About

Hey there! I'm so glad you're here!
I'm Laura, the owner of this blog and photography business. I am a highly caffeinated individual that passionately hated high school math (still does), and loves anything that involves creativity...Photography, graphic design, doodling, cooking, and writing...it's all so good. I'm so blessed to be able to pursue this little photography dream.
So here's a little background to how I ended up where I am today:
I did my first senior session when I was 16. My friend was
graduating high school and needed a photographer, so we trespassed (oops!) onto someone's abandoned property...way out in the middle of no where. She posed in front of the old farm house and an ancient Chevy pickup that was tucked into the woods. I thought the photos were amazing. I edited them...actually I don't know if you could consider what I did "editing". I learned a lot from that first session. Mainly, that I LOVED photography, and that I wanted to do this as a job. Everything about capturing perfect natural sun beams in a photo, to perfecting little flaws in the editing process was so exciting to me. My mom has said I'm a "jack-of-all-trades", but this trade, photography, kept me coming back.

First senior session ever! We braved 

the Minnesota humidity and mosquitos,
and trespassed. So thank you to the person
who owns that old Chevy in the woods
by the lake. 

I kept taking awful pictures of friends, and drenching them in sad filters. Everyso slowly I started to capture consistent lighting, and narrow down the exact style of photography I enjoyed. A year or so later I did a second senior session, and "engagement" pictures. I also accepted a job at a bank and my creativity was squished because I had to start thinking in a box full of number and files, instead of thinking outside the box with a camera, a human, and a huge field with the setting sun. 
I still wanted to be a photographer, but didn't have time while working a horribly boring job. At the time my Mom was selling her natural skin care products at a farmers market and met Susan Ritts, a chef and soon-to-be cookbook author. She needed a photographer, and my Mom refered her to me. I spent that summer  eating amazing food and having someone constantly push my to get out of the bank and pursue a photography career (it took a couple years, but her pressure paid off). 
Susan would give me $100 for each trip to her house, and after a quick summer she published her book "Cooking And Entertaining With Ease". A basic guide to entertaining guests who enjoy fine wine and food. Her second book (coming to bookstores near you in the fall of 2018!) will feature flavors from down South, Florida, to be exact. I'll spend some time down there capturing shots of the coast and the incredible sea-food dishes she'll be whipping up. 

Cover photo for Susan's book "Cooking And Entertaining With Ease"

A few months after winter I did a PAID session for the family of a woman I worked with. And a few months after that I did another session for her extended family as well. Eventually I got stuck in the rotation of landing a paid session once in the while and then doing free stuff for family and friends. Eventually I decided I was wasting time on other jobs, free session, and avoiding the risk of trying to build my own (real) business....due to fear of failure. 

The Huston kids:

Pearl, Evelyn, and Dylan

So this year I put some money and energy behind my dream. I put photos up in 2 shops and started to throw my name around in conversations. I booked shoots with people to use for promotional stuff. And then one day I got a call and book my first "stranger" client. A family needed photos around Christmas, and they paid top dollars for an hour shoot in sub-zero temperatures. Editing that winter shoot is probably one of the most fun things I've ever done. I have sessions booked for this summer, and I'm, daily, throwing energy into growing this business. I want to use it in a way to bless people, and also support myself. I'm so excited for what the future holds.

Love is in the air! 

Nick & Stephani

There's a lot of work that stills needs to be done. And as an introvert it's going to be a mildly scary journey of networking and talking to people face to face.
I take most of my marketing tips from Sarah Petty over at Joy of Marketing. She's like the queen of successful photography business owning. She has a crazy positive attitude and so much wisdom. I seriously recommend checking out her webinars, and taking her advice seriously. She's built a little photo empire, and I think she can be learned from.
I'm done rambling about myself now...
So what about you! Need photos taken? Family photos? Seniors? Professional Headshots? If you need it, I've got you covered...and we'll stick to public places. No more wandering around on someone else's abandoned farm ;)
Follow my Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the day to day activities of Laura Photography MN, and to spot special deals and dates for mini-sessions.
If you're interested in a session, or just want to chat for a while...
Call me at:

Abigail M, Senior 2017

612-385-4060
or Email:
laura.photography.mn@gmail.com