About Me
Hi, I’m Sarah Neal—wife, mom, storyteller, and portrait photographer based in Flagstaff Arizona.
How it started... how it's going:
I was born and raised in South Africa, where many weekends were spent with my photo-obsessed family, capturing birds, wildlife and adventures through a lens. As a teen who had immigrated to Canada, I photographed every friend and family member who’d let me, armed with my trusty Pentax and rolls of film. Eventually, my heart steered me to Flagstaff, Arizona, where I married someone as crazy about adventure as me - Wes - and carried my family’s photograpic legacy into the world of weddings.In 2017, I pressed pause on my photography business to pour our energy into growing our bike operation at the Grand Canyon. When we failed to renew our NPS contract in 2024, it marked a turning point. After much reflection and prayer, I knew it was time to return to my first love—capturing stories through photography. Over the years, I’ve witnessed both triumphs and heartaches, and it’s been my honor to document the moments that helped carry loved ones through. Though weddings no longer fit my season of life, I’ve revived my business with a new focus—capturing families and their milestones with the same heart and storytelling that started it all. To me, photographs are more than images; they are title deeds to our most important memories and relationships —proof that it happened, and a reminder of why it mattered. It is a privilege to preserve those glimpses of grace and glory, and I’m honored every time I’m invited to tell someone’s story through my lens.
Grace and glory huh?
The name "Grace and Glory" comes from an old hymn we often sing at church when someone gets baptized. One of the lines is “He will give me grace and glory.” and it's always been such a great reassurance to walk into the rest of your life feeling like you have a friend that'll see you through both. It doesn't matter who or what you are - you relate to this if you consider it's brevity - life is a combination of those two things. When I set out to name this business, I hit roadblocks on all my other ideas. That day, I had that specific line of the song looping in my head. As I scrolled through my archives of friends and loved ones, I started to ponder it a little more and realized that what I want to capture in pictures are exactly this: Grace speaks to the unearned kindness we all need in seasons of change or struggle (sometimes even loss) — and the deep gratitude that comes from noticing the greatness tucked into life’s small, everyday moments; Glory celebrates those mountaintop moments—new babies, engagements, graduations, togetherness, and victories that lift us above the ordinary. I hope to preserve both for you: the quiet grace and the radiant glory that weave through your story. Because I get it... life is a tapestry... these valleys and mountains are my story too.
Photos can be so awkward - are you?
If you're curious about whether you'd be comfortable with me photographing you - let me say this. I’m a people person at heart. Having lived in three countries and immigrating twice (South Africa, Canada and America), I know what it feels like to be vulnerable, to have to make fresh starts, and to grow. Those experiences shaped me into someone who can meet others where they are, help them feel at ease, and draw out something genuine. During sessions, I keep things light—playing games, laughing, moving—so you can forget about the camera and simply be yourselves.
Photography has been a professional part of my life for over 20 years. My background in design gives me an eye for composition and timeless style. I want your photos to feel authentic, classic, and lasting. I'm not saying this to be cliche - I genuinely understand the difference between looking at a picture... and looking at a portrait that makes you literally FEEL the person and moment. So... let's give it a try together... you may not hate pictures after we're through with this!
Fast Facts
I have two awesome teens and a lovely, adventurous, kind, entrepreneurial husband. I am always busy.
I love music as much as photos... folk and gospel is my thing... I play mediocre guitar for my church but I sure do LOVE it, and it brings me the greatest joy to listen to my daughter Lydia sing.
We own a little day cafe in town that I don't manage but I'm there often because I do the marketing, recipes and social accounts. IYKYK.
I love gardening and generally being outside and walking in the dirt, being surrounded by "outside" - sometimes there will be remnants of my garden on my hands and feet when you meet me. Someone once told me that the reason strangers are so unhibited with me and tell me their deepest secrets five minutes after meeting me is the dirt under my nails. I'm still chuckling about this. Forgive me. :)
I love traveling. I hate flying. Go figure... grace and glory right there in those two little facts.
If you're interested in other details of my life, let's catch up at our session. I'd love to hear what makes you excited to wake up in the morning ... the things you're thinking a lot about right now. And I always love to share my own heart too. I hope we have the pleasure of meeting.
P.S. For those who are curious and followed me here from a former photographic career in wedding photos... I don't weddings anymore, I am open to the occasional engagement or elopement... let's chat.
P.P.S. Stephen Martinez of Essem Photography took the family photo at the top of this page - he's an incredible friend and photographer and if I'm not available I'm always going to steer you in his direction.