We recently connected with Iris Leonardo and have shared our conversation below.
Iris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Yes, absolutely, but then I think back on the time when I was working a 9-5 job at South Bay BMW, back in 2016. The creative director at the time learned that I took photos as a hobby and asked if I wanted to take photos and videos for the dealership’s website. I jumped at the opportunity. It was the largest amount I had been paid for creating. After that, I remember standing in the lobby at the dealership, staring out the window, thinking to myself “I’m so much more than this.” It was a lightbulb moment – I realized then that creating was what I wanted to do forever.
Iris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Originally from Los Angeles, I’ve established myself as a photographer, videographer, and content creator in the Pacific Northwest. My professional portfolio contains a wide range of categories within the arts and entertainment industry, including red carpet events, runway shows, live music, weddings, modeling and talent agencies, commercials and cinematic productions, and professional sports.
Currently, the focal point of my portfolio predominantly revolves around luxury real estate marketing. Often, this includes listing photography, agent-guided video walkthroughs, and drone photography and videography. I also create content for many types of businesses; with social media being a crucial element to modern advertising, content creation services are in high demand and have been quite lucrative for me.
I am particularly proud of having my work featured in the Wall Street Journal – I was given the incredible opportunity to photograph a remote Alaskan island property, valued at a staggering $20 million. This project originated from a real estate broker affiliated with Fay Ranches, who discovered my work through an online search and selected me to embark on an all-expense-paid, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
With no other money in the bank, I spent my last paycheck from my day job to buy my first DSLR for real estate photography. I made a meager $200 profit in my first three months, with no other side job or backup plan. I poured myself into learning as much as I could about business and networking, and continuously honing my skills as a photographer – I had no option but to succeed.
As my work began to pay off, my client list grew, and with it, so did my business. Looking back on those early days, I know now that my determination and grit are what got me through.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
In my early adulthood, I remember trying to find a “practical” career, feeling stifled by the pressure of societal and cultural expectations – only to discover that those weren’t fulfilling me. It took years for me to accept this; I tried and failed over and over again to become what I thought society wanted me to be. From as far back as I can remember, all I’ve ever wanted to do was create, in whatever form that ended up being. It wasn’t until I chose this entrepreneurial path that I found my real happiness lay in artistic expression – I’ll never regret what it took to get here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.irisleonardo.com
- Instagram: @iris_leonardo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iris.leonardo/
- TikTok: @irisleonardo