Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laurie Childs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laurie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission of my photography is to connect with viewers. Whether this connection is through the images my lens creates of vibrant and resilient communities of the West or through private photography shoots. I am incredibly honored if an image connects the viewers to my subjects, breaking down preconceived notions between cultures or “otherness.” Some of my most proud moments have come from sharing images with the subject in my work. The subject’s response and emotion to a photograph of themselves is the most amazing feeling ever. This could be showing how gorgeous a daily task on a ranch is or how the small moments before the Indian Relay Races are done with such care.

The mission of my speech-language pathology work is also based on supporting rural communities of Montana. My goal is to help support people who may not have access to healthcare services or may be isolated from gender-affirming care. I am very motivated by the “Ah ha!” moments of my voice patients when their hard work pays off, and they start reaching their communication goals. These goals are so amazingly individual, whether this is being able to move in our society as their authentic self or when a grandparent’s voice is strong enough to tell their grandchildren they love them.

Laurie, 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?

– I am a big ol’ nature nerd who also adores the diversity within human cultures, with a photography problem. Photography has been woven into my life story, from exploring the darkroom as a 16-year-old to celebrating the communities and places during my work on environmental/geologic projects. I am now combining gold leaf onto my photographic canvases. I do this by painting the gold leaf adhesive directly onto my photographs and laying the delicate pieces of gold, square by square, onto my image. In the future, I feel excited to explore tactile additions to thread my photography to a sense of place.

Like all of us, I am multifaceted. I am also Speech-Language Pathologist and run a private practice. My practice focuses on providing gender-affirming care and voice therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease. My mom and grandma were diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and I have loved supporting other people battling this disease. In addition, I am a passionate gender-affirming communication advocate, empowering people to live their best lives where they’re heard and understood as the individual they are. Voice training is a gorgeous balance between art and science!

– As a photographer, I create original images of the West, mainly based on the thriving indigenous and ranching communities of Montana. I have been selling my fine art photography for a long time, and still find immense joy when one of my pieces heads off to a new home. For the last few years, I have guided private photography trips curating shoots of the West and its vibrant communities through authentic experiences.

In my clinical practice, I provide speech-language therapy for people with Parkinson’s to support and maintain communication skills, allowing them to express themselves to loved ones with a clear and strong voice. Gender-affirming care is critical, now more than ever. New laws are attacking this fundamental human right. I feel privileged to work with my clients on their vocal pitch, as well as their body language and intonation, to reach their unique communication needs and goals.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have pivoted a lot in life. I’ve been a canoe guide in B.C., a farm hand, worked on a drill rig, and cleaned up Superfund sites. My path has felt random at times, though each new addition to my resume was grounded by the threads of being in service to others and looking at light and shadows through a lens. I think pivoting in my career constantly lends and supports the next adventure, even when I may not have seen how the skill sets of past jobs support my current endeavors. I usually have a few passions at play in my careers and art, which keeps my day-to-day lively!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

These days I think non-creatives may see all the completed art on social media and not see the behind-the-scenes struggles. For me, I always thought my work wasn’t good enough for the perceived “art world”. Creating an image and putting it out into the world can be a vulnerable process. Every time I have an art show, it feels like being a kid, bringing home macaroni art and hoping my parents like it, but as an adult! So, the best way for me to overcome this feeling is by joining or starting a community of creatives. This can be taking a new art class in a medium I know nothing about or getting together with creative-minded friends just to laugh together as I explore new mediums. Creating just to create, with no goal in mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lauriechildsphotography.pic-time.com/-fineartimages/gallery
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriechildsphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieChildsPhotography
• Other: My Speech-Language Pathology website: https://www.parkinsonsvoicetreatment.com/

Image Credits
Laurie Childs