Laurie was born an only child in Kalispell, Montana. She received her first telescope at age eight and began a love of the night sky. No matter where her parents moved, South Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Colorado and New Mexico the stars of the Northern Hemisphere were her constant companions. Her first successful photograph was of the Comet Hale Bopp over the red cliffs in Sedona, Arizona. With that photograph, she met one of the men who discovered the comet, Tom Bopp.  He said it was one of his all time favorite photos of the comet.  She was also invited to show her photography at Astronomy Magazine's 25th anniversary celebration in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her photography is exclusively available at the Work of Artists Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Besides being a photographer, she is a long-time radio announcer and rock & roll program/music director for several southwest radio stations.  Laurie has also worked in state and city government, education and for Kitt Peak National Observatory.