Today we’d like to introduce you to Lex Kilgour.
Lex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got my first film camera from my Dad when I was 16, and learned to shoot and develop film through a photography course I was taking at the time. I was preparing for a volunteer trip to Thailand and thought it would be fun to document the trip. Fast forward ten years and I had amassed a great portfolio of work from shooting music events, parties, and my travels. With all that experience, I got a job at a photography and videography company. Though the role was in sales, I was put on an event shoot last minute when their photographer couldn’t make the gig. That client ended up loving my work so much they continued to hire me for the next 5 years, including for a national campaign! Then being granted media status to photograph Burning Man in 2016 that work really brought me a lot of attention on Instagram. I’ve continued to shoot the Burn ever since. From there, friends took notice and started booking me for headshots, events, and social media content, which enabled me to start my own business as a photographer and social media manager. Honestly, I never would have thought all this was possible when my Dad gae me that camera… but it just goes to show you how every step forward gets you closer to where you’re meant to be.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the biggest struggle in recent years has been with people’s perception of what I do and having to defend my worth as a photographer because everyone has access to a camera on their mobile device. Running my own business also means that I’m not just the expert in my field but I wear all the hats: I’m the booking manager, the website designer, the head of marketing and advertising, the CFO, etc. It can be overwhelming and expensive to do it all – but my clients only see me when I’m behind the camera, taking their photo. Balancing all the work and client expectations has been, and continues to be, the biggest learning curve. But doing it as my own boss makes those challenges worth it in the long run. Every client teaches me how I can do things better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m definitely most known for my Burning Man photography. It’s what “put me on the map” seven years ago when one of my portraits got published in an issue of The Jack Rabbit Speaks (Burning Man newsletter) and another shot went viral on Instagram. People took notice and started hiring me to shoot their events. I even booked an engagement shoot because of it! It’s wild. But I’m not just a “Burning Man Photographer.” I’ve shot everything from music events for Grolsch Canada to fundraising galas for Big Brother Big Sister Toronto. When COVID hit, I had to pivot my business to more portrait and lifestyle content and social media management. I now specialize in helping businesses visually define their brand, including content strategy, creation, and advertising. I’m grateful for these past two years in that they’ve allowed me the time and ability to build this business and meet my client’s needs as their photographer, stylist, and social media manager. Having these combined skills in production and strategy is definitely what sets me apart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think at this point, there’s no difference between good and bad luck. Seemingly “bad luck” experiences have been my greatest teachers in how to improve myself and my business. Any time I’ve had a client disappoint me, I’ve learned to better trust my instincts, refine my screening process, and be clearer in my contracts and communication. Sometimes that lesson happens more than once, but hey! That’s life. We’re all here trying our best.
Pricing:
- Headshots: Start at $250 for 1hr
- Creative Portraits: Start at $450 for 1.5hrs
- Couples/Intimate Shoot: Start at $550 for 2hrs
- Event Photography: Start at $550 for 2hrs
- Branding Shoot: Starts at $650 for 2hrs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lexkilgour.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flexandbender/
