Lauren Engel
Lauren Engel
Interior / Architecture / Real Estate / Lifestyle Photographer & Videographer
Los Angeles, CA
www.engelauren.com
instagram @engelaurenphoto
What do you do?
“I am a photographer and videographer primarily focusing on interior, real estate and architecture projects!”
What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started photography when I was 16 with a small entry level digital camera. I started photographing friends and it soon progressed into shooting fashion models. The next few years I was shooting mostly fashion, some events, travel for fun and lifestyle. When I moved to LA from Hong Kong I didn't shoot much for two years and my Canon 5D Mark ii was just there collecting dust. My brother encouraged me to pick up my camera again and it came to my mind to get into real estate photography. Since then I have done a ton of real estate photography and now I'm doing more interior and architecture photography. Soon I hope to get into hospitality photography!
How do you stand out in your field?
Earlier on I photographed a lot of mid-centuries and homes with a ton of character. I also love showing my natural photography process on social media; especially in the field of interior and architecture photography this isn’t that common!
What are you working on right now?
Shooting real estate photography and videography and progressing more into capturing interiors and architecture.
What’s your style?
I love showing how natural light hits the space so elegantly. I love photographing homes with a ton of character and style.
What would you like to focus on more?
Doing more interior and architecture videography. I also want to get into doing hotel and restaurant photography.
What is frustrating you right now?
I wish that there is more of a market for interior and architecture videography! The focus has been mostly on photography for so long.
If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Doing the nitty gritty posting my videos to YouTube, editing minor Photoshop work.
Let’s bring out the time machine. What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would tell myself to focus on interior photography and video since the beginning when I picked up my Canon 5D Mark II! I didn't even think of getting into the niche when I was growing up. If I started earlier I would have had more time to get better over the years.
If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Ways of how they met certain people that brought their careers to another stage. I love the ‘Hospitality Design’ podcast because I can learn how the hotel CEOs got to where they are now but I would love to hear from the top interior/architecture photographers!
What kind of projects are you looking for?
Interior, architecture and real estate photography or videography, I’m in!
What’s an ideal client?
On the same page from the beginning, explaining exactly what they are looking for, killing the shoot and them being happy with the results!
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
My boyfriend Art Sanchez! I’ve admired his work before we were together and he’s been by my side helping me grow from the beginning.
How should someone approach you?
I would like to know the scope and rough date of when you would like to shoot! Email is best!
How do you stay creative?
Keeping up with what’s going on in the industry gets me so inspired!
This member profile was originally published in May 2021.