Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as i can remember, I’ve been drawn to documenting the world around me through still images, moving images, and sound. I’ve always been recording something. That natural inclination led me to where I am now.
I grew up in north-central Minnesota and later studied Cinema and Media Studies at Carleton College in Northfield. That experience gave me a deeper language for the kind of visual storytelling I was already drawn to and helped shape the way I approach my work now: with a mix of cinematic intention and a documentary-inspired sensibility that (I hope) feels intimate and real.
I’ve worked across a range of genres from editorial to portraiture to weddings and most recently, real estate. I got my start in real estate photography while living in Portland, OR, and it quickly became a space where I could blend artistry with utility. Now I live in Luck, WI, where I run Slow Cloud, a small real estate media business. I work all over the region, primarily in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting your own business can feel a lot like jumping off a cliff without knowing how far the fall will be. There’s risk, vulnerability, and a constant undercurrent of uncertainty, especially in creative work. Even in the most fulfilling seasons, it can feel like you’ve always got one foot hanging over the edge.
When I moved back to the midwest from Portland, I had zero clients and no clue if I was capable of landing any. I spent all winter cold emailing what felt like every real estate agent in the area, at least a thousand, truly, and for a while I heard almost nothing back. Eventually, a few people called, then a few more. Things slowly started building from there.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Slow Cloud specializes in real estate media, primarily photography, video, and drone work. I also offer 3D tours and floor plans, all visual materials that help tell the story of a space. I also work in editorial and portrait photography when the right opportunities arise. Across all of it, I bring the same perspective: a cinematic eye, a deep love for natural light, and an instinct to capture things as they feel, not just how they look.
I think what sets my work apart is my documentary influence. There’s also a softness and a sense of honesty I try to bring to every frame. Real estate media can sometimes feel a little cold. The focus is often on doing things quickly, affordably, and at scale. And while I understand that my job is, at its core, to help “sell” a home, I also want to capture something deeper: what it might feel like to live there, and a sense of possibility.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Never underestimate the value of persistence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slowcloud.media/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slowcloudmedia
