Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Messner.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky. Since I was a senior in high school (2011), I have been interested in photography. After graduating (2011), I knew I wanted to be a photographer but I didn’t know the best steps to take. I ended up going to an NAIA liberal arts college (2011-2015) that allowed me to play volleyball at the collegiate level and pursue my dream. I took photography classes in college but my major ending up being communications. I found the man of my dreams in college and we decided to get married right out of college (2015).
I had a lot of voices in my head telling me “you aren’t going to make any money being a photographer” or “that I couldn’t get married and choose that route right after college with no money”. So, I listened to those voices and continued with photography as a hobby.
After graduating college (2015), I worked for an ophthalmologist in Lexington, Kentucky. I enjoyed the medical field and found it very interesting. I studied to become a certified ophthalmic technician (COT) and passed. I still am a COT to this day. That career was 2015-2019. December 2019 my husband had a great job opportunity in Columbia South Carolina and we decided to take the leap. We moved to Columbia, SC and I became a stay a home mom to one little girl at the time.
My passion for photography kept creeping more and more since I made the switch to stay home and my husband was doing so well in his career. We moved to Chapin, SC June 2020 and had our son in August 2020. From the point on, I decided to go to my passion FINALLY! I told my husband, why not now?!? SO, I DID! It has been awesome and everything I imagined!
I started ‘Blue Belle Photography’ on 2/25/2021 (that was my 28th birthday). Blue was for my home roots (GO CATS) and Belle was for the southern charm around here 🙂 I appreciate this opportunity so much!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
So, I am almost at a whole year and it was been a wild ride. It has been difficult figuring out balance between my job (time with shoots and editing), stay-at-home mom life during the day, and spending time with my family(husband) and friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Blue Belle Photography is my business in Chapin South Carolina.
I want to do it all. So far, I am not “specializing” at anything in particular. I have done but not limited to:
- weddings
- engagements
- couples
- boudoir
- creative portraits
- styled shoots
- maternity
- newborn
- cake smash (1st birthday)
- families
- birthday parties and events
- animals
- branding
- musicians/ bands
- Seniors
I am most proud of being as successful as I am in my first year with being new to the area. I never thought I would be this busy but I am blessed to be busy!
I think my style would set me apart?! I started out doing more dark and moody but now trying to get more into bold colors, high contrast, and dramatic looks.
Also, I am easy to work with, fun, and very outgoing. 9/10 I end up being friends with my clients or going to grab coffee 🙂 I LOVE THIS JOB!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
GO FOR IT! JUST DO IT! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.
Really just what to spend my money on and what not to if that makes sense. Smart photography business choices. At the beginning, I went crazy and that was unnecessary.
Contact Info:
- Email: bluebellephotography27.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: blue_bellephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BB.SouthCarolinaPhotographer/
Image Credits
Ashley Rainwater
