We had the good fortune of connecting with Lela Boyd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lela, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?

If there’s anything I’ve learned about work-life balance it’s that it doesn’t exist for me, and that’s okay. I chose this creative career because I truly am fueled and inspired by making art. The reality of my life is that I have five kids and have been a military spouse for almost 24 years. I have to be flexible in my career right now. I like to think of my work as having seasons. Sometimes I’m able to dedicate more time and energy and sometimes I’m not. I’ve made peace with that.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Creative endeavors are often filled with self doubt and imposter syndrome. It’s easy to see strengths in others and weaknesses in yourself. We all do it! Even the best of the best. I’ve worked with some incredibly talented and successful photographers and they have all had the same insecurities at some point in their careers. Getting to where I’m at now was definitely not easy. I’ve had to put a lot of time, practice, and money into education, experience, and equipment. Through it all I’ve learned that persistence and practice are key. Connecting with other creatives and learning from them is priceless. Supporting other creatives in your field ONLY helps you! Do not be afraid to support others! I like to think that my specific brand of photography combines a mixture of artistic and practical shots in your gallery. I recognize that in portraiture, clients want to have a few good classic photos of everyone looking, but also want the whimsical creative shots too!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego really is the world’s best city! My favorite beaches are La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Coronado. We love Balboa Park and the museums and natural beauty of the plants and architecture there. We love walking through the Japanese Friendship Garden and visiting the Zoo and Safari Park. We love the Mexican food options in Old Town and the shopping in La Jolla. Our family loves to grab a sandwich at Board & Brew and take blankets down to the beach to catch sunset in Del Mar. We’ve spent many afternoons walking around Seaport Village and admiring the hustle and bustle of the harbor. A few of our favorite restaurants are Pizza Luigi, Casa Guadalajara, Ponce’s, Papa Feta (in Temecula), Cucina Urbana and Nicolosi’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest supporters and sources of love, encouragement, and mentorship have been friends and fellow photographers (who have inevitably become friends). I started photography as a business after many many years of photography as a hobby. My friends gave me the confidence that I needed to jump all in.

Website: Www.Lelalovephotography.Com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lelalovephotography?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LelalovePhotography/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.