Meet Lauren Justice | Editorial and commercial photographer

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

Hi Lauren, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I am so happy to have reached a place in my life and career where I feel like I can comfortably choose to say no. In the beginning, and still sometimes in slow cycles, it feels like there is a constant need to say yes and a fear that clients won’t call you again. In my twenties I always put my work first – first before my health, before my relationships, before my family. My priorities have shifted, and I’ve worked to detangle my identity from my career. I now have such a better sense of what is good for my mental and physical health, and I do what I can to listen to that. I have boundaries that protect my time with family and loved ones, and that feels like success to me more now than having a byline in certain publications. It is still a struggle at times, but I feel more grounded in the life I’m choosing and the direction I’m heading. And I’m excited about how this will shape a healthy, balanced, and full future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My background is in photojournalism and I hold the essence of that craft close to my heart. I’m passionate about storytelling and am grateful for all of the people who have invited me in and trusted me enough to share their life stories. I’ve been told that I have a calming presence and this really helps folks who feel uncomfortable or anxious in front of the camera. I love really getting to know people and being able to authentically show who they are through the imagery I create in collaboration with them.

Through photojournalism I have witnessed so many things in life that would be otherwise inaccessible to me. It has shaped the way I view the world, it has taught me how to anticipate what might happen next, it has helped me be quick on my feet and adapt quickly to changing environments, and it has put me in the same room with people experiencing incredible joys as well as people experiencing incredible loss. The spectrum of emotions and life circumstances I’ve witnessed has been an education of its own.

Over the last couple of years, I have been shifting into doing more commercial and brand photography, and I bring a humanistic/documentary approach into my work with organizations/brands/companies/individuals. Everyone has a story to tell and I’m excited to be able to collaborate with teams to bring their stories to life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am new to Los Angeles (7 months in!) so everything has been exciting and interesting to me so far! I have absolutely loved visiting Huntington Gardens, the Getty Villa, and have been hiking in Malibu several times for the ocean views. I love being able to be outside so much here and try to take advantage of it whenever I can. I feel like I’m still learning so much about LA and am myself in search of the best coffee shops and the best food! Please send any recs you have 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have had big and small impacts on my life and career. It’s impossible to write them all here, so to say briefly – my family plus all of the mentors/peers/friends I’ve met at workshops or through organizations like Women Photograph and the Luupe. The photo community has always been generous with support and I wouldn’t be able to do it without the friends I’ve made here.

Website: www.laurenjustice.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-justice-4bb40285/

Image Credits
Photos by Lauren Justice