Inspired, A Very Special Project | Laura Winslow Photography

This special lady is such a treat to be able to show off here. I have long admired not only her talent but her beautiful heart! Not only does she take beautiful photos  but I absolutely adore her and all she does. Her work is one of a kind. Her personality is gorgeous and I am going to get right into it because I am eager to share!!

You can find Laura on Facebook HERE and her Website HERE. You can also find her on Pinterest HERE and her Blog HERE. Be sure to find her on instagram too under Laura Winslow.

Hi Laura!!

What sparked your passion for Photography?

I have really always been interested in photography, making my little sister pose for me and always taking photos, but it wasn’t until my first child was born that it really intensified. My husband gave me my first DSLR and it was love at first snap!

Whats in your camera bag?

I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II and primarily a 50 1.2 L

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

My very first DSLR ever was a Nikon D50, though I rocked my mom’s old school flash-bulb camera long before that. 😉

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

50 1.2 because of the sharpness and ability to achieve dreamy bokeh, as well as versatility in low-light situations. I also love the 85 1.2

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

Definitely believe in yourself, try your very best to realize that there is a photographer for everyone (and that every client is not going to be a perfect fit) and don’t compare yourself to other photographers. In the beginning, blogs and forums can be very helpful but try not to let them stifle your own creative ideas and confidence. Practicing and knowing proper technique is also of the utmost importance, and definitely, definitely do NOT under-price yourself. It brings the whole market down. I see so many photographers not charging what their time is worth–most of us did it in the beginning–but when you do that, what people don’t realize is that you are actually paying others to let you take their photos, not the other way around! There is so much work involved with photography, let alone the time, effort and money that it takes to get to that point. Charge appropriately. Plumbers, lawyers, doctors, house cleaners–none of these professions apologize for their pricing. Don’t let yourself do it, either.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

I don’t know if I would say crush as much as those first caused me to stop and take a metaphorical gasp. Barb Uil–Jinky–and Sheye Rosemeyer, for different reasons. I was–and still am–drawn to the color, the sweetness and the original art that Jinky creates, and while Sheye Rosemeyer is an inspirational photographer as well, her eloquent and touching way with words drew me in instantly. Her blog posts are so raw, so full of despair, yet so full of hope and love and light. As a new mother, I was instantly endeared to the way in which she is so truthful and real with her words. The fact that her images are so filled with creative emotion themselves just further endears her to me.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

My children just being themselves–the funny faces, our little excursions and the way their eyes light up when they see dog poo on the ground that they thought was a rock. No lie! 🙂 It is moments like that that will forever be etched into my mind’s film reel of memories that make a life. Real, true, never to be replicated.

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

My grandmother…she was the mother of eight and always had such a calm about her and I imagine she wouldn’t be entirely comfortable in front of the camera as she was always so selfless. I would love to quietly talk with her as I photographed her. She passed away when I was a fairly new mother and I would love to get her parenting wisdoms even more so now…

Describe your style in 3 words.

Modern. Fresh. Vibrant.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Honestly? If I were embarrassed by those types of things, I probably should have a moment from all my sessions! I stop at nothing to get great emotions and smiles and totally am not beyond making a fool of myself! 🙂

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

Probably being a perfectionist, and as a result, taking sooo long to do things. Sometimes you just don’t want to fail, so it is paralyzing. Getting started and being satisfied with what you do is hard when you just want to make everything absolutely perfect. I could always be doing something for my business to improve it, but sometimes you have to be happy and feel what you are doing is your best and have a happy balance.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

The Golden Hour makes me weak in the knees with the ways in which the light can be used and played with.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

I would love to work as a foreign service officer in an embassy somewhere.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

I have degrees in World Politics and Spanish but do not have any formal education in photography.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

Ask them about themselves, relate to them, laugh with them.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

Biggest Photography related insecurity? I think all photographers always have something new to learn, and most are insecure to some degree. I always think I can do better when I look at my photography, and I always try to see things a tad bit differently with each session, and I push myself to look at things from a new perspective.

Digital or Prints?

Both. 🙂

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

There are so many photographers in this area, and there are enough clients for everyone. I try not to compare myself to others and know that if I stay true to what I love and my style, then my clients will see that, relate to that and want to have that.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

A new lens–want to help me decide?

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

A sense of adventure and adaptability.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

Light, colors, unexpected locations and the innocent curiosity of children.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: aqua
Favorite Season: summer…until I moved to HOT Arizona!! Now it is the fall. 🙂
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Reality TV and Gossip Girl!
Favorite Pandora Station: I actually don’t listen to Pandora that much–just my already-downloaded songs.
Studio or On location: On location
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a pediatric oncologist.
One thing no one knows about you is:
Pc or Mac: PC but about to make the switch! Can’t wait–I have been dragging my feet for-eva!
Lightroom Or Photoshop: photoshop cs5
Film or Digital: Digital
Props or No Props: Natural props that don’t try too hard (fruit, textured bins, etc.)
If you could travel anywhere it would be: China or Japan.
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half full for sure!
Favorite photo ever taken: My grandmother holding my five-month old son. The difference in their skin and their hands shows all the loveliness and experience of a beautiful life.

Raw or Jpeg: Both, actually.

Favorite Music to Edit to: Techno, upbeat songs that have meaning and deep soul.
Favorite Quote: “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Most valued material possession: Well, my camera, of course! It captures so much of the non-material that is important in this life.
Processing Style: Vibrant color.
Coffee or Tea:Coffee
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Lady Gaga! How cool would that be? She is so full of color and life and has such an awesome business sense!
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? I love my Epiphanie Lola and also my Ketti. Swooon.