Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Solomon
Hi Leah , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have loved taking photos for as long as I can remember. My Dad has been a hobby photographer his whole life and took the time document so many of our family’s life moments with his camera. I borrowed his cameras from time to time when I went on trips or had special events. In college I bought my first camera and began taking photos at events within my sorority. In December of 2020 I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Masters in Hospitality Business Management. In the fall of 2023 I left the hospitality industry after 10+ years and made the leap to take on photography full time. I opened Photography by Leah L.L.C. in October 2023 and got to work on behind the scenes set up, and took my first paying customer in January 2024. In these last twelve months I have learned so much about myself, entrepreneurship, and photography, its almost hard to put into words. I have done so many types of shoots, from wedding, birthdays, celebration of life ceremonies, pageants, events, family photos, product and website photos, menu content, branding, and so so many headshots and portraitures. I opened my first studio this August! So many amazing opportunities have been coming my way since I began to follow my heart and my dreams. I am looking forward to what the future with bring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is always a huge learning curve when you enter a new field or open a new company. There is so much to balance. I think that is always going to be the biggest struggle. I wear so many hats, from sales and marketing manager, to social media manager, stylist, administrative assistant, accountant, customer service representative, editor, website developer …and PHOTOGRAPHER!! The list could go on and on. It hard to find the time in the day to accomplish everything, and if you try to do it all at once it could drive you crazy. I try to make to-do lists and stay focused on one task at a time, check it off when complete, then move on to the next. The hard part is marching calmly forward without letting the worldly stressed of time, money, and other peoples opinions get the best of you. I face struggles every day, but I remind myself every small step in the right direction will lead to great distances over time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do a lot of business to business work. I love working with small businesses and helping them level up their online presence with authentic photos that represent their personal style, products, and brand. One of my favorite creative aspects is arranging amazing flat lays, to style them and showcase products with dimension and interest. I spend a lot of time with a live person if front of the camera, so this is always a fun way use my creative abilities in different ways. I am also known for doing professional headshots! I do individual, small group and corporate headshots.
I always have fun posing my clients and getting them to lose up by making them feel comfortable. The goal is always to make sure we have a great time because how you feel during the photos can greatly impact how you feel about the final result. I always try to add joy to anything I shoot. Especially at weddings! I love to be the bride’s hype girl, and keep the good vibes flowing!
One thing that sets me apart is my care for my clients and attention to detail. I love to sit down with my clients, or at least get them on the phone for a planning meeting to discuss their needs, wants, and goals. Its so important to develop a relationship where they feel comfortable to express their ideas and opinions freely so we can make them come to life!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I read a book at the very beginning of this journey that greatly impacted my confidence to be able to carry out such a big leap of faith. It is called “Hidden Potential, The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” by Adam Grant. In this book there were so many great concepts and stories about people who achieved great successes, but there were a few quotes snuck in there that still stick with me to this day. The first one is, “You have to be willing to fail more times than other people are willing to try.” The idea is that you have to be willing to try and try again even when things don’t work out exactly how you expected. Take what you have learned, and trying again. The other quote he references came out of the Silicon Valley in techy California; “Done is better than perfect.” The concept here is that you can’t wait until you have soaked up every piece of knowledge before you begin. You just have to get started at the point where you are at, then you can approve upon that product in the future. You have to have the understanding that perfection cannot be achieved, so don’t shoot for perfect, shoot for improvement. It can be a very humbling experience to feel like you are making mistakes, or don’t have the knowledge of someone who is ten years your senior, but you have to stay grounded and continue to strive for improvement each day.
Pricing:
- Professional Headshots start at $250 for individuals, and decrease in price per person in groups of 3 or more, as low as $65 depending on volume..
- Event Photography starts at $200 an hour
- Family Session are $380
- Small Business Branding Shoots start at $550
- Maternity and Newborn Packages start at $450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.photographybyleahfl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybyleahfl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahmaxinesolomon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/photography-by-leah-jacksonville?osq=photography+by+leah&override_cta=Get+pricing
- Other: https://photographybyleahfl.pic-time.com/client
