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Nice to meet you! The owner and lead Photo-Novelist for Sara Zarrella Photography. I’m a pint-size, (frequently caffeinated) fireball of energy that loves my family, my clients, and the stories I am lucky enough to tell through my photos.
I'm your girl!
a native Rhode Islander and lover of all things coastal. But most importantly, I’m a wife to one good-looking husband (just my opinion), and a mom to three little ones: two ladies who are too-sassy-for-their-own-good, and the sweetest boy.
I knew that this was what I was meant to be doing. I pursued an Art degree from Northeastern University in order to start my photography journey and studied abroad in Florence, Italy, at the Studio Art Center International. While in Italy, I honed my photography skills among the centuries old architecture and endless gelato shops. After graduation, I continued my education by attending both Rhode Island School of Design and The New England School of Photography.
the Big Apple where I worked at InStyle magazine as a photo editor. I was immersed in the glamorous world of fashion, music, and entertainment, but after awhile, I longed for home, and I returned to my roots in the smallest state, “Little Rhody”--which is pretty fitting, considering I am under 5ft tall.
experiences of all have been the connections I have made with the hundreds of #SZPDreamCouple(s) and our #SZPDreamFamily that I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the past 23+ years.
For me, being able to witness their journeys from beautiful wedding days to the joy of pregnancy, and from those fleeting newborn moments to watching their family grow throughout the years, is the most satisfying part of what I do.
In using photographs to tell your story to your children and grandchildren, for generations to come.
In living your best life, existing in photographs, and enjoying every moment.
In your dreams, and if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything.
My husband and LITTLE ONES
Ice coffee all year round--it isn’t just for summer you know!
Sand between my toes on a Beach in St. John
Long solo walks down the aisles of target
watching my Kids play
The butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of excitement you get before a big moment
My mother’s thanksgiving stuffing
A valued member of the SZP team for over 15 years. Bonus - I am a loyal Millennial! You’ll often find me with my camera by my side just in case I see something that sparks my imagination. For me, it’s the candid, joy-filled moments between loved ones.
that images are memories in the form of photographs, and I am honored to have the opportunity to create memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.
more than just a career--it’s a form of artistic expression. My love for photographing people began when I discovered Street Photography (which is exactly what it sounds like--photographing candid moments on a busy street) using a 35mm black and white film camera. I was so inspired by the stories being captured in those photographs.
and began pursuing a freelance photography career which is where I met Sara. I immediately fell in love with her work and her desire to tell stories through photography. We quickly formed a friendship which became the basis for our working relationship and--as they say--the rest is history!
Experimenting in the kitchen
Being a Newlywed!
Watching movies -- I’m a total film buff!
Corned beef reuben sandwiches with sweet potato fries
junior Mints in a monster box
Being on time--if not a little early
The Delorean from Back to the Future
A valued member of the SZP team for the last few years. I received my first camera at 10 years old and was immediately hooked. From cousin photoshoots in the grandparents' basement to capturing your milestones moments, fun, beautiful imagery brings joy like no other!
our photos are our legacy!
They tell the story of our lives, of our love.
Capturing those moments for you allows me to be part of something so much bigger than myself.
being part of some of the best days of your life!
From weddings to babies to birthdays,
the moments we capture are life-changing, and we will never take that front-row seat for granted!
photographing professionally in 2016 in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and have been obsessed ever since! After moving to Newport, Rhode Island in 2017 it took me a few years to find my way back to my passion. But I couldn't be happy to have found Sara and joined the SZP team!
yummy Gluten And dairy-free foods
My Sweet Hubby
Our little Cavapoo named Lady
McDonald's Diet Coke
Reject's Beach in Newport, RI
Newport Folk Festival Tickets
A Kentucky Bourbon Old Fashioned
You capture the smiles you do because people are comfortable and comforted by your presence.
"You are an awesome, beautiful person inside and out. Your personality is why we chose you to photograph a very special day and chapter in our family story. Your talent is amazing and you capture the smiles you do because people are comfortable and comforted by your presence. You become instant family with everyone. It's so important and not every photographer has that ability. There will be a vaccine developed for this (Covid-19) and we will all be able to be up close and personal again. Believe that it will... focus on the good you've done for so many. Not just with the Front Steps Project but for all those family chapters you helped to capture."
~Mother of a Bride
"You are an awesome, beautiful person inside and out. Your personality is why we chose you to photograph a very special day and chapter in our family story. Your talent is amazing and you capture the smiles you do because people are comfortable and comforted by your presence. You become instant family with everyone. It's so important and not every photographer has that ability. We will all be able to be up close and personal again. Believe that it will... focus on the good you've done for so many."
~Mother of a Bride
We feel that Sara and her staff have
become part of our family.
"My husband and I have been using Sara Zarrella Photography for the past 10 years. Sara and her staff are very professional and always wonderful to work with. They always make sure we are incredibly comfortable and consistently deliver the best photography has to offer. We feel that Sara and her staff have become part of our family. They have captured every significant moment of our lives together from our engagement pictures to our wedding, our maternity pictures to our children’s first years of life. I wouldn’t have trusted these once in a lifetime memories to any other studio! We look forward to many more years with Sara Zarrella Photography!"
~Hutchinson Family
"My husband and I have been using Sara Zarrella Photography for the past 10 years. We feel that Sara and her staff have become part of our family throughout these years. They have captured every significant moment of our lives together from our engagement pictures to our wedding, our maternity pictures to our children’s first years of life. I wouldn’t have trusted these once in a lifetime memories to any other studio! We look forward to many more years with Sara Zarrella Photography!"
~Hutchinson Family
Fun, easy, comfortable...
"Nothing ever felt forced! Sara, you are so fun and so talented. We appreciate your attention to every detail and your uncanny ability to read the room. SZP was instrumental in making our weekend such a fairytale!"
~Nicole, Bride
We LOVE them all.
“When we received our pictures, we were in tears reliving our day all over again. ALL of our pictures are gorgeous. We LOVE them all.”
~Tiffany, Bride
I know that I have found my photographer for life!
“The energy you get from [Sara] when you first meet with her is the energy she brings to your wedding day. I felt like I had my good girlfriend shooting my wedding! I know that I have found my photographer for life, and I’m looking forward to doing my maternity pictures and future family photos with her.”
~Caitlin, Bride
Hiring Sara is the best decision you can make for your wedding!
"We can’t say enough good things about Sara Zarrella Photography!!! Hiring Sara is the best decision you can make for your wedding! Sara is so easy to work with and very helpful when it comes to planning the timeline of your day. Plus, her photos are AMAZING! "
~Sarah, Bride
If I could give more stars, I would!
"Sara Zarrella and her team are phenomenal! They were professional, creative, and an overall joy to be around on our wedding day. Pre-wedding: Sara is organized, detail-oriented, and responsive. The photos turned out to be absolutely incredible and Sara delivered on her promise of a very long and detailed shot list that we had planned. Sara gives just enough direction to get a great shot but also makes the photos feel natural and authentic. Would also highly recommend the "Dress Session!" If I could give more stars, I would!"
~Kristin, Bride
Dan totally exceeded our expectations with the images he took at our wedding!
"Where do I begin?? After seeing the images he took at my brother's wedding, I knew we had to have him. Dan was very prompt, he is not only experienced, but absolutely incredible at what he does. Dan totally exceeded our expectations with the images he took at our wedding! After photographing two family weddings, we cherish all he captured!"
~Amy, Bride
"Where do I begin?? After seeing the images he took at my brother's wedding, I knew we had to have him. Dan was very prompt, he is not only experienced, but absolutely incredible at what he does. Dan totally exceeded our expectations with the images he took at our wedding! After photographing two family weddings, we cherish all he captured!"
~Amy, Bride
Sara is not only our photographer, but also a friend.
"From the very beginning of our wedding process, Kelly knew she wanted Sara Zarrella. She was attracted to Sara's style, subtleties, and unique shots that, quite honestly, she did not find in other photographers that our friends recommended. Her material looked professional. She spoke technically when I asked technical questions, artistically when I asked artistic questions, and basically set me at ease about the whole process. It was the photos of both the little, poignant moments, as well as the grandiose, larger-than-life shots that repeatedly make us go "wow." My wife has commented many times that the day of the wedding Sara was not only our photographer, but also a friend."
~Patrick, Groom
"From the very beginning of our wedding process, Kelly knew she wanted Sara Zarrella. Kelly was attracted to Sara's style, subtleties, and unique shots that quite honestly she did not find in other photographers that our friends recommended. What makes her stand out was the photos of both the little, poignant moments, as well as the grandiose, larger-than-life shots that repeatedly make us go "wow." My wife has commented many times that the day of the wedding Sara was not only the photographer but also a friend."
~Patrick, Groom
I can't recommend Sara Zarrella any more highly.
"Not only did she capture our gorgeous destination wedding images, she is my go-to now for family photography. As a photographer myself, I didn't realize it would be so hard to capture images of my own child, but man, is it hard and nearly impossible to get the kind of images I want. So, finding someone who will take the images I envision is tricky, but Sara does it! Finding a photographer to trust with capturing your precious family memories or your branding image can be scary, but I assure anyone looking, Sara will put you at ease and give you the result you'll love. Her professionalism is top notch yet she is still so warm, friendly and approachable. You can't go wrong with Sara Zarrella Photography."
~Sarah, Photographer & Mom
Sara is truly a one-of-a-kind photographer, human being, and lifelong friend.
I’ve never seen someone light up as brilliantly as she does when behind her camera. There’s a magic that comes along when working with her. It’s a collaborative process from start to finish. Sara has a way of making everyone around her sparkle. Sara Zarrella Photography is more than just the photography, it’s an elevated experience coupled with an unmatched level of fun, comfort and warmth for all involved. I consider Sara a trusted friend now and will always return to SZP for my future photography needs.
~Tiana C.