"Oh fantastic! I kept popping my head in – you’re amazing with the kids and I could tell they were having a blast! I am so happy we were able to make this happen."
Meghan, Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy
Beautiful portraits that reflect children's personalities
I love working with children and capturing their true personalities! My hope is for every child to feel seen and to enjoy having their picture taken during the time we have together! I never force a smile. I provide a fun experience for kids to relax and be themselves.
I take on a small amount of schools so that I can focus on excellent customer experience for all families. My goal is to provide a service where picture day is simple and as stress free as possible for all schools. I know the change in routine can be tough. I focus on making each session fun, quick and very organized. I am happy to spread out the days to 1, 2 or even 3 days depending on the size of the school. Parents only purchase what they love! Orders are taken care of online in a secure, private gallery system.
Hi! I'm Sarah.
I have always loved working with children. I taught tennis to kids for years and loved it. In college I decided to pursue my BFA in Graphic Design but would find myself looking into the art education class wondering if I should change my major to art education for elementary school age. I worked for Catapult Marketing as a graphic designer from 2003 – 2009. I then worked at Gartner from 2009 – 2019 as a graphic designer and event photographer, while photographing families on the side. In 2019 I discovered my love for family films and left my graphic design job to go full-time with it. Filming and photographing families is where my heart is!
My husband and I have a son in middle school. We know the importance of school portraits and what a wonderful tradition it is year after year! The years really do go by fast. :)
I offer Fine Art School Photography for preschools, daycares, elementary and dance schools. I'm patient with children and follow their lead. I do my best to help to accommodate for the needs of every child. Sessions are quick (about 5 minutes) so children can return quickly to their daily schedule. I believe in the creativity of this work because every child is unique! I photograph each child in front of a simple, grey backdrop which helps me to focus on the personalities of each child without distractions. Something as simple as asking a child what their favorite thing to do can bring out a genuine smile. I love to capture the joy in kid's faces when they think about their favorite things! :)
FAQ
How many students can you accommodate?
I work with both small and large schools. I am organized and have a good system where I can photograph a small preschool or a school with around 500+ children.
What time of year should we book?
I work with each school to provide portraits for any time during the year-fall, winter, spring or summer!
How is Fine Art School Photography different from standard school photos?
Fine Art School Photography is all about simplicity and bringing out the unique personalities in every child. It's about capturing genuine smiles by helping each child feel relaxed. I use a simple, grey backdrop that is free from any distractions. I provide an online gallery of about 5+ photos of every child in a private, password protected gallery. Families choose their favorite photos and only purchase what they love! I also provide boutique printing services such as canvas gallery wraps or metal.
What is the ordering process?
Families order prints and/or digital files online. I bring the prints to the school within 4 weeks of picture day, no delivery fee. Families may still order after the 4 week window. Orders that come in after the 4 week window will be shipped directly to the student's mailing address with a small shipping fee. I will handle any ordering questions from families.
Do you provide class photos?
Yes! I am happy to provide complimentary class photos if that is something the school would like.
Do you take staff photos?
Yes! Staff photos are also complimentary. Digital files are provided in an online folder with download instructions.
Are prints expensive?
I offer competitive rates and nothing is due up front. Families only order what they love. I make sure to offer a range of options that will fit every family's budget.
Can you photograph all in one day?
Depending on the size of the school, yes I can photograph all in one day. If it's a larger school, it would be best to space out picture day to 2 or 3 days.
Do you offer products such as magnets or stickers?
Yes! I am happy to work with the school to offer specific items that the school is interested in.
How much space do you need?
After booking, I would love to set up a quick tour of the school space. All I need is a small room that is big enough for a backdrop and one umbrella. A library can be a great idea or any small room!
*All photos posted here have had families agree to the model release.