Meet Leonardo Perez | Photographer/Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leonardo Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leonardo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business, was honestly talking to myself, and just filling my head with all the wonders of how I can turn this small little hobby into an entire career. Just like the majority of photographers when they first started, all it took was just sitting down on the computer and doing the loads and loads of insane research on photography and the business side of things. At the same time I also saw it as a doorway to try to get that special life I’ve always wanted of working, but working at something that I really love to do. Something that I can truly be passionate about and show the entire world how I view things.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although as a freelance photographer, I’m always open to trying and shooting new things or at least things that someone wouldn’t always be open to shoot on a regular basis. I could mainly say that I have much more of a keen eye for specifically automotive and portrait photography. I personally feel like what sets me apart from others is how open I am to building as many new relationships as I can in this profession and making sure to prioritize those client/friend relationships. Just like with a lot of other things in this world I would always get told if you want to get better you have to make sure to put in the reps. That’s exactly what I did when it came to learning photography. After the first time picking up a camera, I would just make sure to take prioritization on just going outside to just shoot, shoot and shoot. I clearly haven’t gotten my big break but to get where I’m at today, it definitely wasn’t as easy as people make it seem. The only real challenges that I had were just struggling to find a good balance between this work and personal life. The amount of over-stress and overthinking on a daily basis. Just trying to figure out if this was really for me, more specifically after getting home from my usual 9 to 5. The negative thoughts overwhelming me of “what if this doesn’t workout?”. Yet all this, I am super thankful to have learned to overcome just due to the fact of having helpful and amazing older peers by my side. Reminding me to just keep a positive mindset and to always remember who your doing all this all for. Besides always being eager, and just learning about the basics of photography, one major lesson that I did learn that doesn’t just implement into only photography but into having a business overall, is I had to remember to always make sure to stay consistent. I want the world to know that through pain and struggle there is always a way. People can actually go out of their way to chase their craziest dreams and make anything possible, regardless of where you currently stand at. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take so get up and get out there no matter what age or what position you’re in. Chase it. Chase it forever.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a photographer from SoCal, with all the different people you meet you also learn a lot of different cultures. Coming from a Mexican American family I would take them to all the different food spots that I have always loved going to, whether as a kid or now. For example, the iconic Avenue 26 tacos or a really good Smashburger at lowboy. I would take them to all the popular tourist attractions that really give a lot of “wow” moments. I have personally been a sucker for any higher view locations that just show the entire city scape. From rooftops to the higher elevations up in the mountains, almost every sunset is better at a high view. A big spot that I would like to show a friend would be the grand market. One of my favorite places to stop by for a bite. Finally ending the day with a little bit of the nightlife throughout the downtown LA area. Visiting places like the Chatterbox bar, Las Perlas and/or the Spring st. Bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe the main person that I can truly give a genuine shout out to would be to my mom. On the daily basis, she would see the disparity and struggle in me of working a 9-5 while trying to pursue a passion for photography. Just like everyone else in this world, we all really do live busy lives. However, she would never hesitate to just stop me and remind me to just enjoy the ride and remember to prioritize your happiness. Additionally, one or two people that I can give another shout out to and an immense amount of love to would be my friends, Jesse Rodriguez and Chris Henderson. These two guys were some of the first handful of people that I met in the photography/creative world that welcomed me and open arms and just we’re always willing to be a helping hand whenever I had any questions.

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Twitter: https://x.com/sheneedsaleo

Image Credits
Jesse Rodriguez