Meet Jonathan Leon

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jonathan Leon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jonathan, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I learned to be effective even when I was the only one in the room. I had ideas that some people thought were impossible or doubted that I, with just a small camera, could ever reach the point where I am today. But most of all, I became effective because of the experiences and challenges I faced in the past.

For example, I was raised in Mexico and started working at a grocery store when I was around 7 or 8 years old. That experience helped me understand the responsibilities adults face and the problems they need to solve. I learned to be effective at a young age, but I continued to develop my skills as I built my photography business.

Now, I see things from a new perspective when someone says, “I want to have a business,” but never takes the first step of writing out a business plan. That’s why they remain in the same room as everyone else.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a wedding photographer based in California, and I’m currently expanding my business to other states. I started photography during COVID as a simple hobby—I just wanted to take photos for fun. Soon after, friends began asking me to do photo sessions for them, and once I started sharing my work, things grew quickly. My business expanded into family photography, then editorial work, and before long, I began receiving wedding inquiries.

Now, I’m blessed to say that wedding inquiries come in nonstop. What started as a hobby has turned into a full-time career as a wedding photographer and videographer. I truly love what I do—weddings are so much fun! What I love most is the feeling of being surrounded by so much love from people I don’t even know, and having the privilege to capture those beautiful moments and emotions.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

As a business owner, photographer, and wedding photographer, I’ve learned the importance of being fully transparent with my clients so they can feel comfortable being transparent with me as well. Without transparency, clients might feel doubtful or insecure about booking and investing in someone they found on social media. For me, building trust is essential — I make sure to be open about my services, process, and even my honest opinions when something needs to be changed or adjusted.

Another key area is Living — living in the moment! On wedding days, couples can often feel stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed when things don’t go exactly as planned. Months of preparation can quickly shift at the last minute. As a wedding photographer, my priority is to help my couples live fully in the moment and enjoy their special day, no matter what happens. Whether it’s the mother of the bride causing drama before the ceremony, a timeline change, or the dress getting a little dirty — I remind them that these moments are part of their story. My goal is to help them focus on what truly matters: celebrating love and creating lasting memories.

Lastly, I’ve learned the importance of setting Boundaries. Sometimes I receive inquiries from clients who are looking for a photography or editing style — or even services and packages — that I don’t offer. While these opportunities might seem appealing, I’ve learned that I may not always be the right fit for every client. There are so many styles out there, and that’s okay. I set boundaries by kindly saying, “Thank you so much for inquiring. Unfortunately, your requests don’t align with my photography and editing style, but I can recommend other photographers who might be a better fit.”

The reason I say “no” to some clients is because I care about their experience. I’d rather prioritize their needs than take on a booking that could lead to disappointment simply because my artistic style doesn’t match their vision. Boundaries help me stay true to my work while ensuring every client receives the best service possible — even if it’s not from me.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

One obstacle I’m currently facing is delivering galleries and wedding videos on time. For the past few years, I’ve been using the same delivery timeline that I set about 2–3 years ago. Back then, I didn’t have nearly as many clients as I do now. Three years ago, I was photographing only a few weddings here and there — but now, I have weddings almost every weekend (which is crazy to say!). On top of that, I also schedule photo sessions during the week.

Because of this growth, I decided to limit the number of weddings I’ll book for the future. I started noticing a big increase in demand, and I want to make sure I can continue prioritizing the clients I already have while delivering their galleries and videos on time. At the moment, my delivery timeline is about 8–12 weeks for both wedding galleries and videos.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jonathanlphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanl_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanLPhotography

Image Credits

@JonathanL_Photography