2015 was a wonderful year for me and growing my business.  Last year, I really focused on my technical skills and building client relationships. The beginning of 2015 I moved into my new studio space.  I am so very lucky to be working out of the home my grandparents built over 80 years ago.  I have such special memories wrapped up in this home and I know my grandmother, who loved photography herself, would be just “tickled pink” (as she would say) at how I am using her beloved home.

In the Spring, I attended a full day newborn workshop in Chicago where I learned more about posing, composition and lighting.  That workshop, where we got to do some hands-on work, as well as see how other photographers run their sessions and their businesses, really helped me to improve upon my career.  I also made some great contacts in the photography community.

In the Fall of 2015 I was busy with daycare photo sessions and fall family shoots.  I am happy to have partnered up with Silverleaf Learning Academy to be their chosen photographer for school photos.  The staff is so wonderful and I enjoy coming back throughout the year and seeing how the children have grown!  Fall is probably the busiest month for portrait photographers and my fall was filled with lots of new families.  I am excited to continue to grow my relationships with my new clients and see what 2016 brings for them!

Winter 2015 brought an opportunity to showcase my work at Springfield Clinic OB/GYN Offices.  I had recently provided some canvases to Dr. Stehling to hang in his new exam rooms, and that perked the interest of the sonographers.  They reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to provide them some new artwork for their rooms.  In December I delivered 8 new canvases to be hung in each of the sonogram/ultrasound rooms.

In 2016 I am focusing on trying to make Lauren Tomten Photography a full time business (or as full time as you can be with 3 kids, 2 of whom constantly run circles around me daily!).  I have restructured some things with pricing and am offering my clients some new products.  I have learned so much this year about editing, lighting, posing, and how to run a business and feel confident I am offering my clients top quality work.  While I have always had an interest in photography, I never would have dreamed to be running my own photography business, but now I cannot imagine doing anything else.  If you are expecting this year, or  you just want some updated photos of your children or family, give me a call.  I would love to create some beautiful, timeless work for you to cherish for years to come.