Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lena Galasko. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lena, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

“Thank you to my first employer who gave me the opportunity for my very first job when I had so little experience.” I came across that quote recently, and it really resonated with me.

The same sentiment applies to the first client I had as a photographer. For me, it was a friend who reached out on Facebook, asking if I could photograph her beautiful family. At the time, she didn’t realize she was my very first “real” client, and I’ll always be appreciative of that. I’m thankful she took a chance on me, even though I was still a beginner. Even more so, I’m grateful for her positive attitude when the weather didn’t cooperate. We had planned for a sunset shoot, but when we arrived at the beach in LA, the skies turned completely gray and stayed that way throughout the entire session.

Looking back, with years of experience under my belt, I now realize that the overcast sky provided the perfect, even light for my first shoot. At the time, though, it could have been discouraging if not for my client’s encouraging attitude. Her calm and positive approach truly made all the difference.

Lena, 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?

Hi,
I’m Lena Galasko, a traveling Southern California based lifestyle photographer. Originally from a very small town in Latvia (Eastern Europe), I now live in beautiful Southern California but enjoy traveling across the world, working with some of the most unique brands and people.

Growing up, I always dreamed about seeing the world and learning about new cultures. My family believed in a traditional path-getting a good education, finding a stable job. However, they encouraged me to also be creative and use my imagination. While always striving to be a diligent student at school, I was also studying music, dancing, collaging, painting and taking photos on the family Polaroid (which at the time, was an amazing privilege as they were hard to find and afford).

As a teenager, I dabbled in modeling and when I moved to California to study in college, I continued to pursue modeling on the side. But I found that my interest was more towards the way an amazing photographer made me feel on set, the kind of images we were able to create together. So later in life, having landed an opportunity to work for the first mobile photography lens company that was featured in every Apple store in the world, I jumped both feet in, learning everything I could about the way to create the most unique, unusual and memorable images.

I was fortunate enough to get my first “real” camera at the same company as they encouraged our learning of the craft. And I haven’t stop ever since. I took all the classes I could take at a local Canon store (ironically, I always had a Nikon and still do), apply the skills I learned shooting the mobile photography with the DSLR camera and “annoy” most of my family at the time at always trying to get the candid shots during family gatherings when I went home.

It paid off in the end, as right now my specialties are unusual details and angles that my friends have dubbed the “Lena angle”,as well as the beautiful candid moments of the people I capture. By shooting so many images of my own family I also learned the value of the memories these photos capture in time. And while we do take more pictures on our smartphones than ever, there is still something so magical about having those special moments captured by a professional photographer so you can actually be in them, enjoying every bit.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of photography is capturing a client’s true personality and those raw, emotional moments. This year, I’ve had the pleasure of working more with fellow female entrepreneurs, and helping them express their authentic selves through photos has been incredibly fulfilling. I especially love it when a woman who claims to dislike having her picture taken sees the final results and is thrilled with how they turned out. Having been a model myself, I understand how awkward a photoshoot can feel, especially for those who aren’t used to being in front of the camera. That’s why, as a photographer, my top priorities are to understand my client’s vision, help them prepare and feel at ease, and ensure they enjoy the entire process. I would say that is my “secret sauce”.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely! For anyone just starting out, I highly recommend seeking a mentor who has experience in the field you’re aiming to pursue and being open to their guidance. I spent a lot of time trying to figure things out on my own and learning “the hard way,” instead of reaching out to the experts around me who have already accomplished what I wanted to do as a photographer. The best part? Not only were they incredibly helpful, but they were also warm and welcoming. Having a supportive community around you is essential as an entrepreneur, especially in the early stages of your journey. My new mantra is “Community over competition” and I only hope that I can help another creative some day the way my mentors helped me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lenagalaskophotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenagalaskophotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LenaGalaskoPhotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-galasko-285443156/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lena-galasko-photography-seal-beach?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)