Meet Sara Finzel

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

Hi Sara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I have been into art, as a whole, for as long as I can remember, but I started film photography about ten years ago when I was 14. Then, a year or so later, I got my first DSLR, which is the same one I use today! I also started collecting Polaroids and vintage cameras. Once I graduated high school, I went on to pursue an education in photography at College for Creative Studies in Detroit. However, I had some personal setbacks that prevented me from finishing school. Now, though, I am a freelance photographer – I do maternity, family, fine art, fashion, senior, creative, portraits, weddings, and any other ideas I am presented with. I love it all & I love a challenge -that’s what pushes me to do better and helps me learn new techniques to perfect my craft. 

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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! I’d dropped out of college after I became pregnant. I had my daughter in 2019, who was then diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was one, so that definitely set me back some steps. I had to basically change my whole lifestyle to revolve around this autoimmune disease that, at the time, I had little to no knowledge of, so my photography and art were all put on hold. I then tried to get back into photography by doing little shoots here and there with my daughter. In the summer of 2021, I decided it was something I was still so passionate about and decided to start up my photography business. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m not just a photographer, I’m an artist! I love it all, but I specialize in photography. Creative or fantasy-themed photo sessions are my favorite. I love when a client challenges me or asks me to do something I’ve never done before because that’s when I really get to be creative and push myself to reach my full potential. I’m most proud of myself for finding something I love when I was young and sticking with it for so long, even after everything life has thrown at me. I truly feel this is a passion I will have for the rest of my life. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am always willing to try something new. There’s a first time for everything, and I learned I can’t be worried about failing because if I’m scared of failure, I might miss out on an amazing opportunity. If you don’t try, you’ll never know! My goal is to build up my business enough to open my own studio. 

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I feel as though my persistence is my greatest quality. Even when I wasn’t getting any clients or exposure, I didn’t let that stop me from continuing to photograph and doing what I love and enjoy. It’s what makes me happy, creating beautiful images and seeing how happy my clients are when they get their photos back. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://photographybysaraa.wixsite.com/saraashley
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraashleyart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraashleyphotos
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/saraashleyphoto
• Other: tiktok.com/@photographybysaraashh