Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Joas.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I took my first photography course in high school and remember going to Best Buy with my dad to buy my own DSLR camera, a Canon Rebel. Fast forward a few years and I found myself at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, majoring in Business and Marketing, and minoring in Leadership and Interdisciplinary Design. My Interdisciplinary Design minor taught me a lot about the design process and design thinking. I was able to take a handful of studio courses across multiple design disciplines, including classes like Graphic Design, Surface Design, and Typography. While I didn’t know at the time that I was going to start a photography business after college, I did learn many transferable skills that I still use today.
Following graduation, I landed a full-time job in Marketing. I realized I actually had some free time in the evenings and on weekends, which used to be spent doing homework and playing soccer. I wanted to pick up a hobby or side hustle that would be a creative outlet for me. This is when I decided to start taking photography more seriously. I did all of the things— started a website, created social media accounts, bought the upgraded gear, watched endless YouTube tutorials, and practiced shooting any chance I could. I first took photos of friends and family to build up a portfolio and grow my skills. Thanks to word of mouth and connections, I landed my first few gigs taking senior pictures. From there, it started to take off. Here I am now, coming up on 4 years as a professional photographer!
In addition to photography, I still work a full-time job in marketing. Some of my professional interests include marketing campaign planning, event coordination, social media, graphic design, and advertising. My interest in photography and marketing has also led me to other endeavors, including content creation for brands, as well as influencer marketing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the owner of Lauren Mandery Photography, a photography business based out of Prior Lake, Minnesota. I am passionate about photography because it combines all things that I love— people, creativity, and happy moments in time. Over the past four years, I’ve done hundreds of photo sessions throughout the Twin Cities. I specialize in portrait photography, which includes seniors, couples (proposals, engagements, weddings, etc.), family, graduation, and lifestyle photos. Being the extrovert that I am, I thrive off the energy of these sessions! During late fall/early winter, I usually offer a few days of mini sessions. These sessions are a great opportunity to get photos for Christmas or New Years cards. In addition to my portrait work, I also offer event, product, and brand photography as services. My marketing background pairs nicely with my ability to capture engaging photos for your company or brand.
I am proud of the photo style I have created for myself. I focus on capturing natural and candid moments through various poses and prompts. I keep my editing style minimalistic and true to color, and I avoid over-editing. By keeping my editing style this way, the photos will have a more timeless feel. I also pay attention to the details. The small details in a photo, such as a background, clothing, and accessories, can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the image. I help select and style these elements to ensure that they complement the subject and location. I also pay attention to the current trends in photography and incorporate them in my work when it makes sense, but I am always mindful of not overdoing it. This way, I strike a balance and my clients receive photos that are both timeless and on-trend.
I believe that my ability to connect with my clients and bring out their natural personalities/expressions is something that sets me apart from others. I love empowering others to feel confident in front of the lens. I understand that having your photos taken can be a nerve-wracking experience, and my goal is to make it as enjoyable as possible. I’ve been told many times, “It feels like my friend is taking my photos,” and “I was really nervous before but that was actually so much fun!” And to me, those are the best compliments!
I start by getting to know my clients before the session and take the time to understand their styles, as well as their likes and dislikes. During the photoshoots, I do my best to create a relaxed atmosphere. I use a combination of posing guidance and prompts to help my clients feel at ease, and I work to bring out their natural personalities. I also offer styling suggestions to help my clients look and feel their best. During the session, I like there to be transparency with my clients. I let them know that I am open to their ideas, suggestions, and opinions throughout the shoot. I have also found that showing clients image previews throughout the session makes them feel more confident. I believe this approach results in photos that are not only beautiful but truly unique and personal to the client.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The hardest part for me was getting started with my business. While I did learn a lot about design fundamentals in school, most of my photography knowledge has been self-taught. I questioned whether I was “ready” or “good enough” to start a photography business because there were so many other established and skilled photographers out there. There also isn’t a manual or guide out there that tells you step-by-step how to start a business, accounting for every scenario you might encounter. Sure, you can Google answers to some of your questions, but for me, the best way to get started was to be confident in myself and learn by doing. As a business owner, I think you have to expect some bumps along the way. But if you embrace and learn from those bumps, it will lead you to a rewarding journey ahead.
Overall, it’s been a smooth road and I have really loved learning how to run my own photography business. There are many skills I have gained from this experience and I have loved watching myself grow and my photography turn into what it is today.
What are your plans for the future?
I am not exactly sure what the future holds but I am excited to continue to grow and evolve as a photographer. My goal is to always provide my clients with the best possible experience. With photography, there is always something new to learn or a new trend to try, and because of that, my business is constantly evolving.
In the near term, I plan to focus on building my online presence. This includes building out more of my website, starting a blog, and growing my social media presence to reach a wider audience. In the future, I may expand my services to include more specialized areas of photography, such as weddings. This would allow me to offer a wider range of services to my clients. In addition to expanding my services, I may also offer mentor sessions and virtual consultations for those looking to get into photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenmanderyphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmanderyphotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/laurenmanderyphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmandery
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Laurenmanderyphotography/
