Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Saur
Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After graduating college in 2011 with a B.S. in Kinesiology, I left behind the idea of a career in healthcare and went on to work in the home interiors, fashion, and beauty industry for the following eight years. Photography had always weaved its way through my roles in the corporate world. I started out as an interior set stylist working alongside photographers, then became an art director for fashion campaigns collaborating with photographers, and then became the one teaching myself how to work a camera. I have always enjoyed photography since I was a young girl, following in my Dad’s obsession with cameras. I was the friend at every outing who had the camera with her for middle school field trips and nights out in college. I have always been a visual learner, which I didn’t know how to articulate until later in life, so photography made sense as my way to narrate the world around me. I became a full-time freelance photographer in April 2019 and had zero dollars in my savings despite what everyone had told me was important to have before jumping the corporate ship. I knew I wanted more out of life and I had a deep desire to see more of the world outside of just the 10 days of PTO I was given at my salary job. I wanted the flexibility to travel, make my own schedule, and be able to work from anywhere; photography was a skill that I felt could get me that lifestyle. Networking was the most impactful contributor to my success. Forming relationships and connections is so important in life and career, and without taking the time to understand people, listening to their dreams, and keeping a curious mind I would not be where I am today. I get a lot of my business through client and colleague referrals or social media discovery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly has not been a smooth road, especially since COVID hit before my first anniversary of freelancing. There are many busy months and slow months that can be a bit unpredictable and cause a sense of internal panic. However, after almost six years into business, I have now learned to embrace the downtime in the slower seasons and trust that the work will pick up. I think the comparison game is the hardest part when it comes to having a photography business. There will always be photographers out there who I think are more talented, more creative, more successful, etc, and it’s natural for this feeling of insecurity to ebb and flow as well. I have learned over the years to both champion other photographers I admire and also keep my eyes on my own paper. I try to bring myself back to center by remembering my purpose, continuing to evolve in my craft, and finding ways to improve and elevate my vision.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a full-time freelance photographer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, branding, and travel photography. I work with both big and small businesses to elevate their brands through lifestyle photography for their fashion campaigns or product launches. I am most proud of my ability to play with lighting, whether that’s direct sunlight, shadow play, or studio lighting. I think what sets me apart from others is my editing and how I always aim to edit my photos on the warmer side, especially with my travel photography, because I want the final result to be an accurate reflection of how I experienced the scene with my naked eye. I have been told that the way my photos are edited makes the viewer feel like they are transported directly to the destination.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love to cook, bake, and host dinner parties – it’s my second hobby. My third hobby is a tie between finishing 1000 piece puzzles and speed reading mystery novels. I’d love to live in Paris someday soon, whether it’s for 3 months or a year, I think I need to experience it full-time in this lifetime. And lastly, I think despite the fact that I am a regimented and detail oriented person, I can actually be pretty spontaneous and great at embracing the unexpected chaotic moments in both my personal and professional life. I solo travel a lot and even though my work calendar has every appointment or client photoshoot filled in, my solo travel days are always pretty wide open with loose ideas for plans. There’s a time and place for a schedule, but fun and expecting the unexpected should always be at the heart of everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lcsstudio.com
- Instagram: @lcs_studio
- Other: https://lsaur.substack.com
