Meet Leoul Mekonnen

We were lucky to catch up with Leoul Mekonnen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leoul, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Whenever I hit a creative block, I try not to force it. I’ll step back and switch up my environment sometimes. I like listening to music, watching movies, and tv shows to sparks new ideas. Praying has also helped me stay grounded where I am and realize you can’t rush the creativity journey of being a creative director. I’ve found that looking back at my older work reminds me how far I’ve come and gives me a fresh angle and how to learn and build into the next project that I have. For me, it’s about staying consistent and letting creativity flow back in naturally in me instead of stressing over it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Leoul Mekonnen. I am an Ethiopian Photographer & Creative Director of By Leoul Creatives LLC. I’ve been doing photography for almost five years now, and it’s been a blessing to see where this path has taken me. When I first picked up a camera, I wanted to be a film director and make documentaries and interviews on things I found interesting in High School. Turns out it was a lot harder than it looked and so I decided to start with the basics and learn photography first. To think that decision would lead me to these kinds of doors it has opened for me throughout my years has been incredible. I started off going to Washington DC and take pictures of random things on the street. I would go home and watch Youtube videos on how to edit on Adobe all self taught. I was watching and learning everything that I saw and kept trying to post on social media as much as I can to show people how serious I was in learning this art. That then lead me to my first ever booking with my friends who wanted to do a creative photoshoot. This was my first booking 2 years into my journey of photography so I knew I had to perform good not only for my friends but for myself. The shoot went great and had a fun time with my friends when we posted it online. And that right there was just the beginning of it all. From then I have grown month by month, years overtime of knowing what works and what doesn’t work for me. Through trials and tribulations, a great supporting cast, and belief in myself that lead me to working hard and getting better overtime. I created creative ad campaigns with brands like “Sprite”, “Sports Illustrated”, and “Men in Black”. I host creative model photoshoots in my local area for models, photographers, videographers, and creatives who want to network and build together. I opened my LLC in 2024 after how successful my business was starting to take off. I’ve had the chance to shoot at New York Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week, and Richmond Fashion Week. Every time I walk into one of those spaces, I still feel that mix of excitement and gratitude that nothing of this came easy. Years of doubt, worry, hard working, long Youtube videos are all coming together I really can see the fruits of my labor. I always think to myself what I love most about photography and my answer is the collaboration side of things. To starting out as an individual who didn’t know anyone in the space of media, to having a following and having different friends in this space from all around the country. To have all 1 shared interest and that is creating moments together and creating art. A picture isn’t just a picture, it’s all in a way that words can’t always capture sometimes. To create teams of people helping one another and be building off each other and working towards a similar goal is a feeling like no other. Every client, every model, every project feels different, and I think that’s what keeps me so inspired. No two shoots are ever the same, and I’m always learning. Through my business, I’ve been able to shape not only a portfolio but also a brand that reflects my creative eye and the connections I’ve built. I joke that my camera has better networking skills than I do, because it’s landed me in rooms I never thought I’d be in. But that’s the beauty of this journey I feel like the way in hard work, faith, and just saying “yes” to opportunities can take you further than you expect. Looking ahead, I’m really focused on expanding into more creative direction projects, collaborations, and pushing my work to new levels. I want to be able to still produce my movie and a documentary soon. But at the core, my mission is really to inspire others. To show that it is possible to dream big and achieve what you want in life. I am very lucky and blessed to have a job that doesn’t feel like a job, to wake up everyday and think I get to capture moments with a camera and make someone’s day with the visions that I create. To that I am still chasing to be great and hopefully see me on the big screen one day. Throughout all of this I remember to being thanking God for this.

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?

1. Consistency. Photography is one of those crafts where the more you shoot, the sharper your eye becomes and gets better overtime. I used to take my camera everywhere, even when I didn’t have a “reason,” and that consistency helped me grow way faster than just waiting for perfect opportunities.

2. Adaptability. Every shoot is different. Lighting changes, clients change, vibes change and I had to learn how to adjust on the fly without letting it throw me off. That skill came with time and a lot of trial and error, but it’s one of the most valuable things I’ve picked up.

3. Networking & Relationships. Some of my biggest opportunities came not just from my work, but from the relationships I built along the way. I always say be kind, professional, and genuinely interested in people goes a long way. Sometimes it’s not just the camera that gets you in the room, but more your character and who you are that keeps you there.

For people who are early and just starting out I would say don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Start creating, start experimenting, and share your work. If you fail in the beginning that’s ok because it’s suppose to happen. That is how you get better at something by failing and trying again. Skills build through practice, and opportunities come from being visible. Keep going and don’t let any hate or negativity try to drag you down. At the end of the day always pray and be thankful where you are in your journey.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! Collaboration is one of my favorite parts of this journey. I’m always open to connecting with other creatives who are passionate about storytelling and art whether that’s through fashion, music, film, or visual art. I think the best projects happen when different perspectives come together and create something bigger than any one person could on their own.
I’ve been blessed to shoot everything from fashion weeks to creative projects, and every time I walk away inspired by the people I get to work with. So if someone is reading this and feels like our visions could align whether you’re a designer, model, musician, or even another photographer I would love to connect. The best way to reach me is through Instagram @ByLeoul or through my website ByLeoul.com where I’m active on both. Shoot me a message and let’s talk ideas, I’m always down to bring something fresh to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.byleoul.com/
• Instagram: @byleoul
• Linkedin: Leoul Mekonnen

Image Credits

Leoul Mekonnen – Photographer & Creative Director