Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Benson.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! My journey into photography has always been rooted in emotional connection and a deep love for storytelling.
It truly began when I was just seven years old. With a disposable camera in hand and a scrapbook spread out on the floor. Even then, I was captivated by the idea of storytelling, documenting the people I loved, and creating something tangible out of moments that might otherwise slip away. That curiosity turned into passion, and eventually turned into a career.
In 2014, I jumped straight into weddings while living abroad. A deeply rooted, tight-knit community welcomed me in with open arms. It was there that I began to understand how powerful emotional storytelling could be. How photography wasn’t just about the visuals, but about honoring connection, family, and legacy. That experience shaped the way I work to this day: with care, intentionality, and a desire to create images that feel both beautiful and deeply meaningful. Especially on a wedding day.
Since then, photography has taken me around the world! Documenting weddings and love stories in some of the most stunning places. My journey led me to Kansas City in May of 2020 (what a time to move, right?!). From the moment I arrived, I felt embraced by a creative community that is warm, uplifting, and incredibly supportive. It’s here that I’ve continued to grow both as an artist and as a business owner, grounding myself in a city that values connection as much as I do.
Today, my work is a blend of emotional storytelling and lively, editorial moments. I approach every wedding with the same heart I had at seven years old. I’m still in awe of the beauty in people, their stories, and the once-in-a-lifetime moments they invite me to document. My greatest joy is in creating photographs that are not only visually timeless but stay with you emotionally. The kind of images that transport you back to how it felt. The photos in an album that you will reach for time and time again.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road hasn’t always been smooth. But every challenge has shaped me into the artist, business owner, and person I am today.
One of the biggest struggles was learning how to truly define my voice and communicate my approach in a way that resonated with the couples I serve. Early on, I thought I had to fit into a certain mold, and the wedding industry enhances those thoughts. Just be “the photographer” or “the storyteller.” But I’ve come to realize that what I do is so much deeper than that. I’m not just capturing pretty images, I’m preserving my couples’ legacy. In a way, it’s like I’m their personal historian.
It took time to find the language and confidence to express that. To say, yes, I’ll be by your side, capturing the big, beautiful moments, but I’ll also be quietly preserving the in-between. The embrace with your grandmother, the tears your partner wipes away when no one’s looking, the joy that lives in movement and laughter.
Learning to lead with that truth and attract couples who value it, has been one of the most meaningful shifts in my business. It’s no longer just about documenting a wedding day. It’s about crafting something lasting, intentional, and emotionally rich.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With over a decade of experience, I specialize in photographing weddings with an approach that’s equal parts emotionally grounded and editorially inspired. My work is known for its timeless aesthetic, candid emotional moments, and most importantly, the deep sense of connection woven into every frame.
What sets my work apart isn’t just the final gallery. It’s the experience leading up to it. Every wedding I’ve photographed has trained me in something far more valuable than technical skill: connection. Connection with my couples, to ensure their story is told with honesty and heart. Connection with their families, to help family formals run so smoothly. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been stopped mid-wedding day by a guest saying, “That was the easiest family photo experience I’ve ever had.” There are so many moving pieces on a wedding day, and connecting with your people make everything flow easier, and ensure that they enjoy the experience as well.
I bring an energy to wedding days that’s both calming and confident. I’m a naturally bubbly person, but I know exactly how to read a room, guide a variety of personalities, and gently take control when needed to keep the day flowing smoothly. That balance of warmth, presence, and leadership is essential when documenting such an emotional, fast-paced event.
What I’m most proud of is the environment I create. One where people feel seen, celebrated, and at ease. My goal isn’t just to take beautiful photographs, but to document meaningfully, to preserve legacy and connection with care, style, and intention.
There’s also connection with my team! People I trust wholeheartedly to shoot in a way that reflects both my style and my values. And connection with fellow vendors, where collaboration isn’t just a buzzword but a genuine commitment to creating a seamless, magical day for our couples.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that every couple is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to telling someone’s story, and that’s the beauty of it. I’ve photographed couples who met in college, on Tinder, and even on an airplane. I’ve photographed couples of same and different genders, and couples of all shapes and sizes. Every couple, person and story are unique. Not only am I confident in photographing and posing them in a way that is affirming, but also in a way that makes them feel as if they’re the main characters in this story.
Slowing down, asking questions, and taking the time to truly understand who they are, not just as a couple, but as individuals, as friends, as family members, is essential. It allows me to photograph in a way that’s honest and deeply personal, rather than simply beautiful.
Their story deserves to be told in their voice! With nuance, emotion, and the details that matter most to them. That kind of storytelling requires presence, empathy, and intention. And it’s what makes this work so incredibly meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lbensonphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lbensonphoto
