Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Erwin.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been very stop and go since 2016. I picked up my first camera and started taking photos of birds and butterflies in my yard just to see if it was something I wanted to do. Turns out, it was a lot of fun. It was just a hobby for a long time, and I only really shot nature for years, until one day a friend of mine told me I had a really good eye for it and encouraged me to start trying to do photography professionally. In 2019 I started working with some of my friends that are full time models and I started to develop my personal style and figure out what I wanted my brand to be. I am still working towards going full time, and always learning new things.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Photography is a very expensive career to get started in, and making a name for yourself and gaining clients is not as easy as people make it seem. When I first started I was working a pretty dead end job and making just enough to get by in my day to day. I got incredibly lucky and a friend of mine bought me a camera and let me pay her back over time. The camera I currently use was a Christmas gift from my husband. Finding the time to be creative and plan shoots is another struggle I’ve had, given that I have a full time job as well. I work in the service industry and my schedule is usually the opposite of anyone that wants to book me for shoots. On top of that, planning a shoot, meeting with clients, and editing takes a lot of motivation and energy I don’t always have. There are a lot of late nights and early mornings involved, and a lot of working on my days off from my regular job. It can be exhausting, but its usually pretty rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer specializing in creative portraiture and show photography. Creative portraiture allows me a little more freedom and creativity than doing regular everyday portraits and headshots. There is a place in the art world for every kind of creative, and I will never say that I don’t respect people that do other kinds of photography, its just not all for me. I’d say what sets me apart is how laidback and easy going I am when it comes to shooting. I want a shoot with me to feel like we are best friends just hanging out and there just happens to be a camera around. I also have more of a moody style. Another thing that sets me apart and isn’t always a good thing for my business is that I will not do weddings, family photos, or events. The stress they bring me outweighs the profit and I find that when I am shooting something I am not very excited about the results are not as great as I would like them to be. I want to be proud of my work and be as true to myself as possible while also delivering clients photos they love and are proud of.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
It feels like a big risk every time I try something new as far as photography goes, but the biggest risk I have taken is renting my first studio space. I have been renting the space since August of 2023 and its been a really fun time. It allows me the space to keep all of my props and wardrobe out of my house and its a great space to do shoots in when its cold and rainy. Plus, I have learned a lot about studio lighting and setting up indoors. I think that taking risks is necessary to growing as a person and growing a business. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take and it sucks to look back and live with the regret that you didn’t take a step in bettering your quality of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: lemphotography.com
- Instagram: lemphotog
Image Credits
Deathblender (band) Lilith Jenovax Reevie
