We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Brooks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Hi Laura, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence is a skill that can be learned. Self-esteem is not a special trait or genetic predisposition. Confidence is a skill, an art, a daily practice.
Practicing turning critique into gratitude; practice becomes permanent.
Growing up, I was inundated with verbal abuse. It left me disconnected with my body, my feelings, my being. This took years of therapy to undo and relearn how to find peace with my body. I wish I had a “big moment” where I gained confidence. But the unpopular answer is that confidence grew in small moments.
Confidence grows when we take up space in safe-enough environments. Confidence grows when I look in the mirror and say gratitude, not criticism. It grows when I take selfies with loved ones and keep it, instead of deleting it because of my double chin. It grows when I notice my body changing and accept that this is part of growing. We are not meant to have the same body forever.
Hiring photographers for my own boudoir sessions has been a huge contributor to this confidence. Seeing my body through an artist’ perspective, honoring where my body is at today, and getting to soak in self love has changed my relationship with my body. I’ve kept artwork from my sessions over the years and they act as a daily visual reminder of how strong, powerful, soft, squishy, gorgeous, and perfect my body is as it shifts.
Part of my confidence comes from making peace with an ever-changing body. The way I talk about my body becomes how I practice self-confidence. What we practice often becomes permanent and I want to practice self-compassion, radical self-love, and body peace so I can show up the best partner, business owner, friend, and community member possible.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a boutique photographer specializing in outdoor boudoir as well as queer and polyamorous-friendly family portraits. Together, we can create daily reminders of how loved you are and how good you look to help heal your relationship with your body.
As a plus size and queer photographer, I work with a lot of plus size and queer community members. Every person’s relationship with their body is incredibly unique and as a photographer, it is crucial to meet people where they’re at. There is no judgement for how you feel about your body.
You look good enough to be remembered, in the body that you have today. Don’t want to celebrate yourself, your loved ones, and those who adore you. Yes, they adore you in the body that you have right now!
Additionally, each month I host a Fat Swim that brings together the fat community in Seattle and surrounding PNW. If that’s you, please sign up to get the details on my website.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that changed the game for me: audacity, curiosity, compassion.
Have the audacity to bring your creative ideas to life! Be bold and lean into your unique perspective. Be curious about what feels good to you, what skills you enjoy, and what you might want to do more. Bring compassion not only to yourself, but to your clients, the communities you serve, and fellow small businesses.
The most important part of owning a business to me is being relationship-centered. I would absolutely recommend doing what you would want from your clients: show up, support big, and be generous. This could look like being genuinely interested in other small businesses, community events, and other ways you can show up. Comment, like, subscribe to emails, show up to events, and other ways you would want the same support. After I priced my photography to work with fewer clients, I was able to show up more fully in the community and be generous with my time, money, and skills.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Attention artists, venues, or other creatives!
Each month I do a special project with my photography. In 2026, I am planning one for boudoir and one for family every month. These limited projects give folks a tangible opportunity to think about what a photo session could be for them. Sometimes we just need an idea to spark inspiration. For example, recently I chatted with someone who wants to do decorative rope for a boudoir special project so we are likely going to collaborate. I intend to pay them for their services and am going to discuss the potential of requiring full releases for this artist to share for their marketing. Some of the past events include underwater photography at a private pool rental, floral arrangements, summer solstice beach session, cherry blossoms, and more.
If you have a creative idea or have a product that you’ve been wanting a larger audience to see, I want to chat. Whether it’s a cool venue or backdrop, a seasonal offering, or just a unique prop, please email me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laurabrooks.art/
- Instagram: @LauraBrooks.Photography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraBrooks.Photography
- Other: TikTok: @LauraBrooks.Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
