Until last week, I worked in tech.

For the past two years, I balanced a full-time job as a user experience designer with slowly building my photography practice from the ground up. I had a plan: keep the 9–5, grow my business on the side, and—once everything was more or less solid—transition to a full-time creative career. It was a long plan, but a safe one. Risk managed, contingencies in place. I had it all figured out.

Then I got laid off.

I spend a lot of time outdoors, and this winter, outings with my dog became an opportunity to reflect on silence and stillness within the natural world—a thought exercise that also served as a mindfulness practice.

This year, I decided to pay tribute to this tart, crimson icon—but with a twist. I wanted to decontextualize cranberry sauce, pulling it out of its usual role as a humble side dish and seeing it in a new light. What if cranberry sauce was…sexy? What if it was fashion? What if it took cues from the high-gloss world of cosmetics? After all, what is lipstick if not a red tube? That’s where the idea began.

Just as athletes use warmups to loosen up, establish focus, and set their mindset for peak performance, I start my sessions with a warmup to create the mental space for creativity. These low-pressure exercises make room to play, experiment, and ease into problem-solving, forming a solid foundation for the work ahead.

I love a drugstore. I especially love a drugstore during Halloween. There’s something nostalgic about strolling the aisles during the spooky season—it feels like a mini treasure hunt for unexpected, creative finds.

Hi, I'm Sara, a photographer based in San Francisco. I’m starting this blog to chronicle my journey as I build a product photography business, sharing both the successes and challenges along the way.