Meet Laurie Victor Kay

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laurie Victor Kay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laurie , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by allowing myself to express, see, and feel freely. I give myself space to think conceptually. For me this translates to many things. It could start early in the morning (I often wake before 5 am) when I’m in the quiet of my home with my dog Lucky, a rescued Great Pyrenees of my late mother who passed away from a very short battle with cancer exactly one year ago.

Travel keeps me extremely inspired. It’s important to have curiosity about the world, and I’ve found that traveling solo is so important in my creative process, from seeing new things to having experiences that are unexpected. Recently I’ve found conversations with strangers and friends alike also provide a deeper understanding of the connections we share. Most recently I drove a car all over the South of France along tiny roads, fields of lavender in Provence, and under the canopies of trees (an ongoing subject of my work). The point, I think, is to be receptive to seeing beauty in the everyday. Look closely, look up, observe what is around you, and above all be present.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m at a point in my life that I’m calling La Deuxième Partie because it’s like a second act and I’m right in the middle of this transition. I am a multidisciplinary artist and a long-time professional photographer. I was raised by a single mother of five who described me as the middle child with”‘bags packed” to travel, which is how I view life and opportunity to this day. My mother was a guiding force in my introduction to art. She also taught us the importance of independence and caring for others, especially the community one lives in.

I taught myself photography at 14 and later went on to study art history and architecture in Italy, then to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I studied painting and drawing. I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in photography. Shortly after finishing school I started my photography business. For 28 years, I was the co-owner of a successful collaborative photography business called Laurie and Charles Photographs. I have two grown children, Miles and Evie, both engineers who I am so proud of. I’ve photographed countless notable people and places, conceptualizing and art directing large-scale photoshoots for Fortune 100 companies, celebrities like Robert Redford, Michael Douglas, Alanis Morissette, Warren Buffett, William Shatner, boutique businesses, NY Times, Red Cross, Rosewood Hotels, Hasbro, 1800 Tequila, to name a few.

One notable client was Tiger Woods with whom I photographed and worked with on multiple campaigns like Accenture, Nike, TGR Ventures, Tiger Woods Foundation, Tiger Woods Learning Center, and The Woods restaurant. I have work in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History. That’s a pinch me moment! I’m so grateful to have had such a vast amount of work and time with this incredible athlete who has changed many lives through his foundation.

In conjunction with my commercial business I have been exhibiting my work in galleries for over two decades, and I am thrilled about what is coming in the present moment.

I have recently launched a brand new website. I have years of work and many ongoing projects. I wanted to capture the intent of all of it. I have two brands: my personal artistic work as Laurie Victor Kay and also my professional photography practice as LVK Atelier. The latter is currently being designed, conceptualized and created, which I’m excited to launch soon. I’ll be very thoughtful about the commercial work that I select for LVK Atelier. I want to blur lines of photography, art, technology, design, fashion and home. I have a very large-scale vision for the possibilities and my potential to have some glass ceiling moments soon.

I am currently promoting two series: P A T H O S and apothecary. Both series were created during times that I channeled darkness and suffering into light. This fall is a very busy time for me and my new atelier. I’ll be working on a few site specific commissions for clients. In October, I will be visiting SCAD Savannah to guest lecture and meet their photography and fine art students during their Fine Arts Showcase. I cannot wait to bring my energy to these talented students. Then November brings a one of a kind event called “Artist Hands as Instrument”” at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I will be speaking and sharing my artistic process through the lens of the two major hand surgeries I had in late 2022. My hand surgeon Dr. Dan Firestone wants me to share my experience as an artist working through chronic hand pain. I’ve been extremely involved with healing arts as well as the convergence of art, science, medicine and tech. This is an event that will redefine boundaries.My work will be made into holographic projections and I’ll have a site specific installation on a three story Infinity Projection Wall. Stay tuned on my Instagram for more info to come.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the skills are creativity, asking questions, and understanding the importance of relationships. You never know where one will lead. If you are early in your journey, definitely ask questions and find people that align with your values or inspire you. I was very intentional about this early on and continue to be now. It’s also important to listen. There is a lot to learn from those who have paved paths. Be brave. This can mean many things, from putting new work out there to starting a brand new business. Finally, trust the universe. I’m a huge fan of Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act. Read it.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

For me, it’s both but if I had to pick I’d say focus on the things you are really good at and either build a good team or research the rest. I’m learning and relearning countless things that I never did in the past. It is totally overwhelming at times, and I love the challenges. I love working with people and making overarching broad concepts for businesses, campaigns, photoshoots, or fine art projects. I am interested in the big picture but know the smaller details can be equally important. It is a balance.

Connections in this world are everything. I get pure joy connecting with others. This is essential to success as well. Success is not defined by anyone but you.

Lastly, in the words of my mom: be kind and be creative.

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Laurie Victor Kay

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