Friday Features are back! And to kick things off for 2026, we’ve got the brilliant Sarah from Sarah Burton Photography. Sarah is a family and brand photographer, based in York, with a passion for capturing real, honest, and heartfelt stories and connection. From ‘everyday’ moments in family life, to behind-the-scenes brand images.
Let’s get to know more about the creative woman behind the small business…
If I’m being honest, it took me a long time to really understand what it meant to be ‘creative’ – when I was younger I was mistakenly tied up in the idea that it meant being good at art, and therefore being able to paint or draw (neither of which did I have a lot of success in!). It took going back to uni at 38, to study for an MFA in photography to truly understand that being creative has been a huge part of my identity my whole adult life, I just didn’t have the vocabulary to express it until then.
I talk a lot about changing careers because it was one of the biggest things I’ve ever done. I wasn’t someone who left teaching because I didn’t like it, I loved it, and I had some incredible experiences that have played a major role in shaping who I am. After having my own kids, especially when they were small, I started to feel like I needed a change, for a whole list of reasons. Creativity helped me to tackle the fear (and there was a lot of fear) about making such a big change, and learning to wield it in different ways helped me learn to be independent after working in a tightly controlled and results driven system for a lot of years. I came to actually believe that there really is always a way to figure things out in the end.
I’ve always loved photos which I think is probably because I’m such a huge nostalgic. To me, photography is a language that we use to communicate our feelings, our connections and ultimately our everyday experience of the world. It became even more interesting to me when I became a parent. Not only was it a way to document this crazy ride, but I also found it incredibly therapeutic amongst the chaos of motherhood (and still do). The relationship between motherhood and being on camera, and making it accessible, will always be at the core of my love for photography.
Slowly, messily and with a lot of uncertainty and imposter syndrome. At first, I thought I could run it part time with being an Assistant headteacher three days a week – spoiler alert, I couldn’t! When I decided to leave my teaching job and go back to uni for a two-year MFA, a fair amount of people questioned why it was necessary, but the experiences I took from it were far wider reaching than holding a camera. It changed how I think as a person and I also needed the time to work through such a big change, especially right after the pandemic. The business sort of developed slowly and patchily alongside the degree and then once I graduated, I could see the space had opened up for me to make a go of it.
Honestly, I think the most important thing to bring to the table is a sense of humour. If you can laugh then pretty much everything can be figured out from there. I think lived experience is vital to any kind of leadership, and so I ensure that I’m doing the things I’m asking others to do, like getting in front of the camera regularly and working on tackling my fears around being visible. Also, as a mum of two boys, a working spaniel (I work for him, basically) and an ex-teacher of 16 years, I always say, there’s probably not a massive amount I haven’t seen or been humbled by. I don’t pretend to be anything that I’m not, I’m a human being doing the same ride as everyone else.
Staying organised with admin and being consistent with things like marketing. My studio partner likes to call it ‘eating frogs.’ Like right now, I can’t lie, my to do list says it’s time to work on my website upgrade, but I’m doing this instead, because frankly it’s more fun. I can certainly get too creative with my priorities at times, that’s for sure! There’s such a lot for being independent and in charge of your own days, but I always had brilliant line managers in my past career and it’s only now that I really appreciate the balance of freedom and guidance that they gave me, and whilst there are lots of things I don’t really miss, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss that most days.
If you’ve changed careers from teaching, you’ll get me when I say being able to go to the loo when I choose still hasn’t gotten old! One of the real highlights for me was signing up for a studio lease with my studio partner Mark, feeling brave enough and having enough faith to commit forwards. I never thought it would interest me, I’d been so keen to work at home, and then suddenly I was just ready to get back out there and go to a place that wasn’t always the kitchen table. Having a place with a person like Mark, who is great for bouncing ideas, inspiring in his business growth and just a bloody good laugh has been one of the best business developments so far. It’s not all glam though, he likes a tidy desk and doesn’t approve of my less organised set up. I’m just delighted every time I go in there though, messy desk and all, it just hasn’t stopped feeling like an achievement.
Well, I certainly prefer my edit these days! Over time I’ve developed processes, (helped by great mentoring and coaching – shout out to Anna Hardy for photographers and Hayley Rowan for coaching who have helped immensely in the last couple of years) an understanding of keeping a clear framework, and of really leaning into what the people I’m working with need from me. I hope that people will see me as someone who listens carefully and works in open partnership. I am a family and branding photographer, but I’m also someone who is interested in research and life experience and how this all knits together.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt in business, and it’s very true of life also, is that what you needed then might not be what you need now, and to let yourself off the hook if you’ve evolved, celebrate it even. I’ve worked through different phases of focus and interest, I’ve needed different things at different times. Everything around me has changed as I have, and so I’ve come to accept that a review is needed now and again, and that’s a good thing.
The other thing would be to have faith in finding my people. I came from an environment where I saw the same colleagues every day, some of whom I couldn’t imagine a professional life without. The important people have become excellent friends and stayed with me. They’ve cheered me on through the change and I know they’ll be with me the whole way. I’ve also met so many brilliant people who have come into my life and I couldn’t imagine doing this without. So many of them are women building business who are willing to sit down over a coffee and laugh, and also get knee deep into the tough stuff.
To finally sit still for long enough to update my website! In honesty though, my goal really is stability and calm. I have a lot of adrenaline as a person, I’m fired up by all sorts and I’m a huge believer in what I’m doing, but I also would love for this to be a long term thing, the next big chapter of my professional life, and to continue to grow better at it as time passes. I’d also love to find a way to integrate my teaching experience into my business at some point, I hope that opportunity will come up in the future.
Sarah’s ability to appreciate, laugh at, and learn from every life experience (even the everyday, seemingly ‘mundane’ moments) really shows in her photography – giving it such an honest and natural feel. It’s also a really inspiring ethos for life and business, and one we could all take something from.
If you’d like to find out more about Sarah’s photography services, head to her website: sjburton.com – or to see more gorgeous images and some behind-the-scenes content, take a look at her Instagram: @sjburtonphotography
If you haven’t already found us over on Instagram – why not come say hi and give us a follow. We would love for you to join the conversation and help spread the movement by liking and sharing our content.
Any and all opinions expressed by third parties in our content are not necessarily the opinions of FCS. All FCS content, including content provided by third parties, is intended for general guidance and inspiration. Third-party products and services mentioned in content have not necessarily been tested by FCS. Any content feature, mention of a third-party product or service, or link to a third-party business and/or external site, does not suggest an endorsement from, or affiliation with, FCS. FCS is never paid (or directly compensated) for any features, opinions, or information provided in our content about any third-party services, products, sites or miscellaneous topics – unless clearly stated otherwise.
