Meet Le’ Shawn Salmon | Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Le’ Shawn Salmon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Le’ Shawn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restrictions on socialization sadly rendered my then job position redundant. Before this ordeal however, it’s like I had a feeling that it would eventually happen so I started to really think to myself, what will I do if this was indeed the outcome of COVID. The thought of being jobless due to the pandemic thrusted me into quickly developing a strong business mindset and to put steps into making it happen. As a man of many talents I really had to just sit down and think to myself, what service can I offer, what’s in demand, what area isn’t too saturated. After much introspection, I decided on photography and immediately I started reading and doing a lot of research into photography as both an art and as a business. At the time, I only owned one camera and one lens and so I began sacrificing and buying additional equipment with each paycheck. Trying to be a proactive as possible, I started networking with a couple of fellow creatives, got some guidance and insights and from there I was just fixated. My hobby became my passion and my passion became my profession.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, my style is really straight forward, I like to present art that is true to life. To achieve this, I focus a lot of my efforts on getting my images really really good in camera. By doing this, without extensive post production work, my images are great. I think what truly sets me apart from others is my personality, how I communicate with others and the love I have for what I do. All of these combined together form a winning combo. I am always excited to shoot, even when some clients cause me migraines, I’m still super pumped to get up and deliver. I have spent a lot of time researching about various concepts and creative shooting styles, understanding lighting and editing techniques and then fusing things together to create my own unique style.

I believe I started my business in a very weird time as it was during the pandemic. The challenge I faced mostly was really marketing my business as not many persons were interested in taking photographs. I also had limited equipment at the time so certain jobs that did become available I could not take on. I remember vividly using my friends as models for photoshoots and doing a lot of collaborative work, sacrificing a lot of my own funds to get content I could share. Shortly after this time is when things started to turn around for the better as my portfolio began to grow and through this experience I can definitely say that I learned that patience is key and you have to keep at it. I never gave up capturing and posting photos and behind the scenes visuals even though business was slow and I wasn’t really earning. Things weren’t smooth but I never gave up hope and never lost faith.

I tried using different approaches to get clients due to some market research I did and that prompted to also get registered as a photographer and certified as a photographer, retoucher and more. With an eye for detail and an innate passion for the art, I go above and beyond to ensure excellent results that meet and exceed clients’ expectations. I specialize in wedding, portrait and event photography because I love telling stories, evoking emotions and describing the world as I see it through photographs. This includes, but is not limited to birthday photoshoots, graduation photos, engagement sessions, family photos, maternity, adult photos, aerial/drone shots and more!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I operate primarily in Mandeville, Kingston, Montego Bay, Jamaica, however, I work in all parishes across the entire island.

Some of the places I love to eat/drink and would recommend include: Oswald Seafood Restaurant, Rick’s Cafe (some of the best Sunset views), Blue Mahoe Restaurant, Susie’s Bakery, The Ultimate Dining and Lounge, Gloria’s Seafood just to name a few. When it comes on to entertainment/adventure adventure we have: hiking in the Blue Mountains, the Appleton Estate Rum Tour, Camp Irie Adventures, River Rafting (Lethe, Martha Brae, White River), Club 1738, Margaritaville, Club MECA, Paintball Shooting, Mystic Mountains and so much more. There are so many places that I could name but it really depends on the energy & vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first inspiration into the art of photography came from my very good friend Keith Bryan Jr. (Bahamian Photographer). I saw him capturing photos and recording videos and after assisting him with the initial captures and then seeing what he did with the footage, I was inspired to acquire my own camera. After buying my first camera, my friend Gladstone Johnson was the one who assisted me with my practice sessions when I was just basically pointing and shooting; before I got down into the business aspect of things. Just before making the decision to do photography full-time, I met Calrick McKain (Jamaican Photographer). Calrick saw what I was doing and reached out to me and basically provided the majority of the insights and guidance that propelled me to where I am today. The biggest shoutout of all goes to my amazing mom, Simone Campbell, no matter what it is that I’m doing she supports me and my endeavors 100%, and when I said photography, she had no idea how it made sense, or how it would work but she pushed me nonetheless. She would just constantly be pushing my creative envelope, always sending me photos and telling me to try and capture something similar and she always recommended me to her colleagues even though I was I merely a beginner.

Website: https://www.lsalm.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsalmphotography/

Linkedin: https://jm.linkedin.com/in/le-shawn-salmon-1a706a97

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LSALMPHOTOS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lsalmphotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lsalmphotography

Other: Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@lsalmphotography Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/lsalmphotography/ MyWed – https://mywed.com/en/photographer/lsalm/