We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Evelyn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

My most recent “fail” is one I think a lot of creatives can relate to, especially in today’s uncertain landscape, and I hope sharing it brings a little hope to anyone in the same boat.

Earlier this year, I was unexpectedly laid off from my marketing job, shortly after being promoted to senior copywriter. It was part of a company-wide restructure, the kind of tough business decision that doesn’t always reflect your effort or value. Still, it definitely stung. I’d spent almost three years there, building strong relationships and pouring myself into the work. After years of climbing through different marketing roles since graduating in 2018, the sudden loss of stability and identity left me grieving in a way I had never experienced. Without the title, the structure, and the sense of purpose I had found in that role, I was left asking: Who am I without it?

But in the quiet that followed, I started to hear a different voice. One that had been there all along. Was this a sign to pause and reassess the path I was on? Was it finally time to listen to that nudge I’d been ignoring?
For a long time, I’d juggled a lot of creative hats – copywriting, content creation, design, photography. Past coworkers used to call me a creative “unicorn.” But photography had always ignited a fire in me unlike anything else. I studied it in undergrad. I was gifted my first camera in middle school (after always begging to borrow my dad’s). It’s brought me joy, passion, and clarity for as long as I can remember. And yet, I never fully pursued it because of the doubts so many artists carry: Is this sustainable? Is this realistic? Am I good enough?

But after the layoff, I decided to stop asking and start doing.

I revived my old photography Instagram, turned a passion project into a business, and began showing up as my full creative self. I rebranded, built a professional site, and slowly but surely, clients started coming in – from brand work to couples and lifestyle sessions. For the first time since undergrad, I gave myself full permission to explore what I really love: conceptual, creative shoots with people. Telling real stories. Capturing emotion in a way that’s authentic and non-cookie-cutter. I draw inspiration from editorial legends like Eve Arnold, Tyler Mitchell, and Jimmy Marble, and I know I’m just getting started.

Losing that job felt like a failure at first, but it turned out to be a redirection. A powerful reminder that sometimes the things that fall apart are just clearing space for something better. To anyone else going through a pivot or facing a moment of uncertainty: it’s okay to let go of what no longer fits. Your “fail” might be the first step toward something more aligned, more fulfilling, and more you.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Absolutely! My name is Lauren Evelyn, and I’m the freelance photographer and creative behind LaurevePhotos, currently based in sunny San Diego. I’m originally from Atlanta, and I’ve been drawn to photography, capturing memories, and visual storytelling for as long as I can remember. Even as a toddler, I was reaching for my dad’s camcorder (no joke, there’s countless footage of my chubby little hands grabbing for the lens) and by middle school, I had my first digital camera, documenting everything from family events to the classic backyard photoshoots with friends.

Photography followed me throughout my life, but it wasn’t until college that I gave myself permission to take it seriously. I studied Studio Arts with a Photography minor at a small liberal arts college in Georgia. Like many creatives, I struggled early on to define a clear career path. But once I ignored the expectations of what was ‘right’ and fully leaned into my passion, everything started to align. One of my proudest moments to this day was my senior capstone project, a portrait and interview series exploring mixed-race identity, inspired by my own experience and by platforms like Humans of New York. That project not only helped me find my voice as an artist, but also taught me the power of using my lens to uplift others.

After college, I wasn’t sure how to make photography a sustainable career, so I explored adjacent paths in content creation and marketing. I landed my first creative job as a social media manager for Cupcakes and Cashmere, which brought me to California and gave me a deep understanding of brand storytelling, visual content, and digital strategy. From there, I worked at a marketing agency in San Diego, where I gained hands-on experience in everything from email marketing to campaign photography.

Over time, I realized I had all the tools to step out on my own, and that’s how LaurevePhotos came to life.

Now, I freelance full-time, specializing in brand/product photography, creative lifestyle shoots, portraits, and editorial-inspired couples work. What I love most is creating vibrant, intentional imagery that feels as unique as the people or brands I’m working with. I bring a strong creative eye, shaped by my background in visual arts and marketing, and I’m deeply collaborative. Every shoot is rooted in connection and story.

As a mixed-race, multicultural woman, I’ve never felt like I fit into one box, and I think that’s part of what sets my work apart. I don’t approach photography with a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, I bring a thoughtful, human-centered perspective that celebrates individuality, emotion, and identity. My style blends the warmth of lifestyle photography with the boldness of editorial – clean, colorful, and cinematic, with every image edited intentionally.

While I’ve worked heavily in product photography, my dream is to collaborate with individuals and brands who are bold, heartfelt, and not afraid to break the mold. I offer fun, free-spirited shoots that invite people to tap into their creativity and let their inner child run wild. From polished brand visuals to unfiltered moments of human connection, I’m here to create imagery that not only looks good, but feels real.

I’m proud to say that I’ve created a space where clients feel seen and celebrated. Whether I’m working with a brand, a couple, or an individual, my goal is always the same: to create visuals that are as vibrant and multidimensional as the people in them. I want potential clients to know that I’m not just here to take photos. I’m here to help you tell your story in a way that’s bold, beautiful, and true to who you are.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the connection it allows me to build with people, with their stories, and with myself. There’s something really special about being trusted to capture someone’s essence, their energy, or the soul of a brand. It’s not just about making something beautiful, but creating something meaningful and that feels true.

As someone who’s always felt like I existed in-between worlds, especially as a mixed-race woman navigating the layers of my identity, art has always been my safe space. It’s also been the one thing that consistently brings me back to my truest self, the version of me that existed long before the noise of the world crept in. Whether it’s through music, theatre, or photography, it’s where I’ve found clarity, purpose, and the ability to express things I couldn’t always put into words.

Now, being able to share that space with others, and help them feel seen through my lens, is the most fulfilling part of what I do.

It’s also incredibly rewarding to look back and realize how far I’ve come as a photographer, by turning what was once more of a hobby into a career rooted in passion and intention. There’s nothing like witnessing a client light up when they see themselves in a new, empowered way through my work. That feeling truly never gets old, it reminds me why I do this, and it fuels me to keep going.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that success only comes from following a traditional, linear path…and that if you don’t fit into that mold, you’re somehow less than. Growing up, the traditional school curriculum wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for me. I was never really drawn to (or good at) subjects like math or science, and I often felt like I was falling behind or missing something that everyone else seemed to grasp so easily. Subconsciously, I started to internalize this idea that I wasn’t smart enough or capable enough, simply because my strengths didn’t look like everyone else’s.

It took me a long time to realize that just because my path didn’t look like the “standard” one, that didn’t make it wrong, or make me any less worthy. I eventually leaned into the things that lit me up creatively: visual arts, storytelling, photography. And once I did, things began to make sense. I found my voice, my rhythm, and a way to contribute to the world that felt authentic to who I am.

Unlearning that narrative of inferiority has been a process. Comparison can be a trap, especially in creative industries where everyone’s journey looks so different. But I’ve come to believe that we all have our own timeline, our own set of gifts, and our own route to fulfillment. What matters most is trusting yourself, even when it’s hard, and honoring the direction your heart is pulling you in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurevephotos.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: @laureveee & @laurevephotos