This week’s Featured Photog is Sari Underwood Photography!

Welcome, Sari! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. Thank you! I have lived in Florida almost my whole life. Graduated from UCF and have been here in Orlando since then. I live here with my husband and 2 children (7 and 3). I am thankful that I’ve been able to stay home with my kids and do something I love to help support my family. I love to scrapbook (although I don’t do it nearly as often as I used to). I am an Apple fangirl. Love sweet tea, chocolate and spend way too much money at Starbucks!

Q. How and when did you get into photography?

A. Through scrapbooking. I was an avid scrapbooker and because of that, I became more interested in taking better photos for my pages. I bought a DSLR after my daughter was born and learned to shoot in manual. Everything progressed from there!

Q. How long have you been in business and what do you specialize in?

A. Going on 3 years now. In the last year or so I have found myself mainly specializing in newborns although I also photograph kids and families.

Q. Natural light v. studio light?

A. Both. Love natural light for outdoors and use studio lighting for newborns.

Q. Tell us about your camera gear. Any gear on your wish list?

A. I shoot with a Canon 5D MarkII, 35mm 1.4L, 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4. I love my prime lenses! On my wish list…the new 5D MarkIII.

Q. How would you describe your style of shooting; your style of editing?

A. Oh, this is always tough for me to answer! Most of my sessions are newborns, so I will say that while I love using headbands, hats, fabrics and various props…I also like to keep it simple. Less is more with tiny little babies and you really want to showcase the newness of the baby first and foremost. My style of editing is soft and a little bit hazy.

Q. What’s your best marketing tool? Where do most of your clients come from?

A. Google! Learning to work on my SEO has been the best thing for marketing myself. Most of my clients were finding me through Google searches and now it’s a mix of Google and referrals.

Q. What has been the best advice you have received on your photography journey?

A. Remember it’s a business. It’s 10% photography and 90% business.

Q. What’s something you wish you knew when you first started out?

A. Keep it simple. It’s so easy to get caught up on all the latest props, backdrops, actions, templates, etc. Just keep it simple. You don’t need everything and you don’t need it right now.

Q. Who or what are your photography inspirations?

A. There is inspiration everywhere! I love to just follow some of my favorite photographers on Facebook (Baby as Art, Laura Brett, Pastel Photography), browse Pinterest, read magazines and I get inspiration from my kids!

Q. Any parting words of inspiration or tips for those starting out?

A. Focus on shooting and really knowing your camera in and out before jumping into business. That’s the fun part! The business stuff can quickly take the joy out of shooting, so take your time!

Thank you so much, Sari!  Be sure to like Sari’s Facebook page so you can follow her beautiful work!  Her website is found HERE.