The Story of Laura Burns Photography

If you’re like me and you love to find out how someone got started in their profession, you’ve come to the right place. I especially love to hear how photographers got their start. Today, I am bringing you just that – the story of Laura Burns Photography. 

The Early Years

Like many photographers, I started with a love for cameras and photos from a very young age. Growing up, I remember getting little, indestructible cameras for Christmas. The quality was awful, but they were so much fun to play around with. Come 4th grade, I felt like I had really made it… I was given a hand-me-down old Canon XT camera. Looking back, I remember being kinda bummed because the flash didn’t work (which now, wouldn’t really bother me). But wow, did I love that camera! I had just the basic body and lens, and had the best time playing around with it. Throughout the years as a kiddo, I was constantly snapping pics and just having a blast. 

Flash forward to high school where I started taking a basic photography class. It was kinda an accident.. My interest was peaked when I learned that this class was doing an Alice in Wonderland photoshoot. How fun! The problem was, though, that I had a very full schedule in high school – which meant, if I wanted to take the class, I had to do it on my own time. I had to do my own research and assignments on my own at home, including “session”. So with a tripod and friend, I turned in a self portrait Alice in Wonderland assignment. Having had such a fun time in the basic class, I enrolled in the AP Photography class my Junior Year. 

Between my Junior and Senior Year of high school, I was able to shadow a wedding photographer and ended up second shooting 30-40 weddings. Truly, during my time shadowing, I was able to learn the ropes of weddings and how wedding photographers operate. Once my Senior Year was in full swing, I had so much fun taking senior portraits for my friends. 

Throughout this time, Laura Minor Photography was born.

Where it Truly Began

After graduation, I put my camera down while I focused on my college. Although I had a shoot here and there, I was truly dedicating myself to my studies. During this time, I moved to Orange County and I really didn’t know many people. It was truly such a season of growth. At the end of 2018, I started dating my boyfriend, Josh. Around this time, I also picked up my camera again with a new affinity for capturing special moments; I instantly gravitated towards couple’s sessions. Being in a relationship and feeling all the butterflies, I wanted to be able to capture the same feeling for others. 

My first couple’s session was with my friends, Sara and Dane (Click to see their elopement photos). Although my style has evolved since their session, I still use their photos to this day. Having people in my corner made me feel so supported and excited for what was ahead. After their session, I started to transition my Instagram to couple’s photography. I even lucked out and booked a few engagement sessions during this time as well, as word began to spread. The first few sessions I shot will forever hold such a special place in my heart. Again, I just felt supported and encouraged to keep growing in this industry.

As 2019 wrapped up, I had booked my FIRST wedding for May of 2020. Well, we all know how that went (it didn’t…). But during this time, I actually started shooting intimate weddings and elopements. My first two were Amanda & Hector and Emily & Scott. If I thought that I loved couple’s sessions, boy was I in for a shock when I began those intimate weddings and elopements — I was HOOKED. Despite the world being “shut down”, I was able to dedicate a ton of time learning the ins and outs of my camera, the world of editing, Instagram, and all the other moving pieces that go into a photography business. 

A New Era for Laura Burns Photography

Fast forward to 2023. Josh proposed on the bow of a sailboat and about 6 months later, we got married!! (please check out our epic elopement photos!) It seemed a no brainer that with my new legal last name, my business had to reflect that. I had the last name ‘Minor’ all my life, but was so excited to be a ‘Burns’!

After a new logo and a new website, I have stepped into my married era. I now and forever will be Laura Burns Photography.

Looking Ahead

These last few years have been pivotal for the growth that I have had as a photographer and business owner. I now get to shoot the most incredible weddings for wonderful people, and I get to second shoot with the best people I could imagine. I’m loving every bit of it. It isn’t past me that I wouldn’t be here had it not been for the photographer in AP Photography taking me along with her, or without the first few photoshoots to fuel my fire. I could not have done this without the incredible people cheering me on along the way. I cannot wait to see where I go from here, and I am so thankful to have you here on my journey, supporting me. 

To keep up with my journey as a California wedding and elopement photographer, head over to my Instagram @lauraburnsphotography. And if you haven’t had enough of me yet, be sure to read up on my latest blogs!