Podcast Episode 5: Interview Imagery By Lu
Show description: Join us as we chat with photographer Lu from Imagery By Lu, based in Orlando, Florida. Lu is a part-time photographer with a unique passion and talent for photographing intimate portraits of couples. In this episode, Lu shares what led him to photography and some of the challenges he faces as a budding photographer today.
Show notes:
About Lu (Luis) From Imagery by Lu
Lu is an exceptionally talented intimate portrait photographer who focuses on documenting couple’s love stories in a unique and intimate way.
You could say Lu stumbled across his passion for photography by chance. His interest in photography was piqued in 2017 when his primary passion and hobby were cars. He’d always ask friends to photograph cars for his social media feed at car shows but soon realized it made more sense if he could do it himself. So, he bought himself a Canon and spent hours watching YouTube tutorials learning all he could, practicing in auto mode, and taking photos of cars.
After bouncing around a bit and trying model photography, couples’ photography, and wedding photography, he realized he enjoyed shooting couples the most. His work evolved as he gained inspiration from photographer Chuy. He started testing out a new style that captured couples in the throws of intimate connection and has since identified this as his niche.
Lu is a part-time photographer, works a full-time job Monday through Friday, and has a daughter and family at home. He has a lot on his plate, but he’s passionate about his work, so he finds a way to make it all work.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
WHAT HELPED LU DEVELOP HIS SKILLS AND GET HIS FOOT IN THE DOOR?
- Watching YouTube tutorials and dedicating time to learning.
- Trying out different photography styles until he found one he felt comfortable with
- Following other photographers on social media and drawing inspiration from their work
- Networking both in-person and online to help him connect with clients
- Connecting with other photographers and artists, expressing appreciation for their work, and asking to be considered for future opportunities.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE LU FACES AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Knowing his worth and pricing himself accordingly and knowing when/if to raise prices.
So, what’s the solution?
- Know your value, and don’t worry about those who don’t see that value
- Be ok with people saying no, and get over the rejection; it’s not personal.
- Know that when you raise your prices, you’re now appealing to a new customer bracket that might not have considered your services before when they were priced lower.
- Narrow down your niche further, ie. Intimate and boudoir only so that you can become an authority in that niche, giving you leverage to raise your prices.
- Have the right mindset! It’s just a matter of convincing yourself it’s time to raise your prices.
JOSIE’S AND VANIA’S ADVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS JUST STARTING OUT:
From Josie: Someone told me when I first started – if you spend an hour a day working on your business doing something, no matter what it is, you are going to progress, and you are going to get better.
If I could give old me advice, it would be to spend more than an hour on it.
From Vania: Just jump in! Even though you will be super uncomfortable sometimes, that’s a sign to lean into that uncomfortable feeling to have new experiences. Lean into your fears, and work on your mindset.
FULL NOTES WITH TIMESTAMPS:
00:16 Luis tell us about yourself and how you got started
Cars was a first passion before photography took over. Used to go to a lot of car shows and would always find himself asking his friends for pictures of his cars to post on social media. Since these pictures were so important, I realized it made more sense for me to take them on my own. I had no idea what I was doing when I started and just learned as I went. YouTube was a great starting point, and auto mode as well.
1:47 How much time did you spend watching youtube videos?
At least an hour per night and watch videos on different topics; aperture, focal lenses
I started doing car photography, taking pictures of my cars, and at the time a lot of friends were shooting models. it wasn’t my thing; I couldn’t get the hang of posing.
I followed a lot of wedding photographers on social media at the time so decided I would give that a try.
I looked into it more, followed all these amazing photographers in Orlando, reached out to a wedding photographer, and asked how I could get into it. They said I should start with shooting couples.
I went on IG and started DMing couples, giving my pitch, offering free sessions. I did that for months. Practiced, got a feel for what I liked and didn’t like and that’s really what started it for me.
One shoot, in particular, stands out: The boyfriend/now-husband asked me what it was I liked about shooting couples. And I said I enjoyed the connection, capturing the feelings.
And then he asked why do you want to be a wedding photographer? And I didn’t really have an answer for that.
He then told me he did video for a wedding company, and I let him know if they needed a wedding photographer, I would love to give it a shot. A few months later he reached out that they needed a second photographer, and I just jumped right in.
And it was a total fail!
6:40 what makes you think you failed?
I was unprepared. I was a natural life photographer; I show up at an indoor wedding. Had no experience with flash, I didn’t even own a flash.
And on that 2-hour drive home I just remember thinking that’s the beginning and end of my wedding photography career.
As time went on, I just continued doing the couple sessions. I was offering engagement sessions. I started to get better, learning more, building a community with different photographers. Other photographers saw what I was doing and were willing to give me tips and pointers.
Fast forward to today…
8:35 Tell us about the intimate side of your photography? It’s very niche! How do you get your clients to pose the way they do; they must be so comfortable around you?
I was scrolling IG in the intimate section and came across the photographer (Chui Carlos?)I reached out to him eventually and he responded. I told him I love your work, it’s unique and different, and conversed a bit. And then decided I would give that style a shot. I screenshot a photo I liked that he’d done and wanted to try.
10:24 What was the picture?
Two couples, a lot of emotion in the picture. And I approached some friends with the idea and they agreed to try it out. I was so lost but also so unfamiliar with what poses and requests were ok to make when you’re dealing with intimacy. As time has gone on I’ve figured out the wording to keep it light such as saying “hand placement” and allowing them to just have fun with their hands.
I put them in a scene and then let them be themselves and have fun. In the moment, I run around and take the pictures.
13:36 Do you ever have to tell them to tone it down?
Yes, at first I was pretty shy about it but over time I’ve gotten better at just defusing the situation. Like “Ok, let’s try something else” But at the end of the day those passionate moments make for good pictures. If I can provide a space for them to be in the moment with each other, then I’m just documenting that.
15:35 You are working full time, when are you finding time to do your photography?
It’s a lot, I work 8-10 hours a day, I have a daughter and a family at home, then I sneak in an hour or two of editing in between.
In the beginning, I was putting so much more focus on photography and putting my family on the backburner but soon realized that wasn’t going to work. So now, I work Monday- Friday, primarily shoot on Saturdays, and then Sundays are family days.
It’s overwhelming though, especially the behind-the-scenes stuff. Culling, editing…
17:37 How long have you been photographing now?
Since mid-2017. Couples since 2019
18:17 Do you want to take your photography full time?
Yes, I have considered it but I don’t think I’m ready yet. For now, I’m handling both and having fun with it. If a time comes where the photography is too busy then I would consider doing that full-time.
20:33 What’s your biggest struggle right now?
My biggest issue is knowing my worth and pricing. I have spoken to a lot of photographers and it boils down to the niche in this market, it’s only me. When you’re a wedding photographer it’s easier to compare your prices to others and gauge from there. So when I started I priced myself low because that’s what I thought I was worth. And my friends were the ones to help me see I was good and that I should be charging more. And that validation really helped build self-confidence. But it hasn’t fully removed the doubt. So sometimes I’m still scared of raising pricing and that people won’t book.
So what’s the solution?
22:56 Deep down we know our value but we’re afraid that others won’t see that value. But it also comes down to being ok with people saying no and getting over that rejection. You have to get over it, especially when it comes to raising your prices.
24:10 Also, know that when you raise your prices you’ll be catering to a new customer bracket. This customer may come across your work and see it’s priced lower than what they are looking to spend and they may wonder why they’re low.
24:59 Since you are so niche, I would recommend narrowing down even further and just focusing on the boudoir and couples and then it will be such a boutique thing because you’re not all over the place. When people see your work they understand your prices because you specialize in that specific thing.
25:48 On niche-ing down
I’ve finally started doing that. I came to terms that I’m only going to do intimate sessions so when people reach out with family sessions or newborn sessions I just let them know it’s not my thing.
Vania: no reason not to take those jobs just don’t post them. If there are projects you don’t want to do more of you can take on the ones you want to take but just don’t post it.
Those odd jobs still come up sometimes, it just allows you the freedom to choose if you want to take them or not.
28:04 What would help you raise your prices? Do you know what that thing is?
It’s all a mindset thing. It’s just me saying this is what it is and going after it. Everyone has that voice that says “do it” and the one saying “what if?”
29:09 Do you have any questions for us?
29:21 What piece of advice would you give a photographer who is just starting out?
29:46 Josie: Someone told me when I first started – if you spend an hour a day working on your business doing something, no matter what it is. You are going to progress and you are going to get better.
If I could give old me advice it would be to spend more than an hour on it.
30:30 Vania: Just jump in! Even though you are going to be super uncomfortable sometimes that’s a sign to lean into that uncomfortable feeling to have new experiences. Lean into your fears, and work on your mindset.
Check out Lu’s work and connect with him at:
IG: ImagerybyLu
Website: imagerybylu.com
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I was a joy LISTENING to your interview with my son luis. I am so proud of hIm. Ladies keep doing what you doing. Great job
OMG we are so honored you are proud of him!!! He is a great person, very talented and you must be so in awe of his accomplishments!!