Meet Laura Morsman | Photographer and Artist

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

Hi Laura, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
That is a great question!

I never intended to be a photographer but always intended to work with people in a supportive, authentic, creative way.

I had a very challenging and isolated home life growing up, and once leaving that, I truly wanted to impact people by becoming a trauma therapist/art therapist, and that’s what I went to school to be. I wanted to help and support those who didn’t get the support and safety they deserved growing up and I wanted to empower and help people reach their own version of liberation, in hopes of them living their life to the fullest, regardless of their past challenges and trauma.

I ended up leaving college before I had the chance to graduate after a large sudden loss in my personal life, and from that moment, even when I had no clue what I would be doing as a career, I knew I wanted to work alongside people.

Success isn’t something I’ve ever measured myself by in my work. I feel like success looks and feels different to everyone. Success to me is to be able to work with people in a way that feels connecting, inclusive, liberating, and safe.

I feel that the most important factor behind my business/brand is empathy, compassion, authenticity, awareness, gentleness, and integrity, with each person I get the opportunity to meet and work with.

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.
These are all wonderful questions-

My journey as an artist started in childhood. I was homeschooled and had so much time to be alone with my paint and my walkman, and my mind. I believe that that season of my life formed me to my core. The amount of time I was able to explore outdoors by myself unsupervised, I really didn’t have any strict schedule, and I also didn’t have any consistent support or safety in my home, so it was totally up to me to create a world internally that was safe and beautiful.

I started working at the age of nine, nannying, and continued to do that up until I was 14. At that point I was nannying full time for people and had developed a lot of pride in my ability to work with kids and create a fun and safe atmosphere for them to be fully and authentically themselves. We would dance, paint, explore outdoors, sing, all of the things that helped me feel connected to myself as a kid.

After leaving college, I started managing Anthropologie stores and absolutely loved it, minus the politics and drama that can naturally be found in those spaces. I was able to see the incredible power of attempting to be a gracious and empathetic leader, one who listens, respects, and advocates for their team. I was shocked that this wasn’t the norm when I entered the professional world, but quickly saw the lack of humanity, inclusion, and safety in the work place and how much it effects people’s wellbeing. This work experience showed me how much I could grow and learn as a person, even when attempting to work a job that I had never done before. After being in this role for a few years, I started photographing their events in store, and I realized how much I loved documenting life through photography and just how impactful and powerful that cultivating community and joy is in this world.

It was shortly after those few years that I took the leap to go full time with my photography. I was supported by so many incredible people that found me through working retail. It feels like a dream because I’ve been doing this for so long, for 13 years now, and I can look back and see each and every person who encouraged me to keep going and keep running towards my dream of being a full time photographer and artist. It still doesn’t feel real. I am incredibly grateful, honored, and privileged to have this life.

If there was anything I would want the world to know about me or my story, it’s that you truly don’t know what other people have been through in their lives. I believe once we get to the deepest root of our own stories, our own trauma, our own hurt, it has the opportunity to expand our heart and empathy for those around us as well as ourselves. This impacts every moment of our lives, no matter what profession we are in.

At the end of my life, I don’t think I’ll look back and be in awe of being a photographer, but for having a life and passion that invited so many different people and experiences into it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I love Dallas. There are so many fun and beautiful spots there!

I love the Bishop Arts area, I love going to Eno’s and getting fresh pizza and a salad and visiting all of the shops..

I love driving through all of the unique and eclectic neighborhoods around Knox and Henderson, Lower Greenville, maybe see a show at the Granada!

The architecture around Dallas has always been so inspirational to me. I literally drive through so many different neighborhoods there and am in awe of the mix of styles and aesthetics of the homes throughout it.

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?
There are so many incredible people who have impacted my work in so many different ways. My career wouldn’t exist without the generosity, support and intentionality of my friends, clients, and peers.

My therapist Rebecca has impacted my world greatly. There aren’t words to describe how much she has been the wind beneath my wings for almost a decade. She has shown me my light time and time again, even when I thought it was lost, and has empowered me in ways I never imagined. I am eternally grateful for her.

Website: www.lauramorsmanphotography.com

Instagram: @lauramorsmanphotography

Other: You can find my podcast on Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/0RT2DLcQ3EmKOV0ZQ2uCBJ?si=5e4758fa75354d2b

Image Credits
Laura Morsman Photography