Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Wilson.
Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an Austin-raised multimedia storyteller. I studied photography at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and since 2000, I’ve worked professionally, balancing personal projects, documentary films and editorial assignments. I’ve worked for a bunch of magazines, like The New York Times Magazine, Time, The Atlantic, Mother Jones, Texas Monthly, and others, and my photographs are in the collections of the Harry Ransom Center, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and private collections. My husband Keith Maitland and I have a production company called Go-Valley where we work together on documentary films. He’s the director and producer and I am a cinematographer and producer. Our film, TOWER, was the winner of the Emmy for Best Historical Documentary, and our film DEAR MR. BRODY is having its theatrical debut this Spring.
I also teach a course called Expressive Photography at ACC’s Department of Professional Photography and I’m working on a book that will be published in the Winter of 2022.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think of my freelance career as a rollercoaster. There are high highs and low lows at times. Sometimes I’m envious of those who have a more predictable, stable lifestyle and paycheck, but I signed up for the rollercoaster. I wouldn’t trade the adventures I get to have as a photographer and filmmaker for more predictability in my life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known as a photographer and more recently, a filmmaker, but above all, I consider myself a storyteller. I love taking portraits and have had the opportunity to work for magazines on stories ranging from a hard-hitting hate crime to a bustling Mary Kay Cosmetics convention. For one of my most rewarding personal projects, BLIND PROM, I worked as the volunteer prom night photographer for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for ten years. Being a photographer and filmmaker gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.
When the pandemic set in and our community was asked to shelter in place, I quarantined with my immediate family. As a photographer, my work was not deemed essential, but something about the word ‘essential’ really spoke to me. I became especially grateful for the workers that are keeping our community safe and moving forward. I started to think about the women workers, many of whom were juggling responsibilities at home while facing this public health crisis due to their ‘essential’ work. Inspired by these women, I started a portrait project called ESSENTIALS. With the support of the ArtsResponders Grant from the City of Austin and individual donors, I’ve printed these portraits large-scale (up to 20 feet tall) and have been wheat-pasting them on participating buildings throughout Austin. I’m so proud of this project and I’m grateful to Austin’s amazing community of essential women workers.
When I’m not photographing people, I retreat to the vast solitude of the West Texas desert. I’ve been chipping away at a project about my grandfather who was a paleontologist and our mutual love for the landscape and what lies beneath its surface. My book, DIG: NOTES ON FIELD AND FAMILY will be published this Winter by Yoffy Press. I’m also starting a business called Homestead Photographs to help people tell the story of their family, their legacy, and their connection to the land.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that all interactions are potential opportunities. One of my life-changing, career-sparking projects, stemmed from talking to someone at a dinner party. I think you have to show up, keep your ears open, and let your heart guide you.
Contact Info:
- Email: swilsonphoto@mac.com
- Website: sarahwilsonphotography.com
- Instagram: @swilsonfoto, @essentialsatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahwilsonfoto/
- Other: https://www.homesteadphotographs.com/
Image Credits:
Photos courtesy of Sarah Wilson Photography
