Meet Lauren McLeod | Fine Art Photographer

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

Hi Lauren, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a very young age, there were two things I knew I wanted in my life. I wanted to be a mother and I wanted to create art. While art has always been part of my life, I first entered the professional world as an educator. I earned a Masters and National Board Certification in Early Childhood Education and taught for over a decade. I loved working with the youngest learners, and often enjoyed my “challenging” students the most. At the same time, I started a family, and applied everything I knew about children as I began raising my son and daughter. All throughout my time in education, I knew my skills were helping me be the best mother I could be. While the rewards of being an educator are unlike any other profession, it’s also extremely challenging and there is a lot about public education that is broken. The system doesn’t support teachers and students like it needs to in order for them to thrive. Priorities are backwards. In circumstances like those, what is an already demanding job becomes too much to maintain. In short, I was burnt out. I began spending increasing amounts of time photographing nature. In the evenings, after my kids were in bed, I’d spend hours editing photos. I found myself eager for school days to end so I could get back to creating. When I create, I feel completely at peace. It’s meditative for me. Looking back, it makes sense that I was craving more time for that–it was a way to relieve myself of the daily stressors at work. And by stressors, I do not mean my students. I mean the unrealistic demands of the system, some parents, and some administrators. It wasn’t all bad. I loved my students, lots of the families I worked with, and many of my co-workers. I’m grateful for that part of my life, and for everything I learned along the way. Today, I am not only raising my two children, but also 5 additional “bonus” children. Having 7 children can be a challenge at times, but my experiences in the world of education give me the wisdom and knowledge required to help my children thrive. And when I need a little break from parenting, I step outside with my camera in hand. I get back to that meditative place, and I create. Because I have learned that a mother who is thriving, raises children who thrive as well.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Prior to pursuing my Master’s in Education, I studied art in Rome with Temple University when I was 20. It was a life-changing experience, particularly for an introvert like me. I arrived with no place to live (beyond the 1 week hotel stay I’d booked), minimal ability to speak Italian, and no connections. As luck would have it, I met the most friendly and generous family at the baggage claim. They’d been on the same flight and began chatting with me as we sat waiting for our luggage. The adults were the same age as my parents’ and the kids’ were similar in age to me. We exchanged contact information and from there the connection only grew stronger. For the 7 months I lived there, I felt like part of their family. They helped me find an apartment, invited me over for family dinners, and helped me feel beyond welcome. That was truly the theme of that entire time in Rome. Everywhere I went, I felt the generous, welcoming, nurturing nature that (to me) defines Italian culture. I spent many days wandering the streets of Rome, learning that the best way to learn which way to go was to get a little lost. I learned to appreciate food in a way I never had before. I learned to depend on and trust myself. I learned from the many creative masters whose works adorn the buildings, gardens, and museum walls. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever come home–it was that incredible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have visited San Diego, but my home is in the suburbs of Chicago. When we brought our blended family of 9 to San Diego for a week long vacation, we especially enjoyed Disneyland, the zoo, and the climate. We also tried something a little more adventurous– a hot air balloon ride at sunset (with Compass Balloons). Joe and I had done it before (in Napa Valley), but never with the kids. Of course, I had my camera in hand on both adventures and as a result, created a collection of photos aptly named, Balloons. The collection has a hopeful, positive, calming vibe to it and I love being able to share something uplifting with the world. We felt safe and well taken care of by everyone at Compass Balloons. Our pilot was perfect for our family, and happily answered the many questions from our children, fascinated by their experience in the sky (but also politely let them know when he needed a moment to focus). I highly recommend them!

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?
My husband, Joe, has always supported my artistic endeavors. I am so grateful to him for encouraging me to pursue my passion for fine art photography. He gives me honest feedback on my work, manages the kids when I need to be away for a shoot, and tags along to art fairs to help me with the heavy lifting. From day one, he made it clear that he believes in my talent and my ability to create beautiful artwork that resonates with others. I feel so lucky to have Joe as my partner in life.

Website: https://www.laurenkmcleod.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mcleod-15b852181/

Twitter: @laurenkmcleod

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenkmcleod

Image Credits
I took the photos I am sharing. They were both taken from a hot air balloon above San Diego. The one with the balloon in the sky is called, “Sky’s the Limit,” and the one with the peachy/pink sky is called “Sunset from Above.” Both of those images, as well as the rest of my “Balloons,” collection can be found at https://www.laurenkmcleod.com/balloons