A little more about me...

Art has been part of my language for as long as I can remember.

As a kid, I gravitated toward anything creative- summer art camps with things from pottery classes to drama lessons, choir in my church and elementary school, and eventually four full years of art classes in high school. I was lucky to have a teacher who was deeply encouraging and kind, someone who made creativity feel safe, expansive, and worth pursuing. I even won several awards for my art! Those early years taught me how to observe, experiment, and trust my instincts.

At home, creativity took on another form. My dad was a photographer, and our house naturally became a playground for photo ideas. Anytime I got a new eyeshadow palette or outfit, I’d recruit him for an impromptu photoshoot- posing as the model, dreaming up concepts, and learning how images could tell a story. That curiosity carried into my early experiences working with a local car magazine, where I did makeup for models, helped with posing direction, and collaborated with classic and vintage car owners. It was my first taste of creative collaboration- blending artistry, people, and storytelling in a real-world setting.

In college, art took a quieter back seat, but creativity never left. Makeup became my outlet, and I spent several years working at Ulta in Austin and San Marcos. There, I honed not only my artistry, but my ability to connect- listening closely, translating someone’s vision, and helping them feel confident and seen. At the same time, my professional path led me into marketing, where I spent over a decade learning how brands communicate, how stories are shaped, and how visuals influence emotion and connection.

In early adulthood, creativity found its way back into my life through hosting dinner parties- curating experiences, styling spaces, and bringing people together. Somewhere in that season, I picked up a camera again. This time, it felt different. Photography wasn’t just a creative outlet- it was a way to bring everything together: my artistic eye, my love for people, and my understanding of storytelling and branding.

Photography became a tool for connection. A way to slow down, notice the in-between moments, and help people see themselves- whether that’s a family, a business owner, or a brand- in an honest and beautiful way.

Lola Rosa Photography grew from that place. It’s where art, marketing, creativity, and human connection naturally intersect. My approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in making people feel comfortable and truly seen. I care deeply about creating images that feel real, warm, and intentional- photos that hold meaning long after the session is over.

This work is both a culmination of everything I’ve explored creatively over the years and an ongoing practice of curiosity, connection, and care, and I'm so happy to share it with you.

Community & Leadership

Photography isn't the only place Lauren shows up for the Austin community...

She serves as Director of Photography for Texas Young Professionals (TYP) - Austin Chapter, part of a statewide network connecting professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs in their 20s through mid-40s. TYP's mission centers on relationship-building, career development, and civic involvement, with a vision of developing its members into leaders in both business and their local communities. As the chapter's photographer, Lauren documents the mixers, milestones, and connections that make that community tangible.

She also serves on the board of Texas Women in Business (TWIB) as Director of Sponsorship, a role focused on securing the partnerships that fund TWIB's programming. TWIB is a membership-driven nonprofit built around education, professional development, networking, service, and leadership for women at every career stage, from those just starting out to seasoned executives. Lauren's work on the board directly supports the organization's ability to deliver that programming to its members.

Together, these roles reflect the same thread that runs through Lola Rosa Photography: showing up consistently for people, and helping the communities she's part of grow stronger.

Wait, but where did the name Lola Rosa come from?

The name Lola Rosa comes from a combination of Lauren's two great grandmothers - Delores (Lola) Garcia and Rosa Martinez. These two women greatly influenced Lauren's childhood, as well as the rest of her family and home roots. As Lauren grows and blooms, in her life and her business, she wanted a special way to remember the family from which she first sprouted. So Lola Rosa Photography was sown and harvested in Austin, TX and Lauren is tending to her business, clients and projects with the love and care that stemmed from three generations back - from Lola, from Rosa, and from sweet rich roots.