Meet Lithonia Photographer: Lonzo Silas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lonzo Silas.

Lonzo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey into the realm of photography started in Virginia in 2008. I became envious of the people on my job with the United States Navy that had jobs documenting the events of the military with a camera and wanted to do that. After getting out of the United States Navy, I finished my degree in Communications at Norfolk State University, making sure to focus primarily on the courses that dealt with videos and photography. After graduation and relocating with my family to Atlanta, I found it necessary to finally pursue photography as a hobby, and that hobby has since turned into a passion!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been easy, especially when you are new to a city. Trying to build a clientele in an area where the market seems to be flooded with other entrepreneurs eager to do the same as you was (and is) something that I continuously struggle with. Learning my way around the city; trying to figure out how to market myself; trying to ensure that I have enough material in my portfolio; these are all things that I faced when starting out. However, had it not been for my wife’s support and my faith in God, I would not be able to overcome those obstacles and the obstacles that I continue to face.

Who, or what, deserves a lot of credit for where you are today?
There are a few people that have played a very vital role in my career thus far. Lateef Gibson, Mass Communications professor at Norfolk State University, helped me to see the vision of being a photographer by laying the blueprint for success. In my infancy into photography, I had one person that I did work for that helped me to see exactly how to cater to clients individually. Thank you to Miss Tinisha Tolber. My favorite uncle, Fred “JR” Bell continuously provides me with inspirations for themed shoots. Lastly, my supportive wife has helped me by allowing me to pursue my dream, even when I wanted to quit, she wouldn’t let me.

Do you have a favorite type of client or project?
I have passions for a number of things, and currently, I want to showcase the appreciation for two things with photography: 1. Plus size models – there is not a fair amount of exposure for the beautiful men and women that desire to be photographed, and as such, they often don’t want to shoot as some of them have physical insecurities. I want to help them to see the beauty that they don’t realize they possess. 2. As an African-American man born and raised in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the passions that we face for racial equality never ends. As such, I want to do more work that tells the story visually of the racial tensions that have existed in America. I’d love to show the perspective from both the African-American American as well as the Caucasian points of view.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
In starting any business, there are things that we all wish we would have done differently. One of the things that I wish I knew to do differently is to know your worth. When starting out in photography, often times clients only see the time that you spend with them during the shoot, and I would charge for that. However, time to do consultations, time scouting locations, time spent editing (which can be the longest time spent in some shoots) can be things that new photographers don’t take into consideration.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silasstudios.wix.com/home
• Phone: 678.549.9111
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/silasstudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SilasStudios