Hi, friends! It’s been forever since I’ve shared a blog, so for those of you who are new here—welcome! Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Lauren, the girl who lived behind the lens at Lauren Melanne Photography. I ran my photography business for five amazing years (2015–2020) before stepping back and taking a full break from 2020 to 2022.

Honestly, there were a lot of reasons for that break, but it turned out to be such a gift. It gave me time to pause, reflect, and figure out what I really wanted—not just for my business, but for my life with my husband. That time away helped me redefine what success looks like for me and how my business could better fit into the life we’re building together. Now, in 2025, things look very different—and in the best way! My business has grown and changed in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m so excited to share this new chapter with you.

So, let’s take a little walk down memory lane and look at the journey that brought me here.

Let’s start on September 29, 2018—our wedding day and the best day of my life! Evan and I got married surrounded by our closest family and friends, and it truly was unforgettable. When we got engaged, Evan promised me “a life of adventure”, and he wasn’t wrong. Since then, we’ve been on an incredible journey, including living in 5 different cities in just 6 years. These moves introduced us to amazing people and beautiful places but made growing a photography business challenging. Moving from Ohio to Missouri in 2018 meant starting over with a new clientele, but that new area wasn’t ideal for photography. My schedule wasn’t filling up the way I hoped. While I didn’t book many clients of my own in Missouri, I had the opportunity to work with some incredible local photographers as a second shooter, capturing beautiful wedding days alongside them.

After 7 months in Missouri, we took another leap of faith and followed God’s guidance to Colorado—a move we hadn’t originally planned but that came at the perfect time.

We moved to Colorado Springs in July 2019, and I was amazed at how quickly it felt like home. I fell in love with the mountains, the endless sunshine, and the lack of humidity—just to name a few things. Most importantly, it felt like the perfect environment to recharge.

While I still wanted to pursue my dream, I was burned out from trying to build a photography clientele in Missouri. At the time, continuing down that path felt overwhelming, so I decided to take a break from photography. Instead, I was blessed to join the hospitality team at the stunning Glen Eyrie Castle, working with some truly wonderful people. Living out my “Belle dreams,” I went to work every day in the castle’s bookstore—yes, an actual castle! In January 2020, Evan gave me a unique and special experience by celebrating my 30th birthday in the most amazing suite at the top of the castle. It was an unforgettable experience. Little did we know it would be one of the last public outings we’d enjoy for quite some time.

By March 2020, COVID-19 had taken over the world, and the country went into full lockdown. Thankfully, the Lord provided. I received a new position within the organization just one week before everything shut down. Had I stayed in my bookstore role, I would have been out of a job since hospitality in Colorado Springs came to a complete halt. Instead, I transitioned to working from home—sweats, endless snacks, and lots of quiet time became my new norm. At first, I loved the designated introvert time, but like many others, I soon began to miss the simple day-to-day interactions. This period gave me space to refocus on what I wanted for my career.

Even during this break, I never fully gave up on photography. I called new friends in the area and asked if I could take portraits of them—thankfully, they always said yes. This kept me connected to the photography world. I also partnered with local photographers as a second shooter for multiple weddings. It got me thinking about returning to photography full-time if the right opportunities came along. But whenever I seriously asked myself if I was ready, the answer was often “no.” That realization surprised me, even as it deepened my uncertainty about my professional future. Feeling lost, I pushed all career considerations to the back burner once again.

Fast forward to 2021—my sweet friend Grace got engaged to her fiancé, Elliot! YAY! Grace and I met while working at Glen Eyrie, and I was deeply honored when she asked me to photograph their wedding. I was thrilled…but honestly, a little nervous. It had been two years since I last photographed a wedding, and I worried I’d lost my creativity and inspiration for such a big event. So, I did what I knew best: I prayed—a lot. Throughout my preparation, I consistently asked the Lord to guide me and help me capture beautiful, authentic moments for Grace and Elliot.

I still remember driving to the venue in August 2021, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. While I was excited, my confidence felt shaky after the long gap. But the moment I walked into the bridal suite and saw Grace with her bridesmaids, I felt completely at ease. It hit me—I was back in a familiar environment, doing something I’d done many times before. My energy soared, and I was ready to fully embrace and enjoy the day. The wedding turned out to be absolutely beautiful, and the experience as a vendor was incredible. Both families were so kind and fun, which made all the difference.

Here are a few highlights from that beautiful wedding day.

Even after the wonderful experience I shared with Grace and Elliot as their wedding photographer, I still did not feel like full-time photography was right for me. This was hard for me to accept and understand. I loved photography so much…so why didn’t it feel like the right move to keep putting my services out there? I decided to make a list of everything I knew I wanted if I was going to keep being self-employed.

Be in charge of my own schedule.
My location would not be an issue.
Work with other creatives toward a mutual goal.
Stay connected to the wedding industry.
Fill a need for my clientele.
That's when I remembered a conversation I had years ago with a photographer friend. We were sharing stories about our busy schedules and how exhausting constant photo sessions could be. She mentioned that she had recently hired a private photo editor, and it completely transformed her workflow and personal life. She lit up as she described the extra time she now had in the evenings to explore new areas of her business and attend social events she previously had to decline. Outsourcing her editing not only gave her back her time but also reignited her passion for her work, allowing her to view her packed schedule without dread.
The memory of this conversation struck a flame of inspiration.

“I CAN BE A PRIVATE PHOTO EDITOR!”

I was so excited at the potential of this idea! I instantly saw how this role could fulfill all of the desires I wanted out of being self-employed! This role aligned perfectly with everything I’ve been searching for: control over my schedule, the freedom to work from anywhere, collaboration with talented creatives, staying connected to the wedding industry, and providing real value by helping photographers reclaim precious time.

Looking back, it’s clear to see how every step of my journey led me to an exciting new chapter as a private photo editor. However, this isn’t the end—my work and desires have continued to grow and evolve. After 3 years as a Private Photo Editor, my vision for Lauren Melanne Studios has evolved another step further.

Stay tuned—Part 2 of my story is coming next week!