Michigan native, Laura Kueny started playing golf at an early age. A four year veteran, Kueny had a break out year last season making nine cuts in 15 starts, including two top-10 finishes with one a first place finish at the Epson Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina. With these results, she finished 14th on the season’s Volvik Race for the Card and barely missed earning her LPGA Tour card for 2014.
Kueny is inspired by many things but her past is what motivates her most. As a cancer survivor or victim of childhood cancer she has always hoped to use her talent to give back to those fighting the same disease.
“I don't know what God has in store for me, but I know my purpose in life. He has blessed me with so many talents and it's up to me to use those gifts to return the favor to Him,” said Kueny.
When she is not on the course, Kueny has a passion for photography, especially landscapes and has used her travels on the Road to the LPGA to further explore her chief hobby. She said, “It was a way for me to take time to myself, enjoy God's creation, and contemplate how great life really is.”
While she admits that photography is a passion, she didn’t get more serious about it until some friends started taking notice of her talent.
“I've had people come up to me and tell me what an eye I have and that they live vicariously through my photography. That's when it hit me, and I told myself I may have something going here,” said Kueny.
Kueny is self-taught and realizes that expert photographers are trained professionals.
“There's so much to photography that I don't know and want to learn about. I have downloaded an app on my iPhone for beginner photographers, so I'm slowly learning a thing or two,” said Kueny.
She started with a digital camera and according to her, “it did what it was supposed to do, take pictures, but I just wasn't getting the results I wanted and that was very frustrating.”
In early Spring 2013 Kueny told herself with her next top-10 finish she would buy herself a better camera. Kueny exceeded her goal and won the Epson Classic. After winning, Kueny waited a couple of months before buying the camera. When she finally made the purchase she bought a Nikon.
Kueny christened the newly purchased Nikon with friend, Caitlin McCleary on a road trip, from Phoenix to Oregon.
In her travels, Kueny aspires to be a photographer for Pure Michigan as she feels there are still so many hidden treasures she has yet to experience. The idea of traveling the state capturing her favorite Michigander moments excites her.
Beyond the art, the thought of selling her photos to help offset the cost of playing golf professionally was first suggested by her Uncle as a way to earn a little extra cash. This was an intriguing idea to Kueny, one that would certainly help with expenses throughout the season while allowing her to have a little stress relieving outside fun on the Road to the LPGA.
She hasn’t figured out how she going to sell her photos but knows she has had people interested in buying them. For starters she has set up an Instagram account (LittleLouPhotography) and Facebook page (Little Lou Photography) showcasing her work.
One thing is for certain she certainly has an eye on and off the course and admits, “My next present to myself after another top-10 finish is a lens for my camera. It’s going to get real serious when that happens, ha ha!”
Last time she set that goal she won on the Epson Tour, so watch out, here comes Laura Kueny.
Since her schedule is very crowded with her day job, and blogging is not her thing, Kueny has decided to tell us her story through photos. Throughout the year Kueny will share photos with the Epson Tour so be sure to check back after each tournament for new photos or check out her Instagram and Facebook pages.
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