Laura is a Colorado native, lover of all things coffee and obsessed with baby animals - that has landed her with three dogs and a very precocious cat. Before moving back to Colorado, she and her husband lived in Wisconsin for ten years, where she used her Early Childhood Education degree to transition into work as an ABA therapist and worked in homes with children with Autism. When her daughter was born she decided to stay home with her and that is when her passion for photography ignited from a hobby to a full-fledged obsession and then later, a career.

In addition to her photography business, Laura is a leader and Moderator here at Unraveled Academy, where she shares her heart, passion and experience with our Students. She is also a volunteer for the non-profit Spectrum Inspired, which supports and uplifts the Autism community. And most recently she has created an incredible Lesson for Unraveled Academy, Documenting Special Needs Families, where she shares her amazing insights and educates our tribe to best serve an under-documented population. So, in a nutshell, we freaking LOVE this woman.

Click HERE to check out her new Lesson and join us.

For More Inspiration from Laura:

Instagram | Website

Here is Laura, Unraveled…

What inspires your art?

Initially I started shooting because I wanted to remember every little thing about my daughter. The urge to document intensified as the time went so quickly. That desire, to remember all the little details, is what has inspired me to learn and grow.

I love documenting connection and remembering how it felt to be in a certain moment. I love the authenticity of love shown between people and how they look at each other. I want those moments for myself and children and those are the kinds of images I want to create for families I work with as well.

I am also really inspired by light, the patterns it casts, shadows, flare, window light --- I love the challenge of making something from it.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?

Canon 6D ii and my favorite lenses are the Sigma Art 24mm and 35mm - I can’t choose just one!

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I love to decorate my home and style of all kinds including clothes, makeup, etc. I

used to do more crafting type things but don’t have the time I used to with kids and business.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day?

Depends on the day, but my go-tos are baths, wine, chocolate and binge watching

netflix.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing?

All sorts, depends on my mood and the session. Singer/songwriter, alternative, some Christian music. I have been really into Lauren Daigle and Billie Eilish lately but my go-tos are usually The Civil Wars, The Fray and Amber Run.

What is your favorite book?

I finished You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are by Rebekah Lyons recently and everyone I talk to knows I can’t shut up about it. Seriously a game changer for me and I’m already reading it for a second time.

Name one movie that inspires you.

I love the Netflix series, Alias Grace - the use of light and the tones are unreal. I also really love the Greatest Showman and it’s message about being a dreamer. Other than those, lots of nature and adventure documentaries.

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?

I have found that for me, checking in with myself regularly while on social media is really important. If I am feeling anxious or the self doubt demon is creeping in, I mute or unfollow people temporarily. Comparison gets into our heads, even when we aren’t aware, so that is something I try to be really careful of.

The quickest way for me to get out of any type of slump is too keep shooting, even if I don’t feel like it, until inspiration strikes. I like to take classes or try something new.

I also allow myself to have a slump, knowing now that is a part of the rollercoaster ride of being an artist. Being in those less inspired periods makes the ones where everything is amazing, that much sweeter.

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

I think it’s been finding time and being patient with the process. I started this journey as a young stay at home mother, so finding the time to work on as many things as I wanted was a challenge. I felt (and still do sometimes) that there is SO much I wanted to do, learn, explore and I had so little time.

As time’s gone on it’s been a challenge to not find my voice --- but to be confident in sharing it and not worrying about how it’s being received.

Who is one of your favorite photographers?

It’s hard to choose just one! I am really inspired by so many different artists for different reasons. I love Candice Zugich (the Blissful Maven), Twyla Jones, Jacob Loafman, and Ace Fanning.