Today we’d like to introduce you to DEBRA LAWRENCE.
Hi DEBRA, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
started photography by photographing landscapes. I loved mountains, open spaces, and beautiful light, and I spent a lot of time chasing scenes that felt peaceful and expansive. Somewhere along the way, I had a realization that still makes me laugh. Mountains are beautiful, but they can’t pay the bills.
What changed everything was adding people into those landscapes. I realized that people give scale, emotion, and perspective to a scene. A mountain is impressive on its own, but when you place a person in it, the story suddenly becomes about connection, courage, and presence. That shift from places to people completely changed how I saw photography and eventually how I built my business.
In the early years, I said yes to everything. Weddings, families, events, anything that helped me learn and grow. That season gave me thousands of hours behind the camera and a deep understanding of how to work with people. I learned how to read energy quickly, put clients at ease, work efficiently, and capture genuine expression without forcing it.
As my business matured, I realized I didn’t want a high-volume model built around handing over digital files and moving on. I wanted something more intentional. I wanted my work to live on walls, in albums, and in homes, not get lost on hard drives. That led me to transition into boutique, full-service portrait photography, where I guide clients through the entire process and help them create artwork that actually fits their space and their lives.
Today, my business is built on relationships, trust, and experience. I work with families who value quality and service, and I’ve built a sustainable, profitable business by slowing things down, doing fewer sessions, and doing them better. The success didn’t come from trends or shortcuts. It came from clarity, consistency, and deciding to build something that lasts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most entrepreneurs, the hardest challenges weren’t technical. They were mindset, boundaries, and learning how to run a business instead of just being good at the craft.
Early on, one of the biggest struggles was learning how to price confidently and stop apologizing for it. When you care deeply about people, it’s easy to undercharge, overdeliver, and convince yourself that being busy means being successful. I had to learn that sustainability matters, and that serving clients well also means running a healthy business.
Another challenge was stepping away from a volume-based model. Letting go of “more sessions equals more income” felt risky at first. It required trusting my experience, my process, and the value of what I offer. That shift meant saying no more often, setting clearer expectations, and building systems that supported both my clients and my life.
There were also personal challenges along the way. Running a business while raising a family and navigating seasons of uncertainty forces you to grow quickly. I’ve had to learn how to protect my energy, set boundaries, and give myself permission to evolve instead of staying stuck in what once worked.
Looking back, those challenges were necessary. Each one pushed me to build a business that is more intentional, more profitable, and more aligned with who I am. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Abundant Moments Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Abundant Moments Photography is a boutique, full-service portrait studio built around experience, guidance, and artwork that lasts. I don’t just photograph families. I help them slow down, feel comfortable, and walk away with something tangible that tells their story and lives in their home, not on a hard drive.
I specialize in family portraits, children, seniors, and legacy work, with an emphasis on custom wall art and heirloom albums. What I’m known for is making the process easy and unintimidating. From the first conversation to the final installation, I guide clients through every step so they never feel overwhelmed or unsure. My clients don’t have to guess what to wear, how to pose, or what to do with their images afterward. That’s my job.
What sets my business apart is the combination of efficiency, experience, and genuine care. I work quickly, connect easily, and know how to bring out real expression even with camera-shy kids or adults who swear they “hate having their photo taken.” I also intentionally limit volume so each client receives focused attention and a high level of service.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me. Many families come back year after year and refer their friends because they feel seen, respected, and taken care of. I’ve built a brand that values quality over quantity, relationships over trends, and meaningful artwork over disposable images.
What I want readers to know is that boutique photography isn’t about luxury for the sake of luxury. It’s about intention. It’s about creating something that reflects your life right now and preserving it in a way that doesn’t fade. My goal is simple. I want families to walk past their walls years from now and still feel something.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that being good at your craft isn’t enough. You have to be willing to own your value, set boundaries, and run your business with intention.
For a long time, I thought working harder and saying yes to everything was the path to success. What I eventually learned is that clarity matters more than hustle. When you’re clear about who you serve, how you serve them, and why your work matters, everything gets easier. Decisions get simpler. Pricing becomes more confident. Clients feel that clarity and respond to it.
I’ve also learned that success doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing fewer things well and doing them consistently. Building a sustainable business meant slowing down, trusting my experience, and designing a process that supports both my clients and my life.
That lesson changed everything for me. It allowed me to build a business that’s not just profitable, but meaningful and lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abundantmoments.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debralawrence_amp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantmoments
- Twitter: https://x.com/abundantmoments
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuupQWHKq0F2sGGovu5j1cA
