With creativity in her blood from a very young age, it was only when a friend set up a crowdfunding campaign that Lauren Phillips realised photography was her calling. The crowdfunding campaign allowed her to purchase a camera, the camera allowed her to earn a living, support her beautiful daughter and use her creative energy in a fulfilling way.
Since then Lauren has used her talent to educate and empower. Her story is an inspiration in itself and we’re obsessed with her work. Below Lauren shares what feeds her creativity, advice for new photographers and top tips on capturing raw, authentic moments at a shoot.
How did you get into photography? Did you study or are you self taught?
My mother was an exhibited black and white film photographer, so growing up it was one of those things that was always around me. I didn’t realise the subconscious impact and how much her work comes through in mine until a few years into starting.
I had always been told to do photography and I always had some sort of camera on me, but I never considered it to be an option. I knew I had to do something creative in my life for work but I never pieced it together.
One day around 4 years ago, I had moved back to Byron Bay with my daughter and couldn’t get work. With no work I couldn’t get a house to live in and I guess you could say I was homeless. Crashing on friends couches with a two year old was quickly becoming stale and a friend who knew of my worries surprised me with a go fund me page to raise funds for a camera. She believed that if I could just get a camera, I would be able to make money. The money was raised in three days and looking back now, I was so naive to how right she was in foreseeing my talent.
What continues to feed your drive, creativity, and passion for photography?
From a creative point of view, photography has been my medium to heal my past. It’s been a creative way of showing and freezing the tiny things that matter. Over time it has evolved into a deep and profound love for showing mothers that they matter. That even through the hardest or happiest times, we existed. Parenting can be such a haze and it’s so important to me that I get to give women the opportunity to see themselves as beautifully as I see them. To give them a photograph of the pieces they may otherwise forget.
I’ve always been the odd one out. And while I have a genuine love for all things motherhood, happiness isn’t my main drive in the emotion I thrive on. I like to often dig pretty deep and try to unlayer all of the emotions behind this journey. And celebrate all of them because this is the real life stuff we need. To re ground us in this fast paced life.
What advice would you give new photographers who need inspiration and motivation?
To always, always, always make time to photograph your own personal projects. Don’t make this gig just about money. You arrived at this spot as an artist and it’s your responsibility to continue to flourish and explore what sets your heart on fire.
With that, flows motivation...
What are your top tips on capturing raw, authentic moments at a shoot?
I truly believe this comes from everyday life and knowing your why. It stems from daily mindfulness and practising noticing the small things and slowing down. So often, we get in a session and panic. We shoot way too many photos and we long for perfection. Letting go of perfection is one of the most heartfelt ways that you can start to notice the authentic and raw. It’s those in between moments. It’s slowing down. It’s taking time to talk to your clients and of course, doing the groundwork before hand to have a safe place for vulnerability.
Tell us a bit about the new presets you've created for unscripted.
Ahhhhhh. These presets are so fun! One of the main requests that Unscripted asked me when designing them was to have those pink tones. Through a lot of testing and going back and forth, I’m pretty stoked to say that they retain those pink tones, especially for those golden sunset shoots, while still maintaining beautiful skin tones.
There are four in the pack (indoor, outdoor, sunset & black and white) and each specifically designed to be easy to navigate what to use and where.
This particular pack are clean and crisp while still being warm. They’re the perfect balance between bright, airy and moody. There’s no grain and no vignettes, so it makes it easy for the new photographer with little to no tweaking, while being simple for the experienced photographer to play around with.
Are there any other products, workshops or courses you offer?
The original Golden Days preset pack is my first baby. With 6 presets to choose from.
I do in-person workshops/retreats in Australia, however they are sold out for 2020..... BUT there is online goodness coming, so keep your eyes peeled!!
I also offer both in person and online mentoring which is a huge part of my work. The mentoring is deep and we work through a lot of your creative blocks together, while moving forward with your brand and your voice. How to be unique and stay true to yourself in a sea of other photographers. And of course, the really important things like proving yourself to make an actual profit.
Hop into our Facebook Group to join the conversation, hang with other rad photographers, share your photos from your in home sessions with us!
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FAQ's
What are authentic moments in photography?
How can I capture authentic moments during a photoshoot?
Why are authentic moments important in photography?
Can you provide some tips for improving my ability to capture authentic moments?