hi, i’m shara!
i began photographing newborns in 2012 and have been grateful for every client that trusts me with their most precious possessions. i have three children of my own (although they haven’t been babies for a long time!) and know just how quickly the time goes. during my career i’ve had the opportunity to capture everything from weddings to families to real estate, but my heart truly belongs to the babies.
when i’m not in the studio or editing on a computer, you’ll find me adventuring with my family, reading a good YA fantasy novel, scouring thrift stores for vintage finds, or binging tv dramas. i’ve been married to best friend for 20+ years and dream of traveling the world as a family. i love anything floral, taylor swift playing on a smart speaker, and a nice bold lipstick…when i don’t have to wear a mask ;)
in my previous life i was a first grade teacher, but after my 3rd child was born i got a “real, fancy” camera- one you had to do more than just turn on to use. a dear friend who was a photographer graciously taught me how to use it on manual mode, and it immediately clicked. i loved the control i had over my camera and the images i produced. looking back, those initial images were BAD, but i had to start somewhere! i began taking pictures of family friends for fun, and then offered to try newborn pictures. i’d had them done for my own children (the sessions were nightmares but the pictures are ones i’ll treasure forever!) and figured ‘how hard could it be, right?’
well…..it is hard. and those first sessions make me cringe a bit when i look back at the terrible lighting and posing. (i was very proud at the time!) despite how hard they were, i quickly fell in love with the babies. obviously babies are wonderful, but beyond that was the opportunity to connect with newly postpartum mamas and encourage them. to not just photograph a baby, but to create art with the setups and lighting and posing. i wanted to do more than snapshots. i wanted my work to mean something.
i spent the next few years tirelessly learning my craft. i studied under seasoned newborn photographers around the country at one-one-one mentoring sessions, workshops, and conferences.l i watched endless videos and practiced a LOT. i focused on my editing and lighting and found my signature ‘look’- i hope when you see one of my images, you know it’s mine! i also committed to becoming an expert on baby safety and how to achieve poses correctly. many photographers will rush into or force poses just to ‘get the shot’, but i will never do anything either baby or i are uncomfortable with.
a perfectionist at heart, i believe every detail matters. from the way the baby’s hands lie to the quality of the blanket they are wrapped in, it all comes together to create a stunning image. newborn photography takes patience - getting a baby to settle into a pose correctly definitely can take time and a calm demeanor. whether a baby is colicky and sad or sleeping ‘like a baby’, i want your images to look perfect. when you look back at your portraits, i hope they remind you of this time…sweet, perfect, and dreamy.
after a decade of working in orange county, our family moved to the bay area in january of 2022. i’m incredibly grateful to have opened a studio at the historic benicia arsenal in may of 2022! the building is beautiful and i love that it’s a community of artists. during your newborn session, you are welcome to watch or relax in the sitting area. in addition to being a bit of a neat freak, i have my studio professionally cleaned regularly to ensure your comfort and safety. i’m also taking extra measures due to covid to make sure we are all healthy before and after your session.
i can’t wait to work together! i’m always available for questions, so please don’t hesitate to contact me.
