March 20, 2017

Meet Laura Watson of Laura Anne Watson in South OTP

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Watson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Laura. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began dabbling in photography after high school graduation and decided to pursue it as a degree in college. I learned from some amazing professors, and knew that the world of portraiture fit me best, but until I photographed my first wedding in July 2012, I hadn’t found my purpose. After that July wedding – a hot, long, and exhilarating experience – I knew that weddings were my passion, but more importantly, couples.

I love telling love stories, but my fear of failing in business and lack of confidence held me back for some time. I continued to photograph weddings and engagements, but never sought it out seriously until last year. In February of 2016, I made the commitment, came up with a plan of action, and hustled HARD. After one year, I’m on the journey of a lifetime and living my dream! I’m now a full-time wedding photographer, mentor, and entrepreneur, and it feels pretty damn good.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been an easy road, but most of the bumps were placed there by me. My fear held me back for a long time. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be good enough, no one wanted my business, and the market was too saturated for another wedding photographer in Atlanta. The list goes on.

These fears held me back from starting my business and having the confidence I’d need to succeed, but there were other struggles along the way that came from lack of education. Once I identified those, I began educating myself as efficiently as possible so that I would be able to use that knew knowledge to advance my business and become profitable.

It also took a lot of courage to say “no” to certain clients who didn’t fit well with my personality and to identify the couples that I find joy working with – compassionate and adventurous couples who know the value of capturing a moment, but also don’t take themselves too seriously. And if they love margaritas and fish tacos then we’re a match made in heaven!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Laura Anne Watson story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a wedding photographer, and I specialize in elopements and destination ceremonies. I capture the best moments in my couples’ lives in every authentic and timeless frame. And while that is what I do, it is not what I want to be known for. I want myself and my business to be known as honest, compassionate, bold and brave. While I am a young company, I have big plans to give back to this industry and provide strategic, non-fluff education and mentoring that will help budding photographers realize their gift and gain the confidence to take it to the next level.

I think what sets me apart from so many other wonderful photographers is the relationships I build with my couples. I make sure that on their wedding day, I’m not someone they’ve hired for Pinterest-posed photographs. I have a true friendship with them built on trust, and that not only gives them confidence on their wedding day, it allows me to take intimate and authentic photos of them being who they truly are.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Trends in the wedding industry are always changing, but it has been really fun to see a resurgence in film. I think as we continue to grow and develop as an industry, you’ll see a lot more authentic, photojournalism imagery instead of pretty, posed images. Granted, I love the pretty and the details! However, I think couples are looking to explore more and capture the true identity of their relationship.

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