We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaChell Myles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaChell below.

LaChell, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

When I initially ventured into the world of photography, I greatly valued the support I received. I mistakenly believed that my friends and family should be my sole pillars of support, not realizing the impracticality of such an expectation. While my loved ones consistently attended my art sales at pop-up shops during the early days, I eventually recognized that they couldn’t be present for every single event, and that was perfectly reasonable. I refrained from feeling disheartened because they had shown up for me before. It was my responsibility to expand my network and connect with new individuals, potential customers included.

I’ve observed that many budding entrepreneurs place excessive pressure on their friends and family, failing to recognize that those close to them didn’t embark on the entrepreneurial journey themselves, so it’s unfair to demand unwavering commitment to someone else’s dream.

In response to this question, I believe it’s acceptable to seek support from family and friends, but entitlement should be avoided. Support must be earned through hard work, and it often comes pouring in not just from loved ones, but also from strangers who stumble upon your work or from the connections you make through networking.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Greetings! I’m LaChell Myles, the CEO of LaChell A Photography, and I’ve been professionally capturing moments through my lens for a span of nine years. My portfolio includes a diverse range of photography, encompassing maternity, engagement, weddings, birthday celebrations, headshots, branding shoots, and graduation portraits.

Photography has been an integral part of my life since childhood, thanks to my mom, who often had me take pictures with disposable cameras during family gatherings. In a way, you could say photography has been ingrained in my DNA. My passion for the creative aspects of photography was truly ignited when I watched the first episode of America’s Next Top Model. The behind-the-scenes process and the final editorial images fascinated me, and I knew I wanted to immerse myself in the world of fashion.

My journey into studio photography was an unexpected twist. While initially drawn to modeling, I soon discovered that being in front of the camera didn’t excite me as much as being behind it. In 2014, I took the plunge and ordered my first Nikon camera kit and backdrop stand from Amazon. Without any formal photography education, I became a student of “YouTube University” and also had the privilege of shadowing some of my favorite local photographers. These mentorships not only enriched my skills but also opened doors for networking with their clients and models. I am forever indebted to those photographers who generously shared their wisdom and experiences with me.

To build my portfolio, I began by photographing friends and family in my mother’s basement. However, my ever-expanding client base eventually prompted my mom to “evict” me from her basement due to the influx of strangers visiting our home. This prompted me to take the next step in my journey, as I secured my own apartment studio in 2015. Today, I operate out of a professional photography studio warehouse located in Bowie, Maryland, and have retired the practice of shooting from my living space.

As a female photographer, I’ve found an advantage in making many women feel comfortable in front of my camera. Exceptional customer service is a core value I uphold, striving to ensure my clients’ satisfaction. Although I’m not infallible, I work diligently to create a welcoming atmosphere in my studio. My clients often mention feeling right at home during our sessions, which is my ultimate goal. I never rely on substances to relax my clients; instead, I achieve this through the genuine rapport I build with them. To further ease any apprehensions, I provide a pose guide for clients to practice before their sessions and offer direction and guidance during our shoots.

Over my nine-year photography journey, my work has graced the pages of numerous magazines, including a cover feature in Shein Magazine. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with incredibly talented social media influencers and had the opportunity to photograph notable figures such as actor/rapper Dave East and Raheem DeVaughn. In 2022, I was honored to serve as an assistant photographer for an episode on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network for the television show “Love & Marriage DC.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was not making sleep a priority. As an entrepreneur you tend to hear a lot of people brag about team no sleep. When I first started out I stayed up all night long editing and thinking of ways to grow my photography business. As I get older, I realize the damage not sleeping can actually cause you. Not sleeping can weaken your immune system, causing you to get sick easy, and it can also cause memory loss. Lately, I’ve been working on organizing my life, so that I can get certain task done in a timely manner, so I can get to sleep on time.

How’d you meet your business partner?

For an entrepreneur, assembling a dedicated team is of paramount importance. Lauren Collier, who serves as the CEO of Lauren Virtual Design, has been a steadfast and long-standing business partner of mine. Our journey began when she initially approached me as a client for a birthday photoshoot, and from that point on, our collaboration has thrived. Lauren plays a crucial role in helping aspiring business owners embark on their entrepreneurial journey. Her support extends beyond crafting their website and brand design; she also guides them in shaping their entire business plan from inception to fruition. She underscores the pivotal role that photography plays in business and consistently directs her clients to my services.

In tandem with Lauren, I diligently work to ensure that I capture the unique essence and requirements of her clients through my photographic lens. Our collective vision for 2024 includes the development of an educational class tailored for female business owners. Within this class, I will have the opportunity to emphasize the significance of brand photography and its integral role in establishing a successful business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lachellaphotography.com
• Instagram: @lachell_a_photography