Hola! I'm Laura
I am a freelance photographer, filmmaker and graphic designer wandering through this wonderful journey called life.
When I'm not in the studio working on a design, photography or film project, you will usually find me outside, teaching people how to ride horses, or hiking a new challenging peak in the Rockies.
A few years ago, the most incredible journey we all face sooner or later in life began for me: the journey of pursuing our dreams and discovering our life's purpose, this journey takes a lifetime, which will take us through quite a few obstacles and many many failures and disappointments, but we can also find amazing treasures along the way.
Through it all I've learned that life is a short journey, and that even the simplest moments of life are part of a story that is meant to be shared. Whether it's a video, a blog post, or a song, you will find bits and pieces of my life on this blog.
Nowadays I run a business called LaPro Studio, a photography and video production company that supports and aids children in third world countries. At the same time I try to keep this blog up to date.
For me this is a place where I store some of my favorite moments, a place to come back to someday and see where This Wanderful Journey has taken me. You are welcome to join me on this journey, for if it wasn't for the people reading this, this blog never would have come to life.
"The Bigger Picture"
My Whole Story
Sit back and grab some popcorn.....it's story time!
I was born in one of the tiny countries of Central America:
the beautiful Guatemala.
the beautiful Guatemala.
My childhood years were spent traveling back and forth from Nicaragua to Guatemala. Even though it was tough at times, ever since then I have greatly enjoyed being on the road and getting to see new places.
It was during these 14 hour road trips, (with no
phones or any other kind of modern entertainment that kids have nowadays!) that I began to develop a love for drawing and writing stories.
It was during these 14 hour road trips, (with no
phones or any other kind of modern entertainment that kids have nowadays!) that I began to develop a love for drawing and writing stories.
My school years were fun, but difficult many times, even though I had the best teacher in the world, (my Mom!) it was very hard for me to stay motivated....the drawings that filled my notes and school books were usually better than my grades! And I would often get discouraged when I saw the perfect grades that my smart big brother got....but I don't even think it bothered me as much as it should have!
In 2008, at the age of 12, my family and I moved to the beautiful province of Alberta, Canada.
It was a big change for all of us....and it wasn't an easy transition. Leaving everything behind to start a new life in a new country was scary, but I mostly saw it as a big adventure! The first thing I saw when we landed on that beautiful Fall day nearly ten years ago, was the Rocky Mountains I had so often seen on pictures of Canada, I immediately became captivated by the beauty of the Canadian landscapes, and the mountains became my favorite place in the world!
It was a big change for all of us....and it wasn't an easy transition. Leaving everything behind to start a new life in a new country was scary, but I mostly saw it as a big adventure! The first thing I saw when we landed on that beautiful Fall day nearly ten years ago, was the Rocky Mountains I had so often seen on pictures of Canada, I immediately became captivated by the beauty of the Canadian landscapes, and the mountains became my favorite place in the world!
During my early teenage years, I struggled.....like most teenagers do I guess. But something remarkable and life changing happened to me during that time:
I was raised in a Christian homeschooling family, my parents faithfully taught me to follow Jesus since an early age, but it wasn't until one beautiful summer afternoon, after another rebellious outburst, that I ran as far away as I could, out into a field where no one but God could hear me. There I cried my heart out in desperation to Him. He lovingly answered, and reached out to change my life forever. It was then that I was personally convicted that I needed a Saviour, and that I wanted to serve and please Him for the rest of my life.
It wasn't too long after that experience that I discovered an intense passion for creativity. When I realized that I could express my thoughts and ideas through visual arts better than I ever could with anything else I became fascinated with it.
I was raised in a Christian homeschooling family, my parents faithfully taught me to follow Jesus since an early age, but it wasn't until one beautiful summer afternoon, after another rebellious outburst, that I ran as far away as I could, out into a field where no one but God could hear me. There I cried my heart out in desperation to Him. He lovingly answered, and reached out to change my life forever. It was then that I was personally convicted that I needed a Saviour, and that I wanted to serve and please Him for the rest of my life.
It wasn't too long after that experience that I discovered an intense passion for creativity. When I realized that I could express my thoughts and ideas through visual arts better than I ever could with anything else I became fascinated with it.
In 2012, I began to do some graphic and web designing on my spare time, and sharing some of my pictures and videos on the websites I made. I had no idea that this would become more than a hobby someday.
Later on, I became intrigued by the idea of entrepreneurship. I came across a quote that said: "If you don't build your dream, someone will hire you to help them build theirs." I was very attracted to that concept so I strived to achieve it.
Time passed and before I knew it,
it was time to close another chapter in my life! :)
I was excited, but I was even more scared! Society has a way to make you feel like you have to do what everyone else is doing....but I soon learned that we each have a different and unique calling, and that just because everyone else is doing something, it doesn't mean it's what I should do.
My dream of managing my own business was slowly growing into reality, but before it went any further....I had to learn a crucial lesson.
What is success?
It's to make lots of money and to have a pleasant and comfortable life of course! Right? Well, soon reality struck me, and as I looked more into it, I came across two powerful statements:
One is a quote:
"A person is truly poor when the only thing that he has is money."
And the other one comes straight from the mouth of the Lord:
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Matthew 19:21
I knew then, that my whole mentality had to change. True success is more than your own happiness, it is to achieve a greater purpose for your life than living just for yourself, true success is all about making others happy, it is about serving God and fulfilling His purpose in your life.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10
It was after all that, after a series of amazing events, that I found myself on a flight back to my country, Guatemala, but this time as part of a team going to a mission school surrounded by poor villages, where my life was completely changed, and I realized what finding happiness truly means.
My dream of managing my own business was slowly growing into reality, but before it went any further....I had to learn a crucial lesson.
What is success?
It's to make lots of money and to have a pleasant and comfortable life of course! Right? Well, soon reality struck me, and as I looked more into it, I came across two powerful statements:
One is a quote:
"A person is truly poor when the only thing that he has is money."
And the other one comes straight from the mouth of the Lord:
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Matthew 19:21
I knew then, that my whole mentality had to change. True success is more than your own happiness, it is to achieve a greater purpose for your life than living just for yourself, true success is all about making others happy, it is about serving God and fulfilling His purpose in your life.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10
It was after all that, after a series of amazing events, that I found myself on a flight back to my country, Guatemala, but this time as part of a team going to a mission school surrounded by poor villages, where my life was completely changed, and I realized what finding happiness truly means.
So since then I've continued to chase my dreams....in a rather odd way, hoping to reach real success and happiness, against the popular mentality of society.
I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share my journey with you! Thank you so much for visiting!
Feel free to look around, say hi, and enjoy the site!