We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Parlier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is that I want to love people well! When I show up to a photoshoot, I’m already thinking “how can I love and serve them well today”. I show up to sessions ready to laugh, but also ready to listen! There are so many different people who show up to my sessions, and so many people have a lot of life happening. Wether it’s time with their spouse that they haven’t had in a while, their first boudoir session, a solo session, or a whole family session, I am called to show up and LOVE them. I have this amazing opportunity to be their biggest cheerleader and supporter for an hour! I will celebrate the small moments with you, and I will celebrate the huge achievements with you as well.

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’m a lifestyle photographer located in St. Charles Missouri! I don’t like to stick to the super stiff poses, I want to capture the real YOU, while also focusing on the small details! So many things can go unseen during photoshoots or weddings, and my goal is to capture the small moments, while not taking away from the big moments as well! These pictures turn into memories for you, and I want you to be able to remember as much of it as you can!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer, for me, is when the client gets their photos back, and they are just beaming with excitement. I put so much time and hard work into their photos, and I don’t send them off until I love them. So when I know the client loves them as well, it makes me so so happy!

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

I started my business with little to no experience. I was a second shooter at a few weddings, and I fell in love with it. Getting started was not easy! I didn’t have the clientele to book sessions, and I was still trying to figure out my editing style. All I knew, was that I wanted to be a photographer. So I set up some styled shoots, I gave away a few sessions, and did what I could to get content! Eventually I started charging people for sessions, which made me so nervous! For the first time, people were paying me to take their photos. Like, they wanted ME to take their photos. That was crazy to me! After a while when I got more exposure, and more experience, I raised my prices again. I got nervous about it again, thinking “what if people don’t think my work is worth what I’m charging?” And still, people showed up for me. I wouldn’t be here without my clients who continue to support me and show up for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.laurenlynphotography.com
• Instagram: Laurenlynphotography
• Facebook: Lauren Lyn Photography