Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Flynn.
Hi Laura, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always loved expressing my creativity through artistic endeavors. My passion for photography grew even more when I became a mother. When my oldest daughter, Ella was born, I thought she was so beautiful, and I remember feeling so much love and emotion. To this day, I treasure the images I have to look back on from that time.
As Ella grew, I worked with my cell phone camera to learn better techniques to capture images of her and her delicate features in an artistic way. At the time, I could not afford family photos, and made the most of what I had.
I married my amazing husband, Mike, in 2017, and a year later we welcomed our youngest daughter into the world! Amelia was born with the bluest eyes, making me want to capture their beauty even more than I was able to with the cell phone camera. When she was around 5 months old I decided I wanted to expand, so I purchased a starter camera, as I desired to really capture my children’s childhood and give them timeless photos they could treasure for years to come. I worked tirelessly to learn and grow, and strived to learn my camera and lens inside and out. I emphasized furthering my knowledge and education, as I wanted to be proficient in using natural light to the best of my ability, and I wanted to capture my girls’ delicate features that would change so quickly.
I worked hard to be a skilled hobbyist and mom-photographer for a couple of years, and in 2020, I contemplated and dreamed of eventually opening up my own business. However, it wasn’t until the fall of 2021 that I decided to take the leap and start this business…with no regrets! Now that I’ve invested in professional photographic equipment and work in the community with clients, I love reflecting on the steps of this journey and remembering how I started out.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road; however, the challenges in the journey make one more grateful for the successes! Although I’ve always had a vision of what I wanted to do with my life and the direction I wanted to go, I did go in a few different directions career wise before considering photography. I always knew in my heart that having the ability to express my creativity every day was something that would make me happy, and I think having experienced other careers really helped to give me clarity in my decision. Going from a mom who captured many images of my own children to a business owner was exciting, albeit scary, as it is in any new career venture! There is so much work that goes into starting a business from the initial uncertainties and “what-ifs”, having to set up and learn a client management system, marketing and networking, building organizational skills and independence for being your own boss, while constantly continuing your education.
I had to learn (and am still learning) how to balance photography and mom/family life. “Putting myself out there” was also a challenge for me, although many of my clients are referrals, which has been great!. Having a supportive husband and family is also essential, and I am grateful for their confidence in my success. I have had to learn to be patient with myself, and slow down from a frantic rush, as being too demanding on oneself can drain the energy needed to be the best I can be. Yes, there have been struggles along the way; however, overcoming these has made me realize that I truly love working independently and having my own business. Having something that makes me happy also makes me a better and more efficient mom! All of these initial challenges motivated me to start up and become ‘professional’. I believe if you put in the time and work, challenge yourself and always strive to grow and continue your education, it will all pay off in the end. Photography is a very rewarding job and to me, it is all worth it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Jacksonville area photographer specializing in family, newborn, children, milestone and maternity portraits. My favorite thing about being a photographer is capturing art through simple beauty, connection and emotion. I’ve always been passionate about providing a service to make others feel happiness and joy, and I love providing people with images they will be able to cherish, display in their homes and pass on for generations to come. I want my clients to have fun at their sessions, so when they see the final product (images), they feel happiness and satisfaction.
To me, being a family photographer is so much more than picking up a camera and asking everyone to “say cheese”. Editing images can take many hours, and in my opinion, is the most time-consuming aspect of this work. During each family session, there are many intricacies involved, and I work hard throughout to make sure everyone is comfortable, at ease, and most of all, having fun!! As the photographer, I try to use my professional skills to work with the family’s mood, tone, and action. For me, being in the moment during my sessions is the heart of truly capturing each family member. I try and bring the same joy and excitement to others that I have whenever my own family is being photographed. For single families, traditional families and non-traditional ones, my goal is the same: to provide quality images that can be enjoyed for generations to come!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Early on in childhood, I was very quiet, shy, serious and determined. I always felt like I could express myself through the arts and on stage, even if I could not always open up as easily to others around me in social situations. Growing up, I loved to sing and used my voice to provide service and joy to others in nursing homes, public events, and churches. When I was performing, I was able to express my inner personality and be loud and extroverted. Having the stage and performance skills has been instrumental in my growth and breaking out of my former quiet shell! It would also carry over in other areas, too. When I was in 5th grade, I remember dressing up and giving a class presentation as American Photographer Margaret Bourke-White. While portraying her, I remember feeling totally engrossed in her story as I brought her photographic journey to life. Her amazing story always stayed with me. Several of my classmates even commented on my transformation into her character! I am sure it was because I found her story fascinating, and so I jumped into the role happily. While studying for the assignment, I learned that one of Margaret’s strengths was that there was no picture or assignment that was unimportant to her, and that resonates so strongly in my work today. I’ve always been an independent worker, but absolutely love to be around people! It allows me to use my strong work ethic for the many hours needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and to be able to be out working in the community. Photography makes me feel like I am in my element, as I can use my creativity and determination to provide services to others while meeting and getting to know all types of people! I love getting to know my clients and families, and it’s been so heartwarming to keep in touch with them after our sessions and develop new relationships.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: lauraflynnphoto.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: lauraflynnphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Flynn-Photography
