Sarah Magdalena

A person with a black Manhattan Yankees cap taking a photograph with a Canon camera outdoors against a desert background.

I have always valued storytelling and the art of thoughtful documentation.

It all started when I bought my first digital point and shoot camera at the age of 12. I’ll never forget the joy of holding that little camera in my hands! It opened the door to a whole new world of creative expression. And as I explored this world, photography became so much more than just artistic visuals. It became a way to preserve the beauty of real life as it unfolds—capturing moments in time to not only remember but to pass on to future generations.

Magdalena (my middle name) means a woman who comes from a place of strength. My heart is that my visuals would enrich the world around me through the strength that I have received from Jesus—because this gift of creativity is from Him, to Him and through Him!

A young woman with long hair, wearing earrings, a floral black shirt, and carrying a backpack and camera, is outdoors and smiling.

My favorite part about photography is that I get to witness people living out their passion and purpose.

Parents learning how to disciple the eternal souls they’ve brought into the world.

Couples coming alive in the transformation of becoming one.

Aunties loving on the littles in their life.

Creatives flourishing in their craft.

Musicians releasing their sound.

Each one so loved by their Creator.

A person sitting on a yellow beach chair on the sand at the beach, with the ocean and lighthouse in the background.
Person with long hair wearing a maroon shirt holding a Canon EOS R5 camera with a floral strap.

Your story is not only worth telling—its worth celebrating. Let’s celebrate together!

– Sarah Magdalena

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Magdalena (pronounced mag-duh-lee-nuh) is my middle name and means “woman who comes from a tower of strength”. My heart is that my visuals would enrich the world around me through the stability that I have received from my tower of strength.

  • Lancaster and Lebanon counties are my main areas of service but I am open to traveling to you!

  • Connection, authenticity and testimony are the core values that motivate my creativity. I believe that your story is not only worth telling, its worth celebrating! And in sharing our stories with each other we stir each other up in the beautiful process of becoming.

  • It’s not uncommon to hear a photographer say something like “pretend I’m not here” so that they can capture you in a natural state. While this approach can be helpful at times, I prefer that you would trust me instead of ignore me. I know that photography can be soooo intimidating—after all, in many ways you’re putting yourself on display and that’s so vulnerable! But if you can release your expectations and trust me with the process, I promise I’ll be cheering you on from behind the camera and you’ll be amazed at the results!

  • Generally speaking I recommend a combo of neutral tones, but this depends so much on your session and the location. I’ll share my outfit guide with you to give you some pro tips on how to select the perfect outfit(s) for your session!

  • Yes! After you’ve booked a session with me we’ll schedule a 30 minute video call to get to know each other and to discuss any questions you might have about the outfit guide, location chosen or final deliverables.

  • Each session will vary in how many images are guaranteed, but I often have more images to include in your final gallery. I’ll never withhold images simply because I’ve reached the guaranteed amount—and in my experience some of my client’s favorite images are the raw, more unpolished images (that include elements like motion blur or those wacky expressions!) So I always make sure to include some of those alongside the more polished images.

  • My standard turnaround time for most sessions is 2-3 weeks, with the exception of weddings which take 4-6 weeks.

  • Absolutely! Along with delivery of your gallery I’ll share a link where you can easily order some high quality prints and photo gifts online.

  • No, my prices are firm.

A close-up of a couple holding hands, with wedding rings visible on both rings, the woman's hand resting on the man's hand.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with a bride and groom at an altar surrounded by guests and greenery.
A couple sharing a kiss outdoors during sunset, with trees blurred in the background.
A young woman with dark hair, wearing a purple blazer and white shirt, smiling and sitting outdoors on a sidewalk with plants and brick buildings in the background.
A man carrying a young girl on his shoulders outdoors at sunset, both smiling, with a bright sky and grassy field in the background.
Child standing on a wooden bridge wearing cowboy boots, with an adult in jeans and cowboy boots behind him, outdoors during sunset.
Portrait of a young woman with light brown hair, wearing a teal dress and large earrings, outdoors with a blurred natural background.
A couple embraces in a grassy field surrounded by trees, with the woman kneeling and smiling at the man.
A couple smiling and looking at each other outdoors during sunset, with the woman holding the man's face gently.
A young girl with red hair wearing a floral dress and a red bow in her hair, smiling and holding a sunflower, standing outdoors with green grass in the background.
A black and white photo of a couple kissing outdoors, with the man holding the woman close. The woman has curly hair with flowers and is wearing a wedding dress; the man has short hair and is dressed in formal attire.
Smiling woman with long wavy hair standing in a sunlit field of wildflowers, wearing a light floral dress, back to the camera, with a scenic, sunny landscape in the background.
A smiling toddler with curly hair, wearing beige clothing, kneeling on a gray tiled floor in front of a white brick wall.
Family of four outdoors in a field during golden hour, with two adults, a young girl, and an infant.
A smiling bride and groom dance outdoors with a blurred green background.
A smiling Black woman with short, twisted hair, wearing large hoop earrings and a light-colored shirt, standing against a white brick wall.
A young woman with light brown, wavy hair and gold geometric earrings smiling outdoors, wearing a black top, with a blurred natural background.
A baby sitting on a bed holding a wooden toy, looking at the camera with a curious expression.
A young woman with long, wavy reddish-brown hair sitting among colorful wildflowers, looking to the side with a contemplative expression.
A young woman in a black dress and wide-brimmed hat standing in a snowy forest during sunset.
A woman with braided hair holding a baby close to her chest, smiling and looking down at the baby, who is wrapped in a reddish-brown cloth.
Young woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors in a wooded area, wearing a denim jacket and earrings.
A pregnant woman wearing a red dress with white floral pattern, holding her belly with both hands, wearing a diamond ring on her finger.
A couple in an intimate moment, with the man wearing a large black cowboy hat, leaning in to kiss a woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a black dress and turquoise jewelry, outdoors with a blurred background.
A young man with short hair, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, smiling and sitting in the open tailgate of a black pickup truck in a field.
A couple smiling at each other outdoors during sunset, with the woman gently touching the man's face.