Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Perkins.
Laura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved photography, and I have been shooting professionally for the last nine years, in LA and across the country. While pursuing my English degree at Mount Saint Mary’s College in West LA, I began photographing events around the campus for various offices and for the student yearbook and found my style of photography in the process. Now, four years later, I am shooting photography professionally, along with my husband, and mostly shoot engagements and head shots around Santa Monica. I have been fortunate enough to receive accolades for my work from several sources, including winning a free cruise around the UK for a photograph I submitted into their image competition, and having my work featured on Anthropologie. When I am not photographing professionally I also work for a stock photography company as an image reviewer, where I provide critiques on images submitted.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have been lucky enough to have a support system from my family and friends who always encouraged me to become a professional photographer. However, starting in the industry at such a young age, I did not understand the importance of having a client sign a contract and chose to use verbal contracts instead. Consequently, many photographs I took early on were taken and I had no recourse. I learned very quickly how important it is to have a written contract with each client, no matter who they are.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is melding mine and the client’s styles and personal aesthetic, to show off their personality but also to show off the location and how it fits into the client’s individuality through the photographs I take.
What are you striving for, what criteria or markers have you set as indicators of success?
To me, success is seeing the client happy and in love with the photographs, I take for them. If they are not happy, then I am not doing my job properly. When I am able to photograph their expressions in a way that captures their true personality, I am inspired and I feel as if my photographs of them are better because of it.
What are your plans for the future?
Professionally, I am expanding my client base and am photographing weddings and engagements, especially during the fall wedding season here in Southern California. I am excited to travel, as well, and photograph more locations. I have also recently been speaking to various companies about photographing commercially for their business, including food styling and product photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurathephotographer.com
- Phone: 310-300-1916
- Email: mrslauraperkins@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrslauraperkins
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrslauraleeperkins
