Meet Sarah Mack of Sarah Mack Photo in Costa Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Mack.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story as a photographer started when I was around eleven. My mom had given me her Canon AE-1 for me to play around with. I was hooked immediately! I would bring it everywhere, and went on that year to win a few school competitions. Throughout high school, I signed up for every photography classes offered, and then a few independent studies! We were lucky enough to have a dark room in our high school, so it was a dream. I look back and think how lucky I was to find photography before the digital revolution. A love of the dark room will always be the roots of my photography career.

Since I knew photography was my passion, I went on to study at East Carolina University’s Fine Art Program, then eventually at the Art Institute of Philadelphia for commercial photography.

After moving to Orange County, I found myself working with a renowned wedding photography studio by the name of Lin and Jirsa. I was with them for over 5 years honing my craft and photographing more than 100 weddings. It was such an invaluable experience I will always be grateful for!

In December 2016, I decided I wanted to try my hand as an entrepreneur and studio owner and haven’t looked back since! After a lot of hard work, the business is thriving and I couldn’t be happier!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While I wouldn’t say it has been easy, I would say it has been smooth. I was lucky enough to begin my business with a pretty good understanding of my industry and clientele. That being said, entrepreneurship can be challenging. It is wearing 10 different hats all at the same time, and knowing when to invest in outside help. It is countless hours of research on the best workflow, and learning from your mistakes. I think the most valuable part about being a business owner is the everyday hurdles you have to face, which forces you to always be growing as a business and a person.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Sarah Mack Photo is a wedding and lifestyle photography studio that specializes in magazine quality imagery. I could best describe my images a vibrant and real, while my style is a hybrid of photojournalism, fine art and editorial. I have a unique eye, and editing style, however what sets any photographer apart their personality. You will find my brain working a million miles an hour while on shoot. I’m always thinking about the next shot, or how to make what I am shooting better. I’m a B type personality in my personal life, but when it comes to my art, I’m a perfectionist.

What were you like growing up?
I’m from a resort beach town in Maryland called Ocean City. Think fisherman, surfers, and lots of summertime pool bars. Growing up, I was a beach bum through and through, so when my husband said let’s move to Southern California, it was a no brainer. I have a very laid-back personality which was shaped by my parents approach to life. I do however subscribe to the work hard, play hard philosophy. While the East Coast work ethic is a key player in my personality, I am no stranger to fun! You can find me at the beach or next to a waterfall any time I am not shooting!

Pricing:

• Weddings begin at $3200
• Portrait Sessions begin at $300

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahmackphoto.com
• Phone: 443-783-1768
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmackphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahMackPhoto/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sarah-mack-photo-costa-mesa-2

Image Credit:
Sarah Mack Photo
Maria Faremon

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