Mother's Love of Family Inspires Photography Business

Laura Jurgens, a wife and mother of five children, launched her New Lenox business, Juliette's Hearth Photography, in January. This self-taught photographer said her family's interest in photos stirred her passion for capturing the moment.

"My interest in photography I learned from my dad and grandfather." She recalls the thrill of seeing the photos that her dad, a career military man, took on his tours of duty. Her grandfather had a ready collection of old cameras too. Growing up, she said, "I think I spent more time in the darkroom than I did in the classroom."

Together with a group of shutter-bug friends, Jurgens recalls fondly a trip they took to Seattle just for the fun of shooting the Pacific Northwest.  

While some favor architecture and product photography, Jurgens said it's the expression, the people that continually attract her. "Every session, from start to finish, I notice the little subtleties in their faces. I like taking pictures of people, to see their personalities, to capture just the emotions."

She doesn't have a traditional studio at home. Instead her studio is mobile. She brings the studio to the client and uses natural landscapes extensively. In light of the still daunted economy, Jurgens put her Christian faith into the business, and got some affirmation almost immediately. In February, she entered a contest to seed her business at WBGL (a Christian radio station, 91.7 on the FM dial). "And I won." She received about $2,000 to buy additional equipment, including Photoshop and lighting.  

The 35-year-old mother readily admits that her own children are regularly her subjects. Family is important to her. The name of the company, Juliette's Hearth, is intended to honor her grandmother. Grandma Juliette and her warm home environment has left an indelible and loving mark on Jurgens' soul.

Now she wants to help other families savor the moments in their lives. "I don't do weddings," she said, but she prefers to shoot everything from newborns to family photographs. She's currently looking forward to shooting photos of graduating high school and college seniors as well as senior citizens.

For information about Juliette's Hearth, visit the website here. You can call Jurgens at: (815) 690-2346.

Look to Patch for Jurgens' photography blog.

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