Meet Laurie Stephens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Stephens. 

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 a successful full-time Photographer & also the founder of Love Dog Republic. I have always loved dogs & the people I meet who have dogs. I really wanted to find a way to create something beautiful & in so doing help the shelter & rescue community. So, I spend most of my time shooting to make money to continue building love dog! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was raised in the foster care system and in group homes from a baby until I was 18. I struggled to find my place in the world for a long time & was definitely a late bloomer. I didn’t really take the traditional routes or do anything in any kind of conventional way. I was a very lonely child & found it complicated & hard to feel relaxed & comfortable around people I perceived as the “regular” or “normal” people with family’s & lives that I had no way of understanding. I found a lot of beauty in the simple things & liked to be by myself, by looking through my camera lens, I could get close but also stay somewhat removed from people. I have always been obsessed with dogs & have felt an abiding love & deep connection to them. I have always felt the need to help, to do more… it wrecks my heart to see a dog suffer. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I created Love Dog Republic a Subscription Box & Lifestyle Brand for Dog Moms. I wanted to create a beautiful brand that would capture attention because I wanted to create a platform to drive donations by hosting events etc. For example, we set up a photo both & take pictures of people with their dogs for a donation & then give the money to a local shelter… I will be hosting a run/walk in November & will also be doing a podcast in the near future to discuss everything dogs with all the best people! Vets, rescues & shelters, groomers, dog parents & hopefully some celebrity pet owners! We carry our own line of Collars, leashes, bowties & bandanas & our Subscription boxes are Luxe & beautiful! We donate a portion of our sales so you can support dogs & have something cute to show for it at the same time! 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I used to barrel race! 

Pricing:

• Subscription Boxes $70.00
• Order quarterly or pre-pay
• One Time Purchase
• Collars & leashes run about $35.00 bowties & bandanas $15.00
• Tshirt,sweatshirts, weekender bags

Contact Info:

• Email: info@lovedogrepublic.com
• Website: www.lovedogrepublic.com
• Instagram: Love.dog.republic

Image Credits
@sweetfacephotograph
@Lovedogrepublic