Meet Lauren Marks: Destination Wedding & Editorial Photographer

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

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well, I come from a family of entrepreneurs so I had always known I wanted to own a business one day. As an artist, I desired a career that could also serve as a creative outlet. Photography was a natural direction for me as it was something that had been a hobby of mine for many years. Having the freedom to decide when, where and how I wanted to work was probably my biggest motivator when I started my business… and still is to this day. As a single Mom to 3 kids, I do not take the time I am able to spend with them for granted.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With a background in graphic design, I really have a passion for telling stories that inspire the viewer. Taking a hands-on approach to creating my images, using a trained artistic eye to guide clients through the styling and photography process is something I truly enjoy. I am based out of both Texas and Colorado and available for destination weddings around the world. I’m honor to say that I’ve had my work published in both print and online editorials for some of the top wedding blogs, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Sparrow, The Knot Print Magazine and more. While I’m grateful for the success of my business so far, balancing work and family and a personal life is not always easy. My passion for learning and growing as an owner, creative, Mom, friend, daughter, sister and person is what motivates me to keep going. There are times when work is slow or times when I’ve taken on too much.. times that I haven’t managed my workload very well.. times when I’ve allowed stress to affect my mood, etc.. Regardless of the circumstances, life has a beautiful way of continually offering us opportunities to look inward to see where and how we can grow. I’m grateful I didn’t give up when life and running a business felt impossible during those times. I’ve learned that the most important contributing factor to my success is my perspective. Whether I think I can or can’t, I am right.

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.
Oh gosh, there are so many places I’d like for us to go. I would take them to the Dallas Arboretum, out on the boat on Lake Ray Hubbard, to the shops in the downtown Rockwall square, to the Dallas Zoo, the Perot Museum, to walk the trails at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, to ride bikes around White Rock Lake and walk around the Bishop Arts District. I would also take her to eat at my favorite restaurants: HG SPLY on Greenville Ave, Company Cafe, Origin in Dallas, True Food Kitchen, Brewed and Pressed, Roots Juices, Zanata in Rockwall, Bankhead Brewery in Rowlett, and I’m sure we’d probably also visit Whole Foods.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Mom was an inspiring example of a dedicated, hard working single Mother that owned and operated her own highly successful business when I was growing up. She has always been encouraging and supportive of my career path. In fact, it was her DSLR camera that I borrowed when I was first starting out in my photography business venture. Not only that, she happily helps by watching my kids when I am away to shoot sessions or weddings. I am so grateful to have her in my life.

Website: www.LaurenMarksPhotography.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lauren_marks_photography
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaurenMarksPhotography

Image Credits
Image of me holding camera: Katie Chang Photography Image of me with my children: Kate Marie Portraiture All others: Lauren Marks Photography