We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leslie Andrews. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leslie below.
Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
I started my journey in photography 17 years ago, at the time when I started my business I was a total creative and only focused on being an amazing photographer. If I were starting over I would definitely prioritize running a successful business. After many years of struggling as a starving artist, I realized that 50% of being a professional photographer is doing the business side of it.
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?
Leslie Andrews is a boutique photography studio specializing in beauty & branding photography and highlighting diversity. Our target market consist of small businesses and entrepreneurs who are inclusive and socially responsible, and want to represent their brand as authentic and culturally aware. She began her journey in photography in 2004, after being laid from her job she decided to take control of her career and pursue her passion. Photography started off for her as a hobby and it was actually her boss who was laying her off that recognize how passionate she was about photography. He gave her a long speech about pursuing a career as a professional photographer. After that discussion she decided to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta and after she graduated she began her journey. After many years as working as a freelance photographer, she
decided to open her own photography studio in 2018. Today she owns and operates three studios that double as event and production venues. In addition to photography she also teaches and mentors other photographers.
Her purpose is to shape culture and and change the the world for the better with a mission of inspiring and uplifting other photographers creating a space for others to learn without judgment.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My whole mission is inspiring and uplifting others. When I am teaching and mentoring I create a space for others to learn without judgment. I am always open to critic/advice, I never pretend to have all the answers.
I am all about sharing my knowledge and helping others, one of the things I always tell other photographers is don’t ever feel like you are in competition with anyone else. Set yourself apart with your ability to connect with your clients and creative an experience that lets them know you value their business and care about their brand. There are a lot of great photographers that can create amazing work, however what people really remember is the experience and how you made them feel, this is something that can’t be duplicated.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
At the beginning of 2020 with Covid quarantine restrictions, I was forced to shut my business. I first I was very discouraged, but I used the time as an opportunity it find out ways to better my business. I began to research different grants for business owners and apply for everything I qualified for. After applying for numerous grants I won my first grant which was sponsored by Beyonce and the NAACP. Winning that first grant gave me the confidence to keep going and find faith that in ever negative situation there is a silver lining, By the end of 2020 I was able to secure amount 80K in grant money. I also began to focus on how to better my creative vision for my brand. I hired a consulting company to help me how to reach more commercial clients. They helped me with my website and marketing my business. I used the pandemic off time to help me focus on bettering myself and my business and came out on top stronger than ever. In life we all get thrown curve balls and it’s up to us to figure out how to pivot from that and become stronger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leslieandrewsphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieandrewsphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslieandrewsphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliephoto/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leslie-andrews-photography-atlanta