In Focus | Sarah Beebe of Sarah Beebe Photography

Sarah Beebe left her secure office position with the government to take a chance on her dream to be a full time photographer. She started Sarah Beebe Photography where she specializes in wedding, newborn, maternity, child, family and corporate photos. Sarah hopes that through her business she will help her clients capture special moments to ensure that they last forever. Every year she gets involved with various charities for Christmas, this year running two Santa shoots, one raising over $3500 for the Kelowna Food Bank's Tiny Bundle Program and one raising $500 for Kelowna's SPCA. Today Sarah and Sarah Beebe Photography are In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"I need more hours in a day!" I find myself saying this often since becoming a full time photographer.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Heidi Gerard ~ She is someone I greatly admire and I would love to be able to do a workshop with her one day.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
For my business, Best of the Okanagan is really one of the most important awards I could have hoped to win. It's something I've strived for and want to maintain in the community. I really appreciate everyone who voted for me!

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Cleopatra

Who inspires you?
Carrie Bradshaw :)

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
If I have to pick from my long, long list:
1. Publish a photo book based on travels around the world.
2. Learn a foreign language.
3. Travel through Europe.

Please tell us about a defining moment in your life.
When I decided to leave a secure office position with the government to take a chance on my dream.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Wild Card

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
It may be a little morbid but probably the day that I die. At least I would know how many years I had left to have fun!

What are you passionate about?
Living every part of life to its absolute fullest ~ Food, family, work and friends!

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
There are those summer days when you're out in a boat on Okanagan Lake, soaking up the sun, listening to music, cooling off in the lake, wake-surfing, laughing and having a great time...For me that's pure joy. Those moments are when I feel completely alive and full of gratitude.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Pursuing my dream of photography full time.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
Bai Thong ~ Kitty is amazing!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
The Farmer's Market, nothing makes me appreciate Kelowna more!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Sarah Beebe Photography

What does your business/organization do?
Wedding, newborn, maternity, child, family and corporate photography.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.sarahbeebe.com

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/sarahbeebephotography

What is your mission?
To capture special moments and ensure they last forever.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
As much as I may be dreaming, being awarded a Master Photography award by the MPA one day would be the greatest honour.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
Growing!

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Heidi Hope, Kelley Ryden and, of course, Anne Geddes

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
1. Passion
2. Creativity
3. Professionalism

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
I have an amazing assistant, June, who is also my mom. My dad and boyfriend are also amazing support structures for me. I couldn't do this business without their support and creativity! Love you guys :)

How does your business/organization impact the community?
Every year around Christmas I do a number of charity events. This month we ran 2 Santa shoots, 1 raising over $3500 for the Kelowna Food Bank's Tiny Bundle Program and 1 raising $500 for Kelowna's SPCA.

What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
I'm very self motivated which helps me get out of bed early every morning and work until night. I also believe in what I do and love it. Photos are timeless! You will never get this time back and, from what I've learned, time goes WAY too fast. Families are only little for a little while.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Real Estate. I would mostly talk about what a great investment funding a large studio space and equipment for my business would be ;)

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
How long winter is....

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
So much makes Kelowna great! Travelling through South East Asia for a month made me appreciate it that much more. The community, the lake, the food ~ We have it good!

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!