Seldom do you meet someone whose passion and enthusiasm for what they do comes through so vibrantly. Laura Jane is such a person. But you don’t have to meet her to know that she is passionate about her work. Her pictures speak for themselves.
Laura Jane was at a crossroads in choosing her career, accounting or photography. A lot of us have been there too. Do we follow our heads or our hearts? Instead of following a path well traveled, Laura Jane followed her heart and her intuition to fulfill her creative yearnings. Thank goodness she did as her work has brought joy to so many people, me included. Laura Jane’s mission is to ‘make people happy and make them smile through my work’ and she has certainly succeeded. Not only does she have bucket loads of happy clients, Laura Jane has won photography awards and her work is regularly featured in wedding publications.
Following her passion has really paid off for Laura Jane – she is absolutely living a life she loves – what advice can we take from her?
What do you do and why do you love it?
I’m a professional wedding and lifestyle photographer and for me this is my life and my love. I can honestly say, that my work really is my life. Being able to capture a split second in someone’s life and leaving them with a lifetime of memories, really makes me love my job so much. Being able to document a moment and a feeling that will always be a memory of that time in someone’s life is what I love most. A picture can take you back to that place in time immediately.
Did you always 'just know' what you wanted to do?
I did in fact almost go study accounting, as this was my main interest at that time, but then realized I would never be able to cope in a 9-5 routine. I've always been creative, a bit of a free spirit and knew I had to do something where I can create.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
After my studies as a photographer, I went to work abroad for 8 years where I was travelling the world, working as a photographer for a cruise line. This was a very exciting time in my life, even though the work was challenging at times, I met amazing people from all over the world.
I did then come to a point, when I realized I needed to return home as I wanted start my own business as a photographer. This was very challenging, as I had no idea how anything worked on land with regards to starting a photography business and being abroad for so long, meant I had no connections in the industry.
Before leaving the cruise ships I saved up enough money to buy all the equipment I needed to start my business, I started working for a photography studio, attended photography workshops and building a network with other photographers by assisting them at shoots. Most of these jobs were not paying jobs, but I learned a heck of a lot, which really helped me to learn the ropes of a business in South Africa. A lot of hard work, determination and learning were the keys for me.
What are you hoping to achieve in the future?
All I want to achieve now and in the future is to make people happy and make them smile through my work.
What do you love most about living your passion?
Firstly, it really never feels like work. The gratification and reward is just unbelievable and I think for me it really is about trying to make a difference in someone’s life. I have met so many clients with so many unique stories, even stories of loved one’s lost and sadness, which is all part of life. If I can make just one person smile through a picture that I took, then it makes what I do so much more worthwhile and important and also extremely gratifying.
What would you advise someone who doesn't know what their passion is?
I think for me finding out what your passion is, is really when you get that feeling in your tummy….that feeling of excitement and exhilaration. For me that is the connection with passion. If you find something that excites you, that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling and makes you happy, you know it’s your passion. Try as many different interests and see which one makes you the happiest.
Do you have any tips for people who share a passion for photography and want to make it their living?
Leave your ego behind, learn from others, work really hard, shoot a lot and give anyone you photograph an experience of a lifetime, not just pretty pictures. You need to put heart and soul into it.
Three lessons I learnt from Laura Jane:
To see more of Laura Jane's work, see her website www.laurajanephotography.co.za
Do you have any comments or questions about the blog? Leave them here and I'll get back to you!
Following her passion has really paid off for Laura Jane – she is absolutely living a life she loves – what advice can we take from her?
Did you always 'just know' what you wanted to do?
I did in fact almost go study accounting, as this was my main interest at that time, but then realized I would never be able to cope in a 9-5 routine. I've always been creative, a bit of a free spirit and knew I had to do something where I can create.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
After my studies as a photographer, I went to work abroad for 8 years where I was travelling the world, working as a photographer for a cruise line. This was a very exciting time in my life, even though the work was challenging at times, I met amazing people from all over the world.I did then come to a point, when I realized I needed to return home as I wanted start my own business as a photographer. This was very challenging, as I had no idea how anything worked on land with regards to starting a photography business and being abroad for so long, meant I had no connections in the industry.
Before leaving the cruise ships I saved up enough money to buy all the equipment I needed to start my business, I started working for a photography studio, attended photography workshops and building a network with other photographers by assisting them at shoots. Most of these jobs were not paying jobs, but I learned a heck of a lot, which really helped me to learn the ropes of a business in South Africa. A lot of hard work, determination and learning were the keys for me.
All I want to achieve now and in the future is to make people happy and make them smile through my work.
What do you love most about living your passion?
Firstly, it really never feels like work. The gratification and reward is just unbelievable and I think for me it really is about trying to make a difference in someone’s life. I have met so many clients with so many unique stories, even stories of loved one’s lost and sadness, which is all part of life. If I can make just one person smile through a picture that I took, then it makes what I do so much more worthwhile and important and also extremely gratifying.
I think for me finding out what your passion is, is really when you get that feeling in your tummy….that feeling of excitement and exhilaration. For me that is the connection with passion. If you find something that excites you, that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling and makes you happy, you know it’s your passion. Try as many different interests and see which one makes you the happiest.
Do you have any tips for people who share a passion for photography and want to make it their living?
Leave your ego behind, learn from others, work really hard, shoot a lot and give anyone you photograph an experience of a lifetime, not just pretty pictures. You need to put heart and soul into it.
Three lessons I learnt from Laura Jane:
- Follow your heart and see where it leads you.
- It's not just about pictures, it's about people.
- Laura Jane is a great supporter other photographers’ work and promotes others working in her industry – she shares the love!
Do you have any comments or questions about the blog? Leave them here and I'll get back to you!
2 comments:
Awesome Laura Jane, and having met you, you are so lovely humble and at the reception you just stay in the background getting wonderful shots. My family LOVES you!
Helen
I just adore Laura's work, she is amazing and always my first choice!
Post a Comment