April 17, 2017

Meet Sara Khan of Warrior And The Gypsy in Topanga

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Khan.

Sara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up living a pretty nomadic existence. My father worked for an international company so we used to move around every few years, and ended up living in over nine different countries. Consequently, we traveled most of the neighboring countries, and most of the world. At 10 years old, my dad handed me a camera telling me to capture our travels. This became a wild passionate hobby of mine, photographing my family and friends in all the various landscapes, and creating and collecting albums along the way.

While photographing has always been a passion of mine, it wasn’t my first area of work. I worked for several Fortune 500 companies after graduating from the University of Southern California, followed by a master’s in Psychology from Pepperdine. It was after exploring the more traditional avenues of work, and meeting my ultra-creative and encouraging husband, that I decided to combine the love of working with people (Psychology), and my business experience, and pursue photography as a career.

Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not, but that’s what makes it all worth it, right?

Firstly, I left a successful career in the corporate world for something brand new. Essentially, I had to start from scratch in a line of work I had no education or work experience in, at an age that most people are rising in their careers, starting families and settling down. I had to unlearn what “success” meant, and re-define it for myself in a culture (South East Asian) that doesn’t support the arts. I had to face some major fears, really dig deep inside to take this leap. What fear you ask? Elizabeth Gilbert describes it best in her book “Big Magic.” She says, “In normal life, if you’re good at something and you work hard at it, you will likely succeed. In creative endeavors, maybe not. Or maybe you will succeed for a spell, and then never again…You may be adored for a while, and then go out of fashion.” The struggles have been one of overcoming the mind and ego for sure. And after finally getting to the point of putting my fears aside to pursue this field, I had to (and still do) work through the doubts that come with creativity. You question so many things, and all the time. But that’s just part of the creative process.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a destination portrait, wedding, and fashion photographer. Whether the client wants to collaborate on a concept, or lets me dream up of an idea, I work artistically to capture the subject, the moment, or the garment. Often described as whimsical and ethereal in style, my images often feature a subject in dramatic lighting in a beautiful landscape.

What I am most proud of is beyond the imagery for me. Specifically in the portrait/wedding department, I’d say it’s the relationship building with the client to help draw out a vision that excites them. Then, making them comfortable enough in front of a terrifying lens, to capture their authentic self. The most exciting part for me is always working with the client, therefore my pride is in the process of working with them too.

My work is heavily influenced both by my Asian heritage and international upbringing. Growing up in the Middle East, Africa and Asia has compelled my desire to search for the exotic, mysterious, and spiritual elements in my environment and subject. What sets me apart is my ability to understand such a wide variety of people/brands from different backgrounds, and then working to bring out their vision. Warrior and the Gypsy represents that influence, drawing from all things nomadic, wild, and free in spirit from around the world.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes yes yes!!! LA is indisputably the perfect place for pursuing photography! You’re surrounded by masters in the field to work with and learn from, creatives to collaborate with, top brands, masters in the field, gorgeous landscapes, great educational institutions, models/actors and PERFECT WEATHER YEAR ROUND to get that magic lighting.

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