From a Camera at Christmas to Becoming a Glasgow Wedding Photographer: My Story

If you had told me when I was at school that one day I would be running my own wedding photography business in Glasgow, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Not because I didn’t love photography. I did. I just never believed I was brave enough to make it my career. And, honestly, that’s probably the biggest reason it has taken me until now to take the leap.

Where My Love for Photography Began.

My love for photography actually started when I was at school. I was in fifth year when I got my first camera for Christmas, and from that point on, I became slightly obsessed with taking photographs. When I got home from school, I would be taking pictures of absolutely anything and everything. My family, things in the back garden, flowers, our pets, everything and anything. If I went anywhere, my camera was coming with me. Trips to the zoo? Camera. Holidays? Camera. Days out? Camera. I just wanted to photograph everything.

Around the same time, a friend I went to school with was also interested in photography. We went on a photography trip around Glasgow city centre. A photographer took us around different parts of the city, showed us some great photographic spots and taught us more about how to use our cameras. I can’t even remember who that photographer was now, but I remember how much I enjoyed the experience. I came away with some photographs I was genuinely really proud of, and I think that was one of the first times I realised just how much I enjoyed photography.

Choosing Photography at College When I left school in 2013.

I was actually deciding between two completely different paths. Photography… Or childcare. And yes, I know. I love children. I really do. But I have since discovered that I love children considerably more when they’re not crying, haha! Put a crying child in front of me and I’m immediately thinking, “Oh my God, help!” Hahaha.

Thankfully, I chose photography. I applied to study photography at City of Glasgow College and was accepted onto the course. Those three years ended up being incredibly important to me. I met some amazing people who made the course what it was, even though sadly many of us have lost touch over the years. I learned so much during those three years. I learned how to edit photographs, how to understand and work with light, how to use my camera properly and how to approach lots of different types of photography. Two areas I particularly excelled in were portrait photography and macro photography. Portrait photography made sense to me because I’ve always found it easy to connect with people. I enjoy talking to people, making them feel comfortable and getting to know them. Macro photography was completely different. I loved being able to photograph something incredibly close up and create an image where you almost couldn’t tell what you were looking at. There was something fascinating about taking an everyday object and turning it into something completely different through photography.

During my first year at college, I was incredibly proud to be awarded Student of the Year. I also had one of my photographs selected to be used as the display image for our exhibition. Looking back, those moments gave me more confidence in my ability than I probably realised at the time. I knew I could take photographs. I knew I had an eye for it. I knew I enjoyed working with people. I just didn’t know where photography would eventually take me.

Discovering Wedding Photography While I Was Still at College.

I photographed my first wedding with one of the girls I was friendly with at the time. And I absolutely fell in love with it. I can still remember that first wedding. If I look back at the photographs now, there are probably plenty of things I would do differently. I’d probably edit some of them differently, approach certain photographs differently and think, “Oh, I definitely wouldn’t do that now!” But that’s the whole point. You have to start somewhere. That first wedding taught me something really important: I loved being part of someone’s story. When someone books you to photograph their wedding, they’re trusting you with one of the most important days of their lives. That’s a huge responsibility. You’re there from the beginning of their day, through the nerves, excitement, laughter, tears, the ceremony, the celebrations and everything in between. You’re not just taking photographs. You’re documenting a day that they will never experience in exactly the same way again. And I loved that.

Why I Love Photographing Weddings.

The biggest thing I love about wedding photography is simple: The people.

I love watching people be in love. It sounds incredibly cheesy, but I genuinely mean it. There is something so special about watching two people who are completely in love with each other, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. And it’s not just weddings. I get the same feeling photographing couples and families. I love those little moments where people aren’t necessarily thinking about the camera. They’re laughing together, looking at each other, hugging, dancing or simply being themselves. Those are the photographs I want to create.

What Does Natural Storytelling Mean to Me?

My photography style is centered around natural storytelling. But what does that actually mean? For me, it’s about taking photographs that make you feel like you’re back there. I want you to look through your wedding photographs years later and remember exactly what was happening. I want you to remember the atmosphere. The people. The laughter. The emotion. The little moments you didn’t even realise were happening. And most importantly… I don’t want you looking at me. Seriously... Don’t look at me. Go and enjoy your wedding day. Forget I’m there.

Of course, I’m still there. and I’m one of the people responsible for documenting your day, but I don’t want you spending your wedding worrying about where your photographer is or whether you’re posing correctly.

I want you to be present. I want you to enjoy your friends and family. I want you to laugh. I want you to dance. I want you to forget about the camera. That’s what natural wedding photography means to me. It’s about telling the story of your wedding as it actually happened, rather than creating a day of photographs that don’t feel like you.

Natural Doesn’t Mean Completely Unposed.

There’s a bit of a misconception that candid wedding photography means a photographer simply stands in the corner and waits for things to happen. That’s not how I work.

Sometimes the best photographs happen completely naturally. Other times, you need a little bit of prompting. And I’m completely comfortable with that. If you’re nervous, awkward or have absolutely no idea what to do when someone points a camera at you, don’t worry. That’s my job. I’ll give you direction when you need it, help you relax and create opportunities for natural moments to happen. And if you’re confident in front of the camera? Amazing. Own it. My approach is about adapting to you, rather than expecting every couple to fit into the same mould.

“We’re Really Awkward in Front of the Camera…”

I hear this a lot. And honestly? That’s completely fine. You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need to be naturally photogenic. You don’t need to have any previous experience having your photograph taken. You just need to turn up and enjoy your wedding day. I’ll take care of the rest. One of the things I think I’m particularly good at is connecting with people. I’ve always found it easy to talk to people and make them feel comfortable, and I think that’s incredibly important as a wedding photographer. You’re going to spend a lot of time with your photographer on your wedding day. So I don’t want you to feel like you’ve hired a stranger with a camera. I want you to feel comfortable with me.

Why Did It Take Me So Long to Take the Leap?

After college, I got a job and photography went onto the back burner. But it never disappeared.

For around ten years, I’ve continued photographing weddings, families and couples. It was always there. I had a Facebook page. I had an Instagram. I photographed people through word of mouth. But I never really turned it into a proper business. I never had a website. I never felt confident enough to take that final step. And the strange thing is, I always knew I could do it. I knew I could photograph a wedding. I knew I could connect with people. I knew I could tell someone’s story. I knew I could be trusted to capture their day. The thing stopping me wasn’t my photography. It was fear. I was scared of failing. Scared of getting it wrong. Scared of putting myself out there. Scared of saying, “This is my business. This is what I do.” And looking back, I wish I hadn’t been so scared. But I also believe that maybe it simply wasn’t my time yet.

Why I’m Finally Doing This Now

And then I became a mum. My daughter, Maeva, was born at the end of March, and something changed for me. Suddenly, I started thinking much more seriously about what I actually want from my life. I want to be there for her. I want to watch her grow. I want to build a career that gives me flexibility. And, most importantly, I want to show her that you don’t have to be afraid to try something just because it might not work. If Maeva grows up one day and tells me she wants to do something with her life but she’s too scared to try, I don’t want to be the person telling her to play it safe. I want to be able to say: “Go for it. Try. You might surprise yourself.” So I realised I needed to take my own advice. I’m only 31. I haven’t missed my chance. And if I try this and it doesn’t work? At least I’ll know I tried. I would rather take the risk and potentially build the career I’ve always wanted than spend years wondering what might have happened if I’d just been brave enough to start. But I know this isn’t going to happen, and I know that I will be successful with Photos by Sarah!

Becoming a Glasgow Wedding Photographer

I’m based in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, and I photograph weddings across Glasgow, Lanarkshire and throughout Scotland. I’m also more than happy to travel further afield for your wedding. For me, the location isn’t the most important thing. The people are.

Whether you’re getting married in a Glasgow city-centre venue, somewhere in Lanarkshire, in the countryside or somewhere completely different in Scotland, I want to tell the story of your day in a way that feels completely personal to you.

What Kind of Couples Do I Photograph?

Honestly? Anyone. I don’t think you need to fit into a particular category to be a Photos by Sarah couple. You might be confident in front of the camera. You might be incredibly awkward. You might love having your photograph taken. You might absolutely hate it. You might want lots of photographs. You might want to spend as little time as possible posing. That’s all fine. My job is to adapt to you. Because every couple is different, every wedding is different and every story is different.

The Person Behind Photos by Sarah

For years, photography was simply something I did on the side. Now, I’m building something that is genuinely mine. Photos by Sarah.

It’s a business, but it’s also a huge part of who I am. It’s something I’ve been working towards, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. From the girl who got a camera for Christmas and couldn’t stop photographing everything around her… To studying photography at City of Glasgow College… To being awarded Student of the Year… To photographing my first wedding… To spending years quietly photographing weddings, families and couples on the side… To finally taking the leap and becoming a professional Glasgow wedding photographer. It’s been a much longer journey than I ever expected. But I think I’m finally exactly where I’m supposed to be.

What Does Success Look Like to Me?

Of course, I’d love Photos by Sarah to grow. I’d love to photograph more weddings. I’d love to build a successful wedding photography business. I’d love to be my own boss and have the freedom to decide when and where I work. But success isn’t just about money for me. Success is being able to watch Maeva grow up. It’s being able to be there for the important moments. It’s being able to turn around to my family one day and say: “Look. I did this.” I took something I loved, something I’d been too scared to pursue for years, and I made it into a career. And hopefully, one day, Maeva will look at me and know that sometimes you just have to be brave enough to try.

Looking for a Glasgow Wedding Photographer?

If you’re looking for a Glasgow wedding photographer who will capture your wedding naturally, help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and tell the story of your day from beginning to end, I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re planning a wedding in Glasgow, Lanarkshire or somewhere further afield in Scotland, I’d love to hear all about your plans. My approach is simple: Enjoy your day. Be yourselves. Let me tell the story. Because when you look back at your wedding photographs years from now, I don’t want you to remember standing in front of a camera. I want you to remember how it felt to be there.

Photos by Sarah — capturing memories through natural storytelling.

Love, Sarah. x