Meet Steven Sandler | Professional Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steven Sandler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steven, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was a matter of physical and emotional survival. Photography is my second career in life. I used to practice law, I was working for an unethical and abusive employer at the time. It was killing me physically and emotionally, inside and outside. I had to get out. I’d been a serious photographer for my entire life, but coming from an upper middle class suburban family, a career as an artist was unthinkable. After having my soul sucked out every day as an attorney, I made a commitment to defy the conventions and defy the odds. I ventured out to become a full time professional photographer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do a lot of genres professionally, but my bread and butter is real estate photography. This genre is one of the more lucrative areas of photography because it’s literally impossible to DIY it with a cell phone, and real estate agents have an imperative need for it, which makes it a bit easier to get clients. Unfortunately this attracts a lot of photographers who are just in it for the comparatively easy money. What sets me apart is that I truly love real estate photography. I love walking into a property, getting a sense of the layout, getting a feel for the vibe it gives off, and then capturing that vibe to convey it to my client’s potential buyers. My favorite gigs are the magnificent estates. I would never want to live in them; I’m a bit more down to Earth than that. But I love having such beautiful subjects for my work. That said, I also relish the challenge of shooting the not-so-pretty properties as well. There is a lot of competition, but I have a solid book of business because my clients can see my passion for the artistry and my compulsion to do excellent work for its own sake.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have a “colorful” social life, especially for someone in their 50’s. Going out to eat is nice, and I could give you a safe answer about taco trucks and sushi, but if I’m going to honest, we’d wind up in the alternative nightlife scene, like Bar Sinister in Hollywood, or an underground afterhours event in a DTLA warehouse, or a private house party. I’d also be sure to hit up some of LA’s amazing museums. The Broad is my favorite. Of course we’d have to check out some of the amazing private galleries in West Hollywood. Fun Fact: one of my regular gigs is shooting a burlesque troupe at Bar Sinister about every other month. Not my most lucrative gig, but the people I work with on that one are fantastic humans, so I’m delighted to do it every time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like a giant shoutout to go to my amazing friends who encouraged me, who posed for me, who honestly and constructively critiqued my work, and who ultimately served as an incredible business network, enabling me to build up a strong book of business in what seems like lightning speed.

Website: www.transcendentimage.com

Instagram: transcendent_image