So many photographers believe their art----their imagery----is capable of attracting clients...and they'd be right.
But in an industry that's quickly grown more saturated in the past five years, now is the time to consider the first----and the lasting----impression your images are sharing about your business.
Photographs certainly tell a story, but unless you want to leave the story behind your business up to chance, you need copy that acts as the Morgan to your Joanne: the younger sister who keeps you focused and grounded while you fall in love (with your website).
If you're banking on your images speaking for themselves, it's no wonder you're hearing *crickets.*
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I've been putting (Flair) pen to paper since my fourth-grade self wrote a story of traveling the esophagus, inspired by (you guessed it) The Magic School Bus. Countless failed attempts at poetry (and one really cool statewide journalism award later), I was on my way to writing for insert-big-name-newspaper-here.
I studied journalism and literature in college, and then literature again in graduate school, where my newspaper dreams quickly gave way to becoming Sara Gillis, PhD. I needed a break after my M.A., so I taught English and communications at a local technical college.
But like all of the best stories do, mine took a turn. After teaching for nearly nine years, burnout burrowed in deeply, so I traded in my stack of essays to grade for a stack of to-dos to launch my copywriting business. (I kept my Flair pens, though.)
Now, five years later, burnout is something I rarely feel, thanks to spending my days as a website copywriter for photographers like you. My photography clients love conversational, personality-packed, and SEO-optimized copy that sounds like them on their best days, and that's how I like to show up on behalf of my business, too.
When I'm not writing, I'm a partner to my husband, a hockey mama to our two sons, a toy-tosser to our two Doodle dogs, and a mobile bookstore owner, too!
i'm sara, a former teacher turned website copywriter for photographers like you.
my story
I own two businesses I love that are scaling and that make it possible for me to be present and support my family.
Today
2024
I wrote for a handful of photographers and quickly knew I had truly found my dreamiest clients.
The Niche
2021
I launched What Sara Said and built my business as a website copywriter.
The Leap
2020
After battling burnout and overwhelm, I left the classroom for a non-profit job.
The Turn
2019
I graduated with my M.A. in literature and accepted a big-girl teaching job at a local technical college.
The Teacher
2013-2018
In college and graduate school, I wanted to be like Andie Anderson, so I studied journalism and literature.
The Student
2005-2013
sarah j. maas
"You Could Rattle The Stars. You Could Do Anything, If Only You Dared."
Favorite Quote
Meet Nellie and Mookie, the two doodle dogs that have stolen my heart (and my food).
My Doodles
The Memory Puller
Series by Kris K. Haines
Currently Reading
The three boys in my life: my two sons and my husband!
Greatest Loves
The world needs more positivity, creativity, and kindness, and What Sara Said is dedicated to serving clients and engaging in business practices in support of these principles.
After all, a life well lived is a creative one that feels like a hug!
Kindness
Sara Gillis, as a person and as a website copywriter, is committed to equity and diversity across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, size, religion, and experience.
All are welcome here, and all are celebrated here.
Diversity
What Sara Said is committed to ensuring that all digital content shared here and elsewhere is accessible to all people, regardless of ability.
If you have an accessibility concern, please contact Sara at hello@whatsarasaid.com.
Inclusion
i
believe...
take the quiz
Is the copy on your photography website helping you stand out in business, or is your website blending in with the rest?
Take this quiz to find out, and access my advice on how to write website copy that shares your personality and boosts your search results!
is your website copy boring?
free
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