Cindy: What was your inspiration to get into photography?

Me: That is a great question and one that I am asked pretty often. My journey in photography really began in South Africa. When I was in my final year at University in 2004 I decided that I would go to South Africa to finish my degree. I choose South Africa because it was home to the University of Cape Town which was one of the best ecology schools in Africa. When I first flew into Cape Town I instantly felt at home. I LOVED this country. I was dreading the day that I would have to leave and I wanted to hold onto everything around me. Photography is what allowed me to hold onto those memories. I started a travel blog and documented my adventures through words and photography. I was hooked. When I returned to California after what turned into a 9 month adventure that ended with finding my sweetheart I let myself get lost in my photography. It was a coping mechanism. I surrounded myself in my photographs and let them console me. Life went on and eventually my passion turned into a career.

It was my husband that actually pushed me to take the leap into photography as a full time endeavor. I was actually enrolled in an environmental science masters program, just getting ready to get started when the conversation arose. We were sitting on the couch one Saturday morning and we were speaking about my future masters program. Charlie said, 'Sara, all you talk about or think about if photography. Are you sure you want to continue with this masters program?' I asked him what my other option was and he said I could do photography full time. Hearing him say those words made me believe that I could do it. I gave my two weeks notice at my job, let the masters program know that I would not continue and I dove in head first into a career in photography. I have been loving my life ever since.

So, my inspiration to photograph was my desperate attempt to hold onto fleeting moments. My inspiration to take it on as a full time career was my darling husband.