Photograph by Lisa Wiseman
Sarah Deragon is co-owner and photographer of Portraits To The People, a photography studio in San Francisco. I found out about Sarah on Instagram. (Follow her now, you will NOT regret it.) She has an amazing series called Work From Home, where she highlights a ton of people who…work from home. Everyone from lawyers to piñata-makers share what they love about working from home. I know a lot of you work from home, so you will totally relate to their stories.
1. Who are you, what do you do, and how did it all began?
My name is Sarah Deragon and I’m a professional photographer based in San Francisco. I’ve been doing this full time for the past years. I own this business with my wife Natalie and she does all of the behind the scenes stuff for me – scheduling, emails and contracts. It all got started when my wife told me that I should just quit my job and try to be a professional photographer. I’d never really considered it before, but I’m so happy that I did.
instagram.com/sarahderagon
2. Where can we find you on social media?
Instagram – http://instagram.com/sarahderagon
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/sarahderagon
Facebook – http://facebook.com/portraitstothepeople
Website – http://portraitstothepeople.com
Website – http://sarahderagonphotography.com – my personal work
3. What is your favorite hashtag?
#portraitstothepeople and #blurryonpurpose
instagram.com/sarahderagon
4. Why do you use social media?
To connect with folks that are fans of my work and to be inspired by others. I don’t have to promote my business as hard as I did the first few years of running it, so I’ve done liberating things like deleting my Twitter account because I never liked trying to push content to it in the first place.
5. Which tools do you use for creating or posting content?
I’m creating new content for my social media channels every single day, so I’m lucky in that respect. If I blog, which is becoming once a month these days boo, I will share something I’ve just done or I’ll announce an upcoming class or event that folks can attend.
instagram.com/sarahderagon
6. What effect does social media have on your business?
Social media is a great way to connect with folks on a more personal level. I named my business, Portraits To The People, to have a little mystery about who was behind the scenes shooting, which is why I use my own name to promote the business side of things. I want folks to know that I’m running the show!
7. How do you measure success on social media?
Of course likes are nice, but really I’m more interested in the quality of interactions that I have with folks on Instagram and Pinterest.
instagram.com/sarahderagon
8. What aspect of social media do you find most challenging?
I hated Twitter from the very beginning, so I recently deleted my accounts which was awesome. But I think that staying inspired to push out new content can be challenging for folks. Sometimes we forget how special it is what we do and we take the little things, like where we live or what inspires us, for granted.
instagram.com/sarahderagon
9. What makes you follow another brand back?
Consistent high quality photos and tone of voice. I like following funny and sarcastic people. Folks that take themselves too seriously on social media are soooo boring to me!
10. Which brands have social media you admire?
I love thebannerie (http://intstagram.com/thebannerie) and shopbando (http://instagram.com/shopbando) because they know who their customers are and all of their photos are full of joy and glitter!
instagram.com/sarahderagon
11. Any advice for other brands just getting started on social media?
Don’t be afraid of deleting posts, especially on Instagram. Your feed should be a well curated gallery of your best work, something doesn’t fit it, delete it. I’d also say get properly trained on how to take great photos, there are ton of Instagram photography classes out there. Ugly photos aren’t going to gain you any followers. And be funny and engaging, share the most you can with folks about who you are. Your unique qualities will make you stand out, work it!