We were lucky to catch up with Lilly St. Laurent recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lilly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I feel like the beginning of this career for me is a very similar story for other creatives. I was working a corporate job at the same time as photographing and corporate life was burning me out fast. I was afraid to leave my steady income, but I was so unhappy every day. I felt like I was compromising my health and values for a company who didn’t care about any of their employees. I had been doing okay with my photography, gaining more clients but unable to shoot because of schedule limitations.

One day I had been especially abused by my job, so I quit. I took a GIANT leap and hit the ground running booking photoshoots. The days following were so incredibly busy, I felt amazingly validated in my choice to pursue my dreams. Since then, I’ve expanded my photography skills, attended mentorships, photographed for recording artists and major brands. I have worked nationwide and intend on continuing to do so.

I have found that this career is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling but also the hardest thing I have ever challenged myself with. There is no guidebook on how to leave your corporate job and be a successful self-sustaining small business owner. I wish there were, I would have it memorized by now. I’ve made mistakes along the way, and have learned valuable information each time that guides my next business decisions. I’m so fortunate to have quite a few friends who are also following their dreams and own their own businesses. I’m grateful to be a part of a creative community that lifts each other up and supports one another in creation and learning, rather than wishing one another ill in spirit of competition.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Lilly St. Laurent and I own and operate St. Laurent Lens. I’m a primarily film photographer based out of the twin cities in Minnesota. I guess if you had to narrow it down, you could say I shoot creative portraits and alternative boudoir imagery. Since i’ve began, i’ve developed a love of working closely with brands, models, recording artists, and my clients, to collaborate and create.

I began shooting on film when I was in high school. I was inspired by much different things then, as I was in a space where I was learning the basics. So, I was being inspired by things like light and shadows, pattern, repetition, and textures for example. It eventually moved to more of a documentarian lens, capturing the beauty I saw in my mundane everyday life as a teenager. Now, over 10 years later in 2022, I’m heavily inspired by images like vintage lingerie ads and 70’s playboy, mixed with the drama and theatrics of old Hollywood. I am still inspired by the basics as I was in the beginning, but I see them now with a new lens. My digital images tend to have the same nostalgic quality and tone as when I shoot on film.

I’m proudest when I create exactly what I saw in my mind’s eye. I get immense satisfaction in creating something new and original from concept to execution. I also feel so proud and grateful when my subjects express, I’ve captured genuine and beautiful images of them. I think people seek me out when they want something conventional in theory but want to try something bold & different. I really enjoy that.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

This career is the most rewarding and fulfilling but also the hardest thing I have ever challenged myself with. There have been times where I believe I have a stroke of creative brilliance, and the whole concept will end up not getting booked by anyone, no matter the advertising techniques. Those are times I must separate my business and creativity, from my self-worth. I struggle with not attaching these non-bookings to feelings of failure and impersonation. Feelings of, “Oh no, they found out i’m a fraud,” although completely baseless, haunt me. Of course, there are also times where I catch myself thinking it would be easier to quit than keep up with the stress of it all. You really must fight, as a self-employed creative, to combat that negative self-talk. That’s the best example I have of my own resilience, because unless you fight that negative inner voice constantly, it will take you down. It can be so tiring when you feel you just have to keep going, but just keep pushing. Give yourself grace in times of high stress, but then gather yourself and figure it out. I joke that my life motto should be “I’ll figure it out,” because it may be the most stressful thing i’ll have done to date, but I’ll figure it out.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Photography is so much more than taking pictures. It’s community building and connection creation, and it’s starting trends and influencing culture. When one point of view, one perspective, one lived experience dominates photography, it homogenizes the art form and leaves it vulnerable to exploitation. As a queer, primarily self-taught photographer who found myself through photography, I believe in this industry too deeply not try and affect it. I’m working toward a future in photography where the coming up for others is not as hard as it has been for me. A future where emerging models have equitable access to consent-forward photographers and photography spaces. A future where new photographers have equitable access to learning and mentorship opportunities. A photography industry where no one has to risk their safety in order to pursue their dreams.

People of all different shapes, sizes, abilities, and backgrounds want images of themselves every day. They’re on the hunt for dreamy—sometimes steamy—photos. Photos that capture them from new and exciting perspectives and feature their one-of-a-kind beauty in ways that impress and inspire. But all too often, what they find is a long, difficult road fraught with obstacles.

Like any mature industry, photography has a status quo. A foundation created by its early successors, successors who had a head start in terms of societal privilege and access. They set the industry standards—standards that tell us the do’s and don’ts, the rights and wrongs of photography, of beauty, of sexiness and sexuality. They created the roadmap, and it just so happens to be a roadmap that benefits a select few while disadvantaging many others. Others who work, look, and believe differently encountering obstacle after obstacle.

We have power in determining the type of photography opportunities available. We have power in influencing what photographs dominate social media. We have the power to create change. I want to contribute to safer, more accessible paths for up-and-coming models and photographers to do what they love and bring their diverse perspectives and aesthetics to the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/st.laurentlens
• Twitter: twitter.com/lillystlaurent
• Other: Book a shoot with St. Laurent Lens – https://www.honeybook.com/widget/st_laurent_lens_214357/cf_id/602adf1bf5e8f10020566209 Buy a Print – https://stlaurentlensprints.darkroom.tech/

Image Credits
Melanie Burkes x2 (@melanieburckes)
Bambi Valentine (@lilacxmenace)
Bre B. (@wilddivinehoney)
Zetta Laveau (@zetta.Laveau)
Lucy (@prettycute.jpg)
Molly Lowen (@Mollylowen)
Emily (@chevalier_tattoo)