Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Laumann
Hi Lynn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I received my first camera around 12 years old and enjoyed capturing images of everything from the way light hit the leaves at different times of the day to pictures of school friends on special days. When I was about 15 I started bringing a camera with me when I babysat mostly because I was in a photography class and was doing assignments but when I brought photos to the parents the next time I babysat and saw how happy they were at what I had captured, I was hooked! I didn’t think I was any better than anyone else but enjoyed getting creative with friends when I was a young adult. When I had kids of my own I stayed home with them and I had lots of time to create little mini sessions and experiment with light and the photos were nice and I put them on the walls of our home. I would get asked who took them? What studio did I go to?
When the money got tight I would make a card and offer to take new baby photos when a friend or neighbor had a baby and it worked out great for everyone. Then I got a call from a stranger that they had seen my baby photos at a friend’s home and how much would I charge for a session? That was the beginning of an idea to make a little money on the side for extra spending money for our family and it turned into a photography studio in about a year. Turns out I kind of had an “eye” for light and composition and all the things most people struggled with. I found out pretty quickly that photography was just part of running a business and I had to figure out all the rest the hard way! I also found out I loved being a business owner almost more than I loved photography. Going to Chamber of Commerce events and being a part of a downtown business community was amazing. Being a business owner with a brick and mortar also meant I could have events and fundraisers and use my business for good things like helping the Food Shelf and The Toy Drive. I have enjoyed mentoring other photographers and having interns and hoping I have helped them as much as others helped me. My experience means I have other opportunities like sitting on a board for a downtown group or a Chamber and being a voice in the business community. This year I have the opportunity to help watch my new (first) grandchild and help with his child care while my daughter and son-in-law work, my photography business is perfect for shifting hours from weekdays to evenings and weekends as my family grows and changes. What is next for me and Lynn Laumann Photography? I don’t have any specific plans but I am excited to keep shifting and changing as everything else does.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning it was so easy to have enough business and it was still film so being an expert at that was all you needed. I had a yellow page ad and a landline and business was good! When everything started to go digital I struggled with accepting the quality and not wanting things to change. I was stubborn too long and almost lost all my business because I didn’t stay open and ready for new things. Now I try to keep learning and stay on top of the latest technologies!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I LOVE to photograph Graduating Seniors and Business Headshots. I think it is because it is so nice to be able to really focus on one person and really make a connection. I like knowing I had the time to understand what they wanted and take the photos they loved.
The seniors are so fun because they are always so excited about life and the future. They are funny and a blast to hang out with. They keep me young!
What I love most about business headshots is being able to help another business get photos they really need to improve their marketing and connect with their ideal client! Years of networking and business events has helped me really understand a little about a lot of businesses.
Having 25 years experience means I have the ability to just relax and enjoy the session with my clients because I am not trying to figure out shutter speed and aperture!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many photographers with more years under their belt than me, either helped me with one question or a whole season of figuring something out. Too many to name unfortunately. In recent years The Southwest Metro Chamber, Waconia Chamber, and the Eden Prairie Chamber have been essential to my staying in business and getting new customers. But hey, that is what is so great about Chamber of Commerce!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laumannphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnlaumannphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnlaumannphotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lynn-laumann-photography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynnlaumann
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lynn-laumann-photography-chaska
