Meet Sarah Buckner | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Buckner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
If I’m being honest, it felt like there wasn’t another option. I worked in the brewing industry for 5 years before taking the leap. The last year or so, more and more of my free time was filling up with various shoots and I LOVED it. It was fulfilling and rewarding. There came a day when I needed to make a choice, to stay or go. It felt like a sign, or gut feeling, or the universe was guiding me to this point, so I did it. I feel like I’m bursting with creative ideas that I finally have the time to see to fruition. I’m so grateful that I’m able to give this a real shot! My art is making people feel as beautiful as I (and there rest of the world) sees them! How could I ever do anything else?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a photographer so I strive to empower the subject to see themselves as I do, as their loved ones do, as anyone that admires them does. I try to play with light to make you glow. Right now, I shoot mostly women, but these experiences are open to everyone. I also draw a lot of inspiration from nature, so when a client is down to get dirty in a river or naked in the woods with bio-degradable glitter, I’m all in.

Is it easy? Not really. I feel like the life of a creative is never “easy.” Especially when you’re trying to make a living off of something you feel so passionate about, but that makes it all the more worth it when you do. I feel like the biggest challenge for a lot of people, and for me, is imposter syndrome. It’s a much used term these days for a reason. So many mornings you wake up thinking, “What the hell am I doing? Why did I think I was good enough/ready enough/strong enough?” But, I am enough. You are enough and I want to use my craft to show you just how enough you are. Everyone has a unique light in them and I want to help people see theirs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not a foodie and I don’t drink much these days, but man, I love the outdoors. I’d love to take visitors to some of my favorite hikes right outside of the city. Arabia Mountain is like hiking on the mood, but with more weird/cool plants and gravity. I’m a morning person, I would 100% recommend checking it out at sunrise.

Sweetwater Creek State Park is another classic Atlanta hike. It’s got miles and miles of different trails. I used to get lost for hours on those trail runs. Bring water and snag a map at their visitor center on the way in. Be sure to stop a minute and take a peek at the old ruins there and if you go right after a rain fall, the river is amazing.

If I am popping out for a bite or beverage, I tend to frequent the same places. I’m a creature of comfort and habit. Grand Central Pizza for their cheesy bread with a few extra toppings, Ria’s Bluebird for the bionic breakfast, the Grant Park Farmer’s Market on Sundays…for literally anything, Fire Maker Brewing for a good beer, Red’s Beer Garden for more good beer, food, and company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Easy peasy, my dad! He taught me to use a camera when I was a kid. It was an old Minolta x700, which I still have. It all kind of snowballed from there. I still have his old lenses and some of his photos hanging around my home. We both had an affinity for details in nature, so it’s pretty cool to see him in some of the things I create.

Otherwise, I am super fortunate to have an incredibly close and supportive circle. My mother (thanks for working hard, love you mom!), and several close friends (Morgan, Kellie, Anjelica, LT, Megan, Tracy, Emily..too many to name) are always a phone call or text away when I have a low day or are up for a creative idea. I couldn’t be more grateful and truly wouldn’t be able to do this day-to-day without them.

Website: sarahbucknerphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbucknerphoto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbucknerphoto

Image Credits
Image of me: Kiersten Williams