Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bloom.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For as long as I can remember I have needed a creative outlet. I figure skated growing up and when I wasn’t on the ice I would lock myself for hours in our horse barn and work on my jumps and programs off ice… you know, what all figure skaters do. Not sure my horses were ever super impressed and they became unfazed by my falls, but they were a great audience overall. I dabbled in dance, music and even considered at one point trying out performing arts as a career. My earliest memories of photography was being obsessed with those little disposable cameras that were a big deal in the 90’s. I would go around taking photos of the things that mattered the most to me- my horses and dogs. I was in love with those and getting the photos back from CVS was so exciting for me. I would even enter in some of my photos to our school photography competitions. A photo of my horse, Sierra even won first place in one and it’s still one of my most cherished photos of her.
By the time I went to college I had stopped skating and I found myself pretty lost and stressed about what to do next with my life. College and my early 20’s were probably the hardest and most stressful years I’ve had so far. I had never been good at drawing, or knew anything about design so studying anything art related seemed to be out. I was a journalism major for a while and wanted to take some photo journalism classes, but it sounded too intimidating. I did start becoming more obsessed with taking pictures during this time though, but career wise I thought I would just have to pick something practical.
A few years after I graduated my mom bought me my first semi-professional camera and I think that’s when I really discovered how much I loved photography. I loved that I could create something visually and also preserve the things I love. This eventually grew into paid gigs and where I am today. These days I split my time between shooting weddings, fashion/lifestyle work and some of my own personal projects.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Overall it’s a challenge learning to run a business when you’re just a photographer and not really a business person. I also work from home, so juggling the work/life bit can be difficult because work is always staring me in the face.
Often times I find photography to be a hard medium to be in because of how heavily saturated it is. At times and usually after spending too much time on social media I find myself walking a thin line of being totally discouraged. These days I don’t spend much time looking at the current photography trends, or the rockstar photographers, especially in the wedding industry. It’s really important for me photograph with my own voice and to separate myself from the herd. That’s my biggest challenge right now.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Lauren Bloom Photography is a boutique based photography studio specializing in weddings, fashion and lifestyle photography based out of Dallas, TX. Even though I am based in Texas I find myself traveling outside of the state for work as well.
For weddings I am known for shooting in a very honest and candid way. I only want real smiles, real gestures, etc. I will mix in these real moments with some natural, and relaxed portraits as well. I think there are some unrealistic expectations put on wedding days to be these perfect days. Most weddings I have been to do not go completely perfectly, but I don’t see this as a flaw. It’s just life and weddings are meant to be meaningful. I like to capture both the perfect and imperfectly perfect moments that make a wedding day.
For my portraits, I am not a very high-fashion type of photographer, but more rooted in lifestyle. I focus mostly on movement and capturing the in-between moments. I find a lot of brands wanting this natural look more too.
It can be an intimidating place to be in front of someone’s camera, but I think I am really good at making people feel comfortable. I try and put a lot of heart in my work. If someone is hiring me for their wedding I do make it a priority to deliver a high quality product they will have to treasure for forever. I want my images to hold their power 20+ years from now.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very quiet and introverted kid. I was a bit interested in everything though- sports, art, video games, animals. I seemed to be covered in dirt often too, my mom always encouraged it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurenbloomphotography.com
- Email: info@laurenbloomphotography.com
- Instagram: Weddings: Instagram.com/thelaurenbloomwed Portraits: instagram.com/thelaurenbloom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenbloomphotography
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