Lauren’s comments about her shoot:

The names’ Lauren. I wouldnt say I’ve had a normal life. But I’d like to say that I’ve had a good one either way. I live solely in the moment and tend not to focus on the past. I feel as life i have a story to be told, and so it shall be told. When i was little, my life was amazing and fairytale like. My parents were together.They were happy. And so i was I. my brother and were very close growing up and i looked up to him for everything. He was the only person i could turn to for anything. My family and I took many vacations. One of my first was to the beach, in South Carolina. I absolutely fell in love. The water was warm and the sun browned my skin. The air was fresh and the wind was a slight breeze. I couldnt image anything more beautiful. Until when i was eleven, my dad planned a ten day road trip across the western part of the United States. I was enthused. We flew to Phoenix, Arizona, rented a mini van and continued onto the rest of our trip. We travled North until we hit the Grand Canyon. As soon as we stopped, my brother and I hopped out of the car and dashed off. My dad rushed after us while my mom bought the visitors passes. My dad, my brother and I were landing behind the taped off section of “DO NOT ENTER,” peeking over the edge when i mom finally found us. It had been my dads’ idea to do something daring. I liked to be adventurous so i tagged along. We got pictures before security found us and then we went down the pathway leading into the middel of the Grand Canyon. Along with tour guides and other visitors, I had a lot of fun gazing out into mother nature at its finest. I remember it was scortching hot and the sun seemed to shine must brighter there then it did back home. Despite that, I still remained hydrated and unburned. After the Grand Canyon, we visited Mount Rushmoore, and it was indeed and amazing site to see as well. The four heads of the presidents caused me to ask continious questions to my father, who gave detailed answers, which i loved. I loved to learn and hear things i did not know previously. It was a well rounded trip. When we got back home from our vacation, i was interested in taking more trips out West. So about a year and a half later, a trip to Denver, Colorado was planned.We packed up our bags and was on our way! We flew out and when we arrived, i was so excited to see our new home for the next two weeks! considering i had never moved from the home i grew up in. I unpacked and felln asleep early. I was eager to see what the next day had for me.When we woke up, there was a parade in front of our cottage! it was almost as if it was a welcome parade. There was men on stilts, people with painted bellies. People on unicycles, and much more. I watched from the balcony and soon after i asked my mom if we could go shopping, which i loved to do. What girl doesn’t? So when my mother and i went out, i picked out a green, flowy dress with a matching head band and purse. I wore that dress for years after that. It reminded me of what i loved most, the out west. I loved taking vacations and still do. It lets me escape and view the world in a different way. it lets me express myself in a more “free” way. I loved the feeling of simply being “free.” And so, i continue to live my live that way. In a permanent “free” state of mind.