We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Lee Cobb. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura Lee below.

Laura Lee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Back in 2012 I decided to quit smoking cigarettes. Through the worst of my nicotine withdrawals I developed (what I considered to be) a major problem with lolli-pops. I was eating more than a bag each day. Which, wasn’t the worst thing in the world in comparison to smoking but, I was concerned they might damage my oral health so I cut them out of my routine and replaced them with a camera.

The camera kept my hands busy and my mind engaged. I took so many photos.. photos of EVERYTHING. Over the next several years I learned digital, film, darkroom, & tintype. My husband and I were fascinated by the old process of hand pouring the chemicals required to take an old-fashioned photo & we opened a tintype studio in Downtown Belton TX.

My real passion, however, is being in-FRONT of the camera

I remember my very first time on the set of a movie. I was an extra in Nat Geo’s ‘The Long Road Home’ The lights, the equipment, the talent – That was the most fun I every had while on a job – being surrounded by all that creativity is when I really knew I found my calling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an actress / model / photographer, mom, and military spouse to a retired army veteran.

For as long as I remember I always loved playing dress-up & getting involved in creative projects, In school, my favorite classes were biology, art, and history. Which is probably why, in addition to acting, I love buying and selling antiques.

I am a local antique vendor at The Exchange on Central in Downtown Belton. (vendor LLC ForgottenFilm) I sell old cameras, vintage artifacts, books, dolls, and nick nacks in store & online. This extra income helps a bit and enables me to have a flexible schedule while caring for my family & focusing on my acting career

My love for antiques and collectibles also brings me to mention an odd fascination I have with old porcelain dolls. They’re just so wonderfully creepy. In fact, I have a separate instagram account for my spooky stuff @lost_my_flashlight Anyone can follow me there (I usually follow back accounts with similar content) It’s a great place to share & find inspiration

I’m very warm and friendly in person –love being around and meeting new friends… and in the commercial acting world I like to think I portray a convincing friendly client, realtor, or mom but sometimes people are surprised to know how much I really enjoy the eerie / spooky stuff. My favorite holiday is Halloween, favorite season is fall, favorite show is American horror story – I feel so at home when creatively creating spooky scenes and content

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love being part of telling a story – It’s fun, energetic, and interesting in a way that I get to live and experience the different lives of the characters I portray.

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the friends & connections I make along the way –really really creative, inspirational people.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

YES!

So first off — I quit smoking with the help of Allen Carr’s book “the easy way to quit smoking’ My life opened up to a new world of possibilities once I put the cigarette out and picked up my camera. One thing led to another and another and another. And that’s how it’s been going for me -Just one foot in front of the other all the way.

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch helped me during a difficult time in my life where I was struggling financially & failing to find my niche in the world.

And perhaps my favorite inspirational speaker is Rev. Ike (audio / video of his lectures can be streamed through youtube) I LOVE his energy and fire for life!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.lauracobb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraleecobb/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LauraLeeCobb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfdIRTDXRiLzkm8de2GZPxQ
• Other: For Booking Contact Jeff at Austin Models & Talent at 512.826.5394 https://austinmodelsandtalent.com/portfolio.php?ID=1130

Image Credits
JAC, Forgotten Film, Marco Hanson, Tre Nelson