Meet Lauren Lear | Food Photographer + Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Lear and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, how do you think about risk?

I attribute the success I’ve had in my career to date to risk taking. It’s easier and comfortable to stay safe, but that is also the surefire way to stay where you are. I’ve always been looking to the next thing, on improving, growing, building on what I’ve created, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the series of risks I’ve taken.

My first big risk was moving to New York with no job a year after college. There I worked as a studio assistant for a huge commercial photo studio, I was a photo assistant for a book cover photographer, I held a few temp jobs at Martha Stewart and was a lead photographer for a jewelry company.

After two years in New York, I moved back home to Virginia for just a year and then took another risk, moving to Maine for a photo internship. After the internship I started my current photo business. I worked on that business on and off while I held other jobs, until 2019 when I left my full-time job to pursue my food photography and styling career full time.

In January 2020 I took a risk on committing to a year lease on a photo studio. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for the first few months, let alone a year, but I had faith it would work out. With the studio came more work and then Covid just two months later. My scheduled jobs were canceled or put on hold, but I was lucky enough to be able to work through it once a week on my own as people could mail me their products to shoot.

In September 2021 I had outgrown the studio that I had been sharing and needed my own space. I signed a lease on a 2,000 square foot studio space that I intend to rent to photographers, makers, and for events.

This space, The Photo Kitchen, may be my biggest risk to date. However, I’ve already received a ton of support, excitement, and interest in the space, and we are pre-launch.

Here’s to the next risk, or better yet, adventure!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a food photographer and stylist and I’m extremely proud of the business I’ve built. This is not a job you wake up and decide to do. I got to where I am by doing what I love for fun and sharing it with the world. This was all manifested without me even realizing it. I shared what I love with the world and I attracted the clients that wanted to work with me.

It was a week long food photography and styling workshop that helped set me on the path I am now on. I learned valuable skills that I immediately went home to practice. I get inspired by other photographers’ work and practice different techniques.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I first moved to Portland, Maine I was always playing tour guide. I would take people to Fort Williams to see the Portland Headlight and Two Lights Lobster Shack. My absolute favorite beach is Willard Beach. It’s about 30 minutes from me and is easy to find parking and have  a great view of Spring Point Light, boats, schooners, ferries, and a beautiful view of House Island. For food and drinks, The Thirsty pig is my favorite for a Chicago dog and a Bissell Brothers Substance. I love sitting outside in the private huts. For a fun night out- I always love going to Batson River for great food and cocktails.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Krystina Fisher of The Messy Cookie is my best friend in business and in life and I owe her so much for being my sounding board, cheerleader, and supporter for at least seven years now.

Website: www.laurenlearfood.com

Instagram: @laurenlearfood

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-lear-9947765/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenLearPhotography

Image Credits
Elle Darcy (photos of me) Lauren Lear (all other photos)