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

Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Being a creator in the Western Industry, you see a lot of the same angles and shots being taken especially in videography. It’s been my goal to set the scene in a more artistic view point, that is appealing to the eye but also focuses on the talent of subject. I’ve been very blessed to be able to capture some of the best in the industry, whether it’s Performance Horses, Ranch Rodeo or Rough Stock Riders. I strive to catch the beautiful moments in these sports and show the talent of their handlers.

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?

I grew up in Virginia, I picked up a camera for the first time in middle school (Canon Rebel – that my mother bought for family photos and memories) I quickly took off snapping photos and playing with settings unknowing to myself that one day I would pursue it as a career. I sold my first piece of art at an art show in our home town my 8th grade year. Horses were my main passion in life, as they still are. I began riding at the age of 4, and never strayed away from the ‘disease.’ I took a photography class in High School, where I would develop my own prints being we used filmed cameras. After graduation, becoming a professional photographer seemed so far out of reach, it wasn’t on my radar. I worked for the local Sheriffs Office as a e-911 dispatcher, following that I transferred to Patrol where I was a Road Deputy.

I always longed for something more, with horses being my passion I wanted to expand my knowledge from the English riding world to the Western Industry. I landed a job with a Cutting Horse Trainer in Canyon, Texas. Sight unseen, I packed my pickup truck to the brim and headed out west. After being a loper for 5 years, assisting trainers with preparation and care of their horses. I decided that it was time to invest in my future, the last trainer I worked for took the extra step to help me jumpstart my career, He saw something in me that I had not quite accepted. After acquiring the camera I needed to achieve my goals, I began with Horse Sale Videos and Photos, working for a horse sales company. This really gave me the time to master my camera, and get paid while getting the experience and making connections.

I then decided to go out on my own to pursue my creativity and offer my services to the public. I’ve been given so many opportunities to capture such amazing subjects- humans and equine athletes. It’s been a goal of mine to be able to shoot at large events, such as The American, The Run For A Million, or even The Nationals Finals Rodeo if I were to obtain my PRCA card to do so. My visions go beyond the Horse Industry, and even into the cowboy and western way of life. I’m mesmerized in the beauty and the story it tells. To be able to recreate a feeling of nostalgia and the wonder of “what it would have been like” back in the day stays close to my soul.

My creativity holds no bounds, anytime I’m able to pick up a camera and share my point of view I’m going to do it. Being able to combine my two greatest passions has been so exciting and I know it will only go up from here.

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

I had to learn that your uniqueness is what makes you different and that you don’t have to shoot like someone else in order to be considered “talented.” I struggled with trying to shoot similar to the way other people in the industry were, and that only held me back. Once I expanded my horizions my creativity started flowing more and more.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Since I am not only a Photographer./Videographer and I am also a Loper I have gotten to meet so many different people. From trainers, to their Clientel or even other photographers. It’s certainly a good way to make connections all around which is one of the most important things to establish when building a business by yourself.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1T842uvMGCen9kX8/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lady__L

Image Credits

Lady L Creations

(this is my personal photography business)