August 29, 2024 • 49 mins
Michelle and Erika go behind the lens with photographer Lauren Sopourn in this episode of The Spin Chicks. Lauren's journey into photography began at an early age when she discovered her passion for capturing moments. She pursued her love for photography while studying fine arts at Florida Atlantic University and has since made a name for herself as a talented and award-winning sports photographer. Lauren has built an impressive portfolio by photographing numerous collegiate sports events and working closely with professional teams including the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Panthers. Her business, Sports and Media Nation LLC, showcases her entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to the craft and her ability to transform her point of view into a thriving career. Lauren shares her quest from student to professional photographer, the gift that sparked her career and how she prepares for assignments. It's inspiring to hear about her experiences, especially the excitement of capturing the Florida Panthers' 2024 Stanley Cup champion run, highlighting her role as a moment historian in the world of sports.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome to The Spin Chicks, our sports and pop culture podcast.
I'm Erica.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Hey Michelle, Hello Erica. How are you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I'm doing great? How about you?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I'm very good.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Well, listen, we are into season two. Did you ever
think we get to season two?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Jerome? Do you want me to say this to you
or about you?
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Of course I thought we'd get to season two.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah. Well, I know, sometimes like a fine wine things
have to or a good cold brew. Maybe I should say, well,
so listen, what has been your favorite thing about doing
the podcast other than having me as your co host?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
No, that has been my favorite thing. Are you crazy?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Like?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That has been my favorite thing? Second favorite thing. I
always let my husband pick two favorites. So, wow, you
stump me on this one.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, I mean you're really thinking about it.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
You're like I was thinking, like, well, what do I like? Like?
We maybe maybe not to the listener, but we've gotten
a lot better. We've improved, I think. So.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I mean, I.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Remember when we used to first start, we had to
practice for like a year. Jack, our producer, would make
us do all these practice runs and he'd be, you know,
once in a while he'd stop recording coming and be
like no, No, that's not what you're going to do.
It's not how you're going to do it.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Well. Some people just might have that natural ability, but
I don't know. I think we're both in the type
of business. I pulled this off right, but I definitely
think it took took some practice. You're right, but being
you know, having guests that we knew, I think made
it more comfortable. But we've also delved into guests that
we don't know, and to me, I think that's been
(01:57):
challenging but pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Actually, yeah, yeah, I mean that part's been really cool.
And even the people that we know, some of them
we haven't talked to in a while, and so it's
been fun to catch up with them. I think the
relationships that we've built and just and I think hearing
from I guess the favorite thing is, you know, spending
the time with you and really bonding with you. I
(02:21):
would say that you're one of my best friends now
based on this, and that's a long list or short
list I should say. And I would also say that
just hearing from different people that listen to us on
a regular basis and say that was my favorite one,
Like I always think that that's really cool. The different
people that listen that give us feedback, we wish they'd
(02:43):
give us comments because we're always I guess.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
These days, you know, sometimes when like any feedback, I
guess if people aren't complaining, you know, it's either good
or you're just yeah, right in that sweet spot. But
I think also definitely just because we've known each other
for so long, but we've definitely spent more time with
each other. And you know, you have to understand between
me and you and Jack, our producer, I mean, we
(03:08):
all have full time jobs and things, and so doing
this sometimes is challenging, but we make it work. But
it's fun and I think we've kept it fun and
we try not to take ourselves too seriously, and I
think that's probably one of my favorite things.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Definitely a passion patching, wouldn't you say a passion project.
I mean, we're not trying to make any money. We're
not trying to, you know, get ten thousand listens. We're
just doing it for fun.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Well, not that we're opposed to making money, but at
the moment not top of list.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yes, I'm just doing it for fun. And I feel
like the guests that we've had are people that we
would find really interesting or that we would say, this
person has a really interesting story. And I don't think
we've interviewed anybody. There was one person that I was like,
I don't know how this is going to come out.
It wasn't a great interview. Man, Jack edited that so good,
(04:00):
and it was such a good one. So yeah, it's
one of my favorites.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Actually, that's true. There is we have the luxury of
not having to edit these that we do have Jack,
and we know that a lot of work goes into it,
not just prep and the questions and you know, trying
to get everything out on your socials, but the editing
and so Jack is magic at that. And so shout
out to Jack. One of these days we're going to
get him on here to talk about his work too,
(04:26):
but he's a little shy.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Shout out to Jack for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So all right, Well today our guest is someone that
I met through through my work and you know me,
I love the behind the scenes type situation. That's kind
of where I live. But she is a photographer and
she was a student photographer when I met her, and
she has since within the last couple of years, kind
of started her own business and really come into her
(04:52):
own very very talented. Her name is Lauren so Porn.
She is from South Florida, a lifelong self Flora and
just like well you and Jack are also Floridians, so
right in your neck of the woods. But she went
to school at Florida Atlantic and we met, like I said,
through work. She did some championship events for US, and
(05:13):
she has since now become a photographer for the Miami
Dolphins for the Florida Panthers who just recently won the
Stanley Cup. So really excited to get her on the
podcast and kind of talk to her about her work
and introduce her to you guys.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, and I think she you know, just in her
pre call, I would say, you know, some people might say,
like why would I want to listen to a podcast
about a photographer. We're not going to be able to
see we're just listening. But she is. She tells great stories,
and she is so interesting and so passionate about what
(05:49):
she does, like she's an old soul. I think she
really I loved hearing how she networks and I think
people are going to be fascinated as to how she
got from A to B two C to oh yeah,
I photographed the Stanley Cup this year, and oh yeah,
I photographed two guys that have already won Super Bowls,
(06:11):
a Super Bowl rings, and you know, she just is
really I just love how passionate she is. I mean,
I wish we could take that, put that on a
bottle and spray it on ourselves once in a while
when we feel like, you know, not so hot about
what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
No, And it's definitely how she described And again, we've
had guests that they've known what they've wanted to do
from a young age, and not everybody does, and hey,
you know that's okay, but when you find someone that
does and they make it happen and they just bring
that passion to the job, and she has an amazing
point of view, and I think that's just what stood
(06:47):
out to me when I first saw her work. And
so if I could recommend her for anything or we'll
you know, promote, We'll provide her Instagram and website at
the end of the show. So if you guys are interested,
like I said, you're going to listen, but if you
want to see some of her work, we encourage you
to do it and hopefully you'll be inspired too.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
We show we're inspired by her.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
All right, well let's bring Lauren on. Well we've already
done a formal introduction, but Lauren, I just wanted you
to hear this before our conversation here today. You know,
we met I was booking some photographers for some sports events,
and so you were a student at Florida Atlantic and
had kind of reached out, and so that's kind of
(07:29):
how we initially got to know one another. But I
just have to tell you that when your photos came
back from I think the first event you had where
I had worked with you, which was a women's golf championship,
both my coworker and I noticed immediately there was just
something in those photos. Both of us just picked up
on it immediately. She called me and she's like, who
(07:49):
shot this event? And I said, well, it was Lauren
so Born And so we have worked together again, and
you've just your photography career, I think has just gone
on to be quite amazing and in such a short time.
So I wanted to thank you for coming on today.
And Michelle, I think we're going to have a wonderful
conversation with someone who works in the business, but as
(08:11):
a photographer.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Well, you know, I love photographers because a picture is
worth a thousand words, so true things that she shoots
that we could write many blogs on just one photo
says it all. And think about those iconic photos out there.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, thank you guys so much for having me on today.
And like Erica said, we've worked together on the Women's
golf Championship and we also did beach volleyball and then
tennis just this past year, so it's been three championships together.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Which has been wonderful.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Yes, I always whenever our events come out, I'm like, Okay,
what's going on in South Florida where we can book Lauren?
But usually she calls us first, which is also when
I think of your amazing qualities. You're just very diligent
and reaching out to shoot events. But I mean, let's
just start kind of from the very beginning. What kind
(09:09):
of created your love for photography?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
So I started shooting photography. I got a camera my
eighth grade Christmas. So I got a cannon Rebel three,
and I was just so excited to start shooting with it.
My mom signed me up for a class at our
local high school, at Tarabelle High School, and unbeknownst to
(09:33):
us at the time, it was a collegiate course and
you had to be at least eighteen to attend the class,
so we had to get special permission for me to
attend the class. So it worked out because they were like, Okay,
if your mom goes with you, you can come. And
I was all of thirteen at the time in this
college level course learning about the fundamentals of photography. Absolutely
(09:56):
fell in love with it at that time. I remember
we were learning about I sew and shutter speed and aperture.
And one of the things in that class that was
really cool is he would take us on field trips.
The teacher, so his name was mister Botenski, still remember
his name to this day. And we went on a
field trip to Fort Lauderdale and we were working on composition,
(10:17):
so what's in your frame right, making sure that everything
looks nice and is need and you know, the rule
of thirds and all that beginner stuff with photography. And
I was taking pictures and I was like, I want
to show him something that I'm really proud of. And
I finally got one of like a sick eyeline that
I was really proud of, and I turned it to
him and he was silent. That was the longest silence.
(10:38):
I was thirteen. I was silent, and I was like,
what's he gonna say, you know, and he just looks
back at me and he's like, you have an.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Eye for this.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
And that was the first criticism I had or critique
I had ever gotten from my work, and that stuck
with me to this day.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Wow, that's a really cool story. I mean, you were like,
you said, you're thirteen. You were probably like, no, please,
don't chatter my dreams this early. And that's a that's
kind of a note to us older people when we're
working with young people to make sure that we always
have something positive to say, even if we're going to
(11:16):
say but you know, if you turn your camera like
this or whatever else, you know, imagine if you would
have said no, start over, that's that's not it. You're
going to really need to work on this. This might
not be for you. I know you're or you're young.
So that's really cool. So how did you decide then
to make this a career?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
So I kind of continued doing photography as a hobby
all throughout high school and when I went to FAU,
we had our weeks of welcome and it was called
Owl Involved because FAU loves their owl puns. And I
went to the school newspaper because I was still interested
in photography and I really wasn't sure what career path
(11:56):
I wanted to go down, and they let me join
their photography team, and one of the first assignments they
gave me was a football game against Bethune Cookman. And
you wouldn't know this because I've been shooting pro football
for over six seasons now, but I did not know
the rules of football when I went and shot that
(12:17):
football game, So that was definitely I quickly learned the
rules of football. But I just absolutely fell in love
with sports photography at that time and have been doing
it since.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Then.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Well how did you develop your techniques and point of view?
Because what your professor just told you, you have an
eye for this. That's kind of how I felt when
I looked at your photos. And I don't know what
it is or how it is or how it develops,
but immediately when you see one of your photos and
I think when we post this, we're going to I
think share some of them, of course, with your permission.
(12:55):
You can really feel that. So it's just are you
born with it or just how do you develop it?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I think for me, my professors at college made a
really big impact on the way that I photographed sports,
specifically because I have a fine arts degree, so I
come from a background of looking at a lot of
fine artists and having intent behind the artwork and having
artist statements and being able to back up what you're
(13:23):
doing with that intent. Right. So my entire senior project,
actually my capstone project, was a project called Grayscale Grind.
So at that point I had been working with the
FA football team for about four years, so I had
relationships with the guys I came in with as freshman's
and their seniors alongside me. So it was a series
of metal prints, black and white metal prints, and it
(13:46):
really showed the human side of what being a student
athlete was. They each had the opportunity to give me
a quote that went alongside their image that talked about
their personal experience as an athlete and what that was
for them, to show that they're more than you know,
how many tackles they've made, how many stacks they've made,
how many touchdowns they've scored. So when I'm looking at
(14:08):
photography in sports, I'm really looking at the athletes as
more than just athletes, but as humans.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
That's so cool. And I bet when I worked at
South Carolina, well South Carolina and Santa Clara, I know,
especially when I worked with the football team at South Carolina,
I was known as the photo girl, and so I
got to know so many of them, even though I
was doing media relations stuff with them pr but I
got to know so many of them because I was
the one that would pick the photos from the game
(14:38):
that week and then we'd have them blown out from
hanging them on the wall in the hallways. And when
when Lou Holtz was there, that was a big thing
and they would be like, oh, you've got to get
so and so photo girl, and you know, I'd be like,
you better learn my name, okay, But you know, it
was really cool that you could take that kind of
a thing. So how are you? I mean, you must
(14:59):
shooting pictures since you were thirteen. You really developed the
quick skill you learned football. How did you get into
professional sports? Because you've shot the Marlins, the Dolphins, the
Florida Panthers. I mean, you've been around for a lot
of different things. So how did you get into that field,
because it's not an easy thing to just be like, oh,
I want a credential exactly.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
So when I was in school, like I said, I
started with the newspaper. But so I kept going to
football games and I started tagging FAU football in my posts.
And I was walking into a North Texas game and
a guy approached me from behind who I didn't know.
So I was like, eighteen years old, like who is
this guy? And he's like, oh, I'm Ryan. I worked
(15:43):
for FAU Athletics. And I was like, okay, what's up Ryan,
you know, And he had asked me if I wanted
to join their team of interns at that time. So
I got the opportunity to really explore every sport that
FAU had to offer, whether it was men's and will
and soccer, volleyball, tennis, football, every softball, baseball. So I
(16:06):
really got to dip my toes into a lot of
the sports early in my career. You know, eighteen years old,
a lot of people, most of the interns I was
working with were juniors and seniors. I was the only
freshman on the team, so I really got the opportunity
to learn there and from that we had a player
from FAU who was trying out to actually that was
(16:29):
trying out for the Dolphins. I think I was about
sophomore at the time, and I reached out to the
Dolphins communications team at the time and I said, you know,
I'm a little I sent him any moa, I'm a
local student. We have two of our players trying out
for your team. I would love to come out to
a training camp just to focus on these two players.
To my surprise, he said yes. So I went out
(16:52):
and I photographed. The two players were greg Joseph and
Gregory Buddy Howe. They both went on to play a
different teams, but they're actually both Super Bowl champions, which
is kind of a fun fact. Both great guys, great
football players.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
You got an eye. You've got an eye, not just photography.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
I can see the greatness, right, So I took that opportunity.
Of course, if I'm on an NFL practice facility, there
are going to be people there that I should make
connections with. So I identified the team photographer ahead of time,
and I introduced myself to him and said I was
a local student and that this is something that I
wanted to get into. And we exchanged contact information at
(17:35):
the time and kept in touch, but it wasn't I
didn't have the gear at the time really to be
in the NFL. I mean I was shooting on a
Canon add for people that know about cameras, it's not
like the top of the line's sports camera at the time.
It was kind of like a mid range intermediate camera,
(17:56):
and I had a seventy to two hundred, which is
a great sports lens, but when you're shooting football, you
need a much longer glass. You need about a four
hundred or six hundred millimeter.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Because it needs to be faster or it needs to
be wider.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
You need to have the distance to shoot. So the
longer the focal length of the lens, the further away
you're going to be able to see with the camera. Okay, So,
unlike a baseball or a softball or a basketball, where
you're in much more closer range to the action, with
football under on the sidelines, they could be on the
other end of the field, so you would need that
longer range glass to be able to capture the action.
(18:36):
So I introduced myself and I really was like, I
need to invest in the gear.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I need to be able.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
To get this coveted four hundred millimeter two point eight.
And you know, I talked to my parents and I said,
I really want to make this career path work, and
I know in order to be able to do that,
then I would need to get this very expensive.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I was gonna say, photography equipment.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, I need to get I need this pony.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Probably like a whole stable.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
I'm gonna need this race car literally though.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
I mean it's it's not an inexpensive lens. And you know,
with my parents and my granddad's support, they decided that
that was something that they wanted to do for me
for my career, and that opened every door that lens.
I We had another player who tried back out for
(19:34):
the Dolphins in a mini camp several months later. I
had already gotten the lens, and I went back out
reintroduced myself to the photographer and said, look at my
new lens. Look at how pretty it is, you know,
and he was like, would you like to join our
team of freelancers?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
No way, that is so awesome. I'm so impressed by you,
like really amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I mean, and once you first well, then once you
had the lens, I mean obviously you have to take
you know what I mean, it's like your maybe pretty
much but exactly You've got the equipment, so that's obviously
very important. You've got your just natural born skill, your eye.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
So what are the.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Ways, like, how do you get those shots? How do
you know? Like where is it? Position is it? Do you?
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Like?
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Just what is your process when trying to capture those moments?
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Okay, but hold on before you answer that, tell us
like you're out of Miami because you shoot the Miami Dolphins, right,
and you shoot the Florida Marlands. So take us to
a game and tell us what you're looking for when
you go to a gang, like pretend you're at one
of those places.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
So every game has different objectives. I mean, of course
you're going to want to shoot the action, You're gonna
want to shoot those intimate quiet in between moments. But
we also, as photographers were working for a professional sports team, right,
So they have their own objectives. So they have corporate sponsorships, right,
they have their different charity events that.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Are going on.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
So usually before a.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Game, I mean for a Dolphins game that starts at one,
we're getting there the latest nine. Usually I get there
at about you know, eight fifteen, eight thirty and pulling
out my gear, making sure all my lenses are good,
my batteries are good, my cards are good, and you
have that mental preparedness beforehand. So I think one of
the quotes that I love the most that I use
in my.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Photography is Victory loves preparation.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
So I want to make sure that if I'm thinking
about the shots that I want to get beforehand. Like
one of the places I really love shooting at the
Dolphins specifically is the tunnel where the players walk out,
and trying to get different angles and different perspectives on
that because you see so much imagery from that that
person that space every single game. So just trying to
(21:46):
be creative and think of something different, whether you're using
shutter drag or whether you know you're just using a
different angle or a different lens to get a different
feeling for it. But I mean it's I love just
trying to use spaces that have been overused and try
to use them in a different way.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
So perfect practice makes perfect play. So you're saying, if
you get in there, yeah, that's really really I love
it so cool.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Can you touch back on your question, Erica I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Oh no, I think you answered it. I think we
were just putting it into context, just like how you know,
when you're at a game or when you're at an event,
Just like in like you said, you prepare for it.
You kind of visualize in your mind what you want
to do and you experiment with different techniques. So pretty
much are you able to do that? Because you said
that you have like an assignment? So do you have
a like a specific assignment sheet? I mean, I know
(22:43):
I would usually send you one, but like with the professionals,
do they provide you with that too, like what your
goals are and then you know, how do you choose
the photos to submit and that type.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Of a shot chart type of thing or shot sheet.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Absolutely, so, every every team that I work with does
utilize shot sheets, especially with the Dolphins, because we are
a large team of freelancers from at any game, there
could be you know, eight total photographers there. So everybody
has to have clear objectives of what they're shooting, when
they need to be places, and in regards to when
(23:18):
we're sending and what we're sending, they're outlining on that shotsheet, Okay,
this is an important shot. It'll say lock and transmit,
which basically just means send it up right away to
the editors. We need to get this photo out. So
for game action, whenever you're showing like the Dolphins, you know,
making really good plays, right, scoring a touchdown, getting a sack,
basically just showing them in control and dominating the game,
(23:40):
you're going to be sending those images up via an
Ethernet core that we have on the side of the field,
and those images go directly up to an editor in
real time. They're going to edit them up and get
them to social to be posted in real time.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
That's really cool and isn't an amazing like technology because
you think about how far technology has come in the
world of photography.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Michelle and I worked with loops, right.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yeah. I remember, you know, getting the grease pencil for
the media guy to grease pencil the box and then
marking on the back four A and then giving it
and then I remember when they told me that we
were going to do digital. I was like, so in
the heck is that's going to work? And they're like,
we just label it for A and it'll just be
you know, it'll be this little thing. And I was
like a jpeg and I was like, and I had
(24:28):
to go like, what is j So? Yeah, amazing? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I love it now though, just because it's pretty much
almost everything is like in real time and then just
getting it out on I mean social obviously exploded the
whole photography experience. But well, let's talk a little bit
about now, how did you get to work with the
Florida Panthers? And clearly they had an amazing I mean
they've had some amazing seasons, but this this season.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Was just.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Yes, right, So tell us how you started working with them.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
So, so, for the Panthers, I actually sent a LinkedIn
message to their creative director and said, I am a
local photographer. I would love to work with your team.
Here's my portfolio. Basically, when are you free for a chat?
Essentially to talk about, you know, this potential opportunity. And
(25:23):
from there they kind of integrated me into their photo
team and I've been with them. This is going on
my third season now.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
The power of LinkedIn wants to love lins. So how
is hockey different than other sports?
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Hockey is so different than other sports. I love hockey
specifically because of how close and integrated you are with
the fans and when you're shooting at a photohole on
ice level, there are literally people to the left of you,
to the right of you, behind of you. If something
cool happens, people are banging on the glass over your head.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
So it's definitely an interesting and different experience than any
other sport. I mean, I think about football and you
are so far removed from the fans, like they're at
least six feet above you and like ten feet back sometimes,
you know so.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
And hockey fans.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
I mean, I've been, like I said, I'm going on
my third season with the Panthers, so throughout that time,
I've been able to foster relationships with a lot of
them because they're right They're right there, you know. So
they're They're some of the most genuine and kind hearted
people I've met, Like hockey fans. I don't know if
it's because they're in air conditioning that they're nicer than
other sports. They are. They are truly just some some
(26:43):
really unique and cool people.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
What was the most memorable moment of winning the Stanley
Cup and being the you know, just from a photography perspective.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
The most memorable moment. It's a really good question.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Picture with the Cup is what I want to know.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Not yet.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
The cup has been roaming with players right now, but
the people that work with the team are going to
have their time with it. But obviously the champions get
their time with it first. So I mean, the most
memorable I honestly like right before the game ended that
the clock was just taking away and we had control
(27:30):
of the puck. We had buried it in the corner,
and it was like, we're gonna win, and there was
just three seconds left, and I remember thinking, this is
your moment to be excited in these last two seconds,
and then it's go time laser focus, you know, so
get it. Once they won, I mean, the players ran
off the bench, They're jumping and screaming and just and
(27:53):
the crowd is jumping and screaming, and it's you know,
as the photographer, you have to be locked in one
hundred and I remember just being locked in and being
one hundred percent focused. And then I got home that
night at like two thirty am, and I remember sitting
on the couch and I was like.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
That just happened.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
That's crazy that that just happened.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Well, heck, especially because it had to go all the
way to Game seven after being up three to zero,
and look, I don't follow hockey religiously, so knowing that
you were part of that group, and then the last
night I did watch the whole game and you just
you know, when the guy comes out there and he
raises it up and you just like, you know, those
are the iconic photo moments that that people will be
(28:39):
seeing the next day and and all that. So, I mean,
I can't imagine the excitement of just getting to that level.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
I mean the Panthers definitely gave us full entertainment value
by heading into a game seven. I mean we won.
You get, like you said, three games in a row
and then was a loss. And I remember going into
games five, six, seven, like, Okay, today could be the day.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Today could be the gates.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
So I think that that's also what gave me that
mental preparedness, because I was like, okay, today is the day.
You know, like you're oh, you're preparing three times in
a row for what could potentially be the win. So
you're already there mentally as well. But it was just
I mean seeing their reaction and all the families come
out onto the ice and they're putting babies in the
(29:28):
Stanley Cup. And and you know they had the parade
two which was Florida, Florida because it was torrential raining
the entire Stanley Cup parade. So I don't think it
could be any more Florida than that.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Not everybody can do what Tampa does when they win
a Super Bowl or float down the river with the
Stanley Cup and with the Super Bowl trophy. Not everybody
should do what Tom Brady did and throw that trophy
off his four million dollar boat to I don't know
even know who he threw it to one of the receivers,
and you think about how sharp that trophy is, just insane. Yeah,
(30:09):
So what's the hardest part? Because like it has to
be physical, right, because do you do any kind of
workout or strength training to be prepared for a season,
and to be pared you're in season all the time,
but to be prepared absolutely.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
I mean on any given game day, I'm carrying between
forty and fifty pounds of equipment on me at any
given time, usually when I'm shooting hockey and football, I
have three camera bodies, three lenses, my laptop, extra batteries,
and all the weight just adds up and in regards
to strength training, we got strong shoulders. We trained shoulders
(30:49):
a lot, We trained legs a lot, so that we
can maintain, of course, being healthy while carrying that amount
of equipment. I people always say, does your back hurt
from doing this? And I have a really good chiropractor
because that's where you know, it keeps you going right.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Well. Also, then what brings you the most joy?
Speaker 3 (31:13):
Oh, that is a really good question. Honestly, what brings
me the most joy is being able to capture an
image that I feel like is unique to me. Like
you said in the beginning, a lot of my images
have that feeling that you can tell it's mine. That's
something that I pride myself on in my work is
(31:35):
what I call myself a moment historian. So I'm trying
to capture the moment as it is, an archive it,
but also give my own creative twist to it and
try and showcase what only I can do, because as
a creative, that's what you're selling, right, You're selling this
is me, this is my work, and this is what
(31:57):
I can do.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Love it. And you know a lot of us photographers,
I'm sorry iPhone owners that you just love those people right, like, oh,
I can shoot that with my iPhone. So I'm guilty
as charged many times. But how do what I mean?
(32:22):
I guess most professional photographers get annoyed with us, the
iPhone warriors, But how do you I mean, you can't
replace something shot with a lens like you're talking about.
But you know, what's your opinion on that?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I think that photos have always held a special place
since their inception, and everybody's trying to hold onto something
through a photo. It's a moment in time. So I mean,
I remember learning in school there was something called a
deguero type, which is basically just a box that you
would open with a photo of a loved one.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And you would carry it in your pocket.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
And I remember I was traveling in Tennessee and I
found a bunch of these and I got one for
my professor, Professor Hart. Love. Professor Hart, she has helped
me so much. We're still in close relation, like talking,
and I think with iPhone users everybody, just photography is unique.
It's something that you want to take a photo of
(33:21):
something and remember a moment. So I don't have any
problems with iPhone users. But like I said, you can't
replace shooting with the type of equipment that you know,
if you're shooting on a top of the line Canon
or Nikon or Sony, it's not going to be the same.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
Yeah, totally totally agree. Yes, yeah, And I mean now
those are and you look at the picture like that
somebody shoots from the stands as compared to something that
you shoot as a professional, and you're like, come on,
it doesn't even compare. So that is the same. It's
the same when you shoot like family pictures and somebody
goes out on the beach and shoots them with an
iPhone as opposed to when a professional comes out and
(33:59):
shoots them. Yes, they're still fine, but those professionally shot
pictures with those lenses are just amazing.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
So absolutely, and me I mean with my time with
the Dolphins too. You know, like I said, I started
when I was in college working as a freelancer for
the Dolphins, and I think there's not enough emphasis on
the people in this community that are willing to help
you and that are willing to teach you and encourage
your growth. I mean, specifically Peter McMahon who works for
(34:28):
the Dolphins. He's in charge of the photography department, and
we've had one on one meetings to talk about whether
it's fine touting editing or just style or cropping or
how to apply metadata. And there's not enough emphasis on
the people in this community that want to help you
and see you grow and achieve the dreams that you have.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
It's really cool. I love it. Well.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
I know you've on won some awards for your work, Lauren,
can you tell us a little bit about that? And
then I guess I'm not really familiar with how a
lot of photography awards work, but is there like a
Heisman equivalent for you know, photographic awards or something that
you aspire to in that regard.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
So there's actually not a lot of awards out there
for sports photographers specifically, there's the Pro Football Hall of Fame,
which I've won and Feature for Honorable Mention and Action
for Honorable Mention. I won for both last year and
I won for Feature this year. My big goal with
(35:35):
that one would be to win first place obviously in
one of the categories. And then the other award that's
available to sports photographers is World Sports Photography Awards, and
they are many sports, so they have like I think
twenty four and twenty five categories everything from rugby to football,
(35:56):
to to hockey, and you know, the internationally, so it's
not just in the US, and obviously winning first in
one of those would be really exciting as well. But
I think outside of awards, like the most rewarding way
to see my photography and its use is when it's
printed large scale. I mean last year, for the start
(36:18):
of the season, the Panthers had six large prints in
the Arena of Mine. The Dolphins have had my images
on elevators, you know, in magazines. I've seen my images.
There's actually an installation in the new practice facility for
the Panthers of the whole movement of a slap shot
integrated behind the cash registers. So it's really cool to see,
(36:42):
especially coming from a fine arts degree, my work used
in that scale for people to look at and to say, oh,
it looks like art, because that's how I'm trying to
portray the sports.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
Oh wow, that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Actually, just last night, just last night, I found out
that a few of my Stanley Cup images are now
on a billboard in Fort Lauderdale, which is pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (37:07):
That's my first time on a billboard.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Being that you're young and a female. How and you've
talked about how others have embraced you, but overall, how
have you been embraced in the sports world as a
young female.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
So when when I started working in sports photography, there
were a lot less female sports photographers working in this space.
But I mean I was I never experienced any problems
in regards to being embraced by the communities. Like I said,
like with my experience with the Dolphins being asked, yeah,
(37:43):
do you want to join our team at that time,
and you know, getting that opportunity with the Panthers via
you know, a LinkedIn message. So I never had any
difficulties in that regard. But I will say there has
been since I joined, you know, doing sports photography professionally
the last six years, a tremendous amount more sports photographers
(38:04):
who are women in this industry. And it is really
cool to see the different perspective, I mean, female shooters
versus male shooters in the way that they see things.
I think a lot of the times, what I'm seeing
the differences are is there's a little bit more slowness
with the female shooter, like trying to highlight different intimate
moments versus like the fast, high paced, So it's really
(38:27):
interesting just to see the different perspectives too.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
Are there any other events that you would desire to cover?
I mean, immediately what came to mind is I'd love
to see Lauren cover the Olympics or something in the Olympics.
I mean, any specific things you aspire to shoot, A
big ass rain should have.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
Mine was shooting the Stanley Cup. That was a goal
of mine, especially after last year where we went to
the final and you know, we lost in five games.
But inspiration of what I would like to shoot, it
would be really cool to get to shoot a super Bowl.
I think that's a really big stage as well. So
I would say probably the super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
And we have to ask, like, because you obviously respect
photography so much, what's a couple of your favorite photos,
like iconic photos, something that you say, oh, that was
a really cool picture.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
Photos.
Speaker 3 (39:26):
Oh goodness, let me think here. I wouldn't say that
I have photos in mind, but I do have photographers
that inform my work that I really when I look
at their work, I say, I see that aspect of
fine art and their work. I specifically think of Andy Canutis.
(39:48):
He works for the Vikings, Zach Tarrant works for the Texans,
and Steph Chambers, who's a getty photographer. I think they
all have a very unique style that their images are
identifiable as their own, and I resonate a lot with
their work because they're always trying to push creative boundaries
(40:10):
within their within their work, and they work in sports,
so it definitely informs my work.
Speaker 2 (40:15):
What about female photographers.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
So Steph Chambers, she's she's a female photographer. I would
say she's probably the one that informs my work the most.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Okay, sorry when you said Steph, I'm thinking of like
Steph Curry.
Speaker 3 (40:31):
No, No, we're good.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Wrote I'm like, Okay, I'll google this and just kind
of check them out.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
Yeah, no, and they're all they're on Instagram, they all
have different websites, so definitely check them out.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
They're very, very talented creatives.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
Well, I'm honored to say in the college space and
definitely within what we've been doing, I can spot al
Lauren so porn photo. Yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
That's so sweet, really really.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
Well, thank you for joining us today. I'm so glad
we got to talk and introduce you to Michelle and
Jack and of course you know you guys ever have
any events in South Florida and you know who to call.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
I wish I could take her to Paris with me,
for sure. Absolutely, photographer.
Speaker 3 (41:25):
I have one story to tell if we have time
that we do. So in college, I was taking classes
and there was one professor.
Speaker 4 (41:34):
He wasn't a photography.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
Professor, but he was known for his very He had
opinions and he was going to stick by those opinions
and that's what he was known for. So I remember
taking classes with him and I was showing him my
sports photography at that time, and he looked at me
square in the face and he said, your work is
not art and it will never be art. And I
(41:59):
took that as a challenge. So throughout my entire four years,
I continue taking classes with this professor. And like I
told you about my my senior project, Gray Scale Grind,
which incorporated like the athletes quotes and and that sort
of thing, and I showed it to him and.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
He looked at me.
Speaker 3 (42:17):
This is about three years later from that original this
will never be art and he said, I don't say
this to anybody ever, but you changed my mind.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
Oh wow, Good for him.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
For acknowledging that because and good for you for challenge accepted.
I do not.
Speaker 3 (42:40):
I am not one to step away from a challenge,
you know, Like I said, like you know, going out
to a Dolphins camp, introducing yourself, sending a LinkedIn message.
I mean, throughout this entire playoff run with the Panthers,
I mean, I've had the opportunity to work with some
really incredibly talented people in the organization. I mean RVP
of Digital Marketing, Jason Wise, creative director Brett Marr, creative
(43:05):
manager Austin Fulton, and our marketing special and Nathan Nathan Day,
Like they are the bones of like what goes into
the photography with me and making sure that we're getting
what we need. And I could probably list like fifty
people off the top of my head that work in
that organization that want to see it succeed. And I
think that with photography one of the greatest assets, it's
(43:27):
having a team around you that wants to see the
organization succeed and wants to see every aspect of it succeed.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Absolutely cool. Love it the Panther's way.
Speaker 1 (43:42):
So well, hopefully, I don't know, I know, you want
to get to a super Bowl. Heck, I want to
get back to a super Bowl with the Bears. Hopefully
that will happen in my lifetime. Now you've got the Dolphins.
I mean, one of my former coworkers was a huge
Dolphins fan, and so I know he's watching from up above.
But to see them get back to a super Bowl
(44:03):
like that, there would be a lot of cool things
about that.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
Absolutely, absolutely, I hope.
Speaker 3 (44:08):
So this is our year. We've got some really good
players on the roster. I'm hopeful for it.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Yeah, and you got to really I really like your coach.
I like a sense of humor and the way he
carries himself. It's not for everybody, but I like I
like the way he is.
Speaker 4 (44:21):
I like Mike McDaniel as well. He's a great coach.
Speaker 2 (44:24):
Yeah, yeah, I think so. Definitely awesome.
Speaker 1 (44:27):
All right, well, Lauren, our final segment of the podcast
is something we call the spin cycle. We've just got
a couple of quick answer questions. So, oh, okay, all right,
it's not hard. All right, I'll start texting or talking.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Texting, shooting offense or defense.
Speaker 1 (44:51):
Defense, hotel or Airbnb.
Speaker 2 (44:55):
Hotel, underdressed or overdressed, always.
Speaker 1 (45:00):
Overdressed, and last, what's for dinner? Chicken?
Speaker 4 (45:05):
Rice beans?
Speaker 2 (45:07):
How many people Erica have we had a scorecard on
how many people said chicken.
Speaker 1 (45:12):
Chicken's pretty popular. I don't know if it's just because
it's easy or what. We interview a lot of busy people.
Speaker 3 (45:18):
Yeah, usually dinner is skipping dinner because I'm editing and
I forgot.
Speaker 1 (45:23):
I was gonna say, how could can you get back
to the editing bay? Well, you know, I can't believe
we didn't ask this, Michelle, Like we as much as
we love sports and all that, we also love fashion.
So like we didn't even ask you like what you wear?
Speaker 3 (45:37):
Oh, I have a whole fashion I love love putt
putting to the other game day out. It's honestly, I
mean back when I started, you know, you generally see
photographers and like cargo pants and like polos or teachers
people at the game. I My mama always told me
(45:59):
to dress like the job that you want, and dressing
sloppy is not.
Speaker 4 (46:03):
The way to do that.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
So you always have to look presentable, do your hair,
do your makeup. Because also when you're shooting, you are
interacting with fans and in a lot of ways, you
are representing the company and being the fat face. So
I always like to look as presentable as possible. I mean,
when I'm shooting hockey, you can catch me either a
leather jacket or suit or blouses. And I don't wear
(46:28):
heels because it's a little hard to shoot in. But
I do have a few different colored glitter sneakers that
I that I tote on game days.
Speaker 2 (46:35):
Any golden gooses in that closet.
Speaker 3 (46:39):
No, I do have gold sneakers, though I have gold,
I have blue, I got red, I got pink. We
don't need to talk about my shoe closet right now,
but we have a couple pairs of glitter sneakers that
we pull out for games.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
See, it's not just lenses. You're into shoes as well,
so too.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
I bet shoes are a huge comfortable shoes are huge.
I can't imagine because toting around forty or fifty pounds.
I used to wear high heels when I worked with
men's basketball, just so that i'd be closer. But you, yeah,
if I had to do what you were doing, I'd
be in some flats. So are some comfortable, Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (47:17):
Gosh, well, Lauren, thank you so much. It was so
awesome to talk to you and I, like I said,
you are a rock star in my book, and it
was just fun to kind of how we met and
how we continue to work together, and I hope we
do in the future. But all eyes on your work,
I mean, it's it's inspiring.
Speaker 3 (47:35):
I really appreciate you guys having me on here, and
it was great to just get to talk to you
guys and share a little bit about my photography.
Speaker 2 (47:43):
Erica loved it, loved her. She's amazing.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
Yeah, she really is, and you can listen, you can
hear it. But we really encourage you go check out
her Instagram and her website is so porn spoh you
are n photograph com. Check out some of her work.
It's amazing and you know, if this is where it
is now, I can only imagine where she's gonna take it.
And I really hope she gets to do that Super
(48:09):
Bowl someday.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
I know, I feel like she's already done some Super
Bowls on her own, and so, yeah, for sure. She
was really really enjoyed listening to how she networked and
how how brave she is, Like I'm just gonna reach
out to so and so, and I'm just gonna reach
out to such and such. I mean, I'm really enjoyed
listening to that, so it's great.
Speaker 1 (48:31):
Yeah, a lot of good energy, a lot of good energy. Well,
speaking of good energy, we're gonna have some good episodes
coming up season two, right, are we excited?
Speaker 2 (48:41):
Absolutely? We can't wait? All right?
Speaker 1 (48:46):
So follow us on Instagram, at the spin Chicks Facebook, Twitter,
X sorry it's X.
Speaker 2 (48:54):
That's okay. Wow.
Speaker 1 (48:55):
I know Michelle's gonna keep asking you guys for comments. Look,
if leave us a comment, gave us a good review,
so we can stop asking.
Speaker 2 (49:04):
Yeah, because I think the only comment we have, well,
I think we have two, one from my friend too
and one from your son when he asked you if
you're going through a midlife crisis, So.
Speaker 1 (49:11):
I know that just lives on. But either way, like.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Follow the spin Chicks the H episodes.
Speaker 1 (49:21):
Yes, call that again because I interrupted you.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
The spin Chicks c H. I p K S you welcome.
H
Welcome to The Spin Chicks, our sports and pop culture podcast.
I'm Erica.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Hey Michelle, Hello Erica. How are you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I'm doing great? How about you?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I'm very good.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Well, listen, we are into season two. Did you ever
think we get to season two?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Jerome? Do you want me to say this to you
or about you?
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Of course I thought we'd get to season two.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Yeah. Well, I know, sometimes like a fine wine things
have to or a good cold brew. Maybe I should say, well,
so listen, what has been your favorite thing about doing
the podcast other than having me as your co host?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
No, that has been my favorite thing. Are you crazy?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Like?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That has been my favorite thing? Second favorite thing. I
always let my husband pick two favorites. So, wow, you
stump me on this one.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, I mean you're really thinking about it.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
You're like I was thinking, like, well, what do I like? Like?
We maybe maybe not to the listener, but we've gotten
a lot better. We've improved, I think. So.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I mean, I.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Remember when we used to first start, we had to
practice for like a year. Jack, our producer, would make
us do all these practice runs and he'd be, you know,
once in a while he'd stop recording coming and be
like no, No, that's not what you're going to do.
It's not how you're going to do it.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Well. Some people just might have that natural ability, but
I don't know. I think we're both in the type
of business. I pulled this off right, but I definitely
think it took took some practice. You're right, but being
you know, having guests that we knew, I think made
it more comfortable. But we've also delved into guests that
we don't know, and to me, I think that's been
(01:57):
challenging but pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Actually, yeah, yeah, I mean that part's been really cool.
And even the people that we know, some of them
we haven't talked to in a while, and so it's
been fun to catch up with them. I think the
relationships that we've built and just and I think hearing
from I guess the favorite thing is, you know, spending
the time with you and really bonding with you. I
(02:21):
would say that you're one of my best friends now
based on this, and that's a long list or short
list I should say. And I would also say that
just hearing from different people that listen to us on
a regular basis and say that was my favorite one,
Like I always think that that's really cool. The different
people that listen that give us feedback, we wish they'd
(02:43):
give us comments because we're always I guess.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
These days, you know, sometimes when like any feedback, I
guess if people aren't complaining, you know, it's either good
or you're just yeah, right in that sweet spot. But
I think also definitely just because we've known each other
for so long, but we've definitely spent more time with
each other. And you know, you have to understand between
me and you and Jack, our producer, I mean, we
(03:08):
all have full time jobs and things, and so doing
this sometimes is challenging, but we make it work. But
it's fun and I think we've kept it fun and
we try not to take ourselves too seriously, and I
think that's probably one of my favorite things.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Definitely a passion patching, wouldn't you say a passion project.
I mean, we're not trying to make any money. We're
not trying to, you know, get ten thousand listens. We're
just doing it for fun.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Well, not that we're opposed to making money, but at
the moment not top of list.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yes, I'm just doing it for fun. And I feel
like the guests that we've had are people that we
would find really interesting or that we would say, this
person has a really interesting story. And I don't think
we've interviewed anybody. There was one person that I was like,
I don't know how this is going to come out.
It wasn't a great interview. Man, Jack edited that so good,
(04:00):
and it was such a good one. So yeah, it's
one of my favorites.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Actually, that's true. There is we have the luxury of
not having to edit these that we do have Jack,
and we know that a lot of work goes into it,
not just prep and the questions and you know, trying
to get everything out on your socials, but the editing
and so Jack is magic at that. And so shout
out to Jack. One of these days we're going to
get him on here to talk about his work too,
(04:26):
but he's a little shy.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Shout out to Jack for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So all right, Well today our guest is someone that
I met through through my work and you know me,
I love the behind the scenes type situation. That's kind
of where I live. But she is a photographer and
she was a student photographer when I met her, and
she has since within the last couple of years, kind
of started her own business and really come into her
(04:52):
own very very talented. Her name is Lauren so Porn.
She is from South Florida, a lifelong self Flora and
just like well you and Jack are also Floridians, so
right in your neck of the woods. But she went
to school at Florida Atlantic and we met, like I said,
through work. She did some championship events for US, and
(05:13):
she has since now become a photographer for the Miami
Dolphins for the Florida Panthers who just recently won the
Stanley Cup. So really excited to get her on the
podcast and kind of talk to her about her work
and introduce her to you guys.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, and I think she you know, just in her
pre call, I would say, you know, some people might say,
like why would I want to listen to a podcast
about a photographer. We're not going to be able to
see we're just listening. But she is. She tells great stories,
and she is so interesting and so passionate about what
(05:49):
she does, like she's an old soul. I think she
really I loved hearing how she networks and I think
people are going to be fascinated as to how she
got from A to B two C to oh yeah,
I photographed the Stanley Cup this year, and oh yeah,
I photographed two guys that have already won Super Bowls,
(06:11):
a Super Bowl rings, and you know, she just is
really I just love how passionate she is. I mean,
I wish we could take that, put that on a
bottle and spray it on ourselves once in a while
when we feel like, you know, not so hot about
what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
No, And it's definitely how she described And again, we've
had guests that they've known what they've wanted to do
from a young age, and not everybody does, and hey,
you know that's okay, but when you find someone that
does and they make it happen and they just bring
that passion to the job, and she has an amazing
point of view, and I think that's just what stood
(06:47):
out to me when I first saw her work. And
so if I could recommend her for anything or we'll
you know, promote, We'll provide her Instagram and website at
the end of the show. So if you guys are interested,
like I said, you're going to listen, but if you
want to see some of her work, we encourage you
to do it and hopefully you'll be inspired too.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
We show we're inspired by her.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
All right, well let's bring Lauren on. Well we've already
done a formal introduction, but Lauren, I just wanted you
to hear this before our conversation here today. You know,
we met I was booking some photographers for some sports events,
and so you were a student at Florida Atlantic and
had kind of reached out, and so that's kind of
(07:29):
how we initially got to know one another. But I
just have to tell you that when your photos came
back from I think the first event you had where
I had worked with you, which was a women's golf championship,
both my coworker and I noticed immediately there was just
something in those photos. Both of us just picked up
on it immediately. She called me and she's like, who
(07:49):
shot this event? And I said, well, it was Lauren
so Born And so we have worked together again, and
you've just your photography career, I think has just gone
on to be quite amazing and in such a short time.
So I wanted to thank you for coming on today.
And Michelle, I think we're going to have a wonderful
conversation with someone who works in the business, but as
(08:11):
a photographer.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Well, you know, I love photographers because a picture is
worth a thousand words, so true things that she shoots
that we could write many blogs on just one photo
says it all. And think about those iconic photos out there.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Absolutely, thank you guys so much for having me on today.
And like Erica said, we've worked together on the Women's
golf Championship and we also did beach volleyball and then
tennis just this past year, so it's been three championships together.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Which has been wonderful.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Yes, I always whenever our events come out, I'm like, Okay,
what's going on in South Florida where we can book Lauren?
But usually she calls us first, which is also when
I think of your amazing qualities. You're just very diligent
and reaching out to shoot events. But I mean, let's
just start kind of from the very beginning. What kind
(09:09):
of created your love for photography?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
So I started shooting photography. I got a camera my
eighth grade Christmas. So I got a cannon Rebel three,
and I was just so excited to start shooting with it.
My mom signed me up for a class at our
local high school, at Tarabelle High School, and unbeknownst to
(09:33):
us at the time, it was a collegiate course and
you had to be at least eighteen to attend the class,
so we had to get special permission for me to
attend the class. So it worked out because they were like, Okay,
if your mom goes with you, you can come. And
I was all of thirteen at the time in this
college level course learning about the fundamentals of photography. Absolutely
(09:56):
fell in love with it at that time. I remember
we were learning about I sew and shutter speed and aperture.
And one of the things in that class that was
really cool is he would take us on field trips.
The teacher, so his name was mister Botenski, still remember
his name to this day. And we went on a
field trip to Fort Lauderdale and we were working on composition,
(10:17):
so what's in your frame right, making sure that everything
looks nice and is need and you know, the rule
of thirds and all that beginner stuff with photography. And
I was taking pictures and I was like, I want
to show him something that I'm really proud of. And
I finally got one of like a sick eyeline that
I was really proud of, and I turned it to
him and he was silent. That was the longest silence.
(10:38):
I was thirteen. I was silent, and I was like,
what's he gonna say, you know, and he just looks
back at me and he's like, you have an.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Eye for this.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
And that was the first criticism I had or critique
I had ever gotten from my work, and that stuck
with me to this day.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Wow, that's a really cool story. I mean, you were like,
you said, you're thirteen. You were probably like, no, please,
don't chatter my dreams this early. And that's a that's
kind of a note to us older people when we're
working with young people to make sure that we always
have something positive to say, even if we're going to
(11:16):
say but you know, if you turn your camera like
this or whatever else, you know, imagine if you would
have said no, start over, that's that's not it. You're
going to really need to work on this. This might
not be for you. I know you're or you're young.
So that's really cool. So how did you decide then
to make this a career?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
So I kind of continued doing photography as a hobby
all throughout high school and when I went to FAU,
we had our weeks of welcome and it was called
Owl Involved because FAU loves their owl puns. And I
went to the school newspaper because I was still interested
in photography and I really wasn't sure what career path
(11:56):
I wanted to go down, and they let me join
their photography team, and one of the first assignments they
gave me was a football game against Bethune Cookman. And
you wouldn't know this because I've been shooting pro football
for over six seasons now, but I did not know
the rules of football when I went and shot that
(12:17):
football game, So that was definitely I quickly learned the
rules of football. But I just absolutely fell in love
with sports photography at that time and have been doing
it since.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Then.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Well how did you develop your techniques and point of view?
Because what your professor just told you, you have an
eye for this. That's kind of how I felt when
I looked at your photos. And I don't know what
it is or how it is or how it develops,
but immediately when you see one of your photos and
I think when we post this, we're going to I
think share some of them, of course, with your permission.
(12:55):
You can really feel that. So it's just are you
born with it or just how do you develop it?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I think for me, my professors at college made a
really big impact on the way that I photographed sports,
specifically because I have a fine arts degree, so I
come from a background of looking at a lot of
fine artists and having intent behind the artwork and having
artist statements and being able to back up what you're
(13:23):
doing with that intent. Right. So my entire senior project,
actually my capstone project, was a project called Grayscale Grind.
So at that point I had been working with the
FA football team for about four years, so I had
relationships with the guys I came in with as freshman's
and their seniors alongside me. So it was a series
of metal prints, black and white metal prints, and it
(13:46):
really showed the human side of what being a student
athlete was. They each had the opportunity to give me
a quote that went alongside their image that talked about
their personal experience as an athlete and what that was
for them, to show that they're more than you know,
how many tackles they've made, how many stacks they've made,
how many touchdowns they've scored. So when I'm looking at
(14:08):
photography in sports, I'm really looking at the athletes as
more than just athletes, but as humans.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
That's so cool. And I bet when I worked at
South Carolina, well South Carolina and Santa Clara, I know,
especially when I worked with the football team at South Carolina,
I was known as the photo girl, and so I
got to know so many of them, even though I
was doing media relations stuff with them pr but I
got to know so many of them because I was
the one that would pick the photos from the game
(14:38):
that week and then we'd have them blown out from
hanging them on the wall in the hallways. And when
when Lou Holtz was there, that was a big thing
and they would be like, oh, you've got to get
so and so photo girl, and you know, I'd be like,
you better learn my name, okay, But you know, it
was really cool that you could take that kind of
a thing. So how are you? I mean, you must
(14:59):
shooting pictures since you were thirteen. You really developed the
quick skill you learned football. How did you get into
professional sports? Because you've shot the Marlins, the Dolphins, the
Florida Panthers. I mean, you've been around for a lot
of different things. So how did you get into that field,
because it's not an easy thing to just be like, oh,
I want a credential exactly.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
So when I was in school, like I said, I
started with the newspaper. But so I kept going to
football games and I started tagging FAU football in my posts.
And I was walking into a North Texas game and
a guy approached me from behind who I didn't know.
So I was like, eighteen years old, like who is
this guy? And he's like, oh, I'm Ryan. I worked
(15:43):
for FAU Athletics. And I was like, okay, what's up Ryan,
you know, And he had asked me if I wanted
to join their team of interns at that time. So
I got the opportunity to really explore every sport that
FAU had to offer, whether it was men's and will
and soccer, volleyball, tennis, football, every softball, baseball. So I
(16:06):
really got to dip my toes into a lot of
the sports early in my career. You know, eighteen years old,
a lot of people, most of the interns I was
working with were juniors and seniors. I was the only
freshman on the team, so I really got the opportunity
to learn there and from that we had a player
from FAU who was trying out to actually that was
(16:29):
trying out for the Dolphins. I think I was about
sophomore at the time, and I reached out to the
Dolphins communications team at the time and I said, you know,
I'm a little I sent him any moa, I'm a
local student. We have two of our players trying out
for your team. I would love to come out to
a training camp just to focus on these two players.
To my surprise, he said yes. So I went out
(16:52):
and I photographed. The two players were greg Joseph and
Gregory Buddy Howe. They both went on to play a
different teams, but they're actually both Super Bowl champions, which
is kind of a fun fact. Both great guys, great
football players.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
You got an eye. You've got an eye, not just photography.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
I can see the greatness, right, So I took that opportunity.
Of course, if I'm on an NFL practice facility, there
are going to be people there that I should make
connections with. So I identified the team photographer ahead of time,
and I introduced myself to him and said I was
a local student and that this is something that I
wanted to get into. And we exchanged contact information at
(17:35):
the time and kept in touch, but it wasn't I
didn't have the gear at the time really to be
in the NFL. I mean I was shooting on a
Canon add for people that know about cameras, it's not
like the top of the line's sports camera at the time.
It was kind of like a mid range intermediate camera,
(17:56):
and I had a seventy to two hundred, which is
a great sports lens, but when you're shooting football, you
need a much longer glass. You need about a four
hundred or six hundred millimeter.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Because it needs to be faster or it needs to
be wider.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
You need to have the distance to shoot. So the
longer the focal length of the lens, the further away
you're going to be able to see with the camera. Okay, So,
unlike a baseball or a softball or a basketball, where
you're in much more closer range to the action, with
football under on the sidelines, they could be on the
other end of the field, so you would need that
longer range glass to be able to capture the action.
(18:36):
So I introduced myself and I really was like, I
need to invest in the gear.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I need to be able.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
To get this coveted four hundred millimeter two point eight.
And you know, I talked to my parents and I said,
I really want to make this career path work, and
I know in order to be able to do that,
then I would need to get this very expensive.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I was gonna say, photography equipment.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, I need to get I need this pony.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Probably like a whole stable.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
I'm gonna need this race car literally though.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
I mean it's it's not an inexpensive lens. And you know,
with my parents and my granddad's support, they decided that
that was something that they wanted to do for me
for my career, and that opened every door that lens.
I We had another player who tried back out for
(19:34):
the Dolphins in a mini camp several months later. I
had already gotten the lens, and I went back out
reintroduced myself to the photographer and said, look at my
new lens. Look at how pretty it is, you know,
and he was like, would you like to join our
team of freelancers?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
No way, that is so awesome. I'm so impressed by you,
like really amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I mean, and once you first well, then once you
had the lens, I mean obviously you have to take
you know what I mean, it's like your maybe pretty
much but exactly You've got the equipment, so that's obviously
very important. You've got your just natural born skill, your eye.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
So what are the.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Ways, like, how do you get those shots? How do
you know? Like where is it? Position is it? Do you?
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Like?
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Just what is your process when trying to capture those moments?
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Okay, but hold on before you answer that, tell us
like you're out of Miami because you shoot the Miami Dolphins, right,
and you shoot the Florida Marlands. So take us to
a game and tell us what you're looking for when
you go to a gang, like pretend you're at one
of those places.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
So every game has different objectives. I mean, of course
you're going to want to shoot the action, You're gonna
want to shoot those intimate quiet in between moments. But
we also, as photographers were working for a professional sports team, right,
So they have their own objectives. So they have corporate sponsorships, right,
they have their different charity events that.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Are going on.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
So usually before a.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Game, I mean for a Dolphins game that starts at one,
we're getting there the latest nine. Usually I get there
at about you know, eight fifteen, eight thirty and pulling
out my gear, making sure all my lenses are good,
my batteries are good, my cards are good, and you
have that mental preparedness beforehand. So I think one of
the quotes that I love the most that I use
in my.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Photography is Victory loves preparation.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
So I want to make sure that if I'm thinking
about the shots that I want to get beforehand. Like
one of the places I really love shooting at the
Dolphins specifically is the tunnel where the players walk out,
and trying to get different angles and different perspectives on
that because you see so much imagery from that that
person that space every single game. So just trying to
(21:46):
be creative and think of something different, whether you're using
shutter drag or whether you know you're just using a
different angle or a different lens to get a different
feeling for it. But I mean it's I love just
trying to use spaces that have been overused and try
to use them in a different way.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
So perfect practice makes perfect play. So you're saying, if
you get in there, yeah, that's really really I love
it so cool.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Can you touch back on your question, Erica I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Oh no, I think you answered it. I think we
were just putting it into context, just like how you know,
when you're at a game or when you're at an event,
Just like in like you said, you prepare for it.
You kind of visualize in your mind what you want
to do and you experiment with different techniques. So pretty
much are you able to do that? Because you said
that you have like an assignment? So do you have
a like a specific assignment sheet? I mean, I know
(22:43):
I would usually send you one, but like with the professionals,
do they provide you with that too, like what your
goals are and then you know, how do you choose
the photos to submit and that type.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Of a shot chart type of thing or shot sheet.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Absolutely, so, every every team that I work with does
utilize shot sheets, especially with the Dolphins, because we are
a large team of freelancers from at any game, there
could be you know, eight total photographers there. So everybody
has to have clear objectives of what they're shooting, when
they need to be places, and in regards to when
(23:18):
we're sending and what we're sending, they're outlining on that shotsheet, Okay,
this is an important shot. It'll say lock and transmit,
which basically just means send it up right away to
the editors. We need to get this photo out. So
for game action, whenever you're showing like the Dolphins, you know,
making really good plays, right, scoring a touchdown, getting a sack,
basically just showing them in control and dominating the game,
(23:40):
you're going to be sending those images up via an
Ethernet core that we have on the side of the field,
and those images go directly up to an editor in
real time. They're going to edit them up and get
them to social to be posted in real time.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
That's really cool and isn't an amazing like technology because
you think about how far technology has come in the
world of photography.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Michelle and I worked with loops, right.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yeah. I remember, you know, getting the grease pencil for
the media guy to grease pencil the box and then
marking on the back four A and then giving it
and then I remember when they told me that we
were going to do digital. I was like, so in
the heck is that's going to work? And they're like,
we just label it for A and it'll just be
you know, it'll be this little thing. And I was
like a jpeg and I was like, and I had
(24:28):
to go like, what is j So? Yeah, amazing? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I love it now though, just because it's pretty much
almost everything is like in real time and then just
getting it out on I mean social obviously exploded the
whole photography experience. But well, let's talk a little bit
about now, how did you get to work with the
Florida Panthers? And clearly they had an amazing I mean
they've had some amazing seasons, but this this season.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Was just.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Yes, right, So tell us how you started working with them.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
So, so, for the Panthers, I actually sent a LinkedIn
message to their creative director and said, I am a
local photographer. I would love to work with your team.
Here's my portfolio. Basically, when are you free for a chat?
Essentially to talk about, you know, this potential opportunity. And
(25:23):
from there they kind of integrated me into their photo
team and I've been with them. This is going on
my third season now.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
The power of LinkedIn wants to love lins. So how
is hockey different than other sports?
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Hockey is so different than other sports. I love hockey
specifically because of how close and integrated you are with
the fans and when you're shooting at a photohole on
ice level, there are literally people to the left of you,
to the right of you, behind of you. If something
cool happens, people are banging on the glass over your head.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
So it's definitely an interesting and different experience than any
other sport. I mean, I think about football and you
are so far removed from the fans, like they're at
least six feet above you and like ten feet back sometimes,
you know so.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
And hockey fans.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
I mean, I've been, like I said, I'm going on
my third season with the Panthers, so throughout that time,
I've been able to foster relationships with a lot of
them because they're right They're right there, you know. So
they're They're some of the most genuine and kind hearted
people I've met, Like hockey fans. I don't know if
it's because they're in air conditioning that they're nicer than
other sports. They are. They are truly just some some
(26:43):
really unique and cool people.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
What was the most memorable moment of winning the Stanley
Cup and being the you know, just from a photography perspective.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
The most memorable moment. It's a really good question.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Picture with the Cup is what I want to know.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Not yet.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
The cup has been roaming with players right now, but
the people that work with the team are going to
have their time with it. But obviously the champions get
their time with it first. So I mean, the most
memorable I honestly like right before the game ended that
the clock was just taking away and we had control
(27:30):
of the puck. We had buried it in the corner,
and it was like, we're gonna win, and there was
just three seconds left, and I remember thinking, this is
your moment to be excited in these last two seconds,
and then it's go time laser focus, you know, so
get it. Once they won, I mean, the players ran
off the bench, They're jumping and screaming and just and
(27:53):
the crowd is jumping and screaming, and it's you know,
as the photographer, you have to be locked in one
hundred and I remember just being locked in and being
one hundred percent focused. And then I got home that
night at like two thirty am, and I remember sitting
on the couch and I was like.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
That just happened.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
That's crazy that that just happened.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Well, heck, especially because it had to go all the
way to Game seven after being up three to zero,
and look, I don't follow hockey religiously, so knowing that
you were part of that group, and then the last
night I did watch the whole game and you just
you know, when the guy comes out there and he
raises it up and you just like, you know, those
are the iconic photo moments that that people will be
(28:39):
seeing the next day and and all that. So, I mean,
I can't imagine the excitement of just getting to that level.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
I mean the Panthers definitely gave us full entertainment value
by heading into a game seven. I mean we won.
You get, like you said, three games in a row
and then was a loss. And I remember going into
games five, six, seven, like, Okay, today could be the day.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Today could be the gates.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
So I think that that's also what gave me that
mental preparedness, because I was like, okay, today is the day.
You know, like you're oh, you're preparing three times in
a row for what could potentially be the win. So
you're already there mentally as well. But it was just
I mean seeing their reaction and all the families come
out onto the ice and they're putting babies in the
(29:28):
Stanley Cup. And and you know they had the parade
two which was Florida, Florida because it was torrential raining
the entire Stanley Cup parade. So I don't think it
could be any more Florida than that.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Not everybody can do what Tampa does when they win
a Super Bowl or float down the river with the
Stanley Cup and with the Super Bowl trophy. Not everybody
should do what Tom Brady did and throw that trophy
off his four million dollar boat to I don't know
even know who he threw it to one of the receivers,
and you think about how sharp that trophy is, just insane. Yeah,
(30:09):
So what's the hardest part? Because like it has to
be physical, right, because do you do any kind of
workout or strength training to be prepared for a season,
and to be pared you're in season all the time,
but to be prepared absolutely.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
I mean on any given game day, I'm carrying between
forty and fifty pounds of equipment on me at any
given time, usually when I'm shooting hockey and football, I
have three camera bodies, three lenses, my laptop, extra batteries,
and all the weight just adds up and in regards
to strength training, we got strong shoulders. We trained shoulders
(30:49):
a lot, We trained legs a lot, so that we
can maintain, of course, being healthy while carrying that amount
of equipment. I people always say, does your back hurt
from doing this? And I have a really good chiropractor
because that's where you know, it keeps you going right.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Well. Also, then what brings you the most joy?
Speaker 3 (31:13):
Oh, that is a really good question. Honestly, what brings
me the most joy is being able to capture an
image that I feel like is unique to me. Like
you said in the beginning, a lot of my images
have that feeling that you can tell it's mine. That's
something that I pride myself on in my work is
(31:35):
what I call myself a moment historian. So I'm trying
to capture the moment as it is, an archive it,
but also give my own creative twist to it and
try and showcase what only I can do, because as
a creative, that's what you're selling, right, You're selling this
is me, this is my work, and this is what
(31:57):
I can do.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Love it. And you know a lot of us photographers,
I'm sorry iPhone owners that you just love those people right, like, oh,
I can shoot that with my iPhone. So I'm guilty
as charged many times. But how do what I mean?
(32:22):
I guess most professional photographers get annoyed with us, the
iPhone warriors, But how do you I mean, you can't
replace something shot with a lens like you're talking about.
But you know, what's your opinion on that?
Speaker 3 (32:37):
I think that photos have always held a special place
since their inception, and everybody's trying to hold onto something
through a photo. It's a moment in time. So I mean,
I remember learning in school there was something called a
deguero type, which is basically just a box that you
would open with a photo of a loved one.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And you would carry it in your pocket.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
And I remember I was traveling in Tennessee and I
found a bunch of these and I got one for
my professor, Professor Hart. Love. Professor Hart, she has helped
me so much. We're still in close relation, like talking,
and I think with iPhone users everybody, just photography is unique.
It's something that you want to take a photo of
(33:21):
something and remember a moment. So I don't have any
problems with iPhone users. But like I said, you can't
replace shooting with the type of equipment that you know,
if you're shooting on a top of the line Canon
or Nikon or Sony, it's not going to be the same.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
Yeah, totally totally agree. Yes, yeah, And I mean now
those are and you look at the picture like that
somebody shoots from the stands as compared to something that
you shoot as a professional, and you're like, come on,
it doesn't even compare. So that is the same. It's
the same when you shoot like family pictures and somebody
goes out on the beach and shoots them with an
iPhone as opposed to when a professional comes out and
(33:59):
shoots them. Yes, they're still fine, but those professionally shot
pictures with those lenses are just amazing.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
So absolutely, and me I mean with my time with
the Dolphins too. You know, like I said, I started
when I was in college working as a freelancer for
the Dolphins, and I think there's not enough emphasis on
the people in this community that are willing to help
you and that are willing to teach you and encourage
your growth. I mean, specifically Peter McMahon who works for
(34:28):
the Dolphins. He's in charge of the photography department, and
we've had one on one meetings to talk about whether
it's fine touting editing or just style or cropping or
how to apply metadata. And there's not enough emphasis on
the people in this community that want to help you
and see you grow and achieve the dreams that you have.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
It's really cool. I love it. Well.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
I know you've on won some awards for your work, Lauren,
can you tell us a little bit about that? And
then I guess I'm not really familiar with how a
lot of photography awards work, but is there like a
Heisman equivalent for you know, photographic awards or something that
you aspire to in that regard.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
So there's actually not a lot of awards out there
for sports photographers specifically, there's the Pro Football Hall of Fame,
which I've won and Feature for Honorable Mention and Action
for Honorable Mention. I won for both last year and
I won for Feature this year. My big goal with
(35:35):
that one would be to win first place obviously in
one of the categories. And then the other award that's
available to sports photographers is World Sports Photography Awards, and
they are many sports, so they have like I think
twenty four and twenty five categories everything from rugby to football,
(35:56):
to to hockey, and you know, the internationally, so it's
not just in the US, and obviously winning first in
one of those would be really exciting as well. But
I think outside of awards, like the most rewarding way
to see my photography and its use is when it's
printed large scale. I mean last year, for the start
(36:18):
of the season, the Panthers had six large prints in
the Arena of Mine. The Dolphins have had my images
on elevators, you know, in magazines. I've seen my images.
There's actually an installation in the new practice facility for
the Panthers of the whole movement of a slap shot
integrated behind the cash registers. So it's really cool to see,
(36:42):
especially coming from a fine arts degree, my work used
in that scale for people to look at and to say, oh,
it looks like art, because that's how I'm trying to
portray the sports.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
Oh wow, that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Actually, just last night, just last night, I found out
that a few of my Stanley Cup images are now
on a billboard in Fort Lauderdale, which is pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (37:07):
That's my first time on a billboard.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Being that you're young and a female. How and you've
talked about how others have embraced you, but overall, how
have you been embraced in the sports world as a
young female.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
So when when I started working in sports photography, there
were a lot less female sports photographers working in this space.
But I mean I was I never experienced any problems
in regards to being embraced by the communities. Like I said,
like with my experience with the Dolphins being asked, yeah,
(37:43):
do you want to join our team at that time,
and you know, getting that opportunity with the Panthers via
you know, a LinkedIn message. So I never had any
difficulties in that regard. But I will say there has
been since I joined, you know, doing sports photography professionally
the last six years, a tremendous amount more sports photographers
(38:04):
who are women in this industry. And it is really
cool to see the different perspective, I mean, female shooters
versus male shooters in the way that they see things.
I think a lot of the times, what I'm seeing
the differences are is there's a little bit more slowness
with the female shooter, like trying to highlight different intimate
moments versus like the fast, high paced, So it's really
(38:27):
interesting just to see the different perspectives too.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
Are there any other events that you would desire to cover?
I mean, immediately what came to mind is I'd love
to see Lauren cover the Olympics or something in the Olympics.
I mean, any specific things you aspire to shoot, A
big ass rain should have.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
Mine was shooting the Stanley Cup. That was a goal
of mine, especially after last year where we went to
the final and you know, we lost in five games.
But inspiration of what I would like to shoot, it
would be really cool to get to shoot a super Bowl.
I think that's a really big stage as well. So
I would say probably the super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
And we have to ask, like, because you obviously respect
photography so much, what's a couple of your favorite photos,
like iconic photos, something that you say, oh, that was
a really cool picture.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
Photos.
Speaker 3 (39:26):
Oh goodness, let me think here. I wouldn't say that
I have photos in mind, but I do have photographers
that inform my work that I really when I look
at their work, I say, I see that aspect of
fine art and their work. I specifically think of Andy Canutis.
(39:48):
He works for the Vikings, Zach Tarrant works for the Texans,
and Steph Chambers, who's a getty photographer. I think they
all have a very unique style that their images are
identifiable as their own, and I resonate a lot with
their work because they're always trying to push creative boundaries
(40:10):
within their within their work, and they work in sports,
so it definitely informs my work.
Speaker 2 (40:15):
What about female photographers.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
So Steph Chambers, she's she's a female photographer. I would
say she's probably the one that informs my work the most.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Okay, sorry when you said Steph, I'm thinking of like
Steph Curry.
Speaker 3 (40:31):
No, No, we're good.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Wrote I'm like, Okay, I'll google this and just kind
of check them out.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
Yeah, no, and they're all they're on Instagram, they all
have different websites, so definitely check them out.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
They're very, very talented creatives.
Speaker 1 (40:46):
Well, I'm honored to say in the college space and
definitely within what we've been doing, I can spot al
Lauren so porn photo. Yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
That's so sweet, really really.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
Well, thank you for joining us today. I'm so glad
we got to talk and introduce you to Michelle and
Jack and of course you know you guys ever have
any events in South Florida and you know who to call.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
I wish I could take her to Paris with me,
for sure. Absolutely, photographer.
Speaker 3 (41:25):
I have one story to tell if we have time
that we do. So in college, I was taking classes
and there was one professor.
Speaker 4 (41:34):
He wasn't a photography.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
Professor, but he was known for his very He had
opinions and he was going to stick by those opinions
and that's what he was known for. So I remember
taking classes with him and I was showing him my
sports photography at that time, and he looked at me
square in the face and he said, your work is
not art and it will never be art. And I
(41:59):
took that as a challenge. So throughout my entire four years,
I continue taking classes with this professor. And like I
told you about my my senior project, Gray Scale Grind,
which incorporated like the athletes quotes and and that sort
of thing, and I showed it to him and.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
He looked at me.
Speaker 3 (42:17):
This is about three years later from that original this
will never be art and he said, I don't say
this to anybody ever, but you changed my mind.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
Oh wow, Good for him.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
For acknowledging that because and good for you for challenge accepted.
I do not.
Speaker 3 (42:40):
I am not one to step away from a challenge,
you know, Like I said, like you know, going out
to a Dolphins camp, introducing yourself, sending a LinkedIn message.
I mean, throughout this entire playoff run with the Panthers,
I mean, I've had the opportunity to work with some
really incredibly talented people in the organization. I mean RVP
of Digital Marketing, Jason Wise, creative director Brett Marr, creative
(43:05):
manager Austin Fulton, and our marketing special and Nathan Nathan Day,
Like they are the bones of like what goes into
the photography with me and making sure that we're getting
what we need. And I could probably list like fifty
people off the top of my head that work in
that organization that want to see it succeed. And I
think that with photography one of the greatest assets, it's
(43:27):
having a team around you that wants to see the
organization succeed and wants to see every aspect of it succeed.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Absolutely cool. Love it the Panther's way.
Speaker 1 (43:42):
So well, hopefully, I don't know, I know, you want
to get to a super Bowl. Heck, I want to
get back to a super Bowl with the Bears. Hopefully
that will happen in my lifetime. Now you've got the Dolphins.
I mean, one of my former coworkers was a huge
Dolphins fan, and so I know he's watching from up above.
But to see them get back to a super Bowl
(44:03):
like that, there would be a lot of cool things
about that.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
Absolutely, absolutely, I hope.
Speaker 3 (44:08):
So this is our year. We've got some really good
players on the roster. I'm hopeful for it.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Yeah, and you got to really I really like your coach.
I like a sense of humor and the way he
carries himself. It's not for everybody, but I like I
like the way he is.
Speaker 4 (44:21):
I like Mike McDaniel as well. He's a great coach.
Speaker 2 (44:24):
Yeah, yeah, I think so. Definitely awesome.
Speaker 1 (44:27):
All right, well, Lauren, our final segment of the podcast
is something we call the spin cycle. We've just got
a couple of quick answer questions. So, oh, okay, all right,
it's not hard. All right, I'll start texting or talking.
Speaker 2 (44:46):
Texting, shooting offense or defense.
Speaker 1 (44:51):
Defense, hotel or Airbnb.
Speaker 2 (44:55):
Hotel, underdressed or overdressed, always.
Speaker 1 (45:00):
Overdressed, and last, what's for dinner? Chicken?
Speaker 4 (45:05):
Rice beans?
Speaker 2 (45:07):
How many people Erica have we had a scorecard on
how many people said chicken.
Speaker 1 (45:12):
Chicken's pretty popular. I don't know if it's just because
it's easy or what. We interview a lot of busy people.
Speaker 3 (45:18):
Yeah, usually dinner is skipping dinner because I'm editing and
I forgot.
Speaker 1 (45:23):
I was gonna say, how could can you get back
to the editing bay? Well, you know, I can't believe
we didn't ask this, Michelle, Like we as much as
we love sports and all that, we also love fashion.
So like we didn't even ask you like what you wear?
Speaker 3 (45:37):
Oh, I have a whole fashion I love love putt
putting to the other game day out. It's honestly, I
mean back when I started, you know, you generally see
photographers and like cargo pants and like polos or teachers
people at the game. I My mama always told me
(45:59):
to dress like the job that you want, and dressing
sloppy is not.
Speaker 4 (46:03):
The way to do that.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
So you always have to look presentable, do your hair,
do your makeup. Because also when you're shooting, you are
interacting with fans and in a lot of ways, you
are representing the company and being the fat face. So
I always like to look as presentable as possible. I mean,
when I'm shooting hockey, you can catch me either a
leather jacket or suit or blouses. And I don't wear
(46:28):
heels because it's a little hard to shoot in. But
I do have a few different colored glitter sneakers that
I that I tote on game days.
Speaker 2 (46:35):
Any golden gooses in that closet.
Speaker 3 (46:39):
No, I do have gold sneakers, though I have gold,
I have blue, I got red, I got pink. We
don't need to talk about my shoe closet right now,
but we have a couple pairs of glitter sneakers that
we pull out for games.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
See, it's not just lenses. You're into shoes as well,
so too.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
I bet shoes are a huge comfortable shoes are huge.
I can't imagine because toting around forty or fifty pounds.
I used to wear high heels when I worked with
men's basketball, just so that i'd be closer. But you, yeah,
if I had to do what you were doing, I'd
be in some flats. So are some comfortable, Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (47:17):
Gosh, well, Lauren, thank you so much. It was so
awesome to talk to you and I, like I said,
you are a rock star in my book, and it
was just fun to kind of how we met and
how we continue to work together, and I hope we
do in the future. But all eyes on your work,
I mean, it's it's inspiring.
Speaker 3 (47:35):
I really appreciate you guys having me on here, and
it was great to just get to talk to you
guys and share a little bit about my photography.
Speaker 2 (47:43):
Erica loved it, loved her. She's amazing.
Speaker 1 (47:48):
Yeah, she really is, and you can listen, you can
hear it. But we really encourage you go check out
her Instagram and her website is so porn spoh you
are n photograph com. Check out some of her work.
It's amazing and you know, if this is where it
is now, I can only imagine where she's gonna take it.
And I really hope she gets to do that Super
(48:09):
Bowl someday.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
I know, I feel like she's already done some Super
Bowls on her own, and so, yeah, for sure. She
was really really enjoyed listening to how she networked and
how how brave she is, Like I'm just gonna reach
out to so and so, and I'm just gonna reach
out to such and such. I mean, I'm really enjoyed
listening to that, so it's great.
Speaker 1 (48:31):
Yeah, a lot of good energy, a lot of good energy. Well,
speaking of good energy, we're gonna have some good episodes
coming up season two, right, are we excited?
Speaker 2 (48:41):
Absolutely? We can't wait? All right?
Speaker 1 (48:46):
So follow us on Instagram, at the spin Chicks Facebook, Twitter,
X sorry it's X.
Speaker 2 (48:54):
That's okay. Wow.
Speaker 1 (48:55):
I know Michelle's gonna keep asking you guys for comments. Look,
if leave us a comment, gave us a good review,
so we can stop asking.
Speaker 2 (49:04):
Yeah, because I think the only comment we have, well,
I think we have two, one from my friend too
and one from your son when he asked you if
you're going through a midlife crisis, So.
Speaker 1 (49:11):
I know that just lives on. But either way, like.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Follow the spin Chicks the H episodes.
Speaker 1 (49:21):
Yes, call that again because I interrupted you.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
The spin Chicks c H. I p K S you welcome.
H
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