Sarah Bussey Adams
Photographer/Owner, Sarah Bussey Photography;
Founder, Mamie’s Poppy Plates
For nine years I have been a professional photographer, and I continue to grow my photography business. In 2009, life changed dramatically for me and my husband. At 37-and-a-half weeks pregnant, we lost our first child, Mamie. With the help of friends and family, in 2010 I created a non-profit organization — Mamie’s Poppy Plates — so that I could give parents a physical reminder of their babies. Through my photography business I want to document the most special and most ordinary moments because they are all priceless. With Mamie’s Poppy Plates I want to give grieving parents hope in knowing there is a community of people who care.
ON POWER
People often underestimate the power of just listening to others and allowing them to talk it out. I feel most
powerful when I hear from moms who love their plates and want to give their time and donations to Mamie’s Poppy Plates. It’s an amazing feeling when I see the network growing!
A true sign of power is when clients trust me enough to allow me the creative freedom to document their real-life happenings, therefore capturing those simple moments of everyday life.
ON MOTIVATION
Photography allows me to give families memories that will last a lifetime; being able to provide a keepsake to families after a loss with Mamie’s Poppy Plates is healing.
Career goal? I am happy with where I am in my photography business. Clients who allow me to work with them year after year is such a gift. My goals with Mamie’s Poppy Plates are to have a statewide and eventually nationwide presence.
ON SUCCESS
After losing Mamie, I felt so lost and didn’t know God’s plan for my life. Now, my ability to help others makes me feel very successful.
TYPICAL WEEKEND
As you can image, as a photographer, my weekends are spent shooting a wedding, or spent with close friends and family. Either way, my weekends are full of fun! Taylor and I usually start our weekend mornings on the deck drinking coffee, and often spend our days working in the memory garden we created in Mamie’s honor in our front yard. The garden was designed by a very talented landscape architect, and the labor has turned into a therapeutic process for my entire family. Watching the plants bloom brings a smile to my face every weekend.
THE QUIZ
Favorite place in Arkansas?
Our family lake house
Favorite Local Dishes?
YaYa’s beef carpaccio and Capers’ chocolate creme brulee
(Back to Soirée’s 2011 Women to Watch)