Meet Sarah Hall

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

Hi Sarah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think when it comes to risks, having a photography business just is a risk. Especially if you are single and doing it all on your own. When it comes to risks, if you don’t take any, you’re not going to grow at all if I’m scared and sit in comfortability, I legit am never going to grow in. My business is never going to get any bigger if I am afraid of risks. whether that’s spending money on education, retreats, gear, or travel or even just the risk of failure then I might as well give up and not even try. I think risk is absolutely inevitable as of Photographer. You have to let the fear of failure drive you to work even harder to reach your goals without that fear and taking risks. There’s no way I would have been where I am now getting to legitimately travel the world taking photos. I have had so many situations where I’ve had to take a risk and travel alone and it is scary, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because I’ve had some incredible experiences doing that if I can’t put myself in an uncomfortable position then I know I’m not growing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are so many different kinds of wedding photography right now and I really really enjoyed the aspect of being a documentary wedding photographer and really focusing on the candid moments the moments that really happen the moments where you’re not forcing anything and people look back at the images and feel them not just see them . One thing I would say that I’ve been so excited about this year because it feels so nostalgic is getting back into film photography. It’s been such a trend this year and I have done it quite a long time ago and it feels so fun that the trend is coming round full circle and is popular again With film historical process using light sensitive chemicals to create photographic prints that are so rare so unique and so beautiful have been such a cool gift to give to my clients this year. Photography is so digital and this has really giving me the chance to be more creative to give a physical copy of the most special day of someone’s life. Nothing that is overly rewarding comes easy. And it definitely wasn’t easy for me to get where I am now there has been a lot of burnout a lot of late nights definitely some tears a lot of being away from home but it’s all been worth it. I’ve gotten to be where I am today because I haven’t allowed myself to give myself any excuses . The only person standing in front of my goals is myself I can either make excuses and give up and never reach it or I can power through any pain and I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Things definitely become easier overtime after you do them over and over also setting boundaries for yourself and your clients is a massive help when it comes to burnout. Just because someone wants to work with you doesn’t mean you actually have to work with that person. There are so many ways you can outsource as a photographer these days so if you’re feeling stressed, you’re feeling overwhelmed you’re feeling overworked. You really need to be utilizing these resources Also by just being a smart business owner and raising your prices when you know you need to as far as supply and demand goes. For the longest time Sarah Hall was a photographer and that was my personality. I ate, slept breath thought constantly about my career where I was going to be what I was gonna do how I was gonna accomplish it…and it’s exhausting. I’d say I 100% lost myself along the way in this journey as a photographer and an artist I allowed myself to think that success determined who I was as a person this year I have allowed myself so much more grace so much more time to myself to my friends and all those people who are important to me And I think my work has flourished because of it. Once you reach burnout, there’s no full blown going back and I wish I would’ve learned that sooner. I’ve had a lot of people doubt me throughout my life because I come from a very small town and a family that didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities where you come from does not have anything to do with your success. You can be high-end and luxury even living in a small town like I do You can travel the world and be known worldwide even if you are from a small town at the end of the day, you just need to not give up if you want something bad enough you will make it happen. If you tell yourself and others, you are going to accomplish something and you put in the time in the work you 100% will manifest that for yourself You have to have a positive mindset. No, you can do it believe you can do it because if you continuously doubt yourself as a creative and you’re always in your head, you 100% will never reach your goals. I want the world to know that nothing‘s been handed to me. It’s not just luck. I have worked incredibly hard for years to be able to have the experiences that I do as a destination, high end wedding photographer. And I am a firm believer that if you believe in yourself and put in the work, anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am so lucky and this is so easy because I live in one of the most beautiful places possible. Western Colorado is one of the most beautiful adventurous places in the world. It’s no lie that they call Ouray the Switzerland of America because it really truly is I couldn’t not take them Ouray or telluride or Silverton. I’m not a cold-weather person so I would 100% tell them they have to come in the summer. We would be camping in Cimarron Colorado paddle boarding on the reservoir in Ridgway and of course, hopping around to all the breweries. There’s nothing better than a patio beer after spending outside all day in the Colorado sun.

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?
The best and most supportive group of girlfriends in the world. They are the most loving and encouraging group. Asking me questions when I doubt myself to help me work through any blocks and struggles. Pitching me ideas when I am in creative slumps. Even helping dog sit my two dogs when I am traveling for work and I can work and focus knowing my dogs are well taken care of. They hype me up to others and often make me feel like I am some kind of photographer celebrity. They celebrate my wins with me. They understand how demanding my job can be and always encourage me. I would be an empt shell of a human without them just going through the motions and they really do keep me so encouraged!

Website: https://sarahhallweddingphotography.com/

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

Image Credits
Sarah Hall Photography