Sarah Chen is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Francisco. She's photographed over 200 weddings and was the first photographer to join BookMyShooter as a founding member. Here's her story.
The Journey to Photography
"I never planned to be a photographer," Sarah laughs. "I was working in tech, doing product design for a startup. Photography was just a hobby—I'd bring my camera to friends' parties and events."
That changed when a friend asked her to photograph their wedding. "I said yes, but only if they hired a 'real' photographer too. I'd just be a backup."
The "real" photographer's photos were technically perfect but felt stiff and posed. Sarah's candid shots captured the emotion and spontaneity of the day. "The bride told me she loved my photos more. That's when I realized I might actually be good at this."
Finding Her Style
Sarah describes her style as "documentary with a cinematic touch."
"I don't do a lot of posing. I want to capture real moments—the way a groom looks at his bride during the vows, the grandmother crying during the first dance, the flower girl sneaking cake before dinner."
Her approach resonates with couples who want their wedding photos to feel authentic, not staged. "I tell my couples: forget I'm there. Just be present with each other and your guests. I'll capture the story."
Why She Joined BookMyShooter
After 10 years as a full-time photographer, Sarah has tried every platform and marketing channel:
- Instagram (her primary source of leads)
- Wedding wire and The Knot (expensive, low conversion)
- Thumbtack (too many tire-kickers)
- Word of mouth (great but unpredictable)
"When I heard about BookMyShooter, I was skeptical. Another marketplace? But then I talked to the founder and learned about their vetting process and their focus on transparency."
What convinced her to join as Founding Member #1?
- Quality over quantity: "They're not trying to onboard thousands of photographers. They want the best. That matters to me."
- Fair pricing: "I set my own rates. No race to the bottom."
- Qualified leads: "Clients who come through BookMyShooter are ready to book, not just browsing."
- The mission: "I've had clients get scammed by other photographers. I want to be part of a platform that prevents that."
Her Advice for Choosing a Photographer
Sarah has seen it all—from amazing client relationships to horror stories. Here's her advice:
1. Look Beyond the Portfolio
"Anyone can have 20 great photos. Ask to see a full wedding gallery. That shows consistency."
2. Meet Them (Video Call is Fine)
"You're going to spend 8-10 hours with this person on one of the most important days of your life. Make sure you actually like them."
3. Ask About Backup Plans
"What if they get sick? What if their camera breaks? Professional photographers have backup equipment and backup photographers."
4. Read the Contract Carefully
"When do you get your photos? How many will you receive? What happens if you need to reschedule? It should all be in writing."
5. Trust Your Gut
"If something feels off—if they're pushy, if they won't answer questions, if their pricing is suspiciously low—trust that feeling."
What She Offers
Sarah specializes in weddings but also does engagement sessions, elopements, and family portraits. Her packages include:
- Full-day wedding coverage: 8 hours, 500+ edited photos
- Engagement session: 1 hour, 50+ edited photos
- Elopement package: 4 hours, 200+ edited photos
Starting price: $3,500 for weddings | $500 for engagement sessions
Client Testimonials
"Sarah captured our wedding perfectly. We barely noticed she was there, but when we got our photos back, every important moment was there. She's a magician."
— Jessica & Michael, married June 2024
"We were nervous about photos because we're both camera-shy. Sarah made us feel so comfortable. The photos look like us—not some posed, fake version."
— David & Alex, married September 2024