Meet Lauren Mascardo | Photographer

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

Hi Lauren, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
A value and principle I value would be being humble, and showing up every day.

I was raised to be kind and humble, even when those around you aren’t. It’s not something to boast about or a way to make yourself look better by saying you carry those morals, but an expectation to hold yourself to.

I believe that showing up everyday is truly the answer to success. A lot of hard days and nights go into seeking success, but showing up everyday is 100x better than not showing up at all. The effort you put in is the effort you’ll get back, with clients, peers, and friends too. Show up for your people!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a photographer each one of us has our own look and touch on our photos, making everyones work unique and special in their own way.

As for me, I’ve been into photography for pretty much all my life and I got my own camera for my 16th birthday where my journey really started. I started shooting at South OC Cars and Coffee which is really where I got the automotive bug, it’s the largest weekly car show in the world. Every saturday, anywhere from 500-1,000 cars regularly, hundreds of motorcycles, and even more in the summer and holidays (1,500-3,000). Anything from hypercars, exotics, vintage, muscle, pickups, hot rods, motorcycles and everything in between. I met a ton of amazing people who supported me and posted my photos around but never got anything crazy from it. My senior year of high school I got the oppourtunity to shoot D1 college football where I realized this was something I wanted to do long term, not just as a hobby.

Now, I’m a second year Journalism and Media Communications major at Colorado State and working with the Rocky Mountain Student Media as a photographer for the award winning newspaper The Collegian. During my time here I’ve realized I didn’t want to be a photographer as a long term career but as a smaller secondary job. I realized my freshman year that having your hobby turn into work runs you into a deep, deep burnout rut. I wasn’t taking photos as often, not scheduling shoots, I was even considering never picking up my camera again.

Months later I was editing older photos and realized how much I missed being behind the camera, and the adrenaline rush shooting rollers gives you, or when the photos you didn’t think came out ended up being some of your best work. The experience of creating photos is so unique and so much fun.

Now, i’m shooting more than ever with some of the best photo friends I’ve ever met and doing what I want to do, rather than what an editor is telling me what to shoot and how to shoot it.

The road has been long and hard, but it’s only up from here. Not without a few bumps in the road, but i’ve set myself on a good path and i’m excited to see what the future has to hold for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
– Horsetooth reservoir: views, swimming/boating, perfect picnic spot, fun twisties to ride on a motorcycle

– Rare Italian: Downtown Fort Collins, easily some of the best food I’ve ever had

– Hike horsetooth rock: Incredible views and fun hike

– Old Town: Just walking around on a friday night, the lights are so pretty and the little shops are super fun to look around in

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
100% my boyfriend Hayden he pushes me to be my best and do my best work, he makes me a better creator and I definetly wouldn’t be where I am without him.

My friends Neo, Jaden, and Amelia, for being amazing photographers, people to work with and just surround myself with.

Our little photography instagram group chat (you know who you are) for connecting me with amazing people and photographers, and just being a really amazing supportive community to share my work with.

The fort collins bike community for being incredible, believing in me and welcoming me with open arms.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/lauren-mascardo-csu/gallery?authuser=0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lm.photo._

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mascardo/

Image Credits
Photo of Lauren done by Hayden Isaacs (@skylines.media)
All automotive photos incluced done by Lauren Mascardo (@lm.photo._)