Meet Lindsey Cooper: Photographer & BodyBarre Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, what role has risk played in your life or career?
We have all heard the phrase that without risk there is no reward and I truly believe in this. I stepped away from corporate America without a true plan or direction but knew I wanted more time with my children, more flexibility, more room for creativity and just to feel more fulfilled. It was risky and scary but I wanted to choose to step out in faith instead of fear and it changed my life. Ask yourself what if that risk that you are scared of taking is the one that is going to change the entire direction of your life? In my mind if you fail you walk away with the lesson and try again, but you hold the comfort that you don’t have to look back and wonder what if. We are blessed with this one life and living it to the fullest includes stepping out and taking the risk from time to time. Learn new things, follow your dreams, let go of the worry of failure and change.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For the last 8 years I have run a photography business although my love of photography started long before that The people at the photo counter at CVS knew me by name growing up because I was always dropping off film. In the beginning it was a steep learning curve technically speaking and it has certainly held its ups and downs over the years, this last one in particular but when you have a passion for something the challenges are just little bumps along the way. My brand name is Londyn Layne which is after my two children, my daughter is Londyn and my sons middle name is Layne. I named it after them because they are the reason behind it all and they are my favorite thing to capture. I love being able to look back at photos and remember all the tiny details. I feel it is such an incredible blessing to have the technology to capture moments in time to look back on. I initially started this business simply because I loved the art behind photography but it has blossomed to so much more than that over the years. The relationships formed with my clients, the precious moments and milestones shared with me over the years, all the beautiful babies I have been able to watch grow up. I struggle to put it into words but it has evolved into more than I ever imagined. I have seen first steps, vows exchanged, babies enter the world, families evolve and change, hugged the great grandparents, laughed and cried with clients who turned to friends and more. Capturing a memory is so much more than just clicking the shutter and editing, it is being in the moment and seeing the emotion, the light, the real moment and capturing just that… capturing the feeling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Such a tough question, there are so many great spots! We would definitely have to venture down to Galveston for a couple of days and stay at the San Luis Resort for a night to soak up the views and the pool then spend the next day riding roller coasters at the Pleasure Pier and out on the beach in Beachtown. The following night would be at the Tremont House for a day on the strand and delicious meals at the Gypsy Joynt and Mosquito Cafe. After all the beach time we would make our way to downtown Houston to the Marriott Marquis and enjoy their Texas shaped lazy river followed by dinner at Irma’s Southwest for the best tamales and tequila selection. Hotel Zaza would be up next in one of their Magnificent Seven Suites and a spa/pool day followed by a dinner at MF Sushi. The next morning we would have breakfast at The Breakfast Klub then stroll at Hermann Park and visit the Zoo stop for lunch at Lucille’s then spend the remainder of the day visiting museums and art galleries. That night we would check into the stunning Post Oak Hotel and grab dinner at Killen’s STQ. The next day would be filled with shopping at the Galleria stopping for lunch at Fig & Olive and dinner with a view at Brenner’s on the Bayou. After that we would make our way back down to my area of town to spend the last couple of nights at my home with family and friends. I would get them to come take some BodyBarre classes with me and eat at my local favorites like Merlion Thai, Main St Bistro, Perrys Clear Lake, and Grazia. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate this to my parents and my children. Although my Dad is no longer here on earth with me, he gave me 25 years of love and support. He never pushed for me to follow a certain path, he just wanted me to follow my dreams and be happy. I love being able to follow in his footsteps by creating my own business and stepping outside of the norm. My mom is my biggest support system, I’m not sure I could do half of what I do without her help, love, and support. She is brilliant, talented, loving, kind, selfless and just an all around incredible role model. My sweet babies give me reason every day to be better and keep pushing forward. They deserve the world and so much more, Everything I do is to provide for them, set an example for them and I try to do it in a way that lets me be present for them daily.

Website: www.londynlaynephotography.com

Facebook: www.facebook/com/LondynLaynePhotography