Today we’d like to introduce you to Kleine Leonard.
Hi Kleine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Wisconsin and started out taking photos for friends – seniors, families, etc. while in college for entrepreneurship. My photography really started gaining traction when I was a junior, which is also when I took photos for businesses for the first time.
For some reason, I really enjoyed taking commercial photos. Come to find out, it wasn’t WHAT I was photographing, but WHO I was photographing for. I love my badass business owner clients because I love the process of portraying their business in the best light. It helps them get more clients themselves, which is so gratifying to me.
Fast forward to 2021, I moved to Austin for the new culture and warm weather. But most of all, for a challenge to improve my photography and meet more badass business owners. I’m now a part of Precision Camera – the coolest camera store ever and get to network with photographers every day. My photography keeps improving with better equipment and better collaboration.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest bump in the road has been the transition from working-while-doing-photography to just-doing-photography. It’s hard not knowing when the next project will be, whether you’ll be paying your rent next month or what you need to do to get more clients.
When I was in Wisconsin, I went through this. Then there was a day where the months of work paid off and I saw steady business. Now I’m in Austin and going through the same thing again – having many unknowns. The beautiful thing is I know the day will come and it will be so worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I do commercial photography for service businesses. Service-in-Action photos are my specialty – those little moments that customers love.
Do you know any other Service-in-Action photographers? Probably not, because I made up the term. Service businesses are harder to portray because their main offerings aren’t tangible. I believe it’s very important for my clients to show their customers these moments because it’s something tangible that shows the value they bring.
I really pride myself in adding value to businesses in this way. Quality photography can impress. It can show how much quality they offer. It can allow them to charge more for their services if they want to.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to communicate and collaborate with clients. Understanding the assignment is crucial. Asking the client what they think is crucial. Allowing suggestions is crucial.
When you work together with others, the result is always better.
Pricing:
- Packages start at $989
- Packages include retouching
Contact Info:
- Email: kleine@kleineleonardphotography.com
- Website: kleineleonardphotography.com
- Instagram: @kleineleonardphotography
- Facebook: @kleineleonardphotography
