In 2013, my best friend told me to pick up a camera and see what happened. I started shooting photos of anything and everyone I loved. I was immediately enchanted by the challenge and art of capturing someone’s story in still images. One of the first photos I ever took was of my dad’s hands holding a coffee mug. Now, after his death, it is one of my favorite photos to look at. The way his hands were so uniquely him brings back a flood of memories, of stories, that make him feel as real to me now and when he was standing next to me.
So, about me. You'll often find me hiding in a corner in a coffee shop with a chai tea latte, reading anything from The Iliad to The Daily Mail, romping through the woods of Michigan in hiking boots or ski boots, or jetting off to the next place. I am inspired by pine trees and mountains, Greek mythology, exotic colors and spices, stories of fantastic adventure, of love and loss. I talk about my dog Sparkplug way too much and spent a good amount of my time lint rolling his red fur off my clothes.
My husband Robert is my partner in photography and is my favorite person to work with. He balances out my over-ambitious side by keeping me organized and grounded. Our fur baby Sparkplug is our #1 priority in life - yes, we are those people who call our dog our son.
Always go.
- Laura -
nice to meet you!
A Visual Storyteller
Not just a photographer,
Laura
I'm
Hello
Photos by August Nyson
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Photographer or Doula?
Stiff, forced photos break my heart. I am a huge believer in the fact that the more comfortable you are with me taking your photos, the more natural and authentic your photos will be.
I do the lion's share of the work for a photo shoot before the actual shoot even happens, getting to know you, your vibes, and your passions. The better I understand who you are, the better equipped I will be to tell your story authentically.
9 out of 10 people struggle with anxiety leading into a photo shoot. *raising my hand over here* Yup, I'm in that boat right along with you. But here's my little soap box moment - we are all our own worst critic. Show me someone's selfie, and I can 10/10 times tell you what that person dislikes about their appearance by what they're trying to hide.
This is where getting an artist's perspective comes in - you get someone who hasn't spent years obsessing over the shape of your nose or the size of your waist. Instead, you get to see yourself through the eyes of someone who is enchanted by the crinkle in your nose when you smile, the sparkle in your eyes when you laugh.
That's where being a doula comes in - I will do my damndest to make you feel safe and comfortable, whether that be at your wedding or your family shoot or your portrait session. I can't wait to show you just how magical you are.
Behind the lens
My Philosophy
What inspires me
My Fav Things
I've spent quite a bit of time analyzing what moves me.
What brings tears to my eyes. What makes me want to change, become a better person, to make a difference in other peoples' lives through my photography. The answer is always the same.
Nothing lasts.
Kids grow up, our grandparents and parents pass away, we age, people move away.
But there is a way to freeze a moment in time - your family exactly as it is now, your kids as they are taking their first steps, how everyone comes together to celebrate big life moments. That is the magic of photography. We can capture a moment and make it eternal. That is the POWER of photography.
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Behind the lens
My Philosophy
What inspires me
My Fav Things
Nothing lasts.
TO SEE THE WORLD, THINGS DANGEROUS TO COME TO, TO SEE BEHIND WALLS, DRAW CLOSER, TO FIND EACH OTHER AND TO FEEL... THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE.
- The Secret Life of walter mitty
I am endlessly inspired by art.
Music, painting, sculpture, television, books. theatre, movies, and, of course, photography. I love capturing your life in a cinematic, dynamic way. We are all unique, and we all have extremely complex and beautiful lives. We are all worthy of having a movie or book made about us. Let's turn your photo shoot into art.
It’s all about those small moments. The way they hold hands when they walk together, the faces they make at each other when they think no one is looking, the real laughter that comes from the joke only they understand, her face when she realizes she is beautiful and strong - these are the little moments that make up a tiny part of your big story.
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Behind the lens
My Philosophy
What inspires me
My Fav Things
These are a few of them...
When I'm not shooting, you can find me either on an airplane jetting off to anywhere from Amsterdam to Bozeman. Alongside of photography, I work as a flight attendant, and yes, travel is my greatest joy. My favorite city in the world is London, and my favorite place to romp around stateside is anywhere in the PNW. The smell of the air when I get out of the airport in Portland and Seattle is *chef's kiss* - it feels like home.
If you know me IRL, it won't surprise you at all to know that my one true love is my son Sparkplug. He's a 60lb Irish Setter who cannot handle being on a leash or not getting all the cheese of the counter... RIP being able to make charcuterie boards!
Alone time is key for my creativity and mental health. I am very dedicated to boundaries in my work life and personal life, because of course I have learned the hard way I cannot be all things to all people. My reset button is getting out for a hike in the woods with no phone, followed closely by a good yoga class and sitting by the fire with a good book.
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Behind the lens
My Philosophy
What inspires me
My Fav Things
