Meet Sarah Kathleen

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

Hi Sarah Kathleen, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As a millennial parent currently healing her own inner child, I’m simultaneously learning and teaching my daughter that big feelings are allowed (and important). Holding space for big emotions, showing her that her emotions don’t scare me, and that there is nothing she can do to make me not love her — those are the things I hope she knows at the end of the day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others is the unique way in which I see the world around me. As a neurodivergent and highly sensitive creative, I see colors, movement, and emotions in a fantastical way. I am a deep feeler and not afraid of vulnerability, so when I meet someone in a photographic space, I bring all of me (awkward, messy bits and all) and invite them to do the same.

My photography business has evolved rapidly over the last 16 years, but especially the last 4 (since the pandemic derailed everything we knew). So in 2020, I launched a new endeavor called “Persephone Unleashed” — an intimate women’s wellness retreat, with a heart for nourishing and empowering the weary woman. These retreats are 4-5 days long, and include a luxurious stay, meals by a private chef, morning yoga practices, guided meditations, creativity workshops, energy work with a shamanic healer, a badass photo shoot with yours truly, sisters for life, and so much more than could ever be put into words. One would think starting something like this mid-pandemic would lead to a giant flop, but it turns out that women are more in need than ever for a safe place to practice taking up space and being wholly seen and loved for who they are. Who knew?

I don’t have just one photography niche. And I’m okay with that. I’m passionate about holding space for people and documenting their story as it evolves. I’ve come to find that I see things differently than anyone else, I’m drawn to both light & shadow, the beautiful and the messy bits — all the things that make us human. And that shows up in my work every time.

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.
The Central Coast of California is, in my opinion, one of our beautiful planet’s most precious gems. Where else do you have wine country, the beach, and a culinary scene that can’t be beat?

We’d enjoy a morning coffee at Spearhead Coffee in Paso Robles and a mouthwatering Mexican breakfast at Chulo’s Cafe in Templeton. We’d go wine tasting — some of my favorite tasting rooms include Daou (can’t beat that view), Jacob Toft (for an intimate and unforgettable wine tasting expereince), and Villa San Juliette (a slice of Tuscany). We’d go to the beach, and explore the beauty of Highway One all the way from Morro Bay to Big Sur. We’d get pizza at Della’s and cocktails at The Alchemists’ Garden in Paso Robles.

I’d like to say maybe we’d go hike Bishop’s Peak in San Luis Obispo, but in reality, I know we’d bail on our hiking plans to drink wine on my deck that feels more like a treehouse in a forest of moss-covered oak trees. There is a connection to nature and Mother Earth here that our bodies crave, and I get to experience it every day. I don’t take it for granted for one second.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We are nothing without the rising tide beneath us. I wouldn’t be 16 years into a photography career without my Nanna. While all my cousins were applying to universities, my 18-year-old self went to my Nanna and asked if she would help me buy the equipment to start a photography business. A businesswoman herself, who was widowed and tossed into the real estate world during a decade when women were not present in the workplace, she said, “Come back with a business plan, and we’ll talk.” Which is exactly what I did, and she gave me the funds to buy a professional camera & first few lenses.

I also wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my husband and best friend, Josiah. We’ve known each other since middle school, and he has supported my wild schemes and dreams since day one. He’s my biggest fan, sounding board, and comforting embrace when I inevitably feel like a failure (because entrepreneurship is no walk in the park).

Website: https://www.persephoneunleashed.com

Instagram: @persephoneunleashed & @sarahkathleenphoto

Image Credits
All photos are by yours truly, Sarah Kathleen