Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Zimmerman
Hi Sara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my journey with you. I’m really excited to talk about my work and how photography has enhanced my life in so many ways. I appreciate your time and consideration.
As a child, I was always fascinated by the ocean and marine animals. The mystery and beauty of underwater life captivated me. This love for the ocean naturally led me to pursue scuba diving, which gave me the opportunity to explore the depths I had always dreamed of. The more I dove, the more I wanted to capture the incredible moments I was experiencing beneath the surface. I realized that a camera would allow me to preserve these stunning underwater scenes and share the world I was discovering with others. That’s when I invested in my first underwater camera, and it was the beginning of combining my passion for the ocean with my love for photography.
Years later, I received another camera as a birthday gift, and it reignited my passion for capturing the world around me. As a huge nature lover, I’ve always found peace and solitude in the great outdoors, developing a deep connection with Mother Earth. Whether it was hiking through forests, exploring parks, or simply observing the beauty of nature, I always had my camera with me. There was something special about capturing those spontaneous moments-whether it was the way light played through trees or the movement of wildlife. Photography became a way for me to not only document my experiences but share the quiet, powerful beauty of the natural world with others.
During this time, I really focused on honing my skills and learning the technical aspects of photography. I’m a self-taught photographer, and while I don’t have formal training, I didn’t let that hold me back. Instead, I immersed myself in learning through trial, error, and a lot of practice. Last year, as I was organizing all of the images I had taken over the years, I realized I had accumulated so many that I was truly proud of. That’s when it occurred to me that I could start selling them as prints. I decided to take the plunge and signed up for a local vendor event. Since then, I’ve been showcasing and selling my prints at various events around town, which has been an exciting way to connect with people and share my work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the struggles I’ve faced along the way is the cost associated with photography. It can be an expensive craft, especially with the different lenses, equipment, and accessories needed to capture the best shots. Starting to sell my prints came with its own set of challenges as well, particularly the investment in a business that I wasn’t sure would succeed. I had to take a leap of faith and put money into it to get things off the ground. Another challenge I encountered was deciding how to price my work. I want my prints to be accessible to a wide audience, but at the same time, I need to ensure that I’m fairly compensated for the time and effort I put into each piece- whether that’s the time spent capturing the photo, traveling to the location, or the time spent editing afterward. It’s been a balancing act, but that’s all part of growing and evolving as an artist and a business owner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My primary focus is on nature, especially landscapes and wildlife. I find a deep sense of peace in capturing the beauty of the natural world. Birds are one of my favorite subjects to photograph—I love capturing their unique characteristics and the way they interact with their environment. I also have a particular love for photographing water in all its forms. Whether I’m out on my paddle board, sitting on the beach watching the sunrise, or diving underwater, water always offers a unique perspective. The way light interacts with it, the calm of the surface, or the life teeming beneath it—I find so much beauty in capturing those moments. Water has this incredible ability to evoke emotion and serenity, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to photograph it from such diverse angles. It’s always a new challenge, and each shot feels like a special moment I get to share.
For me, photography is more than just capturing a beautiful moment—it’s about evoking a feeling and inviting others to experience the same connection I have with the natural world. I believe many people feel disconnected, which can lead to a sense of isolation, but spending time in nature is a way to reconnect—not only with the world around us but also with ourselves. This connection is something that’s very spiritual for me, and it brings a sense of calm and a new perspective on life. Through my work, I want people to fall in love with the images they buy from me, to feel drawn to the spirit of the earth, and to find their own peace and solace in nature. My business, Spirit of Earth Photography, embodies this mission: to connect people with the earth’s spirit in whatever way they may be drawn to it, whether that’s through a landscape, a wildlife shot, or an underwater scene.
I’m especially proud of my ability to make people smile through my images. Many of the photos I take are of places right in people’s own backyards—beautiful spots they might not have had a chance to truly appreciate. For others, my work serves as a reminder of places they haven’t visited in a long time. Whether it’s the peacefulness of a local park or the beauty of a familiar sunset, if I can bring a little joy or nostalgia into someone’s day, it makes everything worth it. Ultimately, it’s about creating an emotional connection through my work and showing people the beauty that’s often right in front of them.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is traveling, exploring new places, and scuba diving. I love being able to appreciate the beauty around me, especially when I see it from a different perspective. For example, diving with sharks has been one of the most incredible experiences for me. Sharks are often feared and misunderstood, but the reality is they are vital to our ocean ecosystems. Experiencing them up close, in their natural environment, has been a breathtaking reminder of how much there is to learn and appreciate about the world. It’s an experience that shows how our fears often come from a lack of understanding. By diving into these moments, I feel like I’m not just capturing the beauty around me, but also shifting the way people see the world—whether that’s through my photography or my own personal experiences.
One of my biggest goals for the future is to work with conservation organizations to help expand their message and raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with a few local organizations, and the work people are doing to protect the environment and wildlife truly inspires me. Through my photography, I hope to help expand awareness and create opportunities to educate and connect people to various environmental causes. My goal is to spark something in others—whether it’s a new passion for wildlife conservation, sustainability, or environmental protection—that they never knew they had. If I can connect my photography with conservation efforts, I would be pursuing my life’s passions. I believe that when people are given the right perspective, they can develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Photography has the power to awaken feelings and inspire action, and I want to use my work to help people discover their own connection to the planet and motivate them to get involved in making a positive impact.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spirit_of_earth_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirit.of.earth.photography
