Meet LaChell Myles

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaChell Myles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaChell , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from knowing nothing sent to break me will prosper. My relationship with God is why I have not given up on photography. Also, as a kid I witnessed my mother take care of my sister and I as a single parent. She went through many struggles but never gave up, while teaching my sister and I the importance of having faith. As a creative it’s easy to doubt myself because I am my biggest critic. I am getting into the habit of congratulating myself and celebrating my small wins. In my journal I list all of my struggles, so that I can look back on it and see how much I’ve overcome. Hard times will last forever if you do not do anything to change your situation. When I became a full-time entrepreneur, it was a new world for me and I honestly was not as prepared as I thought I was. Even though times were hard, I did not give up on myself. I gambled on myself and gained access to freedom.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is LaChell and I am the CEO of LaChell A Photography LLC. I am a self-taught photographer based in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with over a decade of experience capturing portraits, events, maternity, graduation, and fashion. Since leaving NASA and going full-time in 2023, my work has been recognized locally and internationally, including being named one of the Top 3 Photographers in the DMV by Made In DMV, featured in multiple publications, gracing the cover of Shein Magazine, and showcased on a digital billboard in Baltimore’s art district. Internationally, my work was highlighted by Norwegian photographer Dana Cole, who listed her among the Top Black Female Fashion Photographers to watch out for.

My mother is a fan of photography and always handed me the camera to take photos around the house as a child. Taking family portraits at JC Penny’s and SEARS were mandatory for my family. Photos are forever and can be passed down many generations. In high school I was one of the assigned photographers in journalism class. Outside of school my friends always had me take and edit photos of them for their Myspace profiles. I used to edit their photos as well, so I guess it was inevitable haha.

In addition to photography, I entered the production world and work on sets such as The Spadez Table. I not only take the behind the scene photos, but I am their brand strategist, and work with talent acquisition. I am highly skilled in creating EPKs (Electronic Press Kits) and pitch decks, helping creatives and entrepreneurs present their brands professionally. I am also known for my ability to network and connect the right people together, as well as supporting clients with administrative strategies that elevate personal and professional brands.

My portfolio includes high-profile projects such as assisting on OWN Network’s Love & Marriage DC, photographing Grammy-nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn, NFL player Chase Young’s private events and youth camp, and Grammy-nominated rapper/actor Dave East in Harlem. This year I was asked to photograph Dej Loaf and Jacques concert at the Howard Theatre and that was an amazing experience. I also photographed Rick Ross car show at his Mansion at Promise Land. Driven by passion, my mission is to change lives through my lens and empower others through my creative and strategic expertise.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The first skill that impacted my career was learning the art of networking. In life I tell people all the time, “It’s not about how talented you are, but it’s about who you know and what people say about you when you are not around.” At a Made in DMV Conference in DC, social media influencer Wallo, asked me if I knew who was sitting in the seat behind me. I looked back and I didn’t recognize the man at all. I did not even introduce myself to him even though he was sitting right me. Wallo then proceeded to say, “That is Dave Mays, the founder and CEO of Source Magazine and the Source Awards.” I was shocked and felt bad for not introducing myself and giving him his flowers. Growing up the Source Awards was a big thing. From that point on I make it my duty to introduce myself to everyone when I walk in a room.
My first time at Rick Ross car show in 2024, rapper Gorilla Zoe introduced himself to me and I made sure to introduce myself and let him know what I do and where I reside. He then went to inform me he just recently moved to the DMV area and we could definitely work together. I left thinking he was just saying that, but a few weeks later he invited me to take behind the scene photos of his new commercial. I met Boone from the Spadez Table at the event and he invited me to come on set of his show. “The Spadez Table.” Ever since then I became a member of the Spadez Table production team and have made many connections through the cast and through the guest on the show.

The second skill is customer service. Customer service is so important in business because it’s important for you to know how to conduct yourself with potential and regular clients. I pride myself on customer service and I am only trying to better myself day by day. As a photographer my clients not only book me because I make them look good, but because I make them feel comfortable. I also gain their trust by providing exceptional service and giving them back their images before their deadline date. Clients do not want to have to harass their photographer for their images.

The third skill is organization. As a photographer and business owner I have to create a to do list, to keep track of my task at hand and to hold myself accountable. I use my phone calendar to keep track of all of my up and coming engagements, so I do not accidentally overbook myself.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my mother did for me was allow me to start my business in her home. She gave me the free space to start my photography journey and gave me the confidence to do it. I will forever be grateful to her for that and my biggest goal for my mother is to purchase a home for her and give her a peaceful life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lachellaphotography.com
• Instagram: @lachell_a_photography