Meet Sabrina Harrison | Boudoir, Branding and Retreat Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Harrison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I tried to be a good little employee, I really tried. I worked for government and many businesses and by all accounts I was consistently a good employee. But being a traditional employee felt constricting, and that was not what I wanted. Both of my parents ran their own businesses when I was growing up, and I saw how they worked rally hard, but they also decided how much money they would make and exactly when they would take vacations. I wanted that kind of freedom. I wanted to be able to take breaks, spend time with my family, work in bursts, and make as much money as I wanted. Being a small business owner comes with risks and headaches, but I would take those risks and headaches every single day to have the life I live.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been a photographer, literally for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until my 30s that I thought I could do it as a career. I went to school for politics and photography, but I was encouraged to shelve my art in favor of an office job after I graduated. It took years for me to get back to my photography and to find the space to create art for myself and for others.

After having children I picked up my camera once more, and I started to believe that accepting money for doing something I found so fun and aligned wouldn’t ruin it for me. I shot everything – weddings, babies, families, high school seniors – trying to figure out what I liked best. It wasn’t until I decided to give my husband the gift of boudoir for a milestone birthday, that I figured out that boudoir was the best fit, and something I was passionate about.

We all carry around these ideas about what we look like, and we often attach our worth to it. When I had boudoir photos taken, I was very nervous, but when I saw the photos I was surprised and delighted about how good they made me feel about myself. That experience helped me quiet so much of the negative self-talk I had carried with me for so long. I decided that I wanted to be able to help other women in the same way.

I want to help my clients feel amazing about themselves. To help them find more self confidence, and in turn expand their bandwidth to have happy lives and make positive impacts on the world.

I love working with my clients and most days it doesn’t even feel like work. Understanding how to create a sustainable business model has been a challenge. Hiring the right coaches and taking calculated risks has served me and is working to continue my dream of working for myself making meaningful art.

As an artist, what is really lighting me up right now is working with horses, outdoor boudoir, paint on subjects, limited sets, waterfalls and hosting my own retreat for the first time!

What makes me unique is my ability to be a safe place for your transformation, to be vulnerable and present and level up in your own eyes. What you should know about my brand, is that I will work to understand and realize your vision, and help you create one if you need a guiding hand.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was hosting someone I would take them skiing or hiking in the mountains, depending on the season. My absolute fav is Breck, but all of our skiing is world class. After skiing I like to hit up Bird Craft, they have the best Thai-inspired fried chicken, and bonus, it’s gluten free!

If we were sticking around Denver I might take them to Flat Irons Vista, or Boulder Falls: both are short easy hikes for those not acclimated to altitude but have beautiful views. Later, we would dine at Hickory and Ash so they could appreciate the best steak the mountain west has to offer and a seasonal cocktail. Afterwards we would go shopping at Rockmount Ranch Wear, one of the oldest western apparel places in the city, and get them outfitted with a cowboy hat or some killer boots.

The next day we would take in art at Meowwolf, the Denver Art Museum or the galleries down Santa Fe. Afterwards, we would eat at Teocalli in Lafayette, and walk along public road. The murals are so beautiful, and the locally owned businesses are delightful. We would have ice cream at Eats & Sweets, they always have some bomb vegan flavors.

The next day I would take the to Denver Museum of Nature and Science and appreciate one of their temporary exhibits, afterwards we would take a picnic to Paco Sanchez Park and let the kids play. If they weren’t too exhausted we could go for drinks at Recess and then burn it off rollerskating at Roll.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My life partner has supported me unconditionally in taking the leap to work for myself. The Polkadot Powerhouse is my networking group. They are such an amazing group of women. Through them I met Kitty Coy, who coached me for a year. She helped me believe in myself, and that confidence propelled me to take bigger risks and dream bigg

Website: https://www.sabrinaharrisonphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabrinaharrisonphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabrinaharrisonphotography

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/SabrinaHarrisonPhotography/

Image Credits
Flower top- @semetarycosplay
Mermaid and Water Fairy- @cici.whitney
My branding shot- @photographybylisacraig