20 on Tuesday: Sara Tegman

We photographers are a strange bunch.  There are quite a few of us these days, if you haven’t noticed.  And we are all trying to “somehow stand out” and “find our unique style” and “rise above the masses”, and yadda, yadda, yadda.  It’s not surprising then that for some of us, the instinct would be to keep our hard-earned knowledge and tricks-of-the-trade to ourselves.  Let our fellow photographers figure it out on their own.  After all, we worked hard and put in the hours through trial and error to figure things out.  Why share all that with someone else?

Notice I said “some of us”.  Many of the photographers I know and love and have befriended have a different attitude.  Take Sara Tegman for instance.  When I needed someone to bounce pricing ideas off of, she happily volunteered.  And not only did she give me honest, solid feedback, she shared with me the pricing that she was working on and asked for my thoughts as well.  And considering she has a background in finance, the ideas she shared helped lead me in the right direction for my pricing this year.  Not every photographer will open up like that and share, but I’m fortunate to know many who will.  And I’m inpired and grateful to them for that.

On the Bloom Forum, Sara shared one of my all time favorite family sessions.  I’m in love with the colors and tones and beautiful images that came out of it!  She talks about it below:

Hi, Sara!

Where are you from? Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Where is home now? Chesterfield, Missouri
Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography? I have an MBA and an undergrad degree in English Literature,  but my photography is self-taught with a lot of  help from awesome workshops like Bloom and Detra’s Natural Light Workshop.

What led you to pursuing photography as a career? It is funny, I didn’t pursue photography.  A neighbor asked to take some senior pictures of her daughter and she refused to let me do it unless she paid me, that was almost 3 years ago.

When you’re in a rut, what inspires you? I don’t often find myself in a “rut”.  I do indulge in other fellow photographers work.  I talk to my photography friends.  I love great design, style, architecture, lines and framing.  Studying color and how colors interact inspire me.  Ultimately, I love to see my clients in their everyday lives and this inspires me the most.  Getting out and shooting helps me get inspired. Pinterest.com is always just a click away. The way my girls interact always inspires me.
Talk to me about personal projects.  Are they important and what have you done lately? I am building a massive wall of canvases at home.  But, this will take time and patience.  I am also doing a 52 week project with 19 other photographers.  We have a theme each week.  We help each other, it is such an amazing group of women, you included, Wendy!

What would your ideal photo session look like? Perfect light in the last hours of a warm summer day and the most gracious, kind and loving family on a very large chesterfield couch.

If you could be invisible for one day with your camera… I would be with my girls and husband.  Funny, they can be some of my easiest subjects, but also some of my most challenging.

Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of (and also interview)? Micheal Eastman.  I met him once at one of his gallery premieres of his latest 3D medium art pieces, also in combination with his photography.  He is a local photographer and started out capturing families and kids here.  Check him out here:  http://www.eastmanimages.com/
I will forever be in love with the family session you did with the blond family in pastels.  How involved are you in styling your clients for their sessions? I prefer to have a consult before I capture my subjects on their style.  It really does make for the best sessions.  You will capture the most honest emotions when your subjects feel their most comfortable and in their happiest environments.

What’s in your camera bag? Nikon D700, 24-70mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4.
What have been your three best photography investments so far? Undoubtedly, the Bloom Workshop, absolutely adore Brenda Acuncius and Kristy Lane.  My iMac.  My lenses.

If not a photographer what would you have been? A veterinarian or a sales and marketing executive at a Fortune 500 company…oh one more, a travel writer.
If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home? French Polynesia on Moorea or the South of France.

What talent would you most like to have? Play a string instrument, the piano or learn how to juggle.
What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you? He is laughing…..I told him he has to keep it PG rated and positive.  Kind-hearted, authentic, and determined.

Something that is over rated…paying retail.
Your favorite movie of all time? Ghandi.  He has the most unreal forethought and wisdom.  Humanity at it’s most raw, so engaging and honest, not to mention, unbelievable cinematography.  Plus, I adore Ben Kingsley.

If you could change one thing you did while starting your photography business, what would it be? Take time to study your pricing, finances and cash flow.  Find a good way to organize your business and stick to it.  Find a network of photographers, keep in touch and meet them in person.

What quote best represents you at this moment? “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.  We are spiritual beings on a human journey.”  Henry Miller.

Sara’s work can be found HERE.

Thank you, Sara!

On a separate note, I’m beginning to resurface after our time in Maui and am hoping to post pics later this week.  Stay tuned!