Today we’d like to introduce you to LaVonda Gale.
Hi LaVonda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Like most photographers, I developed a passion for photography at a young age. But it wasn’t until I turned sixteen that I knew photography was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had lost my grandfather, the only constant male presence in my life, and I fell into a depression. The only thing that got me through it was looking back at photographs of him. That’s when I understood the impact and importance of photography and knew that I wanted to share that with the world.
Straight out of high school, I was lucky enough to land a part-time photography job doing studio work with a corporate company. I was quickly promoted to full time. Two years later, I promoted to management. A year after that, I began traveling as a district manager. The next level up would have been regional management, officially becoming a corporate employee. The company instead went out of business without any notice and closed the door on my career for what felt like forever.
Three months later the pandemic hit. I utilized that time to learn natural light photography and decided to go into business for myself so that no one could ever take my camera away from me again.
When the pandemic ended, weddings were high in demand. I figured if I ever wanted to step into the wedding industry, that now would be the time to do it. I dove in head first.
Today, I am blessed to say that I have captured over one hundred weddings and was just voted the best photographer in Rutherford county.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has absolutely not been smooth. I could list several challenges, but learning how to start and run a business has probably been the biggest one. I don’t think of any challenge as struggle though. A challenge only becomes a struggle if you resist it. When you embrace each challenge the way I do, challenge becomes strength. As a child of God, I know my frailty and am constantly looking for ways to improve. I will take all the challenges I can get because growth only happens when I am uncomfortable.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a wedding photographer who specializes in capturing emotion and connection between those in the photograph. My superpower is making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. I facilitate authentic expression by using the simple, candid, fun method that I developed. My editing style is true to color so that my images will remain timeless.
What sets me a part from other photographers is that I don’t want to travel for my work. I prefer to serve couples here in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee. It’s special for me to be able to work with individuals that support the community that I am proud to be a part of. The bond that I create with my clients deepens when my clients are also my neighbors, colleagues, and friends.
What I am most proud of is serving my clients as the highest level. I’m am blessed to have a five star rating on Google, have been named the best of Zola two years in a row now, and just won the Main Street Award for best photographer in Rutherford county.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I don’t know. That’s a tough question for me to answer. There isn’t one grandiose memory that stands out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavondagalephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavondagalephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavondagalephoto
