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

Laura, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

For years, I’ve wanted to change my photography name to something that truly felt like me. I’ve heard all the reasons why I should keep it as my actual name, but it never quite fit my creative spirit.

This name is in honor of my amazing parents—their love story deserves to be celebrated. So here’s a glimpse of why this name is so special to me.

My Mom: The Bluebird
My mom had a deep love for photography. Growing up, I always remember her with a camera in hand—capturing everyday life, setting up little photo shoots for us, and sometimes realizing (too late!) that there was no film in the camera. Then, she had to wait weeks for the photos to develop, just hoping a few turned out. Thank goodness my only worry now is, “Do I have a big enough memory card?”

She also loved bluebirds and the color blue.

I miss the mom she was. I wish she could see my work now, watch my kids grow up, and do life with me. Alzheimer’s took my sweet mother after an eight-year battle, but I am so grateful for the legacy she left behind.

My Dad: The Soul
My dad has taught me the meaning of hard work, loyalty, and love. He’s always encouraged me to push forward, even when life feels impossible.

Growing up, we had horses. When I’d fall off (or more often, get bucked off), he would make me climb right back on. I remember shaking in my boots, but I did it. Because of him, I learned to face my fears and have courage—even when I didn’t feel courageous.

Now, I see that same strength in how he cared for my mom. It was bittersweet to watch, but it was a testament to the love they shared. Yes, they both had their flaws—like we all do—but they are my heroes.

Why “Soul”?
My middle name, Evangeline, means “happy messenger, bringer of good news.” My goal is to use the gifts God has given me to make people feel seen, beautiful, and excited for life!

Another piece of inspiration comes from Miranda Lambert’s song, “Bluebird”:

“And if the house just keeps on winning
I got a wildcard up my sleeve
And if love keeps giving me lemons
I’ll just mix ’em in my drink
And if the whole wide world stops singing
And all the stars go dark
I’ll keep a light on in my soul
Keep a bluebird in my heart”

This song speaks to me deeply.

I’ve battled health issues and chronic migraines since I was two years old. They’ve stolen joy, made life feel dark, and forced my kids to grow up with a mom who is often sick. I’ve hated how migraines have felt like chains—holding me back from doing all the “fun” things. But through this struggle, I’ve realized something powerful:

I can be an encouragement to others. I know firsthand how debilitating chronic illness is, and if my story can help another fellow sufferer, then it’s worth sharing. It’s also teaching my children how to care for one another, and I hope it nurtures kind, compassionate hearts in them.

I believe that the years lost to migraines will be restored. Even when life doesn’t make sense, I trust that everything happens for a reason.

Life has been extra hard lately, but I’m doing my best to keep “mixin’ those lemons in my drink” and moving forward. My wildcard is the Spirit of God, giving me strength to overcome the obstacles life throws my way.

The bluebird in my heart is the grace I feel from Jesus and the love my parents have poured into me.

Why Photography?
I love lifestyle photography because it allows me to tell stories. Everyone has a story to share, a passion that drives them. Through my lens, I hope to capture those stories, bring them to life, and shine light into people’s hearts and souls.

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?

Not me blushing as I write this.

Hi! I’m Laura—Laura Smid, to be proper. But you can call me Lu!

I’m a born-and-raised Montanan, a daughter of the King, a farm girl turned retro, turned a little bit hippie, turned… well, you get the idea. I like to think I’m a well-rounded woman—I can change a tire and then clean up without looking like I ever got dirty.

When I was about six, my mother gave me a 1984 Kodak Fisher-Price film camera, and from that moment, my love for photography started to develop (hehe, see what I did there?). I’ve upgraded my equipment over the years, but I will forever cherish that little camera.

Photography and art run in my blood. Like I said earlier, my mother had a deep love for photos and would often say, “Say peaches!” as she snapped a shot. Despite how often she forgot to put the film in her camera, my childhood is somehow still beautifully documented. I’m so thankful for the stacks of printed pictures she left behind. She was also an incredible artist who taught me so much about creativity and capturing beauty. I’ve loved pictures for as long as I can remember.

As I grew up, I kept learning and refining my photography skills—through 4-H, YouTube, fellow photographers, trial and error, and more. For years, photography was simply a hobby, but in 2017, I turned it into a business—both to help supplement our income and to have a career that let me stay home with our kiddos.

So many people have inspired, encouraged, and taken a chance on a young photographer like me. To all of you—thank you.

Whether it’s through my camera or a paintbrush, I love capturing the beauty in life’s chaos. From newborns to 100-year-olds (and everyone in between), I have a passion for lifestyle and fun-themed photography. I love getting to know people, hearing their stories, and making them feel comfortable and seen. My goal is to embrace and enhance the raw, real, and even chaotic moments—because there’s so much beauty in them. Everyone has a story, and I feel honored to play a small part in telling yours.

Beyond photography, I’m a mother, a wife, and so much more. I’ve faced health challenges and the loss of loved ones, which has deepened my appreciation for the power of photos. To me, pictures are healing—a way to speak without words. I understand the value of capturing moments, and I want my clients to feel at ease, to know they don’t have to look or act “perfect” in front of my camera. Just be yourself.

I know firsthand how precious photos become over time—how they bring comfort, confidence, and joy. Whether they serve as a reminder of who you are or a cherished memory of someone you’ve lost, photographs are timeless gifts we pass down for generations. I love being a part of creating those lasting memories.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Over the years, I’ve had to put my photography on the back burner more than once, due to lifelong health issues and difficult pregnancies. These challenges often left me unable to keep up with daily activities or manage my business the way I wanted to. There were countless moments during my eight years in photography when I had to reschedule clients, issue refunds, or simply admit that I couldn’t take on the work.

I often felt discouraged, as if I could never catch a break. There were times when I questioned whether I was meant to do this at all. Fear crept in, and I wondered if it was time to give up. But despite all the setbacks, something inside me always found the strength to rise again. I dusted off the feelings of being a “wannabe,” pushed past the discouraging comments from others, and chose to start fresh. I welcomed my clients back, put my fears aside, and kept going.

I hope that by sharing this, I can encourage others to keep chasing their passions, no matter what obstacles come their way. It is absolutely possible to balance being a wife, a mom, and a business owner, though it can be a challenge at times. Also, know that it is okay if you have to put life on hold for a season. It does not mean that you are a failure. The one thing I’ve learned is to never compare your journey to someone else’s. Your success is defined by you—what you want, what works for you, and what works for your family. I believe that God will guide you if you ask for it. He opens and closes doors for a reason, even when we don’t understand. And my photography business has definitely been one that I’ve had and am still learning how to give to God.

I know it’s easier said than done, but I truly believe that.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was just starting out, I faced one of my most frustrating moments during my busiest season. My camera died on me right in the middle of everything. Thankfully, a dear photographer friend allowed me to rent her camera while I scrambled to find a replacement. I was nervous about using someone else’s gear, but there was no choice—I had to make it work.

One evening, I arrived at a maternity session with a sweet couple. After chatting for a bit, we walked down to the river to start shooting. I turned on the camera—and immediately realized I had forgotten the memory card. My heart sank.

Panicked, I told them to hold on and ran to my car, digging through my camera bag, purse, and wallet, searching for a spare card. Normally, I kept one in my car as a backup, but not this time. There was nothing. I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Embarrassed, I returned to the couple and explained what had happened. I offered to reschedule their shoot for free, but unfortunately, they never returned. It was a humbling experience, and at the time, I felt utterly defeated. However, looking back, I learned two invaluable lessons that I carry with me to this day:

Always check your gear before a shoot.
Always have a backup plan—because even the smallest mistakes can cost you.
But most importantly, I learned not to let mistakes define me. We all make them. Sometimes, you just have to own up to them, learn from them, and keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bluebirdsoulphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebird_soul_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdsoulphotography