We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Camposano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
If you had asked me about success four years ago, I would have been at a loss for words. Back then, success wasn’t something I actively pursued. Fresh out of college, my focus was simply on finding a job that paid the bills and brought a semblance of satisfaction. The idea of “success” seemed distant, almost irrelevant—a pursuit reserved for the money-driven, the fame-seeking, and the flashy.
Fast forward to today, and my perspective on success has undergone a profound transformation. My journey into entrepreneurship as a food and product photographer has been a crash course in understanding the multifaceted nature of success. It’s no longer about the superficial trappings of wealth or recognition; instead, success, to me, is synonymous with realizing one’s fullest potential.
For me, success means going to bed each night with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that I’ve given my all to the work I love, and life in general. It’s about consistently striving to do better, to be better, and to make a meaningful impact with every endeavor.
But achieving this kind of success isn’t just about luck or waiting for opportunities to fall into your lap. It’s about taking proactive steps, consistently putting yourself out there, and refusing to be held back by fear or self-doubt.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way—waiting for that dream client to come knocking or hesitating to share my work until it was “perfect.” Success, I’ve come to realize, is not a passive pursuit. It’s about boldly proclaiming your presence to the world and being unapologetically yourself.
It’s about posting your art on Instagram, even if it feels like no one is paying attention. It’s about reaching out to that dream client, even if you’re not sure your portfolio is up to par. It’s about embracing the journey, knowing that consistency and resilience will eventually pay dividends.
So, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about success, it’s this: it’s not something you wait for—it’s something you actively pursue. And while the path may be challenging and riddled with setbacks, the rewards of living authentically and passionately far outweigh the risks.
Lauren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
It all started in Orlando, FL with an iPhone camera and an Instagram account. I had just moved to Orlando to study at the University of Central Florida. Being obsessed with all things culinary throughout my life, I figured the best way to explore a new city would be through its food – and of course, sharing all of the adventures on Instagram.
Somewhere between snapping shots of cotton candy hotdogs (seriously) and rainbow lattes, I discovered an obsession with capturing food the way I see it: wonderful, beautiful, and always fascinating.
When I got my hands on my first “real” camera, I began developing recipes of my own, styling and shooting the food, and then sharing the content on my very own website – a humble food blog where I poured my heart and soul into every post. As I learned more and developed my skills, I watched my passion for styling, creating, and capturing beautiful images of food broaden into even more. Today, I work as a full-time commercial food & product photographer, collaborating with clients all over the country – and I love every second of this dream job!
Navigating the intricacies of freelancing and entrepreneurship solo has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. Yet, through it all, I’ve discovered a sense of fulfillment in combining my creative passion with the business savvy required to thrive in today’s market. I’m proud of the strides I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, growth, and above all, gratitude for the opportunities that have come my way.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative in the food and product photography space, to me, is the excitement of turning imagination into reality. I love that every single project I take on has its own unique vision, voice, and message. Before any product shoot, I always ask myself, how can I make this product look and feel like it’s in its “natural habitat”? For one project, I get to imagine I’m walking through an ornate town in Mexico, and for another it could be envisioning a colorful breakfast table straight from the 1960’s. What are the colors, the sounds, even the smells of that particular place? How can I make the viewer really feel like they’re actually there? It’s this magical process where I get to play with light, colors, textures, and composition to craft a tangible representation of something that previously existed only in the realm of imagination.
What truly excites me is the ability to submit my work to clients and hear them say, “wow, you captured our vision perfectly!” It’s the validation that comes from understanding the essence of a brand or a project, and translating that understanding into captivating imagery. When a client sees their vision reflected in my work, it’s not just about technical skill but about being a conduit for their message. It’s about bringing their brand to life in a way that resonates with others, and that, to me, is the ultimate reward of being a creative in this field.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Food photography didn’t start as my side hustle—it was more of a hobby. I didn’t even know this was a real job when I first started! When the pandemic hit and restaurants closed their doors, I found myself searching for ways to keep my food Instagram page alive. Unable to venture out for those quintessential shots of iced lattes, onion ring towers, or perfect açaí bowls, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began baking and cooking everything from pasta to potato chip cookies. Not only was I recreating my favorite dishes, but also experimenting with original recipes, and teaching myself everything there was to know about making food look good for the camera along the way.
As I shared my culinary adventures online, something unexpected happened—my once-dormant Instagram following started to skyrocket. Encouraged by the growing interest, I took the leap and created a website to showcase my recipes. But it wasn’t until I mustered the courage to reach out to a brand featured in one of my latest creations—a delectable matcha ice cream—that my side hustle began to transform into something more.
Offering them the use of my photo for their social channels seemed like a simple gesture for exposure. Little did I expect their response expressing interest in a long-term collaboration. They were in need of a recipe developer and photographer, and they wanted me for the job! It was a surreal moment—only two modest paid gigs under my belt, and now an opportunity for a real career in food photography was knocking at my door.
Without hesitation, I embraced the chance, diving headfirst into a world I never imagined could be a viable profession. Over the next three years, I honed my craft, not only behind the lens but also navigating the intricacies of the business side. Working with that brand and its sister company proved to be an invaluable experience, shaping me into the photographer and entrepreneur I am today.
This journey taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes, all it takes is a bold ask to open doors you never knew existed. Trusting in your passion and putting yourself out there can lead to extraordinary opportunities. From a pandemic hobby to a thriving career, my story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief in turning dreams into reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurencamposano.com
- Instagram: @laurencamposano