Let life surprise you

Checking In!

It’s taken me almost three months to write this update and in many ways it still doesn’t feel real…but I am so proud to finally share out loud that I am officially running LKP FULL TIME. I can’t tell you how many people have assumed that I’ve been full-time for years now, but officially as of September 13, 2024 I made the leap. I spent the last 11 years working for Beyond 12. I grew up with this organization and felt so deeply connected on a personal level to our mission and vision - making the decision to pursue my business full-time even harder. I am who I am in so many ways because of Beyond 12 and the knowledge and care that was invested in me for over a decade. I feel grateful that I worked somewhere that believed in my business, believed in my creativity, and invested in my journey. What a gift.

So here I am, after running LKP part-time for the last 7 years (100s of photoshoots later) + working full-time, I have finally decided to bet on myself and invest my full-time energy into growing and expanding my business. I am feeling proud, uplifted, anxious, overwhelmed, ready, and scared (but in the words of one of my incredible mentors, Heather “be afraid & do it anyway”) - so that’s where I’m at…terrified but moving one foot in front of the other and trusting in my path, purpose & “letting life surprise me” (another beautiful friend & mentor, Alysha). I am surrounded by a community who believes in me, shares endless tools and experiences with me, and who reflects into me the support and encouragement that younger Lara could have never even dreamed of. If you’re receiving this, you are a part of why this decision was possible. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Keep on reading for a few more updates below :)

LKP has a new studio home! I’m still available to create with you wherever you are AND I’m also excited to have a studio to call home! The possibilities are endless…let’s create!!

I still have some sessions available through the end of 2024 and I’ll be opening a few mini session spots for December (I’ll share more info next week!)

Book with me here (heads up, my prices will be going up in 2025…let’s create before the year is up!)

In September, I was accepted into and started the Small Business Academy with Uptima, a 16 month business accelerator program that meets for class 2x week. The program has been a lot of work but WORTH it. I’m an artist, but I was never taught how to run a business - I’ve grown my business over the years through a lot of trial and error and through lessons from the most amazing mentors & friends. This program is coming at the right place and at the right time, because let me tell you…they are teaching me EVERYTHING I need to know to run a thriving and sustainable business. We are committed to growing and learning, every day babyyy!

Over the last 2 months, I had the opportunity to create with the staff at Adobe for their Adobe for All day, create with the team at First 5 Alameda County, document Jasmine Rashid’s book launch for her book The Financial Activist Playbook, finalize the photos from the August Community Portrait Pop Up, continue my city-wide work with Berkeley (more updates to come in the next few months for this one!), and create with so many other special folks (all the beautiful life moments and generational connections).

My heart is so full!

If you’d like to support my business moving forward, please let everyone know I’m full-time now :) my books are open and I still have a few sessions available for the end of the year. Book with me here - tell a friend or 2 :)

Another way to support LKP while looking cute and cozy…I still have a few more I look hella good hoodies for sale! Use code LKP15 for 15% off your order (now - Nov 30th).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

As we continue to navigate the end of this year, my heart is with each of you. My heart and mind continue to stand in solidarity for the people of Palestine, Congo and Sudan and with every community fighting for the right to survive and exist across the world. May we continue the fight for liberation in connection with one another and build together in every way possible.