Today we’d like to introduce you to Leise Jones.
Leise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I graduated from college in 2001, I was sure that my future would include a career in advocacy and politics. I was committed to creating social change and making the world a better place. But after 6 years of community organizing around environmental issues – during a political climate that was decisively anti-environment – I felt more frustrated than fulfilled. I left the world of politics with my idealism intact, ready to try something new. I craved a career that was more positive, more creative. I wanted to work for myself and have the freedom that entrepreneurship provides. Photography was a hobby of mine – I had taken a handful of classes over the years and really enjoyed it. One day on the T, I saw an ad for the New England School of Photography. I went to an info session, applied for student loans, and started photography school in 2007. In 2009, when I graduated, I hit the ground running by reaching out to my personal network, my friends, my college alumnae club – anyone who I could reach. Gradually, I built up a loyal client base, and my network has grown and expanded tremendously. Today, I photograph a mixture of weddings, non-profit fundraisers, family portraits, and business headshots. My specialty is helping people feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera, so that the resulting photos are authentic and help tell their story.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not smooth! I think the biggest challenge for any creative professional is the constant wondering, “Am I good enough?” With so much competition in the field of photography, I feel a constant need to define myself, what makes me special, why I am different from the rest. For the first few years I didn’t know the answers to those questions and it really made a mess of my confidence. I worked with a business coach for several years who helped me define myself, my style and my specialty, which helped a lot. Then there is the constant battle for work-life-balance, which I think is universal. When I started my business, I was single and childless. I worked 70 hour weeks and was out networking every night. Now, I am married and have 3 year old twins, so priorities have shifted! I have hired a few part-time staff members who help me manage the administrative part of my business and am always re-imagining how my life and my business can co-exist.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I tell people’s stories through photographs. The word “photographer” is so commonplace these days, since everyone has a camera on them at all times. My goal is not just to make pictures, but to also tell a story. It may be a story about a couple on their wedding day, or a non-profit organization, or a local business owner. The people change, but the goal is always the same – to help people tell their stories. I always say that I like to photograph “real life” – not an overly dramatic and posed version of real life, but real life itself.
I have found that the majority of people do not like having their picture taken. They’re nervous, uncomfortable, they don’t like how they look, they don’t know what to do with their hands, they don’t want to look too posed, they hate their smile, etc. The list goes on and on. That self-consciousness can really interfere with the storytelling process, though, so we have to get through it. I can’t make photos that tell the story of you celebrating your wedding joyfully if you spend the whole time worried that you have a double chin when you smile. So my specialty is to help people feel comfortable in front of the camera so that they can be themselves. I tell my clients, “Just be yourself and I’ll do the rest.” It makes me so happy when I wrap up a photo shoot or a wedding or an event and the client says something like, “You made it so easy for us!” That is what I want!
My approach to portrait and event photography is super personalized and collaborative. I never arrive with my own agenda for what photographs we’re going to make – I work hard to understand the clients’ goals and what photographs they’re looking for. Their agenda is my agenda. I strive to make photographs that depict the clients’ authentic relationships, interactions, and emotions without imposing my own opinions or perspectives. I think this is reflected in the body of work I have created over the last nine years.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love our city and can’t imagine working anyplace else! I have an amazing base of clients, many of whom are affiliated with the colleges and universities. I work with a well-educated and thoughtful population who value photographs and authentic storytelling. I love that I am hired to make people art!
Boston is a small city and so starting a business here is all about knowing the right people. There are a ton of opportunities to become known – every night there is another event going on where you can meet people and introduce yourself and your business. Anyone starting a business in this city should take advantage of that! Also, our neighborhoods are tight-knit communities and you can make a lot of headway by just digging into your community and making yourself known. Offer your services to help others. Introduce yourself to community leaders. Serve on boards. Volunteer. I have found that Bostonians love to support their local business owners and are proud of the entrepreneurship we foster here. There are a lot of resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners, so don’t be shy about going out there and taking advantage of them!
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions (families, couples, business owners, etc.) start at $250
- The average wedding package costs about $3500
- Non-profit organizations and academic institutions are offered discounted pricing
Contact Info:
- Address: 1170 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
- Website: www.leisejones.com
- Phone: 617-671-5572
- Email: leise@leisejones.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/leisejonesphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/leisejonesphoto
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/leisejonesphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leise-jones-photography-brookline-2
Image Credit:
Leise Jones Photography
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