Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Foote.
Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was young. As the oldest of three in a busy, performing arts-focused family, I was a bit shy, and yet documenting things always mattered a lot to me. In college, with the push from those around me, I reluctantly started a portrait business. That business grew alongside my academic and professional career– I never intended to do it full time. But for 6 years now, I’ve been a destination portrait, commercial & wedding photographer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, certainly not! Moving the business from Kansas City to Florida, and then back to Kansas City 8 years later, was definitely defining. It’s incredibly difficult to uproot a service-based business, even to a place where you have connections. There was a point when I moved to FL that my camera sat on the shelf of my closet. I was in grad school and hoped to keep the business going, but they’re just wasn’t any work despite my best efforts. I had to make the conscious decision to keep pushing, networking, and pitching. With both moves, it took almost a year to adjust.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a natural-light portrait & wedding photographer as well as a business educator & speaker. I like to say that my focus is “people and their stories”, and it’s really true. I have a counseling and education background, so understanding the context of people and the season there impacts my work tremendously. I’m most proud of the legacy my business has in the lives of many of my clients; years and years and years of relationships and portraits that sum up so much. The fact that people keep inviting me back is just so humbling. I think this also ties into my love of customer service and really taking care of people. I used to work for Walt Disney World and learned so much about this there. I think my clients would say working with me goes far beyond the final images and what they think of them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband, a theater teacher and professional actor has been incredible support from the beginning. I’m thankful to be married to someone who understands what it is to have a talent that you sincerely want to share with others.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.laurafoote.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurafoote
- Facebook: facebook.com/laurafootephoto
Image Credits:
Allison Marie Photography
