Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ashley Grenda.
Lauren Ashley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My whole life my parents told me I could never make money in art.
They told me to go to college, get a safe career, to live a safe life. So I did.
I wanted to be a doctor or a chiropractor because I love people and helping others. I finished with a biomedical science and engineering degree and was on my way to my PhD!
Until I found out I was pregnant at the age of 23. Believing I could finish my degree while still pregnant and having a child, I continued my studies and didn’t tell anyone, until I found myself on deaths door at 24 weeks pregnant as doctors told me I had something called preeclampsia and help syndrome, which gave me less than 10 days to live and a high chance of losing my son.
Here is our story here: https://youtu.be/7f55s0f8v-c
After spending 155 days in the hospital with my son, I finally brought my son home. His father and separated due to the stress of a high care and special needs child.
Fast forward to 2013 I am working and loving my safe job, but I always felt I was meant for more and my autistic son needed me at home!!!
One evening a girlfriend of mine contacted me looking for a wedding photographer! Since I modeled when I was younger I knew 100s but it was in that phone call I realized: “Holy cow these people can make a living off of this??”
My significant other of the time, Chris believed in doing this so much, he quit his safe comfortable job to pursue the dream of becoming weddings photographers. I, of course, was terrified, but followed suit, as we clawed, cried, worked for free, worked for others, sought out mentors, failed and concurred all within a few years.
The first wedding I shot by myself, was so exhausting, everything that could go wrong did go wrong at that wedding, and I remember falling onto my bed that night, utterly draining, thinking to myself….
That….was…. amazing….
I’m going to do this for the rest of my life!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My mission is to make you laugh, make you cry and to wow you!
I want people to actually “feel” the emotion of the image when they look at.
I’m usually crying and laughing along with my clients, which heightens the feeling.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think with the internet and social media it allows us to show off our work to a wider audience! Although I believe it has gotten more saturated with more and more people with a camera.
I have found myself bullied by other photographers, and feel like people don’t like to support one another in fear of losing work.
For me what I have found is the more I help other and give advice for free, the more good things come back to me.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
In the beginning work for free, you need to get your work in front of people! I know a ton of people say not to do that, but I’m saying for only a short period of time, as you get your name out there.
I love the book: “You are a badass at making money.” By Jen Sincero! She really helped me!
The average millionaire reads one book a day, and books will give you a ton of insight of making and reaching your goals.
I honestly feel like some $20 books changed and excelled me faster than my $60,000 bachelor’s degree. :: tears:: (Excuse me can I trade back this diploma and get my money back?)
I recommend getting a mentor that is better than you, and to listen and actually follow through with their advice!
My last piece of advice is people are going to hate you as you succeed. Many will bring you down in the beginning and tell you how it will never work! Heck even your loved ones might tell you to be “more realistic”. Know if this is something you really truly want you can obtain it, it’s will be really really hard, you will fail many more times more than you will succeed in the beginning. Learn from every failure, never give up and learn to fail better and YOU WILL succeed!
And as all the doubters watch you reign triumphant, it’s true what they say “Success is the greatest form of revenge”
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Online, Facebook, Instagram!
If you see me in public give me a high five 😉 I love people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lauren-ashley.com
- Phone: 833-LAS-WEDS
- Email: info@lauren-ashley.com
- Instagram: laurenashleystudios
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
laurenashleystudios
Image Credit:
Lauren Ashley Studios
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
