Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Wipfler
Hi SARAH, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story with photography really starts with my father. He became interested in photography during his time serving in Vietnam – I suppose it lightened his mood and gave him something else to focus on during that time. When I was a teenager he would gift me different kinds of cameras for my birthday—Nikon, Olympus, a Polaroid. It was a hobby we shared, and photography let us set up an image that was perfect; we created spaces behind the lens that were utopias for the both of us.
Those gifts weren’t just cameras. They were invitations to see the world beautifully. To see even the ugly things as interesting. They were opportunities to plan ahead, to learn to construct enchanting visions, to explore, and to tell stories.
As I got older, I started experimenting with my own photography, especially of my friends and of our everyday lives (I even got into vlogging during my undergraduate degree!), but it wasn’t until I began studying and working abroad that my love for travel photography really took off.
Being immersed in different cultures, meeting people from all corners of the world, and seeing life, or at least what it could be, through the eyes of others made me realize how much I loved capturing not just landscapes or places, but the unique stories of the people that I was encountering along the way.
Photography really became a better way for me to connect with people, to understand others, and to document moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. I wanted to give them memories and moments that they may otherwise forget. I wanted them to see the work I captured and say “WOW, I wouldn’t have even thought to document that -THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING!”.
Today, I’m fortunate to still be here, though my father is gone. I am fortunate enough to be able to combine my love of capturing a snapshot with my love of storytelling. Whether I’m traveling, working on a project, or meeting new people, I’m always looking for new ways to capture the heart and soul of what makes each person, place, or experience special.
Moment driven photography is something that is now my cup of tea, but my journey in photography is ongoing. In three years, maybe I’ll be deep in the jungles taking snapshots of an explorer’s voyage, who knows! But what excites me the most right now is the opportunity to connect with others and share their stories through my lens. No matter how big, and no matter how small.
Alright, 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?
I wouldn’t say it has been a particularly “smooth” road – I mean, getting your feet on the ground in any business is difficult (unless you have a trust fund, which the majority of us don’t!). But isn’t that part of it? Building grit. Building resilience. Learning new skills. Figuring things out and reaching far with intentional ambition is an essential part of this. If I didn’t have the courage for it, I wouldn’t be pursuing it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about S.S. SNAPSHOTS?
My aim is to capture the real-life moments that often go unnoticed—the fleeting, the imperfect, yet undeniably beautiful in-between moments that make life so extraordinary. I have always been big on celebrating the small details that tell the bigger story, from the twirling of a toddler to the spontaneous laughter of a loved one. My photography is NOT about posed perfection – in fact, it is the farthest thing from it. I’m all about the raw, unfiltered moments that are often overlooked but are the essence of true connection and human experience.
What sets me apart is my commitment to documenting moments as they truly are. I hunt for my photos. I do not enjoy placing people in poised positions, but rather I want them to come as they are, and we explore the day together while I am hidden in the shadows as you enjoy yourself (though, depending on what lens I am using, you MIGHT hear me!).
I’m really not just focused on the big milestones, but the quiet, authentic moments that define life. Beauty is in the details
right? —whether it’s the way the light falls on a hand, the candid emotion in a shared smile, or the soft, unspoken connection between people, or even zooming in on noteworthy surroundings or objects throughout the day! It’s these moments that I really aim to preserve so that they can be remembered long after the day has passed.
What I am most proud of is the way people tell me that I make them feel – Comfort, lightness, humor, these are just a few things that you may feel when working with me. Those who have worked with me also have said that they appreciate my ability to step back and document moments as they unfold, which results in photographs that feel genuine, personal, and timeless.
Offerings I have include family portraits, senior sessions, Instagram upgrades (i.e. modeling/headshot sessions), weddings, travel photography, the editing of vacation photos (I love making videos for folks who have just come back from an epic vacation!) corporate events, group pictures, maternity, sports events, team photos, etc., but again, regardless of the event, I focus on telling a unique story.
For VoyageSTL readers, I want you to know that I am here to help you remember what truly matters—those little, beautiful, RAW moments that make up the story of your life.
If you’re looking for a photographer who sees beyond the surface and goes past the posed, who captures the raw and looks for the details that make each moment remarkable, then I am the right fit for you.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those starting out, I have two things to say ~ One, invest in your education (I am on my FOURTH collegiate degree within the arts and all have served me well), and two, never stray away from your values. People will come in and challenge you (even while you’re ON THE JOB!). Stay true to what you know, what you have trained for, and remember that you are going to be okay! Just keep your grit.
Pricing:
- Prices change all of the time!
- Range ~ $75 to $2,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.snappedbyss.com
