick ass images.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’ve been seeing more and more men being interested in having a photoshoot for themselves. Boudoir has traditionally been very female-focused, and so I’m loving seeing it become more popular amongst others.
Contact Info:
- Email: sarah@ownboudoir.com
- Website: www.ownboudoir.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ownboudoir
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ownboudoir?
Image Credits:
My headshot photo was taken by Elizabeth Pishal Photography, all other photos are OWN Boudoir
