Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Lackland.
Hi Sydney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have always been the camera girl. I always took my camera everywhere I went as a pre-teen and teenager. I have always enjoyed capturing moments! My dad would buy me disposable cameras and take me to get the pictures printed off. I think that’s when I realized that I loved doing this. I decided that I wanted a digital one so he bought me one of those and that was even more perfect because I could look at the picture I just took! I would take pictures, put them on my computer, separate them into folders, and edit my favorite ones on any editing website I could get my hands on. I mean, I just loved it.
After my first year of college, I decided that I wanted to step it up a notch so my dad purchased me a new camera, studio materials, lighting, backdrops, etc. and I have literally been working on perfecting my craft since then. I’ve come SO far! S/o to my dad – I love you!
He has supported my dreams so much. I am now a mother and a college graduate. I majored in journalism with a minor in theatre and I’ve worked a camera every which way at this point! Photography, videography, film, literally every way.
Seven years later, I’m in a studio downtown, still doing what I absolutely love and that’s capturing lifetime memories for my clients.
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?
Building my clientele probably was the most challenging for me but I prevailed. As an artist, you have to post. You have to produce content to keep your viewers watching and booking. You HAVE to be consistent. As humans, we want to take a break, we want to relax, but when you’re building something, there’s little time for that.
I simultaneously found a way to enjoy what I was doing, make a path for my business to succeed, and still enjoy my life a little. I’m still grinding every day because I’m nowhere near finished with everything I have in store for Opal Optics Productions, Inc. The biggest challenge has been balancing it all out, but anything is doable. Anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer and videographer in Memphis, TN.
I specialize in weddings, lifestyle, and newborn photography.
I am most proud of my professionalism and my ability to give my clients what they want – great work and a great experience! That is definitely what sets me apart from others.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The most important thing that I’ve learned is to live. Just live, just do it, just have fun. You never know what the future may hold, LIVE. Enjoy your life to the fullest! You only get one. Do whatever makes your heart happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: opalopticsproductions.com
- Instagram: @opalopticspro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opaloptics
Image Credits
Sydney Lackland of Opal Optics Productions
