Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Chamberlain.
Hi Lesley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved capturing moments, going all the way back to disposable cameras and waiting for photos to be developed at CVS or Walgreens. But photography became something more serious for me about three years ago, when I bought my first professional camera in preparation for a trip to Kenya. I knew I wanted to come home with images that truly reflected what I was experiencing, especially on safari, so I spent the year leading up to the trip taking photography lessons and learning from mentors.
That preparation ended up opening a completely different door for me. While I was learning, I started showing up to live performances around the area with my camera, taking photos, finding the artists on Instagram, and tagging them in the images. I didn’t have a big marketing strategy at the time. I was simply putting myself in the room, creating work, and letting people see it. That led to opportunities to photograph more shows and events.
One of the biggest moments for me came when I attended Robert Glasper’s Black Radio Experience in Napa. I was able to photograph the event, shared the images afterward, and Robert reposted some of my work. That exposure was a huge moment of validation for me and showed me that what I was creating could reach people far beyond my own circle.
Since then, I’ve photographed weddings, anniversary celebrations, fashion shows, car shows, live performances, and other events through Eye Shoot My Shot, LLC. Event photography has really become my specialty because I love capturing the moments people may not even realize are happening, the energy, emotion, movement, and little details that make an experience memorable.
What started with wanting to take great photos on one trip has grown into a creative business that I’m still building, learning from, and having a lot of fun with along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a particularly rough road, but there have definitely been a few learning moments along the way.
One of the more expensive lessons came when I damaged one of my camera lenses beyond repair and had to replace it. That experience taught me very quickly to be more intentional about how I handle and protect my equipment.
Another challenge has been learning to accept that, especially with event photography, I cannot capture every single moment. There is always something happening, and in the beginning I would really beat myself up if I saw a great moment and did not get the shot in time, or only caught the very end of it.
Over time, I have learned to be more patient with myself and trust that another moment will come. I have also learned that part of being an event photographer is staying present, anticipating what might happen next, and accepting that I cannot be everywhere at once.
Those experiences have made me more observant, more prepared, and honestly a more confident photographer.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of photography, my professional background is in technology, with experience in IT, learning, AI, and digital innovation. I specialize in using technology to solve problems, improve experiences, and help people work more effectively, especially when it involves introducing or applying new tools in practical ways.
What I am probably best known for professionally is being someone who can take something complex, make sense of it, and find a creative way forward. I enjoy thinking outside of the box, connecting ideas, and figuring out how technology can be used in ways that are actually useful to people.
That same mindset carries over into my photography. On the surface, technology and photography may seem completely different, but both require curiosity, creativity, experimentation, and the ability to look at something from a different perspective.
What I am most proud of is my willingness to show up in spaces before I necessarily feel like I have everything figured out and carry myself like I belong there. That has meant walking into events with my camera, blending in with seasoned photographers, and trusting that my work could speak for itself. It also shows up in my professional career. I am not afraid to sit in a room where people may have more experience or are discussing things at a different level than I am. I listen, learn, contribute what I can, and keep growing.
That courage to show up has opened doors for me both creatively and professionally. I think that combination of confidence, curiosity, and willingness to step outside of my comfort zone is one of the things that sets me apart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m pretty easy to find and even easier to talk to. You do not have to go through my people to get to my people, schedule three meetings, or track down a secretary. If you see me out with my camera, come say hello. If you have an idea, want to collaborate, or need a photographer, send me a message on Instagram or email me. I’m always open to a conversation.
I also really value feedback. If there is something in my work that could be stronger, tell me. If there is something you love, tell me that too. I want to keep growing, trying new things, and being pushed outside of my comfort zone.
And of course, one of the easiest ways to support me is simply to spread the word. Tell a friend to tell a friend. If you know someone looking for a photographer, send them my way.
At the end of the day, I’m out here like everyone else, enjoying the moment, meeting people, creating, and trying to capture something worth remembering. So do not be afraid to come up and say, “Let’s work.”
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