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

Lila , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Creating a business with a strong foundation is hard. It takes so much of your time, especially if you have littles and a crazy schedule at home. I know my business has so much growing left to do but it’s rising, and that’s what matters. I started my business in 2021 and offered slots for free mini sessions to all my friends/ family on Facebook. At this time I was using my rebel t6 camera with starter kit lenses, and let me tell you what … it did the job. I had about 6 families sign up and it was such an amazing experience! I was able to start building my portfolio just from that one day. After my free mini sessions, i figured it would be a great time to create my business Instagram page. I figured with the pictures I was able to capture I could use them to post on Instagram. For me…. Instagram has been my MAIN source of clientele. It’s crazy to me that everything has moved to being online. When I created my __klphotography__ page on Instagram I started posting weekly and didn’t really see much of a difference even after 6 weeks, and I started to get a little discouraged. I reached out to several photographers I followed on Instagram and asked them if they had any tips on how to grow my business, and 3 responded. Those 3 amazing photographers made a huge difference with how I approach social media including Instagram and Facebook.I also learned that becoming part of several Facebook groups was very useful for beginning photographers. Another thing I wanted to make note of that was super helpful was using hashtags. Once, I started using them… I began to see more interaction on my page. With things moving more slowly than expected I decided to do another giveaway of some sort. I went on DGG and introduced myself and what services I offered. I told them I was wanting to build my portfolio and I was going to offer free sessions. I had more than expected respond, so I decided I would at least offer 6 free sessions to continue growing my portfolio and the rest I would offer at a discounted price. I wanted to specialize in family, maternity, newborn, and engagements so I found 6 people/ families who would help me build my portfolio in those aspects for those free session. After that giveaway my business started growing by word of mouth. I may not have done it the way others have, but its worked for me so far. Again, I am nowhere near where I want to be…. But I’m growing. I am a full time math teacher, and last year I worked almost 80 hours a week with both jobs combined (during busy season). Last year I made the goal at the beginning of the year to have 100 sessions…. I ended the year having done 106!!!!! I am incredibly proud of what I accomplished last year. I was able to not only reach my goal, but work on a project I’ve only dreamt about doing for a very long time. With all this being said, building a business takes so much time. If you’re lucky and have lots a connections… maybe it won’t be that long for you. Supporting one another, and giving other creatives any advice you may have who want to start a business can make a huge difference. Being kind, transparent, and yourself goes a long way… at least it did for me!!! I’m huge on supporting others and if there is anything I can do to help… count me in!!

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?

My journey for photography started when I was in college. I took some photography courses, got my first camera, and then enjoyed taking pictures as a hobby. During this time, I was able to capture; my nephews being born, friends’ weddings, family pictures, and just moments in life I didn’t want to forget. I drifted from photography for some time after I graduated college, and became an investigator for the state in San Antonio. Once I moved back to Dallas, I realized I wanted to pursue something different and became a teacher (which I currently still am for Math). My passion for photography truly began when I had my son. I was obsessed with taking pictures of him. I wanted to remember every smile, every cry, every wrinkled nose, every facial expression, every moment that I thought was special that I didn’t want to let go of. Let me tell you… the kid was over my camera and me taking pictures of him by the time he turned 1. At that time, I had this idea to start my business, but I was not quite confident enough to do so. I then got pregnant with my daughter and she was born right when Covid started, February of 2020. Having two under 2 was so difficult and with covid, it was even more than I could handle. It was quite a blur for the first 6 months of her life. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had postpartum depression after having her. I didn’t have that connection I wanted with her when she was first born, and I honestly don’t remember much of her first smiles, her first facial expression, or anything like I did with my son. When she turned about 6 months old, I was finally able to come up for air. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her, I couldn’t stop trying to make her laugh, and I just loved the connection she was starting to have with her brother. Girlfriend is a camera addict and of course my best girl!!! My kids and my entire family are my world. Because of the experience I had, I changed. I began to have more self-confidence and I decided no one should ever be able to forget those special moments that make time stand still. My husband was so supportive of me during all of this and encouraged me to go for it! So that’s exactly what I did… I decided to just go for it and start my business. I started Klphotography in May of last year (2021). I made a post on Facebook inviting all my friends where I was offering free mini sessions in a studio so that I could build my portfolio. The event had a great turnout and several of those who signed up made it! It was such a rush and I couldn’t wait to do it again. Meeting new people and being able to capture the connections people make with one another has become a passion of mine. My favorite part of doing this is that I get to witness love and happiness. Seeing new parents cuddling their newborn baby, watching a couple dance just because, witnessing a dad throwing his toddler up in the air while the toddler can’t stop laughing, and capturing a mama dancing with her babies is what makes me believe that these moments are what life is all about. We live in such a scary place but being able to stop time and enjoy/make connections with people who we love is something everyone should be able to cherish. With that being said, I specialize in capturing these candid connections with those you love (including yourself… confidence is a beautiful thing). I am turning my focus this year on weddings, however, I still specialize in family/self-portraits, lifestyle newborn photography, and events (graduations, birthdays, proposals, etc.)!!!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Like I mentioned before…. Hashtags, hashtags, hashtags. That’s how it all started. Now, to keep up with the times, I have to make reels on a weekly schedule ( if I am able to). I use Instagram and tik tok to find all the viral trends and that’s what I use to base which reel/ song I’m going to use. It’s super helpful when expanding your audience!!! Even though the Instagram algorithm sucks… if you keep sticking to it you will get the outcome you are wanting.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The absolute best source for me has been Instagram. Instagram has truly helped me grow my audience. Based on my website, I have gotten the majority of my clients from Instagram, then directly from my website, google, and lastly Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.klphotography..net
• Instagram: @__klphotography__
• Facebook: @__klphotography__

Image Credits
Image with bride and groom sunset: Host: @__klphotography__ Co-host : @aluxecakestudio Design: @_klphotography__ @aluxecakestudio @@amandadurbindesigns day of Coordinator/decorator: @amandadurbindesigns Venue: @oneprestonevents Floral: @blushed_arrangements MUA: @_the_styling_stewardess Hair: @Bridalhair_bymanya Bridal Dresses: @exquisitebridetx Bridesmaid attire: theasherlane DJ: @dj_kn0x Stationary: @pencilandinkdesign Veil: @nymfbyco Arches: @kairaandco Charcuterie: @amandadurbindesigns Cake/dessert: @aluxecakestudio Balloons: @cliquesoirees Videography: @cassibfilms Jewelry: @capoandcojewelry Mobile mini bar: @boozybardallas Decor: @bigdpartyrentals Signage: @dfwneon Mens suits: @mistertuxedo Models: @mjadealexander @trey.peyton