Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hartmann.
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a photographer based in North County, San Diego. I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina, but I’ve been living in San Diego for the past two years. I’ve been taking pictures for what feels like my whole life, though it wasn’t until my senior year of college that I decided it was something I wanted to pursue in a more professional sense. Since then, I’ve focused on shooting what brings me the most joy; this usually ends up being athletics and events (festivals and live music).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! The biggest struggle over the past two years has been the most obvious–COVID. I moved to California at the beginning of 2020 with hopes to meet people and work in the large-scale event space, so to say growth has been slow would be an understatement. Thankfully, it looks as though the end is near. I’m starting to find my footing again and I’m excited to see what the next year has to offer.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love to capture people pursuing their passions. Over the past couple of years, this has shown itself through the likes of live music and surf photography. I think what sets this type of practice apart from others is that I can fully immerse myself in the subject’s environment too–as a participant rather than just an observer. Often, this looks like shooting from the middle of a crowd at a gig–or from the water during a surf session. For me, pairing together photography with other things I enjoy fosters an experience for myself, rather than just a “job” to be completed.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I still might find myself a bit too green in the photography industry to give any sort of prediction for what the next years hold. All I can say for sure is that despite whatever big shifts, changes, and trends do take over, I’m sure I’ll still be focused on shooting whatever inspires me.
Contact Info:
- Email: laurenhartmann7337@gmail.com
- Website: http://laurenhartmannmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhartphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenhartphoto
