Conversations with Sara Racey-Batraville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Racey-Batraville.

Hi Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, my story is quite crazy! I came off of the hit TV Show America’s Next Top Model, Season 2 (you don’t need to count the years LOL) but I am a veteran of the show. I then moved to NYC where I spent almost 20 years in the modeling world with Ford and Elite models, and as a SAG commercial actress with Innovative Artists.

It was an amazing time in my life but I always wanted to ‘create’. I launched my own apparel label, ATHLETES, where I designed and manufactured everything in Brooklyn, NY. My future husband Pierre, was doing photography during his downtime and said, “you seem to love to create, why don’t you pick up the camera, I think you’d love it”? So I did. And I never put it down. I took that thing with me everywhere, shooting and learning.

Soon, I was shooting my model friends, agencies were calling me to shoot their girls, and I was eventually booking models for my own apparel line and photographing them for my store, look books, etc. I was now the client, booking models. Eventually, I was photographing NFL players, musicians, businesses, and engagements.

It was exciting and I felt like this was the most amazing transition for me. I was pretty worn out being a model, but I realized how much I loved being behind the lens and it never left me. Now, moving to Arizona, the landscape and backdrops are so different than the concrete jungle of NY but they are so gorgeous!

The people, the stories, and the sports here are tremendous. I had no idea that here in Arizona, I would work MORE as a photographer. The best was when I was asked to shoot Spring Training for the MLB (shooting for a sports team has always been my goal!).

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road.

My husband and I opened up a private fitness studio in Scottsdale RIGHT before the pandemic. We were brand new to the area and state and put all we had into our business. Then, we were forced to shut down for half a year and we didn’t know what to do. My husband said, “pick up your camera and do what you love”.

So I did. A lot of it was therapeutic for me given all the stress that was going on around us but it was also a job I could do safely and still enjoy. It was also beneficial to keep shooting our gym and images while we were closed down to show people what we do and that we were staying strong!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I feel like I’m bragging here on this question! Humblebrag. I love people. Period. If you’re an expecting mom, family, getting married, professional athlete, fashion model, news story… I love capturing the most intimate moments and expressions you didn’t know you made. I love candid, and off-script moments.

I remember one time in NY there was a huge media frenzy downtown at the courthouse. Hundreds of reporters and media outlets were outside waiting for this person to come out. My husband and I happen to be driving by there and I rolled down my window and asked the police officer what was going on. He told me and I immediately grabbed my camera and hopped out of the car, (that was still SLOWLY moving).

Ha! I ran and pushed my way to the front of all the media outlets as if I was one of them. That’s the passion I have for this. Maybe a little crazy, but it’s true. I’m a competitor and little intimidates me. The camera allows you to capture those moments, but you better have your settings right in those quick moments or you will be very upset in the end!

What do you think about luck?
I honestly don’t believe in luck.

I think everything happens for a reason, good or bad. You learn from EVERYTHING! To say you “failed” at something isn’t 100% accurate because you also learned a great deal from those mistakes. Those mistakes were a valuable lesson.

Do you know how many mistakes I made at first designing apparel?! Ha! Many! How many times have I didn’t make the perfect photo? But, I learned quickly and kept practicing and heading back out there!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.sararaceybatraville.format.com
• Instagram: @sararaceytabrizi