Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Mcgrail
Hi Laura , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My passion for videography began in college, where I lived in a beach house with my closest friends. Armed with a GoPro, I captured surfers, bodyboarders, and the mesmerizing ocean life. I quickly fell in love with creating videos and began making highlights for my college soccer team. My coach even asked me to put together a recap after every season.
After graduation, I landed my first office job, which turned out to be quite disheartening. To break free from the monotony, I filmed my first wedding for a coworker—though I missed the pivotal moment of the first kiss because I hadn’t attended a wedding in years and wasn’t sure when it would happen!
When I was eventually laid off, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to full time travel for 12 months. I explored Southeast Asia, working as a teacher in Thailand, and then a waitress in Australia. During that time, I shared that first wedding video on Instagram, and to my surprise, three different people reached out to ask me to film their weddings upon my return to the states. The following year, I launched my wedding videography business, and since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to capture the joy of people in love, celebrating with their friends. I truly feel lucky.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth journey. I didn’t study videography; my degree is in Social Ecology. I had to teach myself everything through the wonders of “YouTube University”! Starting a business was a whole new world for me, and it involved quite a steep learning curve. But I’m so grateful I took that risk.
In March, I faced a near-death experience due to a brain infection that turned into a serious injury. I spent nine days in the hospital, coming alarmingly close to losing my life. Unfortunately, this meant missing many weddings during a peak season, and for the first time, I had to ask for help with my business. Each wedding I missed felt like a personal failure to my clients, and I was heartbroken to cancel so many celebrations.
The doctors warned me that my situation was grave, and the road to recovery has been incredibly challenging. However, I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. As I think about all the clients I couldn’t be there for on their special days, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to return to work at full capacity. I’m thankful to be alive and more inspired than ever before.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a wedding videographer, I’ve cultivated meaningful relationships with my clients, who generously refer me to their brothers, sisters, friends, and beyond. Through my passion for storytelling in the wedding industry, I’ve created a vibrant community that far surpasses anything I could have imagined when I first began this journey.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My family spent most summers in Hawaii while I was growing up, and it quickly became my favorite place. Those experiences nurtured a deep love for the ocean within me.
Pricing:
- I try to stay affordable for my clients in Southern California, as I know weddings can be extremely expensive.
- Flexible Pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lauramcgrail.com
- Instagram: @laurelweddingvideography
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user29969305
Image Credits
Laura McGrail – on a gopro or self timer!
