By Andrew Nguyen

For more than four decades, Sandra Small has worked as a professional photographer in the San Diego area. From a Soviet Arts Festival at the San Diego Museum of Art to private engagement photos on top of Mount Helix, Small has witnessed and captured unique stories.

Small says that her favorite activity is discovering hidden gems in her community. Her free time is spent perusing artisan coffee shops in La Mesa, delving into antique stores downtown, and photographing scenic views at Lake Murray. Small’s portfolio includes smiling family members celebrating a 90th birthday at a local bistro and beaming newlyweds at the La Mesa Community Center. Every image captures a genuine sense of warmth.

“I try to emphasize the importance of family and kindness in my work,” Small said of her photographs,

Her work with the San Diego Police Department was a collection of black and white photographs taken over three years detailing the reality of life in a troubled neighborhood. She then donated the collection to the San Diego Police Museum. For its excellence and her generosity, Small was awarded the Jose A. Cota Award for Law Enforcement.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Small’s business, Sandra Small Photography, was recently nominated by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce for Small Business of the Year award and recognized by State Senator Joel Anderson for its dedication to the community.

“I am grateful Sandra is sharing her talents for the good of the community. She is a fantastic example of how small business owners in our communities make positive impacts for all of us,” Anderson said.

Small acknowledges how integral the La Mesa community has been to her personally as well as her work. A constant presence at the Taste of La Mesa, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce meetings, and the annual Oktoberfest, Small has cultivated a strong relationship with her community.

“The best part of the job is without a doubt, the people,” said Smalls when asked about which aspect she enjoys most about her job. “This is a very wonderful, close-knit community.”

—Andrew Nguyen is a legislative intern for Senator Joel Anderson and a student at UC San Diego.