Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Decarlo.
Born in Holland, raised in Aruba, where I was a police officer for almost 4 years. Moved to the US when I was 21 after I met a cute American. Been married to him for 14 years now.
Picked my camera back up around 2008, to keep myself entertained during slow business hours (we used to own a furniture store) and started photographing friends and family as a hobby. Never thought to venture into weddings, until I photographed a friend’s wedding in 2010 as gift, and booked 28 weddings the following year.
I had 𝘯𝘰 clue what I was doing most of the time, learned everything on the go, trial and error. Lots of mistakes, lots of eff-ups. But that’s the best way to learn.
Loved photographing weddings for a good chunk of time, until one day, I didn’t anymore. So, in 2018, I decided to do a 180 (or a 540, really) and only focus on one particular thing: Boudoir photography. Or, what I think they 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 be called: Female Body Confidence Portraits.
I absolutely love every aspect of doing these portrait sessions; from figuring out outfits (I have a wee bit of a shopping addiction, so my studio boudoir closet is stocked) to fan-girling over my clients kicking as in front of the camera, to seeing their faces when they see their portraits for the first time. Empowering women feels really, really good.
Since I thrive best on a hectic schedule and jam-packed to-do lists, I also bought an existing photo conference last year, called Inspire Photo Retreats; a three-day, intensive hands-on workshop-style conference for about 100/130 photographers, where we come together to learn new techniques, work on our businesses, and become part of a community of like-minded individuals.
Last year was my first time hosting and producing it, and it was the most insane, hectic, crazy and rewarding thing I’ve done in a long time. The next one will be the retreat’s tenth go-around overall, and I am super excited to start putting all of the moving parts together.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! A smooth road. Not even close.
I remember one time, I photographed a wedding, and I was so out of my element. I had a new second shooter with me, the wedding party was drunk off their asses, and everything just felt out of place.
When I got home and uploaded the photos to my computer, they all looked like total unsalvageable crap. I cried, and then cried some more, and wanted to quit right there and then. After wallowing in my self-pity for a bit, I just did the best I could, delivered what I had, and moved on.
Moments like that have happened quite a few times (like the time all my gear was stolen from the airport after returning from a work trip) and my initial reaction is always highly dramatic. But a glass of wine and good talk with my friends or husband later, I pick myself up and carry on.
Mistakes were made, and are still made, all the time. And they are the BEST learning tools, if you ask me. Losing a hand-full of wedding photos because your backup system is non-existent will basically guarantee you’ll have the most redundant system in place going forward (trust me). An unhappy client will allow you to see how far you’re willing to go to fix the situation, and when you’ll stand your ground.
Struggles and mistakes are invaluable in bettering your business. Overcoming them will make you a better business person, and a better person overall. When things are easy, you’ll undoubtedly shine. But it’s how you work your way out of the crap that’s hard, which will really determine how well you do in business, And life.
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to give less of a hoot about what my peers think, to be open and available to other people in my business looking for help (community over competition, dude!) and to make sure the legalities of running a business are squared away. I’m talking contracts, insurance, taxes, 401Ks, savings accounts, workflows.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Laura Dee – what should we know?
Well, I’m mostly known for having blue hair, having been a cop and being from Aruba. 😉
Besides that, in my work, I used to be a wedding photographer, who transitioned into solely boudoir photography this year. Save for the few people who have guilted me into still (happily!) photographing their weddings – I can’t, or want to, say no to past clients I love!
Making the entire boudoir experience feel incredibly kickass and intimate from start to finish is what I specialize in. My work is colorful, dreamy, a bit moody and all around just ‘diffferent’ from what my colleagues and peers in my neck of the woods offer. And that’s great! Not everybody is looking for the same aesthetic, so having this much variety available to potential clients is fantastic, if you ask me.
I pride myself on delivering unique portraits, and taking away the stigma of boudoir portraits being ‘slutty’. They are empowering. The female body is a magical work of art, strong as hell, capable of insane things, and something that should be celebrated in all its forms and glory.
While my primary focus is to celebrate women (a mission I really became passionate about after the 2016 elections and subsequent political shitstorm), I also happily photograph gender non-binary persons, gay men and happy couples.
I’ve gotten some snarky feedback on my excluding straight men from the equation, but that’s okay, I’ll live and so will they.
I work hard every day to make my business inclusive, diverse, accepting and a safe space for people to be their most empowered selves.
This goes for Inspire Photo Retreats as well. I strive to make this community of fellow photographers one where we can be honest and open, where we celebrate fuck-ups, as well as successes. Where everyone can be their most unapologetic selves, without fear of being judged or not wanted because of how they live their lives.
That, and just wanting to learn how to use shortcuts in Photoshop, how to use a tilt-shift, and what type of insurance they need for their business. 😉
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Ahhh, so many things!
Don’t let anyone tell you how to run your business, but don’t snark at genuine advice from people who’ve been there, even if the package it’s delivered in doesn’t come with a nice bow.
Don’t take advice from people who can’t admit their mistakes, or pretend they’ve never truly messed up. That’s some shady nonsense if you ask me.
You will mess up. So what? We all mess up. Big deal. I once had my back turned toward two drunk dudes while rummaging through my squad car for a piece of paper, weapon out in plain sight, totally exposed like a complete fool. Almost got kicked out of the academy for that one. But I wasn’t, just got the most boot-quaking talkin’ to of my life, and then life went on.
Oh, and get your affairs in order! Save money, even if it is $20 a month. And don’t shy away from amazing opportunities that scare the shit out of you.
If you’re ever intimidated, or afraid you’re out of your league. Just remember that a bad Taco Tuesday affects everyone the same way, and no amount of wealth or power can make someone else suffer through that for a person, ifyouknowwhatImean…not even the Queen of England.
Pricing:
- To attend Inspire Photo Retreats: $500 early bird special (www.inspirephotoretreats.com)
- To book a Body Confidence Portrait Session: $350 session fee (www.itslauradee.com)
Contact Info:
- Address: 47 montowese ave
North Haven CT 06473 - Website: www.itslauradee.com
- Email: info@lauradeephoto.com
- Instagram: @arubalaura
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspirephoto/
- Other: www.inspirephotoretreats.com
Image Credit:
Laura Dee
Alexsandra Wiciel Photography (cover photo)
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
