oh-hello ladies!: Sue Sinko

Next up in the oh-hello ladies! lineup of inspiring women is Sue Sinko of Sue Sinko Photography.  

I love hearing about how women started out in business and what inspires them, so each week I have been chatting to inspiring women who run and operate small businesses. 

I have been lucky enough to collaborate with Sue for the launch of oh-hello! and again recently for the oh-hello ladies! campaign. Sue really knows how to capture the story behind the brand to produce stunning, high quality images.

Let's chat! 

What inspired you to start your business, and what was the first thing you did to begin the process?

I’ve always loved photography. It fuels my creative passion. I especially love photographing food, drinks and products. I’ve been an Instagrammer for over ten years and during that time I participated in a number of IG communities and took part in challenges. My photography improved, I received positive feedback and a very good friend of mine encouraged me to branch out and do this seriously. After a successful exhibition at the Rocks in Sydney, I made the decision to start my business. I knew NOTHING about starting a business but I read everything I could get my hands on. One of the first things I did was the Mamamia Lady StartUp Activation Course. That sealed the deal. It gave me the tools and confidence to start this incredible journey. 

What inspires you? 

Other creatives - whether they be painters, or photographers, graphic artists, knitters or bakers - I love delving into their creative process. 

What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Hmmm, I have three -

1. Just start. Before I launched my business in 2019,  I spent a lot of time trying to perfect my photography and post-production skills, researching my niche, designing the perfect website and I felt that I would never be ready. And then I read somewhere that ‘you’ll never be truly ready - just start!’  So I did! 
2. Stop comparing yourself to others. Sure, admire them, be inspired by them, learn from them BUT do not compare yourself to them.
3. Love your business so much that it doesn’t feel like work.

What are your favourite things to do to take a break?

If it’s a long break (a few weeks + )  - travel. I try to go to a place I’ve not been to before. Some of my best memories were made in Mongolia, Norway, the Netherlands, India. 

If it’s a short break (a few days) - walking around the different areas of my beautiful city, hopping on the back of my partner Gary’s motorbike, discovering the cafés in Sydney that serve the best breakfasts

If it’s a break during the day - coffee, Instagram stalking, reading, watching YouTube tutorials.

Check out Sue's amazing portfolio on her website or on Instagram.