Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Michael.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I don’t have the origin story most photographers have. I didn’t walk around with a Nikon Coolpix in my hand throughout my whole childhood, but I always knew I would be a creative someday. My mother was and is an artist and graphic designer. My childhood was filled with drawing and painting lessons, and I remember even completing 5th-grade school projects using Adobe InDesign.
When it came time to choose a college major, I thought, “Do what you know,” and graduated from Grace College with a degree in Visual Communication Design and a minor in Marketing. My first big-girl job out of college was as the Communications Director for a local church (read: Communications Director, Graphic Designer, Website Designer, Social Media Manager, Production Assistant…. You wear a lot of hats in church ministry!)
When my husband and I got married in 2020, we moved to Mansfield, Ohio, and I became the Communications Director there at Crossroads Church. In 2021, my husband gifted me a really nice mirrorless Sony for my birthday, and with absolutely no knowledge of using a camera at all, I started using it to shoot content for my job at the church. By 2022, I felt confident enough to start a little side hustle shooting senior portraits and family sessions.
However, it wasn’t long before a friend asked me to shoot their wedding. I spent the summer of 2022 listening to—and I’m not kidding—over 100 hours of photography education podcasts, and second shooting as much as I possibly could.
When I photographed that first wedding, I was struck by the sacredness of it — the quiet anticipation, the laughter, the presence of God woven through every moment. It lit a fire in me so strong that I made the leap to becoming an entrepreneur and business owner. Since then, I’ve had the honor of documenting over 50 weddings, investing hundreds of hours into education and mentorships to refine not just my craft, but the way I serve.
Now, as a full-time wedding photographer, my heart is to help couples craft days that feel deeply meaningful, not like a production, but like a celebration of faith, family, and the start of a lifelong covenant. It’s more than photos to me. It’s ministry, memory, and beauty intertwined.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think every season of a business has its own unique challenges, and I’m thankful for them. I’ve certainly had my share of live-and-learns, imposter syndrome, and second-guessing everything about my work. But I think all those things help us creatives keep from being stagnant, and keep pushing ourselves to be better at our craft and our whole client experience. I’m thankful for mentors and the wedding industry community who have encouraged me and given me the tools to be successful, and more importantly, serve my clients well.
On a personal level, I’ve always dreamed that my photography business would one day give me the freedom to be home with my kids. This year, we welcomed our first baby right in the middle of wedding season, and I got to see how this business I’ve built could dial down or ramp up to accommodate this new stage for our family. While I am sometimes frustrated trying to write emails one-handed and having my work time be at the mercy of nap times, I’m at peace knowing that some seasons are for hustling and others are for taking on less to be present more.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in wedding and couple photography and take a select number of family sessions throughout the year. I’m known for my true-to-life colored edits and the joy-filled, people-centered images I capture. What I believe sets me apart from others is how deeply I care about my clients getting to enjoy their wedding. I pursue this throughout my whole client experience, from the way we carefully plan and set up loose, stress-free timelines beforehand, to my calm, helpful, and intentional approach on a wedding day. I will lose sleep over a stressed-out bride or mother of the bride!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
SO MANY. I have learned the most from Nathan Chanski, first with his Passion with Purpose podcast and more recently from being a part of his Business Blueprint program. I also binge the Heart and Hustle Podcast with Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman. The books Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie have also been life-changing for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laurenmichaelphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichael_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenmichaelphoto
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/laurenmichaelphoto/
