Meet Kyle Ledeboer of Uptown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Ledeboer.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
I first discovered my love for photography while spending time on the other side of the lens. I was quite literally living out of a suitcase and would photograph my travels and the people I encountered along the way. At one point, they signed me with thirteen different modeling agencies worldwide. Travel was my passion back then and is still one of my main focuses for my work today. There’s nothing like immersing yourself fully in a new place; the language, the food, the culture, and getting to know the local people are what I love most. My long-term photography goals are to go beyond working with state and local tourism offices and start shooting for luxury hotel groups, capturing everything from lifestyle and hospitably to landscape, property, and stunning locations.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I describe my life as an EKG machine and believe that none of the peaks would be possible without first enduring the lesson-filled valleys. The number of times I’ve gotten in my way is only surpassed by the number of times I painstakingly climbed back up on the horse. The greater the struggle, the greater the reward, for without the struggle, how can you truly appreciate your success?

One of the most difficult parts of being a photographer is learning business. As an entrepreneur, you have to wear so many different hats, and the one I enjoy most, the actual creating of photos, is such a small part of everything. I haven’t experienced any profound noticeable struggles outside my mind and how I feel about my work at any given time. Staying positive and persevering during the slower times is critical. Also, balancing my obsession with photography with having a wife and close friends hasn’t been easy. When you work for yourself, it’s extremely difficult to set boundaries. I often find myself working until 3 a.m without even noticing.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started shooting, I would take every job I could get my hands on, but that has transitioned into me focusing on hotels, hospitably, and tourism. I have the most amazing regular clients anyone could ask for, many of them going back years. Growing with them is a huge reason I find so much fulfillment in what I do. Every project I bring in is about the client first and foremost. The work that I do is not about me. I learn about their goals, objectives, and timeline, then work toward exceeding their expectations, leading to repeat business.

What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
That’s a difficult question because everyone is a photographer these days, but there has been a massive resurgence in Film photography while social media has been steering away from photos. Most photographers will have to learn video or become hyper-specialized to stay relevant. No matter what field you’re in if you become the best at something, there will likely be a demand for your services. How we all see the world is what makes us unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kplstudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyleelsewhere