Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began taking photographs in high school. My father had a 35mm canon AE-1 film camera that I would use to document my life, my friends and the experiences I was encountering. Technically, I really didn’t know what I was doing but I enjoyed the process of taking photographs.
The more film I shot, the more I began to think about photography as an art form. A channel that I could express myself creatively. I didn’t think of myself as an artist – I couldn’t paint or draw to save my life. But I saw things. And I knew I saw them differently than my peers. All I wanted to do was take pictures, so I applied to a vocational trade school called Fort Hayes in Columbus Ohio at the beginning of my senior year. It was strictly a photography-based program teaching students about the basics of general photography, darkroom printing, composition and most importantly seeing light. I fell more and more in love with the medium and absorbed everything I could about the craft and the history of the photography.
This intensive Photography program helped me get into Ohio University’s school of visual communications as a freshman in 1997 where I studied commercial photography with an emphasis on fashion and editorial photography. At that time my dream was to move to NYC and become a fashion photographer. I studied the old masters and read Vogue, W, and Vanity Fair monthly; constantly hunting for inspiration. Always trying to recreate Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, and David LaChapelle’s photographs. This was the late nineties and I had little experience in studio lighting, but I was learning and taking photos. I pushed on. Trying different techniques and always pushing myself as an artist.
After graduating from Ohio University, I decided that Chicago would be a better city for me to begin my career. I was always a Midwest girl and knew that Chicago housed some of the best advertising and catalog companies in the U.S. I wasn’t sure where this path would take me, but I was definitely ready of the adventure. My desire to learn from other professional photographers was strong and I set out to assist anyone who would hire me. I worked extensively for eight years with some of the best commercial photographers in the business. The experience and knowledge that I gained from my time working in commercial photography studios gave me the ability to go out on my own and start taking on my own clients. At that time – I knew I wanted to focus primarily on photographing people. People intrigued me. They were interesting beautiful and complex. I photographed my first wedding and immediately fell head over heels in love with the experience. I had very little exposure in event photography but being a part of a wonderful love story with different people from different cultures and backgrounds was exciting and new. Storytelling became the emphasis of my work and I left the commercial world and began studying wedding photojournalism. Something that was very new to me as I was trained to mold and manipulate light to achieve perfect composition, exposure and color balance. With Photojournalism – the light, the subject is ever changing and you have to be ready at any given moment to get the shot. There are no reshoots or do-overs, so to truly tell the story of whatever you are shooting, you need to be fully present. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally. You learn patience and anticipation.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think that there is an entrepreneur out there that will say that their journey has been easy. I know mine has been an adventure. When I entered the photography industry in the early 2000’s it was a primarily male-dominated field. I had to work harder than the male assistants because as women we weren’t expected to lift 60 lb. rigs and carry heavy equipment. Load film backs in the blink of an eye and hustle from 5 am to 10 pm without a break. It was very different when I started out – there were few respected female photographers. Things have changed drastically. All for the better. And we are seeing more and more female creatives producing high-quality content. The hustle, work ethic, and desire have to be there. No one is going to come knocking on your door. You have to persevere, put yourself out there and know your craft. Understand your worth and believe in your talent. Keep learning. Produce content. Keep producing content. Being a business owner is a tough, sometimes lonely yet, brilliantly delightful road and it’s not for everybody. Honestly, it’s a roller coaster ride with ups and downs – But don’t give up if that is your dream.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Laura Witherow Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
2019 will be my 10th year as a full-time wedding photographer. I take a photojournalistic lifestyle approach to wedding photography. I believe that love is the most exciting all-consuming human emotion and it should be celebrated and shared. Hence – my work is beautiful and intimate – focuses on the joyous candid moments otherwise gone by. I think we all look best when we are happiest and who isn’t happy on their wedding day?!
I have a photograph of my grandparents who were married in 1949 framed and hung in my studio. A constant reminder of the power of wedding photography. I believe that photographs are not simply snapshots by legacies and family heirlooms. They are unique moments in time, captured and preserved. Photographs have the ability to retain value. Wedding photographs hold the most utility. There value increases with time having an inverse relationship on the recollection of your wedding day.
What sets me apart from other wedding photographers in my industry is my commercial photography background and my desire to constantly grow and improve. I spent the first 8 years of my career working for some of the best commercial and advertising photographers in Chicago. I have found that taking workshops, entering photography contests and being a part of a larger community of creatives has helped to keep me on my toes. I am forever grateful for the 50 5 star reviews I have received on accredited websites like WeddingWire and The knot.com. I take great pride in the relationships I build and am grateful for the word of mouth referrals that have really built my business. Honestly, if it weren’t for these couples who cherished my work and my aesthetic, I would not be here now. I owe them everything.
Who have you been inspired by?
My parents have been my biggest supporters. Advocates and confidants. They have inspired me to pursue my dreams, battle obstacles in my life and love unconditionally.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Network. Network. Network. Go out when you feel like staying in. Make friends with industry colleagues. Especially other photographers. These people will be your backbone when things get tough. You will need them, and they will need you. One of the great things about being a Chicago Wedding Photographer is that I am part of a small collective of artists who have an emergency back-up calendar set in place in case one of us couldn’t be at an event. This is rare, and I encourage everyone to build relationships and take care of their people. I am lucky to be a part of this community. I also volunteer with organizations that I feel passionate about. Get out there and start producing content. Set weekly goals. Conquer those and then set monthly goals, yearly etc. I have learned to adjust these goals and also revisit them when I didn’t meet them. Taking concrete steps to improve on a personal and professional level is a daily challenge.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography Collections begin at $3500.00
- Lifestyle and Portrait Sessions begin at $600.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurawitherowphotography.com
- Phone: 773-853-5606
- Email: laura@laurawitherowphotography.com
- Instagram: @laurawitherow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurawitherowphotography/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Foundlight Studios : Headshot
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