Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Sanders.
Hi Sherry, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For years I’ve done amateur photography. Starting out with pageant pictures, scenery, family portraits, weddings and have now moved on into dirt track racing and drag racing. I am new to the drag racing scene . I will be doing senior pictures, maternity pictures, gender reveals , car shows and many other different things. This year I have decided to make my dream a reality by starting my company Bling Boss Photography. I’m very excited and this is my year of learning and growth to become the professional I want to be. I’ve been married 19 years and my husband is my biggest supporter. I love taking beautiful pictures and making memories that last a lifetime without breaking the bank. I always want to be able to help people make memories that they can pass down through time for a reasonable price. I can remember as a kid, school pictures coming out and not being able to get them due to the price, I want to make sure that everyone that wants or needs pictures, are able to do so.I do digital photos and printed photos . I’ve never taken any professional classes until this year, I just finished a photography course and got my certification,And have started on my second course to gain my credentials.But I have always just been the kind of person that learns by doing, If I look through the viewfinder and it looks beautiful, I take the shot, They’re not always perfect but my editing skills are pretty sharp and I’ve been told I have a knack for photography. My favorite form of Photography is Children and Fur babies and Classic Cars, but any chance I get to make memories for someone It’s is a blessed day. I’m 52 and I am finally settled on what I want to do with my future and that is to be the best photographer I can be ,offer quality pictures with prices that people can afford, I have a low overhead cost and I can pass that on to my customers.Life is short take as many pictures as possible. make as many memories as possible and I hope to be able to help people do that. Photography is my passion and I am learning, I don’t think I’ll ever learn everything about photography because you always learn something new. But I have taken a whole bunch of pictures over the years.I am stepping outside my box and comfort zone this year, doing racetrack pictures and some other new projects that I will be taking on. Never believe that you were too old to chase your dreams or start your career. My dreams started with a polaroid then moved to a Kodak then to a Samsung and now I’m using a cannon with a beautiful 70-200 lense so that I can take the very best photos that I can take. But I still have my old trusty Kodak camera and I still use it. It’s been a slow process and I’ve taken breaks in between but I’ve been at this since 2017 or a little bit before, obviously with nieces I’ve had a lot of practice since they were babies and family events and other things. I’m also on Facebook, Tick Tock, and Instagram, and Google under
Bling Boss Photography .
Photography isn’t a job it’s a passion every new beautiful picture you take is another achievement, even the ones you take that aren’t quite as good as you think they should be those are learning experiences to get better. I’ve learned that some of the best shots that I take are one people aren’t looking and they’re just being themselves and that the only bad shot is the one you don’t take. I am so looking forward to growing and moving forward this year and making my dream a reality and creating a lifetime of memories for many families and individuals.I have learned in my time the best way to master any skill that you really love is to practice, to read up on your skill learn, as much as you can, And just go for it! Like I said the only bad picture is the one you don’t take. Best wishes to you all in your endeavors.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Now it’s not always a smooth road especially ,when you do action shots like racing, fur babies, kids because it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to , because action shots can be very difficult, sometimes you have to take a lot of pictures and a lot of them may not be great but the ones that are great are something to be so proud of. And sometimes when you’re at events and you are with people who have been photographers for a long amounts of time, most of them are very nice and helpful but some not so much. But you just have to overlook those people ,hold your head up and keep snapping those pictures !!and upgrading your equipment can get very costly but hey I started on a cell phone and it’s been many years but I finally have the equipment that I need to be able to capture the pictures I want and need to make unforgettable memories for not only myself but other people. Sometimes doing like car shows, races, pageants it’s very time consuming and long hours and you’re pretty much worn out by the end of the day , and it can get very dirty very hot and very dusty on dirt track ,but it is so worth it I’m very fortunate to have a husband that supports me and is on this journey with me to help any way that he can. Don’t let people discourage you just because they may have been at it a little longer than you or have a bigger and better camera than you, that doesn’t matter it doesn’t mean they can take a better picture than you. And in this business I think people should uplift one another whether you are a rookie or you are a seasoned photographer it shouldn’t be a competition it should be everyone helping everyone get better and move ahead. And it requires networking getting to meet people at events getting invited to events putting yourself out there it does require effort and sometimes if you’re kind of shy like me it takes a lot of effort but you’ll find your way of fitting in and find your niche and how to meet people and get into the events that you want into you’ve got to try because you never know and you might be surprised. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Like I said I’m pretty much open to pretty much any type of photography that would create beautiful lifelong memories. I’m not seasoned but I’m not brand new I love to encourage people just starting and praise people who are seasoned and have beautiful shots and make it into the major events. I truly believe that supporting one another is the biggest key to success always learning something is another key to success you will never learn everything you need to know about photography because it changes every time. If you don’t know how to do it there’s always Google or YouTube or programs like Allison that are free , will usually explain anything to you that you need to know .And if you know a season photographer that helps out a lot too. When you’re a new photographer and you need someone who is greener than you help them and support them, support their pages and lift them up to follow their dream also. I think I’m most proud of just the fact that I’m 52 and I am going to start my business and I know what I want to do for the rest of my days and that is helping people save those special moments in life we’re not all promised tomorrow and pictures can last forever. I’m not really in competition I think that’s what sets me apart for others, I want everyone to win I want everyone to take beautiful pictures I want everyone to succeed I want to be supportive and I want to help other people that I can help but I have been told I do have a knack for taking pictures of people when they’re not looking and they turn out absolutely beautiful and I’ve been told that as a beginner in drag Racing that I am doing amazing and I was told this by a seasoned racing photographer, Shout out to Taylor and that made me feel really good that she took the time and effort to support me and lift me up when she is way above the bracket I’m in. I do enjoy the fellowship of other photographers that are all about support and encouragement. But I think if I would be known for something would be pageant pictures of children, scenery and I’m doing pretty good with drag racing. I’m kind of a new girl on the scene but everyone has been really kind and supportive so I try to return that to everyone I come in contact with that maybe new and just needs that extra little nudge to believe in themselves, I think that’s what sets me apart is that I want everyone to do well and win. My home track is in West Memphis Arkansas, Riverside International Speedway. It’s a dirt track in West Memphis Arkansas and that’s where my love for taking pictures of race cars started several years ago .I’m very excited for this year to be able to see what I can do with my new equipment and hopefully turn out some amazing pictures for the drivers and fans. I’m also looking forward to visiting skelton raceway in sikeston Missouri again as much as I can this year they are amazing people with an amazing drag strip. I just want to say thank you to the people that have supported me and encouraged me and lifted me up along the way. I want to thank my biggest fan, my biggest encouragement, and the person who pushes me to Chase my dreams, my husband John. And the old phrase practice makes perfect it’s so very true in photography, learn about your camera learn about what the buttons mean and do go out take pictures use different settings learn your camera and the best way to do that is get the knowledge and the practice you need.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think success for me is just achieving my dream of starting my business at 52 and doing the very best that I can do and keeping photography as a passion and a love and not making it into a job that I in the end regret. I think you become successful by helping other people and listening to more seasoned photographers, research and practice. But I think success requires determination, courage, and never giving up even if you take 500 shots and only 200 of them are good or even 100 or 50 just trying makes you successful because you had a dream and you’re chasing it. Don’t let what other people say define you ,or bring you down in something that you love and want to do. You don’t have to compete with anybody, you don’t need anyone to validate who You are it’s your work ,do it your way, your style I never stop trying to achieve your dream.
Pricing:
- It really depends on the pictures
- Racing starts at $2 up to $50
- Wedding start at 200 and up
- Senior pictures starts at 100 end up
- Special events with extended hours start at 250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blingbossphotography.com/
- Instagram: bling_boss_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FPn21H5Ne/
- Youtube: @BlingBossPhotography
