Daily Inspiration: Meet Lee Gumbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Gumbs. 

Lee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m known primarily for my photography, specifically photographing dancers and movement. I’ve been a dancer since I was 6 years old. When I started, I was still living in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I moved to Florida when I was 8 years old, that’s when dance became more serious and a prominent part of my life until I graduated high school and joined a dance company. I received my first camera when I was 16yo and from then on, I’d photograph friends and colleagues as a passion, and photography started to lead to a career around the age of 22years old and became full-time around the age of 24. Being so immersed in movement and dance from such a young age has left its imprint on me, that’s why it has become such a large part of my forte has a photographer… 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The transition from full-time professional dancer to full-time photographer was very organic for me. Whenever I had breaks from touring, I would photograph my friends in LA which started to build my clientele so when I stopped touring, I had a big enough clientele built to work steadily. The biggest struggles I’ve dealt with is probably comparing my journey to others which is toxic in itself. That mindset creates self-doubt that can be detrimental to some people, causing them to turn their backs away from the artistic outlet they once fell in love with. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a dancer and photographer. My forte is movement photography. 

What makes you happy?
Traveling and connecting with other people makes me the happiest. I’ve always been very social. Meeting interesting people inspires me to create all sorts of things. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Leegumbsphotography.com
• Instagram: @leegumbs.photography