We recently connected with Laurel Logsdon and have shared our conversation below.

Laurel , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

When I was a child, I grew up with my father who was a photographer himself. He graduated with his degree in photography from Brooks Institute of Photography. He photographed a variety of subjects including myself. This experience peaked my interest in the subject as I was fascinated with the beautiful photographs that he produced.

Fast forward to my high school years when I decided to take a photography course, dating myself, this was in the film days and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The whole process of choosing the film to the execution in the dark room was exciting, you never knew exactly what you would see until the process was over. It was a hobby I pursued for a while, but then life took over and I set the camera down for years while I worked, got married, and had children.

As my children grew, and I wasn’t needed as much, I went back to college to pursue a higher degree in Environmental Science. I thoroughly love the environment and want to protect it, however, the idea of working a so called 9-5 job for the rest of my life wasn’t all that fulfilling. I stopped going to college before my degree was finished because I knew it was going to end up costing me a lot of debt and I wasn’t convinced it was the journey that I was meant to be on.

After my hiatus from college, I went into a period of self reflection to discover who I was. My husband bought me a camera for Christmas after I had mentioned that I would like one. When going out to shoot with the camera for the first time, it was as if I had an epiphany. Something that had been laying dormant for so many years, suddenly became a passion.

Finding my passion again, made things somewhat clear as to what I wanted to do for a career. Things had progressed quite a bit from film days to the digital age, it was as if I had started from scratch in some ways. It took perseverance and a lot of mistakes, but I was determined to learn and become a decent photographer. The development of my photography skills came from hands on learning, workshops, and books. I practiced the art form for several years before gaining the confidence to approach media for publications. Eventually, I started getting my nature photography published in magazines and calendars, and going to local art fairs where it was a somewhat successful endeavor. Beyond those experiences, my family and friends have always rooted me on in the pursuit which has been greatly appreciated and an invaluable resource for my continued journey.

After those publishings and art shows, I took the business idea further by creating a website and Etsy page. Not only did I create my business with a website and Etsy, but I also started offering portrait photography to clients. Portrait photography has been a work in progress, starting with family and friends, and working its way into paying clients. I have started marketing myself to local high schools for senior portraits as well as marketing the business on social media.

It certainly takes dedication and courage to start a business and in all honesty it hasn’t always been profitable. The term you have to spend money to make money is true. Every step of the way is a learning process and I don’t assume that that aspect will ever stop. With that being said, I am determined to make the business work as I cannot see myself doing anything else that fulfills me the way photography does.

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 business name is Mindful Memories Photography, I came up with this name because when I am behind the lens I am fully in the moment. Holding my camera is a meditative experience and a calming practice that I hope is reflected in my images to others.

As I had mentioned previoulsly, I am a mother to two wonderful children, have an amazing husband, supportive friends, a love of nature and a passion for photography. Nature photography and travel are things that I am fond of as a hobby. A benefit to this hobby is selling the nature prints. Seeing others want to place my art in their home brings a smile to my face and is validating that I’m on the right path.

Due to enjoying nature photography, I incorporate outdoor settings into my portrait photography. The opportunities that nature provides us with breathtaking beauty just adds an element to portraits that can’t be replicated. It is my goal to capture a persons true personality and unique character in portraits. Accomplishing that goal may include anything from incorporating a hobby, pet or candid shot. I want someone to look at their gallery and see something within themselves that they may never have witnessed before. A person loving their photographs is important because I’m offering a service and I take pride in my work.

Being published and owning my own business is validating, but giving back is one of the aspects I’m most proud of. Last year, I offered one of my digital prints to a wonderful humanitarian organization called Healing Photo Art. This organization places nature prints in hospitals around the world, primarily in countries of lower socioeconomic status. I was informed in February of this year that my print has been placed in facilities in Nepal, India and Malawi. It brings pleasure giving back and my hope is that this nature photograph will bring others a sense of serenity in times when they may be going through a tough time.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

It has taken some time to gather the funds needed to start my business. The money was earned while I worked as a substitute in the schools near my home. I still continue to work in the schools periodically when business is slow, but my ultimate hope is that I will not need to do that in the future.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As with all things, it doesn’t come overnight when building a social media following. I believe having a story that meshes well with my photography and business name is something that helped strengthen my reputation. Often times, I will incorporate a story or quote that resonates with me about the image hoping that it evokes a feeling that others can relate to. Being vulnerable helps others realize I’m human just like them helps as well. Replying to my followers and being grateful for their support goes a long way in establishing a connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mindfulmemoriesphotography.com
• Instagram: mindfulmemoriesphotography and laurellogsdonphotography
• Facebook: laurellogsdon
• Other: [email protected]