Hi! I’m Sarah, and I’ll be the photographer for your family photo shoot.
My photography approach is holistic and child-centered, and was honed using the latest research on brain development informed by my training sessions with Norland College. Norland is world-famous for providing the very best early years training and education.
During the photo shoot, I will use a technique called Emotion Coaching, to help validate the feelings being experienced and help come up with productive solutions. All feelings are welcome. I will put down the camera and chat with anyone who needs a chat in order to feel present in the moment again. There is no need to worry that the camera will capture something “unseemly,” and there is plenty of time within the hour to pause for processing and adjustments.
A photo shoot with me is always flexible, and follows the needs of the family as they arise in the moment. The time we spend together will be shared between capturing shots of the whole family, and of just the kids. When I’m photographing the children, you can relax for a moment and let them explore with me and the camera.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
-Albert Einstein
When you book your session, you will get a welcome pack, where you’ll find a brief likes and dislikes survey. I’ll ask each family member to fill it out themselves. For children under 5, they can draw pictures instead of writing. I’ll also send you a graphic of the timeline to share with the children so they have a visual expectation of the process.
Unlike many photographers, my proofing process is analog. You will receive a beautiful box of prints, which I encourage you to look through together as a family, allowing everyone to hold and choose their favorites. You can then use the proofs as a reference for ordering hardcover albums, holiday cards, gift prints, and wall art for your home.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I encourage you to share my bio photo with your children before our photo shoot, so they can start to have a narrative around who I am, and what’s going to happen at the session.
Here’s a bit about my story to share: When I was in college studying film, I apprenticed with photographers and learned to print in the darkroom, as well as working with digital photography as it became the dominant medium. I’ve worked in TV, as a writer, and most recently, I started a podcast about creativity called Fliterature. I was born and grew up in Cleveland, and then spent a couple decades in other cities like New York and San Francisco before returning to Ohio. I love gardening, exploring, and meeting my neighbors, kids, dogs, and cats when I walk around the neighborhood.
Sarah Sloboda is an artist and photographer known for her work with families and children. She has lived on both U.S. coasts, and she’s a born and raised Midwesterner. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Film & Video Studies from the University of Michigan, and was once the Production Coordinator for The People’s Choice Awards. Her photography work has been published numerous times in print and online, including in National Geographic Kids’ book, This Book is Cute.
Sarah completed eCornell’s luxury hospitality course, Fostering a Culture of Service Excellence, and a training course with Norland College for nannies focused on tailoring her services for young children using Emotion Coaching. Her personal interests include the arts, the creative process, diverse cultures, architecture, urban planning, gardening, writing, and Doctor Who. She hosts a podcast about creative rituals and improvisational writing called Fliterature, and lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
photo of Sarah Sloboda by Daniel Lozada
