Meet Sabrina Impagliazzo | Dallas Family Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Impagliazzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Creating a business that specializes in black and white studio portraits grew out of trying to plan sessions in the high heat of Texas weather. Back in 2019, my client wanted to do her session while family was in town in August, and in the 100 degree heat we did a generational session outside. I remember, I even brought a small portable fan and a cooler of water, but that certainly did not stop the sweat dripping down their faces. It turned out fine, but it was certainly not the client experience I wanted to give and that was enough for me to make a big change.

I moved to a studio where I simplified the backdrop to just black or white, I guided clients to a simpler wardrobe, and I took away all the color. What we are left with are images that focus on highlighting the expression and relationships.

“Studio portraits are not for me”, is something I think a lot of people think. However, my style is taking what is so emotive about outdoor lifestyle photography and bringing it indoors (where there is air conditioning). My approach is also different, I get to know our clients and your story before the session, and so the moment you walk through the doors it’s like we already know each other, and your session will be fresh and distinct. We have fun at our sessions, so much so that the kids usually don’t want to leave, and it’s not just because they get to visit our candy bar of treats at the end of the session and fill their bags up with goodies. In our world today, being able to disconnect from the outside world and be totally present with your family, is something we don’t get the chance to do enough, and it creates the most amazing memories.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sabrina Impagliazzo Photography is a full service black and white portrait studio in Downtown McKinney. I feel our photography industry is headed towards a digital- take a million photos model, and I just don’t see the upside to this for the client that already has thousands of photos on their phone. I tell my clients all the time we are looking for just a few good ones, something they are surprised to hear. We want to create a piece of art that can stand the test of time and that their children can walk by each day in their home and know how loved they are.

I think the reason most people don’t hang artwork is that they struggle with visualizing where to put it. It is overwhelming. I really find that helping clients visualize the size and final image through our software makes wall art such an easier experience. However, what brings our clients the most joy of all though is when our installation team comes and hangs the artwork for them. A few years ago, I had followed up with a few clients and found they never hung their artwork, it was just sitting in their closet or under their bed. I can really understand this- life gets busy and it’s stressful when you make a few bad holes it’s easy to give up. Finishing a job from concept all the way to hanging has been a game changer and has allowed us to expand into more wall galleries and help our clients grow their art collection.

What I am most proud of in my business is creating a business that clients want to return to. I think I solve a lot of problems that most families discover when they have a 1.5-year-old. Mom suddenly finds she isn’t in any photos and running after her kid when it comes to sitting them down to take a picture. Once they go through our studio process, they realize, why would I ever try to do this by myself again? I have a strong community of clients that support the studio and keep returning, and I am so grateful for them. Best of all, it is such a joy to get to know my clients’ families through the years and create a portfolio of work that they love. I like to joke, that if a fire alarm goes off, I know someone is my client because they usually grab the kids, the dog, and the album.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I absolutely love being in downtown McKinney. Here are some of my favorite local places:

Treats
Miruku Creamery + Cafe (the kids love the daydream with cotton candy)
Cocktail Creamery
The Canine Cookie Company for a little bag of Nilla Woofers
Mom & Pop Corn, don’t forget to check out their fudge.
Emporium Pies

Shop:
Habitat Plants + Coffee
Apricot Lane
McKinney Hat Company

Dinner:
Harvest
End the day with a cocktail and some live music in the lounge of Ricks Chop House

Downtown McKinney Activities:
Farmer’s Market
Arts in Bloom (April)
Oktoberfest (last weekend in September)
Home for the Holidays (Thanksgiving Weekend)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Special shout out to my family who always supports me. Also, to my industry friends both local and global, having a community of people has been so wonderful. Lastly- thanks to Premier Grilling. In 2020 when I was looking for my first studio, they were so generous to help another small business and let me use part of their warehouse space. I’m so grateful for them and hope to pass on the favors in the future.

Website: https://www.sabrinaiphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_i_photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaImpagliazzoPhotography

Image Credits
Photos: Sabrina Impagliazzo Photography