Meet Sarah Jane Murray | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Jane Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah Jane, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I made the leap and started my photography business I definitely wasn’t ready, but at the moment it felt like a now or never risk I needed to take. Being an actress was my sole purpose for over a decade. The hard part wasn’t making room for my new love, photography, but placing the performer in me on the back burner. In 2017 I was diagnosed with Melanoma. It momentarily put my acting work on a hiatus, so I leaned into creating what I could behind the lens. I felt so free, so focused, it was as if I found my creative home. I then fell into a love triangle, dividing my attention between acting and photography. That romance lasted for a few years. Then Covid-19 hit, probably the worst time to make a big decision. Losing a few people very dear to me coupled with negative news about family health, placed mortality in the forefront of my mind. This was my now or never moment to “just go for it!” It was terrifying and exhilarating. I stumbled and guessed my way through the months that followed. As client referrals rolled in there was this calming sense of reassurance that I made the right decision. My bank account wasn’t happy but my heart was.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The images I’m most proud of and the field I’m most drawn to is documentary photography. However, the bulk of my income currently comes from portraits, brands, travel, lifestyle and family sessions. A few of the major companies I’ve partnered with or shot for include Supergoop, Samsung, Lincoln Motor Company, prAna and Sierra Designs.

This past year my portrait work gained a lot of traction following a session with the insanely talented actor/writer/director Lyo Reneau. It laid the foundation for my style that’s a bit editorial + cinematic + documentary. The 3 part shoot took place in one day out in the desert. He wanted images that celebrated his masculine and feminine sides while showcasing his athleticism. It was electric, playful and organic. I was less concerned with creating a “perfect” image and was more focused on how the camera settings and light sources enhanced the different moods. Motion blur and grain were added to emote the feeling of being wild and free, a soft backlight and shallow depth of field gave him a feminine glow, and crisp high contrasting shadows delivered a strong masculine shape perfect for fitness.

With every individual it’s very important to me that I highlight who they are in an honest, respectful and beautiful way. I aim to create an environment where they feel safe enough to fully exist and be present. As a result I began to receive comments like, “You can see the layers of who I really am. That’s never happened before.” Past clients would reach out months later thanking me again for their session, saying they never thought they could be that moved by a photoshoot. It struck me to my core, realizing I’m capable of affecting someone so deeply through my craft. It felt like I was creating something that was important and in demand. I’m itching to add a couples package to the mix, so if you have a partner and want to capture the love, I’m here for it! My next big venture is to dive deeper into the world of documentary photography. I would be lying if I said that hasn’t been my childhood dream all along. So this year I’m casting a line out into the documentary world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A whole week?! Better put your seatbelt on. I’m not one for tourist traps or crowds but if it was their first time visiting Los Angeles, I would of course show them the standard spots.

Monday – (Tourist for the day). Historical tour of Olvera Street and ChinaTown Central Plaza. Drive past Walt Disney Concert Hall to grab lunch at Grand Central Market. Shop at Wasteland on Melrose. Briefly stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and Beverly Hills. Sunset on Mulholland Drive. Jazz at the Baked Potato.

Tuesday – Coffee at Maru in Los Feliz. Silver Lake farmers market followed with a picnic at Echo Park Lake. Climbing session at Stronghold Climbing gym. Evening nightcap at Apotheke.

Wednesday – Morning Drive to Malibu. Beach day at Point Dume. Tacos at Lily’s Malibu and pineapple mint sorbet from Le Café de la Plage Malibu. Ending that day with a Shakespeare play at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon.

Thursday – Drive to Death Valley and camp overnight

Friday – Take them to the lowest part of the United States, BadWater Basin salt flat. Visit the technicolor rainbow hills at Artists Pallet. Climb the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Take a quick 50 min drive to the base of the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. We’ll pass through the famous Alabama Hills and camp overnight.

Saturday – On the journey back to L.A. we’ll make a quick pit stop at Red Rock Canyon State Park which has been used for many films and looks like a miniature version of Canyonlands in Utah.

Sunday – Smorgasburg at the DTLA Row for lunch. Sunset at the Observatory in Griffith Park. Dinner at the Atrium in Los Feliz. Live music at the Hotel Cafe. Nightcap at Bar Moruno in Silverlake.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Woof, I don’t think I would be where I am now without my village of friends, family and co-workers who’ve been in my corner supporting and encouraging me since day one. However, there are two distinct individuals that made a pivotal impact in my professional life. In my early 20’s; I was working a catering job at the Kennedy home in Chicago, for a small gathering of Nobel Peace Laureates, my hand was full with a tray of desserts, when Alfre Woodard asked “What’s your passion?” My response was something on the lines of “I want to tell stories that leave an impact. I don’t exactly know how I’m going to do that yet, but I’ll figure it out.” She responded with “A bird has a flock to help it learn how to fly. Humans, like birds, are more likely to soar when they lean into the support of their community.” It was a beautiful reminder that there’s no shame in asking for help or accepting help. That interaction with her has resonated with me ever since.

This next person is the first name I mention when asked “What photographer do you look up to?” I met her uncle in N.Y.C. while I was working at an auto show as a product specialist. We got to chatting and he said “The way you talk about life reminds me of my niece!” I thought “That’s really sweet” but didn’t think much of it. A few weeks later he sent me a book called It’s What I Do that was written by his niece, Lynsey Addario, one of if not the most profound photojournalist of our time. The moment I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. She has persevered in her career, even when her life was on the line more than once, to share the stories of humanity knowing it will affect someone. Her work has served as a constant reminder for me to never take for granted just how powerful a tool the camera can be, to use it wisely and stay in touch with my why. A few other photographers who have inspired and impacted me are Sebastião Salgado, Jimmy Chin and Chris Burkard.

Website: https://www.sarahjanemurrayphoto.com/

Instagram: @thegingerontherun | @portraitsunbound | @sarahjanemurrayphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjanemurrayphoto/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-sLJyksQ13LGDcSjt9Y_xQ