Born tragedy from
Story by Justin Joiner justin.joiner@capjournal.com
Photos courtesy of Sonia Royer
Above: Sonia Royer self-portrait
24 | February 2013
In some ways, Sonia Royer’s photography business was launched by tragedy. In 2003, her Pierre home burned down destroying many items including her pictures. As she went searching for a place to get pictures taken she came to a sad realization – she couldn’t afford to have new ones taken. “So I started doing it because I believe everybody should be able to afford great pictures,” she said. Her business started out small; she mostly took pictures for friends, but it quickly grew. Now Royer’s business, Reflections by Sonia Photography, has worked with hundreds of clients at all kinds of occasions, including graduation, babies and weddings. And in every event she shoots she tries to be unique. “My approach, my style is I like to be different,” Royer said. “I don’t like everybody’s pictures to be the same.”