Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Messner.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for photography. In high school, my dad bought me my very first camera, and that’s really where it all began. I went on to take photography classes in college, but it wasn’t until years later, after moving to South Carolina, that I decided to turn my passion into a business. What started as a dream has grown into something more than I ever could have imagined. Every family, milestone, and connection I’ve been able to capture has made this journey incredibly rewarding, and I’m so grateful that I get to do what I love every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The first few years were the hardest as I learned how to run a business while also growing as a photographer. I wasn’t just learning how to take photos and edit them—I was figuring out all of the behind-the-scenes work that comes with owning a business, from marketing and client communication to bookkeeping and everything in between. Building a loyal client base and staying consistent and relevant on social media were probably the biggest challenges. Looking back now, six years later, every bit of that hard work and every obstacle has been worth it. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how far my business has come.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The relationships I build with my clients are my favorite part of what I do. There’s something so special about watching families grow over the years—whether I’m photographing their wedding, then maternity, then their newborn, and eventually family sessions, or meeting them during one season of life and getting to capture all the milestones that follow. Those long-term relationships are what make this job so meaningful to me.
I specialize in motherhood and family photography, especially newborns, families, and personality portraits of children. Those are the sessions I’m most known for, and they’re the ones that truly fill my cup.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is being named the 2026 Best Photographer in the Columbia area through the Kidding Around Columbia Kaboom Awards. Getting that email that I had won first place was such an incredible moment, and being able to attend the awards ceremony with my husband to accept it made it even more special.
I think what sets me apart is the experience I provide and the value I give my clients. As a mom, I know how much these photos mean, so I always strive to deliver a gallery that’s full of genuine moments rather than limiting families to just a handful of images. I want my clients to have plenty of memories to look back on because I know firsthand how quickly these seasons of life pass.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I definitely feel lucky in a lot of ways. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible clients who continue to trust me year after year and recommend me to their friends and family. Winning the 2026 Kidding Around Columbia Best Photographer award also felt like one of those moments where all of the hard work paid off.
That said, I don’t think my business has been built on luck alone. It’s been built through consistency, showing up every day, treating people well, and genuinely caring about the families I photograph. I think luck may open a door, but it’s the work you put in afterward that really makes the difference.
Pricing:
- 30 minute session $250
- 1 hour session $300
- 2 hour session $500
- Personality Portraits starting at $275
- Weddings starting at $2,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluebellephotosc.com
- Instagram: @blue_bellephotography
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/BB.SouthCarolinaPhotographer
