Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura McCaffery.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an image maker and storyteller.
I graduated with honors from Madonna University and was a member of Psi Chi. As a graduation gift, my Father took me to Europe, and I fell in love with taking photos. I applied to the College for Creative Studies with my European tourist photographs. I got in!
I was extremely fortunate to have so many people wanting to help me at CCS. I felt so behind because everyone in high school was doing photography or had earned an associate’s degree before going to CCS. I was so shy back then. I am so thankful to my teachers Jermone Burns, John Carlson, and Thom Forester. Jerome would stay late and help me on shoots while I was at school. Thom was the first person to hire me as a photo assistant, and John Carlson was always inspiring me in the studio when I worked for him. Having people believe in you is one of the greatest gifts. With their training in and outside of the classroom, I would not be where I am today.
I earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography from College for Creative Studies. Having a degree in Fine Arts gives me an edge on other photographers. I was taught how to compose photographs, proper printing, and color composure for the highest quality images. Due to CCS’s intense program, I learned a true dedication to my craft: seeing the fine details, functioning under high stress, receiving analytical criticism, pushing creativity, and having a strong work ethic. These life lessons I have brought into everything I do. I have found a balance of work and personal life through the challenges of schooling.
I have been a professional photographer for twelve years. I have been published in Detroit News Homestyle, Detroit Design, BRAG, Remodelers Council of Greater Ann Arbor 2023 Directory, Birmingham Life, Grosse Point Life Style, West Bloomfield Life Magazines, and Bosch News. Currently, I am a member of the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce. I have been working with Canon cameras. I currently work with the mirrorless Canon R5 and Canon 5DS.
I was the Director of Photography at Qomo for three years doing commercial product photography. When models were not available, I would fill in. My passion for photography pushed my interest in videography. As my skills at Qomo progressed, I was promoted to Marketing Manager. In this role, I managed graphic designers, videographers, printers, trade show booth designers, social media, and clients. My organizational skills were crucial in this position because I was setting up trade shows in different states and making sure products, marketing materials and all details for the booth was ready for each show.
From my time managing a team, I thought it was imperative that I learn additional skills so I would know how to help my fellow graphic designers and videographers with direction. On top of working full-time, I took graphic design and video classes through Washtenaw Community College. I am a strong believer that you need to learn new skills so you can communicate with others fully.
I directed demonstration videos for the company while working with a videographer. I enjoyed video production so much that I modeled and filmed one of the videos about their Journey 13 Series by myself, with limited resources. I also taught myself basic programming skills on WordPress to manage Qomo’s website. I enjoy learning new skills. I love challenges and using external resources. If I do not know how to do something, I problem-solve and search to find the answer. This job has prepared me for everything I have undertaken since I left.
On a personal level, I am a people person and can connect with the client I am documenting and make them feel at ease in front of the camera. I have high emotional intelligence and use it to encourage people to smile and make my clients happy. I thrive in a fast-paced environment and always deliver my results on time. I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, helping people feel comfortable, and being in new situations. Due to my diverse background, I am extremely flexible and able to adapt to any work environment. I am reliable, highly organized and I pride myself on being extremely attentive to detail, with an eye on presentation for marketing.
I owe my success in architecture and interior design to Dan Davis. I met him on a magazine photoshoot. I never photographed interior design before. He took a huge chance on me, with one of his biggest projects, when his company designed a whole house. When I was shooting the project, I realized this is what I was meant to be doing. It was one of my greatest honors to have been published with him in Detroit Design Magazine.
Today, I specialize in Interior design photography and architecture photography. I have worked with Dan Davis, Ekocite Architecture, Gunnar Olivier Design, Jane Spencer Design, Room Service Interior Design, Studio Z Architecture, Studio 30 Architecture and Design.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am currently working on my comeback.
I was a caregiver for my Dad for three years until he passed. It was extremely hard because it was during COVID. The hospitals and rehab facilities were constantly understaffed. There were so many nights when I would be sleeping next to his bed in a make-shift bed. I would try to sleep in an upright position in a chair and use a wheelchair to put my legs up. I was constantly learning how to take care of an elderly adult, not only mentally, but also physically. It was an honor and a privilege to be with him every day until he passed. It made me stronger.
When people ask me why I am so happy all the time, it is because of that experience; every day I wake up, I am so thankful for my health. I can get myself out of bed, and I can walk on my own. Life is so short, and it moves so fast.
I have dealt with alot of hardship in my life. What I have learned is that people will always remember how you make them feel. It is so important in life to treat people with kindness. You never know what struggles they have or what they are going through. You never know what a smile will do for them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in Interior design photography and architecture photography. I have worked with Dan Davis, Ekocite Architecture, Gunnar Olivier Design, Jane Spencer Design, Room Service Interior Design, Studio Z Architecture, Studio 30 Architecture, and Design.
What I am most proud of is my photoshoot with Studio Z Architecture, which was published in Detroit Design Magazine a few years ago. It was an amazing photo shoot. I worked with an amazing team of creatives. Dawn Zuber worked on the architecture, and Dayna Tooman was the interior designer. When I was published, my photographs were right next to my teacher, John Carlson’s, work. It was the highlight of my career.
What sets me apart from other photographers is my patience and kindness. On a photoshoot, it is so important to show up with a positive attitude. I love my job and I love what I do. It is such an honor to collaborate with talented people. I never take any work for granted.
What does success mean to you?
Success is sharing your life with people you love and helping people. It doesn’t matter what your job is, how much money you make, or how many followers you have on Instagram. Life is about your community of family and friends.
Kindness is the most important thing.
One example is with my rescue dog, Denali. I rescued her during COVID, after my senior dog passed. The rescue did not tell me she has separation anxiety. I wanted to ride all the time. I bought her a sidecar. She used to be extremely shy around strangers. I trained her to ride in the sidecar with me. I love seeing people on the road smile as we drive by. Her confidence has grown so much that if she wants to go faster, she hits my hand that controls the throttle and barks at me. She gets more excited to go in the sidecar than for a walk. Her Instagram is wolfandwheels
Another example of success is pushing myself farther than I ever thought I could when I got back on a motorcycle after my Dad passed. I wanted to keep trying new things and pushing my comfort level. I went on the motorcycle track for the first time in 2024 for an all-women’s day. My first track day was in the rain in Illinois.
Some of my friends decided not to ride that morning due to the rain. Instead of following the crowd, I decided that I would go on the track. I drove four hours to get there, and I was determined not to let anything hold me back. That is when I learned to trust instructors. As scared as I was to ride in the rain, I realized that my instructor would never put my group in danger. I followed his speed and line the whole time. It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lauramccaffery.com/
- Instagram: @diariesoflaura and @wolfandwheels
- Facebook: Laura McCaffery Photography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mccaffery-aa865280/
