Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Templeton.
Hi Lauren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I’ve been a lover of the arts for as long as I can remember. My creative journey really started organically when my mom noticed that I was great at drawing and painting at a young age. She could sit me down with some paint and a pad of paper and I would be content for hours. My dad also played a huge role in the development of my creativity. He ran a recording studio out of my childhood home, so I was constantly surrounded by musicians and got to witness the exciting process of music being made all the time! I always knew that art was going to be a part of what I did with my life, I just never knew what form it would take. I started my first semester of college on a nursing track, and quickly realized I wanted to try studying something artistic, yet sustainable. I landed on a graphic design major and signed up for my courses for the semester-one of those being an intro to photography course. I bought my first camera, a Canon Rebel t5i with a kit lens, and started shooting on a daily basis. My course instructor took a kind notice to my work and was very encouraging about my potential and my eye for photography. I ended the course with so much knowledge on shooting and editing, however, I decided to get back on my nursing track.
I ended up putting my knowledge of photo and video to good use and used my skills to get myself through college. I booked photo sessions and started filming weddings as a way to fund nursing school to the best of my ability.
In May 2020, I graduated with my BSN and headed into the nursing field that summer. I slowly fell away from photo and video, as starting my nursing career in the middle of a pandemic proved itself to be exhausting. I would pick up the occasional wedding or second shooting job here and there, but it wasn’t consistent at all. As that part of my life started to slip away, I realized how much I craved a creative outlet.
I started a new nursing job after marrying the love of my life in 2021, and have been able to put more of a focus on my photography. Since then, I have rebranded my business, built my own website, and started submerging myself in photography education.
Recently, I have really been focusing on bettering my product and enhancing my client experience. I am back to booking consistent sessions and have started booking weddings again!
My hope in this journey is to eventually pursue photography full-time. I would love to have the ability to serve others through art and to show God’s love through my business. Even if that isn’t the way my story unfolds, I know photography will always play a role in my life!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have definitely had my fair share of struggles during my photography journey. Logistically, it was very hard just learning the ropes of starting a business, but it was also a huge challenge getting started without having the funds to do so. Thankfully, I’ve had incredible mentors who have shared their knowledge of business with me, and through lots of hard work and patience, I’ve been able to get the gear I needed to grow!
Another obstacle I still face today is dealing with comparison. It’s so easy to look at other creatives around you and get down on yourself. I think it’s so important to redirect those negative thoughts and focus on where you are now and remember how far you’ve come. There’s nobody else just like you on this earth and you have to really run with that and strive to just be yourself! Because people will love you and your work for it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My heart is so drawn to weddings. I love the feeling of love that radiates off of those days! Being a nurse, I’ve experienced so much sadness with sickness and loss, so I think the happiness that comes with wedding days is so appealing to me. The thing I’m most proud of I’d say would be my ability to make others feel special and loved. I truly love others so much, and I think that’s one of the biggest things that makes me stand out as a photographer. I’m always going to do everything in my power to make my clients feel seen and heard through every step of the process.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Reach out! I’m always looking for other creatives to connect with and work with. Community is so important to me, so I would love to meet some new people who feel the same! I meet a lot of fellow photographer friends and clients via Instagram, so following me there is a great way to connect with me! I’m always happy to support my fellow entrepreneurs and would love to follow along on your journey as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: ltempleton9187@gmail.com
- Website: www.laurentempletonphotography.com
- Instagram: @laurentempletonphotography
- Facebook: Lauren Templeton Photography
Image Credits
Lauren Templeton
