Laurel Crown Photography
- kaylastanley9
- Dec 28, 2018
- 5 min read
Jesus feminists & boss babes
The world needs more people who are unapologetically themselves & don't let society define them. I fell in love with Lauren's Instagram the second I saw it. She is doing things that I've heard people say women can't do. She is traveling the world, pursuing a creative career, & living on her own terms. Don't let anyone define you.
What inspired you to create your own brand?
I already love creating and was doing photography before Instagram was even a thing (let alone Instagram marketing) so as soon as that all started I knew I wanted to try and get into it myself! Honestly, at first I was really bad at it. I did (and still do) a lot of research and continued to try harder to find my niche and aesthetic. Now I sponsor brands a lot on my personal profile and also bring more clients into my photography business, Laurel Crown Photography, as well!
Where do you wish to see your brand in the future?
I want to continue to grow my personal/travel account to a point where I can sponsor hotels and much bigger brands while traveling. I also will be starting a travel blog in the very near future, and I have a Facebook page connected to my Instagram so I can reach more people! My goal is to be able to support myself with my photography business and Instagram marketing.
What message are you trying to put out into the world with what you create?
I want people to see how many amazing places are out there for them to visit, but also that anyone can travel. I get questions all the time about how I travel so much. First, I let them know that social media is always a different version of our lives- I am NOT constantly traveling as people might think from my feed. I try to keep that open and honest and mention that quite often, but it still doesn’t always get the point across. Second, traveling doesn’t have to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars! Most of my weekend trips in the States cost $100 or less per person. We drive, make our own meals, stay at cheap Airbnb’s (or even in my car), etc. I want to enable as many people as possible to explore this world God gave us! I also speak about my anxiety a lot and want to help break down the stigma around mental health like so many others are now. I’ve always been super open, so being open about my anxiety was a no-brainer for me! It’s opened so many conversations and created new relationships. I’ve met new people who struggle with it, and found out that friends I’ve known for years struggle with it as well and I never knew. Like I said before- social media can be such a different depiction of people’s lives, so I try my best to be honest about my struggles as well as my victories.
What do you tell yourself when you’re stuck in a rut?
That sometimes it’s okay to take a break. There’s been a few times I’ve taken a break from Instagram and just stepped back for awhile to catch my breath and refill my cup. Other times, however, you just have to try harder. Do more research, try out more creative ideas you might have but haven’t put into action, ask for help from other Instagrammers that you admire! Learn which times call for which reaction, and learn to be okay with it.
What advice do you have for girls who are starting out?
It’s hard and it’s time consuming. You don’t get to just post selfies and quick phone photos and suddenly grow a following and sponsor brands. I have so many people- even family members- who hear what I do and go, “Wow that’s so cool! I need to do that!” and I don’t think most people understand it’s like a part-time job just getting it started, and just becomes more and more time consuming. So even though it’s a tough, my advice is don’t go into this thinking it’ll be super easy. Don’t get me wrong- it’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s a wonderful way to get your creativity and voice into the world! But it’s also rough, can be a hit to your ego at times, and takes time. It’s worth it though!
What is your definition of a “boss babe”?
My definition of a “boss babe” would be a woman who doesn’t let the societal norms of how to make a living get to her. Someone who knows that it might be hard to make money off of the thing she’s passionate about, but pursues it anyway because she doesn’t want to work in a job that she doesn’t enjoy for the rest of her life. She’s strong, confident, perseveres, and is full of passion for attaining her goals!
Why is it important for girls to find their own voice and share it with the world?
It is so important for girls to find their own voice and share it because society needs to realize that:
1. Not all women (or men) are the same and want the same things in life.
2. Women (and men) should be allowed to do what they want with their lives depending on what they’re passionate about and not what the world thinks they should be passionate about.
When I was little I loved dresses, playing outside making mud pies, and wanted to be a carpenter, artist, and chef when I grew up. I remember telling my parents as I got older, “Well I guess I’m 50% girly-girl and 50% tomboy...so does that just make me...normal?” We tell girls from a young age that if you “act like a boy” because you like sports, not wearing dresses, etc. you’re a tomboy. If a little boy “acts like a girl” by playing with dolls or cooking in the play kitchen he’s probably going to grow up to be gay and you need to make him like “manly things” like playing with construction toys. It’s all ridiculous and I hate the stigma around all of it. I grew up with a father who taught me about cars and carpentry and would take me mountain biking often, but I also would dress up in pretty dresses and loved to bake, cook, and play with Barbies. Since my husband didn’t grow up learning the same things, a lot of the time I do the things the “man should do” in our marriage like putting the tree on the top of our car and teaching him to use the ratchet straps. Unfortunately we live in a world where he got flipped off for standing there watching me put the tree on the car while I taught him how to use the straps rather than him doing it himself. I want to do everything in my power to make that stop. I don’t want to live in a world where I’m told I need to have things done for me because I’m a woman, or that my husband is less of a man because I’m teaching him how to do it. I know many, many women who feel the same way and that is why it’s so important to share your voice and who you are rather than what society would make you out to be.
