We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lele a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lele, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

Speaking from my personal experience, and not the photography industry overall, I think my biggest challenge with profitability particularly at the start was not knowing nor charging my worth. I had, and often still have, severe imposter syndrome. A consistent and internal voice telling me my photos weren’t good enough to charge a certain amount or that I had not been shooting long enough to charge at all. I ended up doing a lot of work for free, or tip based shoots, just for the opportunities to get into a club. Fortunately my day job allows me the flexibility and means to be able to travel out of town and state to shoot events even when the pay was low, or non-existent. I was able to shift my perspective by asking for advice and feedback from clients, friends, family and other local and national photographers to better outline price packages and a true business model that has allowed me turn profit

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Lele, pronounced Lee-Lee, and I’m located in Houston, TX. I’m a live-event photographer with a primary focus on stand-up comedy. I’ve been shooting since January 2023 all over Texas mainly in Houston at clubs such as Punch Line Comedy Club, The Riot Comedy Club, The Secret Group and The Houston Improv but also in Austin and Dallas/Arlington. Recently I have also been traveling out of state working with comedian Cameron Keys shooting for his Headlining set (Feb 2024) and Album Recording (Sept 2024) at Saint Louis’ Helium Comedy Club and will be on tour with him in 2025 starting with Chicago and DC and more dates being added. While I primarily shoot live-events I have also done birthday parties, studio sessions, proposals, and headshots.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I believe the advantage I’ve had in growing my clientele is that before I began shooting professionally in 2023 I was already in the Houston comedy scene since 2017. Starting as a fan who just enjoyed the shows, I would snap photos with my iPhone to share on my Instagram story. Once I purchased my camera in 2023 and began legitimately shooting, it was welcomed by the comics and show runners who could now get quality stage photos as many of the local clubs did/do not have in-house photographers. Since then I have used my network of comics, promoters and club owners to keep me regularly booked.

Additionally, in the last 3 years working with The Riot Comedy Club in Houston at their festivals has helped me connect with additional national talent who are just below the headliner level and build those relationships for when/if I travel to other cities. Starting as a volunteer at the festival the first year, joining the planning committee in the second year and using my Project Management skills in the third to become the Executive Director of their 2025 Comedy Festival has opened doors to not only stand-up opportunities but larger brands and organizations as well.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative for me, especially in the space I am in, is the gratitude shown. I never picked up photography for the money aspect, although I do accept every form of payment for my work. I can’t count how many times I’ve shot a show or an event just for the love of shooting and did not request nor require payment for the photos. The pride I feel when someone likes my photo enough to share it with others, make it their profile photo, use it as a headshot for their show flyers or LinkedIn has always felt better to me than any amount of money. To know that a photo I took was liked so much, or even just enough, to be shared with the masses has been the best reward to me. I always say how I cry when I see a photo I took as a profile photo. It’s a high honor!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leleshotthis.com
• Instagram: @leleshotthis

Image Credits

Photo Credit: @leleshotthis