It is truly incredible when a woman juggles two businesses, cares for her two children, manages a full time job and still has time to fish, hike, eat delicious food. Sarah Roshan has been in the photography business for eight years now and has 
the inside scoop on what it takes to capture the perfect moment on the big day, how to be a successful businesswoman, and funny photo mishaps. Read on to find out more about this amazing photographer.
Why wedding photography?
I always knew I wanted to do weddings even before I did this professionally. I think it appeals to my romantic nature and my empathetic soul. I love finding the connection between people and what better place to do it than your wedding day. There are connections all around. Connections to each other as the couple, as well as the connections with the people they choose to share their day with. One is not complete without the other creating their own story. Who are these 
people and what is their connection? It’s up to me to find out and share it, and make it part of their story. When all said and done, the story of the wedding day is also unique to each couple and a story in itself.
Favorite weddings?
My favorite weddings are the ones that are all about the couple. the location itself tells a story. I dig couples who go out of the norm just because they want something. One of my favorite couples rented a jeep tour company, picked an epic spot on a mountain top and Jeeped all their guests up to the location. It was breathtaking and all the guests had a great time. Very indicative of their carefree and adventurous spirit. So I would say that mountains are my favorite weddings but it’s more because of the kind of people that mountain weddings draw. I am innately drawn to carefree romantic and adventurous people.
Favorite wedding style and how that has changed and evolved?
Well I have always been true to color in terms of my editing style. I believe it keeps the photos a bit more timeless. I don’t know that my style has changed as much as my understanding of different lighting situations. As you grow as a photographer you see light differently, darkness can be as beautiful as the light. Photography is an interesting thing in that you are never done learning and growing and there is always a different way to look at things even though the fundamentals stay the same.
Weirdest wedding photography mishap?
I always like to close out my weddings by doing some sort of night shoot. Sometimes this is star photos, sometimes cool night shots or a photo in front of the venue, just a nice portrait to close out your album. In this case I was doing a night star portrait. They usually take 3-5 minutes to get absolutely correct. When we were setting up th
e shot we were on a golf course and the sprinklers came on. we all got wet including the bride and groom. We all laughed it off but it was pretty chaotic.
Favorite Images?
I would be lying if I didn’t say couples portraits weren’t my favorite. I love sticking my couples in pretty places and letting them enjoy the moment. Something about that epic portrait that you know will hang in their home forever. I also love daddy daughter dances and when the bride is given away. Such a powerful moment of them passing the torch so to speak.
Favorite all-time photograph (yours or someone else’s?) Favorite photographer?
Oh man. I feel like I am constantly replacing my favorite photographs in my own collection. It’s always a goal to do better than the wedding before. Favorite photographer? I don’t know. I look at work pretty subjectively. I have wedding photographers I adore and that inspire me but are they my favorite? I am a fan of Annie Leibowitz but not even for her portrait work but some of her projects. I tend to look to all forms of art to inspire.
Favorite part about being a photographer? Biggest challenge?
Spending most my time outdoors on a mountaintop. I am a huge outdoorsy person and I wanted to design my business to work with people who were like minded. The result is I am able to go to amazing places and hang out with amazing families on one of the best days of their life. For me it’s the people more than the place but the place is a huge bonus. I think the biggest challenge in photographing a wedding is capturing things for all the people not just the couple. I am constantly thinking about what these photographs mean to the people who see them. Sure my clients are my couple but these photos will also be important to their families and friends. It’s up to me to be all perspectives at once.
How would you educate clients about your pricing and service?
I think my pricing is pretty straightforward. I know everything that goes into my pricing and feel very confident that they get what they pay for. For me, experience is part of that and photography is so personal. “The only way you can get me is to get me.” No one else can be me and how I see the world influences how I photograph the world.
What’s it is like being a mother of two?
Mass chaos. No really, it is wonderful. My oldest is a little older and is a big help most the time, I am lucky I have a wonderful husband who supports me and my business so I can leave for the weekend and photograph pretty weddings. Sometimes balance is hard but so worth it on all counts.
Number of years in business?
I have been in business since 2008 so 8 years. I didn’t really shoot weddings under my own brand until 2010 and made the decision to specialize in weddings in 2012.
How do you juggle being a mom, wife and business woman?
Ha. Sometimes I don’t. There is always a constant balance between being a good mom and being a good business person. I’ve set aside days to be with my family and try to give my clients a heads up that I am not available those days. I hired an office assistant to help me manage some of the day to day things. It’s all about setting boundaries, mostly for myself so that I don’t overload myself because I tend to be a workaholic.
What do you do for fun?
I am an avid fisherman, love my family’s cabin (it was my Grandfather’s), hiking, skiing in the winter and spending time with my family. I love margaritas and Mexican food (let’s be honest I love food and it’s a good thing I am so active!)
How do you manage two businesses?
Well I am lucky in that my one business feeds the other. So whatever I do for one business really benefits the other one for the most part. It is a lot to manage sometimes. I think knowing limits and knowing when to ask
for help is key.
What would you like people to know about you?
I am a Colorado born, laid back, mountain loving, people loving person. I believe that a wedding doesn’t always have to have a bride and a groom. I believe that all true beauty lives in the imperfection of the world. That’s where the rawness and realness lives.
To find out more about Sarah go to www.sarahroshan.com
Sarah Lurie, August 1st 2016
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