Meet Sydney O’Hare | Owner of Sydney Morman Photography & SMP Creative Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney O’Hare and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I ever had to make was to quit my full time job. It was such a catalyst for my business when I did. I would go into work everyday for years dreaming about my business taking me places and providing me income. I worked on my days off and took sick time to photograph weddings. It was the scariest decision of my life. I really didn’t prepare for it that much, I knew that my gut was telling me that it was time, I only had 5 weddings booked and a few sessions scheduled but I knew I could pull it off. Its now been almost 7 years since I left that job. Once I left work was when people really saw my passion for photography and I think that really set me up for success because I still get business & referrals from my past coworkers.
 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of my ability to maintain my style no matter the setting. I am a studio photographer as well as on location. My ability to create the same warm, vibrant tones in all scenarios is something I am very proud of. Because I put so much effort into perfecting my craft and constantly feeling the need to challenge myself is why I have gotten so comfortable shooting in all lighting conditions. I have had people tell me that they can recognize a photo that I have taken before seeing my name in the tag. I think that is extremally cool!

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 am from Orlando, born & raised. If my friend was in town for a long weekend I would absolutely be taking them to an Orlando City Soccer game (VAMOS ORLANDO!). After the game one of my favorite things to do is to bar hop downtown. The next day we would go to the Lake Eola Farmers Market & then go get Kellys Ice Cream. For the last day we would take a 45 minute drive over to Weikva Springs and rent a canoe & walk the hiking trails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think this shout out would be my Yearbook teacher in high school, Mrs. Burke. Everyone remembers that one teacher in their youth that really stood out. She was caring, compassionate and so much fun to be around. Her class was challenging and engaging. The yearbook staff wasn’t a small club, it was your entire life. She was the first person that recognized that I had the eye for photography and made me work really hard my sophomore year in order to be the photo editor my junior and senior year of highschool. Mrs. Burke even went out of her way to sign me up for photography classes outside of school. A few years after graduation I ran into her and she asked me how my photography was going, and truth be told I was just surviving, going to college, not knowing what I wanted to do in life and also balancing 3 jobs. After that encounter, I went home, opened facebook and made a business page: Sydney Morman Photography and the rest is history.

Website: www.sydneymormanphotography.com

Instagram: @sydneymormanphotography

Other: www.smpcreativestudio.com (my studio also acts as a rental to other photographers)

Image Credits
Lynette Ortiz Photography