Today we’d like to introduce you to Lia Epps.
Hi Lia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
This question is always hard for me to answer because there is so much to my story! I’ll start with my college experience though. By the time I had made it to college I thought I knew what I wanted to do, I just knew I was going to be a nurse. I quickly realized this wasn’t for me, and eventually switched majors and universities. While in my last semester at FSU I was searching for a photographer to take my graduation photos and I was having trouble finding a black photographer. I got my photos back and I was satisfied, but I still wondered why I didn’t see anyone in the field who looked like me. Fast forward a few years later, I’m in grad school at Texas A&M and my boss tells me I need to take pictures for the banquet we’re hosting for our students. I rented a camera from the library (I didn’t even know you could do this) and I took photos at the event. I showed the photos to a friend and she was like, you have an eye for this Lia. That boosted my confidence because she was a photographer too. Before I knew it I had bought a camera and began teaching myself. I took my camera with me everywhere and shot anywhere I could. Some of my work started to take off because of the power of social media and I was blown away. I eventually formed an LLC and did my first paid shoot at a UCF graduation. As they say, the rest is history! Now I shoot mostly family, senior portraits but my heart really lies with event photography. I love concert photography and would love to one day be the photographer for an artist. I also want to try my hand at wedding photography! It’s something about the adrenaline rush that I live for.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I dealt with imposter syndrome for a long time. There were so many others who had been in the game longer, people who were charging more, people who had “better” work. The thing I’ve come to learn about art is that it’s all arbitrary. What someone loves in my work another person may hate – but there’s enough for everyone to eat! One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced along the way is finding a mentor. I have other friends who are photographers that I can bounce ideas off of but I don’t have a dedicated mentor. Another challenge that I face is access to opportunities! Breaking into the concert/media space is difficult. It’s often about who you know. I know have the talent and ability to be successful I just need to be given the chance to prove that!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer who specializes in family and senior portraits as well as event photography! I love movement and finding creative shots. I love the pressure and adrenaline rush of candid shots. I am most proud of one of my favorite photos that was featured in an art show last year. It was my second paid shoot. It was for a local high school graduate. The day of her shoot she was running late and it was raining. She didn’t want to shoot at the suggested location but wanted to shoot at her house instead. I had to work with what she was giving me and the rain. I had her stand in between the leaves of this plant in her backyard and look at the camera and I snapped the shot. It made sense in my head but I wasn’t sure how it would come out. Even though that was a shot I took early on in my photography career it’s the one I’m most proud of. What sets me apart from others is my ability to find unique shots and create something out of nothing. A lot of times with family shoots – you never know what you are going to get, so you have to prepare for everything. Additionally as an event photographer for some of the concerts I’ve shot you are always running around and you have to stay focused (I’m usually a fan of the artist I’m shooting)
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories were spent at the YMCA learning to swim. I have always loved the water, literally since I was a baby. My foster mom would always tell me she’d put me in the bathtub and I’d just start going crazy and I didn’t want to get out. The water has always had a calming effect on me and I always looked forward to learning how to become a better swimmer and diver. Our swim instructor used to have us in 12 feet of water – throw something to the bottom of the pool have us get it and come back up. I was always scared and felt like I couldn’t do it – but I did it every time.
Contact Info:
- Email: liaeppsphotography@gmail.com
- Website: liaeppsphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/liaeppsphotography?utm_medium=copy_link
Image Credits
Lia Epps Photography
