Join us in congratulating Lauren Lewis on becoming one of our newest Unraveled Expert Artists!

Lauren Lewis is a docu-lifestyle photographer based in Central Indiana. She specializes in Newborn, Family, and Senior lifestyle photography. While spending 15+ years in the childcare industry, she honed her love of capturing perfectly imperfect moments within the chaos of raising babies and celebrating seniors, which led her to a thriving, full time photography business in the midwestern United States.

Welcome Lauren! We are so thrilled to have you in our community and NOW a UEA!

For more inspiration from Lauren check out her social links below:

Here is Lauren, Unraveled…

What inspires your art?

Family Chaos. I spent years raising babies that weren't mine, and then another decade raising my own, and I have to say... my favorite, most beautiful moments are the ones filled with chaos, and togetherness. Toddler belly laughs, dirty feet, messy kitchens, and little boys dressed in Elsa costumes. We live in a cul de sac of this little rural community, where everyone has 3, 4, 5 kids... and they just flow in and out, barefoot and screaming. I have to say, it's my favorite thing. Watching those dimpled feet grow long and lanky and awkward, remembering the babies they were and seeing the people they're becoming... I want to bottle it up forever. I know I'm not the only parent who feels this core of grief for the early days of parenting (who are also glad to be out of it). To get to hold a snapshot of what it felt like to be in those moments.. that's the gift I want to give back to my clients.

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

I love my Canon R6 so much, I have two, and will shoot with both cameras on for most outdoor sessions. I generally use my 35 RF macro 1.8 and my 70-200 2.8 RF. Every once in a blue moon, I'll pull out my lensbaby sol, too!

What other ways do you express your creativity?

Hahaha with what time?! It's kind of my ADHD superpower to do all the things. I crochet, I cook, I read. I'm PTO President, and partner with non profits like The Gold Hope Project and The Milk Bank. My husband and I live our life.. big, and connected. We yell at middle school soccer games and drive around hunting pokemon with our 8 year old. We date. We travel. I've always had that flighty, creative soul, but right now, for this season in our lives... it's poured into living a big, huge, crazy, love filled life.

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

When my kids go to bed, at night, my day is DONE. My husband usually passes out pretty quickly, and I usually end up reading until I pass out with a book on my face, which honestly, is my favorite way to fall asleep.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing?

I binge shows more than anything! I'm super ADHD, so it really helps me stay on point (particularly while culling) to multitask like that. My absolute favorite shows to binge while editing are Schitt's Creek, Grey's Anatomy, and the Office. I literally have my phone on a mount between my two screens with a show playing while I work.

What is your favorite book?

AHHHH that's like asking me to choose a favorite child!! I'm full on into Romantasy right now (who isn't) and I have a massive girl/author crush on anything Sarah J Maas. I also love historical fiction, classics like Pride and Prejudice... in true adhd fashion, I obsess with a different genre and typically move on. Obviously I have a love for storytelling!

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?

Ironically, the best ways I handle each are a little paradoxical. As for the self doubt- I have to remind myself to "stay in my lane". I shut down looking at what everryyyyyone else is doing, and focus on my work, and finding ways to love it. I go back and look at past galleries that make my heart thump, and I remind myself that there is a photographic artist out there for everyone, and the best way to give the most of myself is to focus on the moments and images that set my heart on fire. I find the more I grow, the less I feel that imposter syndrome eating at me, but when it starts to gnaw away at my heart, I just tell myself, "stay in my lane". As for the creative slumps, as cheesy as it sounds... I start binging lessons on unraveled and scrolling instagram. I study the art of other photographers and decide what I love about it, and how I can find a way to do something like that, but make it mine. I try to come up with a few creative moments with an upcoming session that I can try new shots out for and build into my session flow. Again, with the ADHD, it doesn't take much for me to move on to the next thing, so if I can find a way to re-focus my creativity, I tend to not wallow for long, hahaha.

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

Balance. Mom. Photographer. Wife. Business Owner. Balancing all the things and still giving the 100% I want into all of it is HARD. When I first started photography, it was a wonderful way to make a little money and get out of the house and recenter to.... me, not just mom. When things picked up, it switched to a ... is it WORTH leaving the house and my family for? I can hyperfocus at my computer until my booty goes numb, so I really have to myself to be intentional about my time, and it never feels like it's enough. What a difficult thing, to find a career you love so much, you have a hard time breaking away from it to spend time with the people you work so hard FOR.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

As long as it's thin crust, I'm game! I love trying "weird" or funky flavor combos.

What is your most favorite kind of light and why?

AHHHH that's a tricky one!! When I first started photography, and began studying other photographers, I noticed many had wonderful strengths, but it left the other genres of photography that they shot dramatically weaker. I kind of promised myself I'd strive to embrace and be excellent with any light situation, and shoot indoors, golden hour, and in studio with my Einstien.

Who is one of your favorite photographers?

Oh Maggie Rechkemmer, hands down and forever. Her family work, viewpoint, and shooting style is absolutely penultimate in my book! I also adore Annie Nelson, particularly her newborn and indoor/lifestyle work, and Colie James' family documentary work.