The Rural Upbringing to Queer Joy Pipeline: Ciera & Lauren’s Love Story Captured at Lake Springfield

Let me set the scene: one Sunday morning in July, I had just wrapped up a weekend with a friend in Kansas City and was craving a caffeine fix before hitting the road back to Springfield. My go-to was Messenger Coffee on the Plaza (because that’s the only coffee joint I can get to without the help of nav), but something nudged me to try somewhere new. Enter Café Cà Phê—a spot I’d heard rave reviews about but had yet to visit. I’d never tried Vietnamese coffee before, so I had to give it a shot.

As I walked in, I locked eyes with a woman sporting a 5-panel hat. There was an uncanny familiarity, but I couldn’t place her. Did I go to college with her? Did I work with her at a distant office job of old? Please tell me she isn’t someone I ghosted during my tinder days (sorry, ladies). I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I ordered my Vietnamese coffee, gave my name, and stepped outside to my car. While sitting there, texting my partner about my slight delay, there was a knock on my window. It was the woman from the café.

“Chelsea?” she inquired. “It’s Lauren. Lauren Inman.”

Cue the jaw drop. No fucking shit!

Lauren and I grew up together in the middle of nowhere, attending a tiny church with a congregation of about 30 on a good day. She was a few years younger, and over time, we lost touch. Yet, here we were, years later, both out of the closet, deconstructed, thriving in our respective careers, and reconnecting in the most unexpected way.

She shared about her girlfriend, Ciera, and not long after, reached out for a couples shoot. The rest, as they say, is history, baby!

Fast forward to a sweltering August day at Lake Springfield. The sun was blazing, the humidity was relentless, but the energy? Absolutely electric. Ciera and Lauren had never been professionally photographed before, but you’d never guess it. Their chemistry was palpable, their laughter infectious, and their love story unfolded effortlessly before my lens.

We explored the lush greenery, danced along the lakeside, and embraced the golden hour glow. The sweat? Worth it. The memories? Priceless, babe!

What made this session stand out to me wasn’t just the picturesque backdrop or the perfect lighting—it was the authenticity, dude. Ciera and Lauren weren’t posing; they were simply being. With each other. It felt so calm and real, I’m literally just kicking my feet thinking about it. Their interactions alone painted a vivid picture of their bond.

As a photographer, these are the moments I fuuucking live for. The genuine expressions of love that transcend the frame and are quite literally immortalized, frozen in time. I could cry.

Reconnecting with Lauren was a poignant reminder of life’s beautiful unpredictability. I mean, how insane and cosmic and cool is it that we were at the same place at the same time, despite now living 200+ miles away from each other and after, like, 15 years of not seeing each other??? From shared childhood memories on a busted ass county road in the middle of Ozark County to capturing her love story with Ciera, it’s been a whole full-circle experience.

Their session wasn’t just about photos; it was a celebration of growth, love, and the serendipitous paths that lead us back to familiar faces. To Ciera and Lauren: Thank you for trusting me to capture your story. Your love is inspiring, your energy contagious, and your journey a testament to the magic that happens when paths cross again. MWAH!