We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Roksolana Lebid. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Roksolana below.
Roksolana, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
As a professional photographer and business owner for nearly five years, I constantly challenge myself to meet the evolving expectations of my clients. They are always seeking fresh and exclusive ideas, which pushes me to innovate continuously. With so many photographers in New York, standing out in such a competitive market is my biggest challenge, and it can be quite difficult at times.
On the writing front, I published my first book, ‘Luna and the City of Shadows,’ in October 2024, and I’m currently working on my second book. One of the toughest aspects has been promoting my work. Platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram have set the tone for what’s trending in literature. If a book gains traction there, it can lead to significant sales. If you can’t get your book noticed on those platforms, it’s a real struggle to achieve visibility and success.
Roksolana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born in a small town in Ukraine and raised solely by my mother. Life took a difficult turn when I was ten, as my mom made the tough decision to move to Europe for better work opportunities, leaving me with my grandparents for 2.5 years. Finally, I was reunited with her in a quaint Italian town. Those adolescent years were a whirlwind of incredible highs and scary lows, filled with valuable life lessons.
Adjusting to a new language and lifestyle was challenging, but my desire to build the life I envisioned propelled me forward. I pursued my passion for fashion design, graduating from an art institute and landing a job as an illustrator for a handbag company. That same year, I met my husband—it was love at first sight, and we married a year later.
When he was offered a chance to move to New York City, we seized the opportunity, even though it meant starting from scratch. I took a job as a dental assistant while he worked in a supermarket. Despite the hardships, our dreams kept us motivated. Five years later, we welcomed our daughter, and my world shifted once again. I took time off to care for her before finding a job at a daycare where she attended.
The pandemic hit, and my creative spirit yearned for an outlet. I picked up a professional camera and began capturing photos of my daughter. What started as a personal project quickly blossomed into a full-time photography career, allowing me to express my creativity and spend quality time with my family.
I offer a wide range of photography services, including maternity, newborn, cake smash/first birthdays, adult birthdays, individual and family studio and outdoor sessions, as well as seasonal and holiday sessions. My goal is to ensure clients feel confident, comfortable, and able to enjoy every moment during our sessions. I’m patient and willing to take the extra time needed to achieve the desired results. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s my passion. I believe that when you pour your heart into something, the results are always top-notch.
From a writer’s perspective, I’ve always had a vivid imagination since childhood. I kept a diary filled with thousands of words, but I never thought I’d have the courage to unleash that creativity until a major life event pushed me to do so. I completed my first book, “Luna and the City of Shadows,” in just 3-4 weeks. I was so immersed in the writing process that I lost nearly 8 pounds because all I wanted to do was write. It was a personal goal I achieved, and I’m incredibly proud of it.
My message to others is simple: pursue your dreams and challenge yourself. We often underestimate what we are truly capable of achieving.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Throughout my life, I’ve always worked hard. I started helping my father at his café when I was just 13 years old, and by 16, I was working as a waitress to cover my school expenses. Even after graduating and landing a full-time job, I still had to wait tables to make ends meet. I was never afraid of hard work, but after having my daughter, I felt trapped in my current job with little prospect for growth. I wanted to provide her with more than I had experienced.
When I saw the opportunity to start my own business, I took the leap. Did I know if it would succeed? No. Was I scared? Absolutely. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I had no experience in photography and had to learn everything from scratch. I immersed myself in YouTube tutorials, learned Photoshop, and studied my camera. I even took courses to earn certifications. I invested thousands of dollars, pushing my credit cards to their limits.
Thanks to the continuous support of my husband, I didn’t give up. I worked for free, shooting at all hours and on weekends, which meant sacrificing time with my family. After a year, my profit was zero dollars, but that didn’t deter me. Yes, it was hard. Yes, I cried and questioned whether it was worth it. But I loved photography, and that passion drove me to keep pushing forward.
Now, I’ve created a schedule that allows me the freedom to take days off when I want. During summer breaks, I can spend quality time with my daughter and visit my parents in Italy. I’ve structured my work around her school schedule, ensuring I can pick her up and attend school events. I’m not missing any moments in her life, and that brings me immense happiness.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Over the past year, I’ve found that the two most effective strategies for growing my clientele are Instagram and referrals. I always ask my clients how they discovered me to gauge what’s working and what isn’t. Instagram serves as a fantastic platform for advertising, but it requires consistent content posting. I’ve noticed a direct correlation between my posting frequency and the number of inquiries I receive—when I don’t post regularly, the inquiries tend to decrease.
Marketing plays a crucial role in my business, and I dedicate about 2-3 hours daily to creating posts and reels for both my photography and Bookstagram profiles. This consistent effort helps keep my audience engaged and attracts new clients. However, I’ve learned that the results aren’t always as expected. Sometimes, I need to supplement my organic reach with paid campaigns to achieve the desired visibility and engagement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taplink.cc/roksolanany.photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roksolanany.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roksolanaphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/roksolana-lebid-photography-brooklyn-3
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/bookstagramluna/
https://www.lunaandthecityofshadows.com
Image Credits
All Photos taken by RoksoLana NY Photo