How a Photographer Built Freedom Through Systems

Summary

Living Your Legacy Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: How a Photographer Built Freedom Through Systems
Host: Jason Tyler
Featured Guest: Lauren Michelle, Founder of Lala Photography
Release Date: July 9, 2026

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Brief Overview

In this engaging episode, Jason Tyler sits down with Lauren Michelle, a pioneering entrepreneur and founder of Lala Photography. Lauren shares her journey from passionate hobbyist to multi-state business owner, emphasizing the transformative power of clear systems and processes in building not just a business, but true freedom. The conversation explores industry gaps, the art of creating memorable client experiences, and actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to build a legacy beyond just owning a “job.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of Lala Photography and Lauren’s Journey

• Family Inspiration and Early Interest ([03:38–05:11]):

  • Lauren describes growing up in California, influenced by her stepdad's love of cameras.
  • “My stepdad always had a camera in our face... I naturally picked up the camera from there.” —Lauren Michelle, 03:38
  • Early exposure led her to take a photography class in Denmark and eventually create a business when disappointed with available family photography options as a new mother.

• Identifying a Market Gap ([05:11–06:32]):

  • Faced with expensive boutique photographers or impersonal big-box studios, Lauren saw room for a boutique, affordable, and experience-focused studio.
  • “I was able to create a business that I would want to be a customer for.” —Lauren, 06:30

2. Building a Client-Centric Experience

• Philosophy of Experience over Technique ([07:05–08:29]):

  • Lala Photography prioritizes training staff in rapport and creating genuine moments, rather than just camera skills.
  • “We’re creators of an experience and then we just happen to capture them with our cameras.” —Lauren, 00:05 & 08:29
  • Reviews often praise the in-studio experience before photos are even seen.

• Parallel with Podcast Studio Management ([08:29–09:57]):

  • Host relates his own success to similar principles: “It was more about the experience… like a restaurant in a way, teaching them how to be like a restaurant server.” —Jason, 09:27

3. Industry Gaps & Opportunities

• Shortage of Brick-and-Mortar Studios ([10:14–12:10]):
  • Outside of Lala’s markets, families have limited access to specialty studios, usually choosing between big-box chains (which are vanishing) or hobbyists lacking customer experience focus.
  • “There’s a huge gap… not focusing on what they should be focused on. Because if I just knew all my technical aspects of the camera… that’s not what the clients remember.” —Lauren, 11:19

4. The Power of Systems and Franchising

• Launching Franchises through Process ([14:25–17:33]):

  • Lala grew to 10 states and began franchising after a former competitor requested to replicate her model.
  • “I created something that didn’t have me in the business all day… that’s when I decided that the best road was franchising.” —Lauren, 15:10
  • Lauren identifies process-building as her “superpower”—even more than photography itself.

• Love for Operations ([16:07–17:20]):

  • “My passion is SOPs and processes… I love writing training systems because the better they are, the more I can scale, the better the experiences for people I train, for franchisees, for our clients.” —Lauren, 16:07

5. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• Owning a Business vs. Owning a Job ([17:57–19:32]):
  • Lauren urges entrepreneurs to distinguish between self-employment and business ownership.
  • “Do I want to own a business or do I want to own a job?… They may get the benefit of money, but they don’t get the benefit of freedom. The ultimate goal is freedom.” —Lauren, 18:13
  • Robust systems let you replicate yourself and scale—offering control through processes rather than constant personal oversight.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the True Product:

  • “A lot of our reviews are written before they even see the photos because the photos are just a byproduct of the experience.” —Lauren, 08:03

• On Franchising & Collaboration:

  • “[My competitor] called me up… and said, ‘You put me out of business. I want to do what you do.’” —Lauren, 15:00

• On Letting Go:

  • “Entrepreneurs want to create… and then they get stuck in their business because they want to control. Letting go of that control—by making these processes—you keep control, in a way. You can create them however you want.” —Lauren, 18:55

• On Legacy:

  • Jason shares his favorite Maya Angelou quote:
    • “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way that you made them feel.” —Jason (citing Maya Angelou), 13:44

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Lauren’s Story & Early Influences: 03:38–06:32
• Building the Experience in Photography: 07:05–08:29
• Comparisons with Podcast Studios: 08:29–09:57
• Industry Gaps & Market Analysis: 10:14–12:10
• Origin Story of Franchising: 14:25–15:53
• Obsession with Processes & Scaling: 16:07–17:33
• Key Advice for Entrepreneurs: 17:57–19:32

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Guest Resources & Where to Find Lauren

• Lala Photography Website: lalaphotography.com (19:51)
• Personal Instagram: @Ms.LalaOnTheGo (“mostly pictures of my children and all their fun things that this business has allowed me to give to them,” Lauren, 20:19)

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Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The conversation is warm, candid, and practical, offering both inspiration and concrete steps for anyone considering entrepreneurship. Lauren’s humility and systems-focus demystify the leap from solopreneur to multi-location franchise operator. The episode offers a reminder: successful businesses are built as much on feeling and experience as they are on technical skill or passion—and true freedom comes from clear, replicable processes.

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For more of Lauren’s story, check out her full feature on the Women in Power series.

Transcript

[A]

Lala Photography is a boutique photography studio. We're in 10 states right now. I created something that people want, and I created something that was scalable. We're creators of an experience and then we just happen to capture them with our cameras.

[B]

Lauren Michelle is a photographer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Lala Photography. She helps families preserve life's most meaningful moments while empowering photographers to build thriving businesses through proven systems and mentorship. People that want to, like myself, open up their own brick and mortar or establishment. What's your key tip for success?

[A]

Do I want to own a business or do I want to own a job? A lot of entrepreneurs own jobs where they're not out of their business. They may get the benefit of money, but they don't get the benefit of freedom. And I think the ultimate goal is freedom. And so without those processes in place and a training system in place where you can replicate yourself, you can create whatever you want to create, you really will get nowhere. Except it spans the globe like a super high cold Internet. Elvis Presley. Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.

[B]

It's not over until I win. The Living your Legacy podcast.

[A]

For those who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary. The impossible has. Oh, that is sensational.

[B]

Jordan, Open Chicago with the lead.

[A]

You said Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dream.

[B]

Welcome back, everybody, to another episode of the Living youg Legacy podcast. Today I am joined by Lauren Michelle of Lala Photography. Welcome to the studio, Lauren.

[A]

Thank you so much for having me.

[B]

Of course, of course. So you just finished recording your episode of Women in Power with Kofi. Shout out to Kofi. You guys don't know this, but he's in the room with us. How, first of all, how do you feel?

[A]

Oh, I feel wonderful. This whole experience has been really streamlined, easy, relaxed. You know, I think some of these things could be scary for some people, and it definitely wasn't anywhere near scary. Everything was very laid out for me and I was able to focus on just telling my story.

[B]

Beautiful. Beautiful. I tell. I tell clients all the time when they sit in these chairs. I'm like, this is where you get the jitters out. So sometimes we'll do the podcast before you go to record your episode and like, all right, let's get all the jitters out first. Because we do that when, like, we can tell, like, a client is really nervous or they might not have been on camera before, but you work in the camera business, so you kind of have your, you know, your way around a camera here.

[A]

And there, correct and incorrect. I know my way around the back of a camera. I do not like being in front of a camera.

[B]

I'm the same way.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's why I start, that's why I started my film career. It's because I hated being on the other side of the camera. Like this, to me, is my worst nightmare. But we do what we gotta do.

[A]

Oh, yes. Well, we'll pretend like there's no cameras, but no, I mean, I know my way in and out of a camera and, but I get in front of it and it is extremely scary. But I didn't feel like that today. So that was really nice. It was fun for me as a business owner to look at your systems and to see your guys processes and really admire them.

[B]

Beautiful, beautiful. So for the audience, this is going to be kind of an introduction to you before your episode comes out. Your episode will come out shortly following this podcast episode. So talk to me a little bit about Lauren. Where does Lauren come from? Where did your business start? How'd you get your start with cameras?

[A]

Okay, well, I grew up in California and I loved cameras my whole life. My stepdad always had a camera in our face and, and was always taking pictures and I naturally picked up the camera from there. I started, I took a film class. I moved to Denmark when I was a teenager as an exchange student and I took a class there, but it was with film. And you know, you have to develop the film. Very archaic.

[B]

When you went into the dark room for the first time and you smell the chemicals, you're like, oh, I think

[A]

they don't even have those anymore.

[B]

You're probably, oh, no, they do. They're good for you then they, they still do. They've tweaked the chemicals a little bit now so they don't smell as weird. But I remember my first. My story is very similar where like, my dad was always taking photos when I was growing up and he was shooting on these little disposable cameras. And then eventually I got my hands on one and I would just take pictures of like lizards on the sidewalk and birds up in a tree and I just kind of fell in love with it. And then I took a film class in high school, got into the dark room for the first time, played around with developing my own film and then I really fell in love with the process.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And it's. I find that to be like kind of a unanimous experience amongst people who fall for, you know, the camera lifestyle. And it's such a big part of what we do today. Like there's so much content, so much. Everybody wants to preserve memories, which I've read through your file a little bit. I know that preserving memories is a big part of your business. So talk to me a little bit about what is Lala Photography? How did it start? How did we get there?

[A]

So Lala Photography is a boutique photography studio. How I got there was when I had my child, I was, I wanted to take photos of him. And I realized that I had only a couple choices. It was either pay $10,000 for a boutique photographer to take the photos. Oh yes, 10K. Oh, it's so expensive. If, if they want you to spend so much money and. Or it was to go to one of those big box in the mall or at one of those big box department stores. And you know, you'd get to choose from a background that was sponge painted brown or sponge painted blue. I think they've gotten a slight bit better, but not much. And I. That would be the only thing that I could afford. And they really didn't do newborns, they didn't do anything that I needed. And it really hasn't changed since I was a child. Like they were using the same backgrounds that I had, you know, 40 years ago. So I decided to get my own camera and I started taking pictures of my own child, then taking pictures of my friend's children, and then taking pictures of people that I know as children. And it just all built from there. And then I was able to create a business that I would want to be a customer for.

[B]

You know, that's a unanimous experience that I've seen among the business owners that I've interviewed in these seats is that all of them were able to find a gap within the market of what they wanted to get into, find a problem that needed solving and just go down that path. Right. So identifying where there's a need and just meeting that need, not just for yourself, but for others as well. What would you say is like the core ethos behind what you do with your business?

[A]

Well, I believe that we do it differently. So one of the things I talked about in my episode was when I train a photographer, I don't actually train them first how to use a camera, which you would think that I would either hire photographers or I would show them how to be a photographer. And that's not the first thing that they train. They train and how to build rapport with children, how to, you know, bring out these genuine smiles. You know, a lot of, I mean, a two year old for sure doesn't want to take photos.

[B]

They don't even know what's going on.

[A]

Yeah, they don't even know a one year old doesn't want to take photos. So to be able to create this experience where we're pulling out their genuine personalities is what really sets us apart and what makes our experience so special at Lala Photography. A lot of our reviews online are actually written before they even see the photos because these photos are just a byproduct of the experience that we've created at Lala Photography. And I think that that is really our big thing at Lala Photography is that it's we're creators of an experience and then we just happen to capture

[B]

them with our cameras that, you know, I, we spoke about this before we started the show, but I had started a podcast studio last year with a buddy of mine and a big part of why we became so successful with that studio was because we didn't. It wasn't about the having the latest tech, having the best lighting, although I'm too much of a stickler for lighting to let that, to let that slide by the wayside. I was like, no, no, no, we're going to invest in the lighting. But it was more about the experience. Right. Like we created, you know, before we would start any podcast, we had sort of a pre flight, you know, when you go on a plane and they give you sort of the pre flight breakdown of everything. So I created a version of that and then when we would hire new new staff to run the studio, I would train them up on that as opposed to, I would make sure that I was hiring people that were at least familiar enough with the camera that I could kind of walk them through the settings. But in a podcast studio, the cameras are on sticks, they're on tripods. Like you see them here, they kind of don't move too much, you don't got to move them, you don't got to change too many settings. Let that be. What I really want you to focus on is the experience. Can I get you a water? Is there anything that I can get for you before? It's almost like a restaurant in a way, like teaching them how to be like a restaurant server, creating an experience for the guests. And that's what made us, you know, what set us apart from other studios that were popping up at the time. I'd love to get your opinion on where you see gaps in the current state of sort of the content photography industry.

[A]

Well, we do mostly families and babies, so there are gaps. I Mean, anywhere where our studios aren't. We're in 10 states right now, but anywhere where our studios aren't. There's still just very little to choose from as far as photography studios go. Well, there's not a lot of people that actually have studios. It's a lot of just people with cameras who've just gotten it and they want to practice. So that's one choice. And so that's a huge gap. And then the. Actually, the big box studios have since gone out of business. Since some of the more boutique studios have popped up. It's. We have a problem with people, Not a problem, a gap. The gap is that it's either those big box studios or people who are focused on photography like we just talked about and not about an experience. And I think that, I mean, with any business, that is the biggest gap is that they work a lot more on the technical side of whatever industry it is. Like you have a podcast or had a podcast and I have photography. And, you know, even though they're two different businesses in two different industries, in a way they're successful, I believe, because both of us focused on an experience over technical things. And so I think that that's a huge gap is not focusing on what they should be focused on. Because if I just knew all my technical aspects of the camera. Actually my photographers don't even know how to change a camera setting because everything is all set up for them. Because it is really, there's so much to think about when you're in a photo shoot that the last thing I want them to think about is, oh, how do I work this camera?

[B]

Technical special.

[A]

Yeah, technical stuff. It wouldn't be.

[B]

Why am I focusing on my exposure triangle right now? That should have been.

[A]

No, yeah, definitely don't.

[B]

I should have set that ages ago.

[A]

Yeah, no. So that's all set for them. And I mean, they do have to make adjustments, but it's just one adjustment. It's not a guessing game. There's one adjustment. Is it too light? Okay, turn that down. Is it too dark? Turn that up. Super simple. Because I really want them to focus on the clients in front of them and their needs and how we best represent their family. And freeze this memory of what their family actually is. Because they come into our studio and everybody's stressed and everybody. The mom wants the. The children to look perfect or has been getting the children ready all day. The dad has been. Doesn't want to be there normally, typically doesn't want to be there. And, you know, so they're Stressed out. Everybody's so stressed. And so that's what we have to stop. And that's another thing like about, about Inside Success and my experience with filming my episode was that I, I would think that traditionally I'd be pretty stressed out about doing this. And I, I don't think there was a time everything was just so laid out for me and maybe I noticed it more because I'm a business owner, but I just am admire the processes and systems that you guys have put in place because it is very well put.

[B]

I love it when a system comes together.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

My favorite thing.

[A]

Only entrepreneurs can say that.

[B]

Yep. Yep.

[A]

Only entrepreneurs.

[B]

There's a, there's, you know, there's a quote that I say to every one of my clients that I film with and for any of the CL that have filmed with me that are going to end up watching this, you guys know exactly the quote that I'm about to bring up. But there's a quote that I always say before we go into the Legacy segment and it's by Maya Angelou and she says, people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way that you made them feel. And I live my life by that quote. And I don't want to kind of bulldoze past this because you mentioned you're in 10 states, you are also franchising these studios out in these multiple, multiple locations. Talk to me about how that got started.

[A]

Okay. Well, that is a fun story. I actually had a competitor from Las Vegas who we put out of business. She was a very high end boutique photographer. She was very, very good at her craft, but she was very, very pricey. And we, once we started, she no longer was in business and she moved to Sacramento. And she called me up one day and she said, I want to open up a photography studio in Sacramento, but I don't want to do what I did. You put me out of business. I want to do what you do. And she wanted to pay me for.

[B]

Very humble.

[A]

Oh, amazing person.

[B]

So, so humble to be able to go.

[A]

She's very successful.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. To admit that, that's hard to admit. I was just wrong. Recently I was telling him about it and it took me a while to admit I was wrong and, and not that she was wrong, it just is the way that the market was going. And I created something that people want and I created something that was scalable and I created something that didn't have me in the business all day or have her in the business all day. So she wanted to pay me for consulting. I said, oh girl, that's. I don't know how many hours I would have to talk to you to make it worth it for you or I to have a successful business. And so that's when we looked into our options and that's when I decided that the best road was franchising.

[B]

And I'm sure a lot of systems and processes. When you're franchising and you're creating a brand new location, a lot of systems and processes have to get really ironed down to make sure that you don't dilute the experience by spreading your resources too thin.

[A]

No, that's my superpower is processes and systems. And I love it. And I always thought my passion was photography and owning a photography studio or photography studios. People assume that my passion is photography and my passion is sops and processes. It's just. I love it. I love writing. I use a program online training system called Traineel and I could spend hours on that. I look through it and I just say, how can I make this better? Because the better my trainual and my training systems are, the better, the more I can scale and the better the, the experiences for people that I train for franchisees for our clients. Like it's a win, win, win for everybody. Win, win, win, win. That has been an incredible experience. And my processes are ironed out, but they could always be ironed.

[B]

There's always tweaks to be made.

[A]

So I always, once I was done, I'd be done with my processes and.

[B]

And I would sit back and look out on a grateful universe.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No direct quote from Thanos.

[A]

No, no, that's not the reality. But at least I love doing it and at least I have a program in place that grows with me and grows with my business.

[B]

So as we sort of wrap up here, I want to ask one final question for the audience out there who are being introduced to you for the first time. What is your key tip for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, people that want to, like myself, open up their own brick and mortar or establishment? What's your key tip for success?

[A]

My key tip for success we just actually touched on it would be to be very clear. Clear processes you can't scale when. When it's just you. And I talked about this in my episode. It's. I read a book, it's called the E Myth. And the thing that I took from it was do I want to own a business or do I want to own a job? There's nothing wrong with owning A job. A lot of entrepreneurs own jobs where they're not out of their business. They may get the benefit of money, but they don't get the benefit of freedom. And I think the ultimate goal is freedom. And so without those processes in place and a training system in place where you can replicate yourself, you can create whatever you want to create, you really will get nowhere except in the confines of your business. So I think that that is the biggest thing, is just to make sure these processes. And it's a beautiful thing because I think entrepreneurs want to create. I think that's why they start businesses. They really want to build and create, and then they get stuck in their business because they want to control and letting go of that control. And. And by letting you let it go of that control, in a way. And in a way, you keep that control by making these processes because you create them and you can create them however you want to create them. And so that would be the biggest key to success, is to learning that. I don't know if you can learn it by reading, if you can learn it by listening, but learn it somehow.

[B]

I feel like that was. That was directed right at me. That hit. That hit home for me. It's been such a pleasure being able to get to learn from you and get to know you. For the people out there, where can they find you on social media, your website, where do they. Where do they reach out?

[A]

Okay, well, the company website is lalaphotography.com I do have a personal Instagram page. I'm not huge into social media, so I was just told I have four pictures up there, but I am going to get a little better. But it's Ms. Lala on the go. Probably should have a lot of dots.

[B]

We'll write it down somewhere.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Just put it somewhere down here in this general vicinity.

[A]

It's mostly pictures of my children and all their fun things that this business has allowed me to give to them and all their opportunities. So. Which is also super cool.

[B]

Beautiful. Beautiful. Well, guys, if you're still here at this point in the episode, make sure that you check out Lauren Michelle's episode of Women in Power, which will be coming out shortly after this episode releases. So make sure you stay tuned for that. You'll get a much deeper dive into her story, the story of her business and how we got here today. But for with that, that's the end of the episode for today. I am your host, Jason Tyler, and I will catch you guys in the next one.