Fabulous Careers: Fashion Photographer Sarah St. Clair Renard

I met Sarah on a NJ Transit train from New York to Newark airport.  Our train broke down and we were forced to take a taxi.  When Sarah told me she was a fashion photographer, living in L.A. and occasionally working in New York, I was immediately fascinated and jealous.  I know most Professionelles, like me, have desk jobs, but I'm willing to bet many of you have hidden creative talents that you wish you could turn into a career.  So, I figured the best way to start is to learn about what other people do for a living and how they manage to do it stylishly and successfully.  Sarah was kind enough to answer a few questions for me and share a few of her favorite pictures.  I hope this is inspiring for many of you.  At the very least, I hope that her beautiful pictures will give you a well deserved break from looking at contracts, spreadsheets, presentations or whatever else fills your typical work day.  You can find more of Sarah's work on her website.

Professionelle: Tell me a little bit about your background and how you got into photography.  Why did you decide to specialize in fashion photography?

Sarah: I was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden. In high school I got into taking photography classes and I loved it. Back then it was all dark room and black and white film. I kept shooting for the next 8 years, but I really wanted to make films. So I took film classes and moved to Los Angeles to work on independent films as a camera assistant. I did that for a while, but felt it was really hard to make my own projects since with motion you need more people involved. So I took a two-year still photography program and set out as a photographer. 

How did I specialize in fashion photography? It’s not so much something I’ve chosen to specialize in, as it’s coincidental to my interests. What I really enjoy about fashion photography is the merging of art and commercialism. It’s open for interpretation how you want to present clothes, and often it’s more visceral than straight up advertising photography, especially editorial fashion. I just really enjoy playing with form and style and I love some of the creative people you get to work with.

("This is some of my latest work. I enjoy the implied motion and symmetry to these images, and lately my work has been very monochromatic. I just feel it makes it easier to focus the attention to form.")

Professionelle: Many Professionelles work jobs that are the same from day to day, is there an "average" work day for you?  If so, what is it like? 

Sarah: At least as an emerging photographer you probably do quite a bit of time actually sitting at a desk. Photoshopping, marketing and creating connections takes a lot of my time, it’s not as “out in the field” as you’d imagine. My average day starts at 6.30 am. I go run and have breakfast and then jump into my home office. I have lists of what needs to be accomplished. I plan and execute shoots for myself and I try to come up with cool ideas and pitch them to magazines. I also try to constantly market myself and figure out how to take steps forward and who my clients should be. My favorite days are the ones where I get to go outside and shoot pictures and hang out with creative people. Here’s some fun behind the scenes shots of what those days might look like:

Professionelle: You're surrounded by beautiful clothes as part of your job, but what do you wear to work and why?

Sarah: I wear simple and utilitarian clothes, but try to add a fun element for style. A lot of the time I wear a “uniform” of black jeans + white t-shirts and then spruce from there. Lately I’m obsessed with neon orange nail polish. I also like shoes that look like I found them on a world traveling expedition from the 70s. And I love hats. My favorite is a 1950s wide-brimmed Meyer German men’s hat, but I also have an orange felt-hat I love. A lot of my wardrobe is vintage. It’s a fun search and your wardrobe becomes more personal, but it’s also that the quality and the cuts I can afford in vintage, I can’t afford in contemporary, so I get better stuff. 

(A self portrait of Sarah in her cheery orange hat)

Professionelle: Have you photographed any fashion trends lately that you think would translate well for the Professionelle girl? 

Sarah: I personally love silk blouses and trench coats. And flowy straight pants! You can never go wrong with good simple cuts that fit your body. I’d also say a nice well made 40s dress in a conservative cut looks stunning on most professional women. And always remember that it’s better to get one piece tailored to perfection than adding another slightly ill-fitting piece to your closet. Quality not quantity.

("This picture makes me think of Monaco in the 60s in a modern interpretation. And I love boats!")

Professionelle: I met you in transit from New York back to L.A., where you live.  Do you prefer L.A. or New York and why?  Is there a dream city that you would love to live in?

Sarah: I live in L.A and it’s NOT a fashion capital. But I’m in love with the lifestyle. I live in a little house with a backyard and elements of nature in a climate that is very good for photography year round. But NY is more of a fashion city. That’s where the best models and creative talent are. I’m trying to become more bi-coastal because I love both places, they’re just really different and I think most photographers in fashion find themselves going between the two quite a bit.  If we’re talking more fantasy cities, I’d say Tokyo for a bit and maybe Berlin.

("This is one of my favorite pictures because it evokes feelings of something lurking in the dark woods behind the model, I like the mood and the implied narrative.")
 

Professionelle: What kind of camera do you use and what would you recommend for the amatuer photographer? 

Sarah: I use a Canon 5D Mark II, but my purse-camera is a Panasonic Lumix and I LOVE that too.

Professionelle: Who, dead or alive, would you love to have an opportunity to photograph?

Sarah: Tilda Swinton, Lauren Hutton, Joni Mitchell, Aurel Schmidt. I just love cool women. 

("This model, Julia, is exceptional to work with and I loved the styling (by Jennie Bramer) and location of this shoot.")

 
Professionelle: Most Professionelles don't participate in a lot of photo shoots, but do you have any tips for looking your best in a photography?

Sarah: Take a lot of them and NEVER do duck face. A confident smile is killer and stop being so damn hard on yourself. You are beautiful just as you are.

Professionelle:  Thanks Sarah for all of your insight!  Any other thoughts on work, fashion or life?

Sarah: On work and life - be nice to people and never be catty to other women. Try to help friends reach their goals and they will help you. On fashion - simple is better. But not taking yourself too seriously and having a little fun with fashion is liberating and should be exercised as well.