We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Marie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Going to college to become a math teacher was my plan… getting pregnant in college was not part of that plan! When I found out I was pregnant the world stopped. Everything got quiet, and I turned to prayer. I was not feeling as excited about teaching as I had in the beginning and prayed for God to show me what career path that I could take where I would be able to work from home, have a flexible schedule to be present for my boys, and something that would bring me joy and passion! Photography was placed on my heart. I already loved to edit pictures but really didn’t know anything about big, fancy cameras!

God placed one little word on my heart.

“YouTube”

I made the leap of faith and bought my first camera and lens, and a laptop for editing, and I began the journey of self learning!

I took pictures of my kids which was great practice, and left me with memories that I now cherish 14 years later!
I took pictures of my best friend, Chelsea, who loved to model and didn’t mind me fumbling around behind the camera, always trying the weirdest and craziest angles!

I would say out loud after taking her pictures, “WOW, that belongs in a magazine! That’s a magazine cover right there”

Just two years after beginning my photography business, Living Magazine reached out to me needing a headshot for one of their clients, and I was given the job!

They loved my work and asked me to join the team, and I’ve been shooting the covers and inside story photos for 12 years now! Phew, God is good.

Once my boys got older and more independent I dipped my toes into the acting waters and was so grateful to be able to be a background actress for The Chosen, then Landman, which led to me getting a lead role in a short faith based film. Which led to landing a role as the lead female in my first full length feature film!
We begin filming soon and I’m so very excited about it!

I also started teaching myself the piano because I love to sing. I just wanted to learn enough of the piano to be able to sing a song to the music. It’s one of my favorite past times! One of these days I’ll have professional lessons.

I also met a man by the name of Paul Fulks who got me in the studio and helped me record three songs. Which led to an opportunity to perform live at Texas Live in Arlington twice and once in the Fort Worth Stockyards!

God continues to rain down blessings, and I just stay in awe of all that He has planned for my life.
Thank you, Lord!

Lauren , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey there! I’m Lauren Marie!
Just a small town girl from Corpus Christi who moved to DFW in the early 2000’s. My eyes were opened to a much bigger world full of possibilities and opportunities!

As a young mom I turned to photography in hopes of becoming a business owner who could juggle work and tending to my home and my babies!
It worked out well in my favor!

Two years after starting my photography business I was given the opportunity to shoot for Living Magazine, and I’ve been shooting for this lovely publication for 12 years as well as running my own business, Lauren Marie Photography!

I have been given the most incredible opportunities! This camera has taken me to some really cool places.
I got to photograph the Texas Rangers World Series parade and actually ride in the parade and capture it from a very unique perspective!

I’ve met the Governor of Texas, became friends with the Mayor, met and photographed celebrities, documented peoples wedding days, took the first pictures of new life entering this world, documented funerals, and captured everything else in between.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth!!

When I love my clients well, they return.
When I give them quality work and precious moments captured they share on social media.

They become walking advertisement!
And the work starts to speak for itself.

Thank God for social media and the share button!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The Bible!!

Image Credits

Photo credit: Amanda Beames