Ten years ago, fresh out of college, my very first internship was with Laura L. Quick at Good Grit. If you had told me back then that a decade later I'd be photographing Laura for her debut memoir and seeing that portrait featured in PEOPLE, I probably wouldn't have believed you.
But here we are, and it's a pretty special full-circle moment.
On October 29, PEOPLE shared the exclusive cover reveal for Laura's upcoming memoir, Mommy Issues, and right there alongside the cover was the author portrait I photographed of her, credited to Jenn Davis Imagery. Seeing my work (and my name!) in PEOPLE is something I'll be smiling about for a long time.
If you know Laura, you know she's a force. She's the founder of Good Grit, co-host of the Before You Cut Your Bangs podcast, and now a soon-to-be published author.
You can read the full PEOPLE exclusive and Laura's interview here.
A Little About Mommy Issues
Laura's memoir, Mommy Issues, tells the story of growing up in Georgia as the daughter of a teenage mother who eventually signed away custody and drifted in and out of her life.
It's a story about family, addiction, poverty, motherhood, and breaking generational cycles. And if you know Laura, you know there's going to be plenty of humor mixed in with the hard stuff.
In her interview with PEOPLE, Laura described writing the book as "an unexpected excavation of the truth," which tells you a little about just how personal this story is.
The book comes out April 6, 2027, and I can't wait to read it.
An Author Portrait House Call in Birmingham
One of my favorite things about photographing Laura was that we did the session right in her own home here in Birmingham.
I love a good house call, especially when we're photographing someone whose personality is such a big part of what they do.
There's something about being in your own space that makes a session feel a little more relaxed. You get comfortable, settle in, and those little pieces of your personality start showing up in the photos.
And that's always what I'm after.
For Laura, whose book is so deeply personal, photographing her at home just felt right. Nothing too formal or fussy. Just Laura being Laura.
Why Author Portraits Matter
The funny thing about a good portrait is that you never really know where it might end up.
It could be on your website, the back of your book, in a press kit, or, in this case, in PEOPLE magazine!
That's one of the reasons I love photographing authors, entrepreneurs, and creatives. These images become part of how you introduce yourself and your work to the world.
Of course, I want my clients to look polished and professional, but I also want them to look like themselves. I want someone who knows you to see your portrait and think, Yep, that's exactly her.
Those are always my favorite kinds of photographs.
Photographing Laura L. Quick
Getting to photograph Laura in this season of life meant a little extra to me, knowing that my professional journey started with her at Good Grit all those years ago.
Laura is funny, warm, quick-witted, and completely herself, and getting to capture a little bit of that for this next chapter of her story was such a treat.
I'm grateful she trusted me with her portraits, and seeing one of them featured in PEOPLE was just icing on the cake.
Mommy Issues will be released April 6, 2027, and is available for preorder now.
Author Portraits, Branding Sessions & House Calls in Birmingham
Whether you're writing a book, building a business, or just ready for photographs that actually feel like you, I'd love to help tell your story.
We can photograph in my Birmingham studio or take things on the road with a house call. Sometimes the best place to tell your story is right where you are.
I'm currently booking author portraits, branding sessions, and in-home photography.