"Picture This"
Photography by Laurie

Anyone can take a picture, but it takes an artist to create and capture a beautiful image. Laurie Bray is that type of photographer, adding her own creative touch to create a treasured memory. Her studio, Photography by Laurie, is located in the Rockwood Artists Studios at 1064 East 2100 South in Sugar House with fun, eclectic photo venues nearby.

 “I love walking around and using what is in Sugar House because it’s so funky and fun,” Laurie says. “My stuff is really different because it looks less posed. They’re more casual and natural-looking.”

Laurie enjoys outdoor pictures, using the environment to enhance the image. Family portraits, wedding photography, children’s pictures and high school senior photos become engaging images under Laurie’s trained eye. With more than 30 years of photography experience, Laurie is adept at knowing which poses will work for every subject.
 
“I’ve learned to read people’s body language,” she says. “You can tell right away if people are comfortable in a pose or not.”

Constantly excited about new photo opportunities, Laurie believes she has a duty to convey to the world the idea that beauty exists in every creation, even seemingly ugly things. Many times, Laurie uses the setting of a graffiti wall or a back alley to bring an element of contrast to her photos. Outdoor situations are ideal because she notices details in everyday settings others might miss. A change in the camera’s angle or lighting, and an entirely new picture appears.

“Most staged portraits are not real, not how most of us live,” Laurie says. “But people like to capture who they really are. Some of the favorite pictures are not the formal, posed ones but the ones that show their personality.”

Because Laurie uses digital photography, her prices are very competitive. This also allows her the option to edit pictures for color balance, retouch subjects or even insert a person into an already-taken photo.
 
Her images of the old Sugarhouse Coffee building are residents’ favorites and are available at her studio, along with other photos of the Sugar House area.

“I hope that my fine art images open a portal to that part of us that is able to find something to appreciate in our immediate world, regardless of what it is,” Laurie says in her artist’s statement. “I endeavor to use my skills as a good chef would--to create visual presentations to savor.” 

Appointments can be scheduled at Photography by Laurie on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. or on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday and evening appointments are available for special events. To view Laurie’s photography, visit www.PhotographybyLaurie.biz. 

Highlight courtesy of The Valley Journals. Article written by Perri Kinder.

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