Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Quernheim.
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my career as a teacher, while also building a photography business on the side. Over time, photography grew from something I loved into a full-time career, and for more than a decade I’ve had the privilege of photographing families and building relationships with clients who have continued to come back year after year.
Eventually, my husband and I took another leap and opened Salt + Honey, a coffee shop, bistro, and event space in our hometown. What started as an idea has grown into a place centered around good food, creativity, and community. My career hasn’t followed a traditional path, but each season has built on the one before it—and I’m really grateful for where it has led me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It most certainly has not been a smooth road. So much of my journey has been filled with insecurity, self-doubt, comparison, and seasons of feeling like I wasn’t being chosen. There have been plenty of times I’ve questioned whether I was talented enough, capable enough, or even headed in the right direction.
But those seasons have also taught me to keep showing up, keep creating, and keep building even when the validation wasn’t there. Looking back, some of the times I wasn’t chosen ended up pushing me toward opportunities I never would have created for myself otherwise. I’m still learning to trust my own path instead of measuring it against someone else’s.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been a professional photographer for more than a decade, with my work now focused primarily on newborns and professional content. Newborn photography has become one of the areas I’m most passionate about and where I’ve spent years developing my skill. It requires so much more than simply taking a beautiful photo. Lighting, posing, styling, patience, safety, and creating a calm environment all matter. Over the years, I spent a lot of time chasing trends in photography, editing, and style, but as I’ve grown as a photographer, my focus has shifted toward really mastering the technical side of my craft. I’ve become intentional about lighting, exposure, editing, the spaces I shoot in, and the styling that goes into creating an image. I’ve settled into the belief that what people will value most are crisp, properly exposed, natural photographs that don’t feel filtered or dated. I want the images I create today to still feel beautiful years from now.
My other favorite area of photography is creating content for professionals and small businesses, especially women building businesses of their own. I love learning what someone is trying to communicate through their brand and creating images that help them do that well. There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing another woman use my work to market herself, grow her business, and confidently show people what she does. Whether I’m documenting the first days of a new baby’s life or helping a woman bring her business to life visually, I love creating photographs that have a purpose beyond simply being beautiful.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A lot of my inspiration comes from simply following other photographers and creatives on Instagram and Pinterest. Seeing how other people approach lighting, styling, posing, and their spaces keeps me inspired and helps me stay current while still developing a style that feels like my own. Schiller’s Camera has also been an incredible resource throughout my career. They’ve always been friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful when it comes to choosing equipment, troubleshooting, or figuring out what I actually need rather than just what’s newest.
Pricing:
- Newborn sessions range from $250-$500
- Content Session range from $300-$550
- Senior Sessions range from $300-$600
- Family Sessions range from $200-$400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oursimpleslate.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimpleSlatePhotography/
