Meet Trailblazer Sarah Hoag

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hoag.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After my father passed away in 2004, a year went by when I asked my mom “is anyone using dad’s camera?” He was a tech enthusiast and amateur photographer and had purchased one of the first Nikon DSLRs once they hit the market. Little did I know, that it would become the catalyst in my entrepreneurial debut. I began taking photos of people and events and was quickly asked to photograph a wedding. At that point, I didn’t understand business well, but I understood people and found so much beauty in photographing them. I built my business in the San Francisco Bay Area as a lifestyle photographer and was primarily shooting families and weddings. In 2016 our family made a huge leap and came out to Phoenix. This move really challenged me to re-think everything. I no longer had the luxury of word-of-mouth to bring me leads, but I had the opportunity to start fresh and really delve into the things that I was passionate about. I immersed myself in education on all things business, marketing, branding, as well as doing a good deal of networking. I improved my photography skills, and stepped up posting on social media. I found myself wanting to help other businesses communicate their brand, get in their feed, and show what they do. It has been a sweet culmination in my journey to launch business branding packages to my photography services and I would never have dreamed how fast it’s taken off.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many challenges along the way, but they have mostly come from within. I’ve struggled with self-doubt and second guessing myself. We often default to what other people want rather than figuring out what we want to give. How you posture yourself in your business is everything. Do you simply try to give people what they want, or do you cast a vision of what you can do for them? It’s been the game changer to figure this piece out.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sarah Hoag Photography – what should we know?
I help small businesses show who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I make business personal by giving ideal clients a peek into the life and work of the people they follow. Through my years of experience as a business owner myself and as a lifestyle photographer I understand how to communicate through photography to show the “whole picture” of a business to make a personal connection. I work closely with my clients to create the images that represent them in an authentic way and that helps them to naturally share.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
Oh so many women have inspired me – Brene Brown, Christine Caine, ! I am an audible and podcast junkie. The most recent inspirational woman would be Jen Sincero and her book “You Are A Baddass At Making Money”. Jen has helped me unearth the unhealthy push-pull relationship I’ve had with money. She uncovers the dirty guilty feelings surrounding money to ultimately reveal why money is a good thing, and simply the means to fulfill more dreams. Clarity is the name of the game in this book and in life.

Pricing:

• The Entrepreneur – $550
• The Small Shoppe – $950
• The Storefront – $1450
• All are found at https://www.sarahhoagphotography.com/business-branding

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahhoagphotography.com
• Phone: 650-759-2195
• Email: sarah@sarahhoagphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahhoagphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahhoagphotography/

Image Credit:
Sarah Hoag Photography

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