Meet Laura Studarus | Writer, photographer, podcast producer, and adventurer.

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

Hi Laura, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Remembering it’s okay to be stubborn. When you go into a creative field (any field really), you’ll instantly be surrounded by people telling you how hard it is to make a living. They certainly aren’t wrong! But what people forget to tell you is just how far believing that you’re the exception to the rule, showing up, and putting in the work will take you. That dogged belief that you’re meant for success (no matter how you define it), will open doors you never thought possible, and take you on adventures you never imagined.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A friend once told me that I’m “highly excitable,” which honestly sums up my career. My goal, whether it’s writing an article, taking photos, or doing backend work on our podcast (https://anchor.fm/why-not-both) is to figure out how to make someone love something as much as I do. People can tell when you’re phoning it in. Get excited. Get geeky.

Of course, it’s wildly idealistic to say “only do jobs you’re passionate about” when paying rent is at stake. I’m incredibly grateful I’m at the point in my career when I can do deep dives on the subjects I’m passionate about. (All the subjects really! I’m sure I’ve confused more than a few publicists who just want to know what I do.) But even when when I was just trying to scrape together a few bucks with any gig I could get, I still tried to get excited about every project. Go in with a spirit of openness, and you’ll be shocked at the connections you make and the joy you’ll find.

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?
Please, pretend that I am that friend! I just made my first trip to the Dallas/Fort-Worth area to run the Disco Half Marathon, and had the best weekend ever. (Even if my feet are still recovering.) I have never thrown myself so hard at food as I did at the Spiral Bakery and Diner. (Hell’s Half acre didn’t stand a chance.)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first semi full-time gig was a Under the Radar magazine. (http://undertheradarmag.com/) (Little did they know that when they took me on as a post-collegiate intern I wasn’t going to leave until they offered me a job.) Mark and Wendy Redfern allowed me to peer into their business and learn from every aspect. I did unglamorous things like pack boxes and learn how to budget for postage. I did exciting things like assist on photo shoots and learn what makes a great editorial image. They gave me my first reviews to write, and eventually I even got my first cover story. (Future Islands – still hanging on my wall!) The doors they opened for me have literally put me where I am now, and thankful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Bonus: Along the way they became two of my best friends, so like it or not, they’ll be in my life forever.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_studarus/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurastudarus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Laura_Studarus

Other: https://anchor.fm/why-not-both

Image Credits
Joshua Mellin