Meet Trailblazer Lauren Dow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Dow.

Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
To tell the whole story would take forever, but to get down to the nitty-gritty, I found myself over the last ten years telling other people’s stories. In 2012, I graduated from the University of South Florida with my bachelors in Mass Communication with a focus in Public Relations. Immediately after college, I began working in social media and digital marketing. I was, and still am, a content creator for individuals and their businesses, both big and small.

In 2013, I made the decision that ‘cube life’ just wasn’t for me. I decided to see what possibilities there were for me to take my job remote. The hustle wasn’t the easiest, but I made due. The market wasn’t nearly as oversaturated as it is now for writers and social media marketers. Finally, in 2017, I decided to take my remote job on the road. I traveled through Europe, South America, and all over the United States. I wanted to experience an unorthodox way of life because, let’s be honest, I’m not really an orthodox type of gal anyways.

Quite frankly, backpacking was one of the most life-changing experiences I think I may ever have. I’m sure we have all heard that before from others talking about their traveling experiences, but it’s true down to the core. I hiked down the deepest canyons in the poorest countries. I found myself in the jungle above the mist completely isolated from the world around me. I discovered what life was like in a tiny village in the Amazon at three in the morning. What I experienced was a life beyond this western world to the point that it made me completely rethink what my life’s purpose was.

I am a firm believer in continuously challenging myself and expanding my skill set. Whether it’s furthering my education, learning how to dance west coast swing, or stepping outside of my comfort zone and living in an entirely new part of the country. This past year, I decided to expand my storytelling tool belt by adding photography into the mix, bringing me to where I am now.

I’ve begun planting roots in Denver, Colorado. While my travel-itch is still there (and no, it won’t ever go away), I now know that I have a place that I can truly call my home base. Honestly, could I have found a better place to start my photography business? I think not.

It wasn’t an easy road to get to where I am now, I’ll tell you that. Through battles with mental health, repatriation into the United States after being away for a year, heartbreak, and honestly just a whole mess of “what the heck do I do with my life now” type of feels. But at the end of the day, I sat myself down and said that wallowing isn’t going to get me anywhere. Action and impulsivity are the two key components to the glorious adventures I have found myself in on this crazy journey of life. I’m just thrilled that I now have a new opportunity to start documenting it in a new, creative, and hopefully inspiring way,

Great, 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?
Oh gosh no, it was most certainly not a smooth road.

As I said before, there has been so much that has brought me to where I am now. While a lot of it was absolutely beautiful, there was certainly struggle that came along with it.

My personal battles with depression, anxiety, and other mental health-related issues has made every endeavor I have come across seem more impossible than the last. Once I finally acknowledged that life didn’t need to something to just get through and handled alone, I sought out the necessary help. Now, I feel like I can conquer anything.

If I had to give one piece of advice (which I feel like I could go on for days with what not to do to avoid the obstacles that I have made thus far), it would be to ask for help. It’s perfectly okay, if not highly recommended, to seek help. I don’t just mean in terms of my mental health, I mean in terms of a career, passion, or anything that makes your heart sing. How else do you think you will ever become the best possible version of yourself at your craft?

I’ve sought out help from complete strangers who have opened their hearts and minds to me so I can pick their brain on writing a book or starting a photography business. Sure, I could read all of the how-to books in the world to get me going, but why not ask the experts who are already doing it?

Women, we are powerful, strong, and wise beyond what we give ourselves credit for. We deserve more than what we receive, yet we are humble enough to never ask for more than what we need. Don’t be afraid to stick your neck out on what is important to you or to ask for help in ways you may feel too afraid to. At the end of the day, I promise you will be grateful you did.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lauren Michelle Photo – what should we know?
I have recently begun my photography business, Lauren Michelle Photo, in Denver, Colorado. This is my newest endeavor, however not my first time in the photography rink. I’ve previously worked as a social media marketer and content creator for various businesses which also included product and branding photography.

While I continue to do photography for companies, this is the first time I’ll be expanding my scope and begin building more personal relationships with families, couples, and individuals to tell a deeper and more meaningful story.

I have to say, the proudest I have been was the first time I did a family photoshoot here in Boulder. Once I saw how happy they were to finally have some beautiful moments captured of their family over the holidays with the mountains framing them ever so perfectly, that was the moment I realized there was nothing else in this world I wanted to do. I want to continue providing people with those moments through the most pivotal and memorable times in their lives.

I can tell you that there have been so many moments I look back on and think, man I really should have started this earlier! But I can’t look back and live in the past of the would-haves and should-haves. I can only take the necessary steps moving forward and keep the momentum going from here.

Not only do I provide family and individual portrait sessions, but I also am branching out into photographing engagements, elopements, landscape, online dating photos, and much more. So if you are looking for someone to help capture the best moments of your life, I’m your girl.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
There is one book that has honestly put so much into perspective for me. “Stop Doing That Sh*t: End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back” by Gary John Bishop. Yes, the title is exactly what you think it is. For years (seven to be exact) I’ve found myself living in this vicious cycle that was causing me to not be the best version of myself. I remained stagnant and couldn’t figure out why every other year, I was finding myself in the exact same position that I didn’t want to be in.

Thank you to this wonderful Scottish man for delivering me a swift kick in the ass that my life needed.

Another book and this one is a MUST read for women, is “Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. For over twenty years, Clarissa worked on this book collecting stories from different cultures and walks of life to perfectly depict the female embodiment in mind, body, and spirit. I’m actually on my third time reading it now!

Otherwise, I’m a big advocate for reading memoirs, particularly by female comedians. They are hilarious, inspiring, and they don’t take shit from anyone or let anything stand in their way of achieving their goals. That right there is something to be admired.

Pricing:

• $250 New Client 1 Hour Photo Session (Family, Portraits, Engagement, Etc.) (laurendow.com/services)
• $850 Social Media Consulting (Per Month) (laurendow.com/services)
• $50 Content Writing (Per Hour/Article) (laurendow.com/services)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurendow.com
• Phone: 813-382-4027
• Email: laurenmichelledow@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenmichellephoto

Image Credit:
Lauren Dow of Lauren Michelle Photo

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