-First off, a huge congratulations on joining the Dad Club. You seem like a natural! How's it feel being a dad? What's it like being the only male in the household?

TRAVIS:  "Nothing compares to being a parent. I love it so much but it certainly has it's challenges. Some people are natural home bodies and I'm a very social person so I really enjoy being out hanging with friends, listening to a band somewhere or something as simple as jumping on my motorcycle and just taking off for the day. I had some bad FOMO ( Fear of missing out) for quite a while. I'm incredibly lucky though because I have a fiancé that knows me and tells me to go do those things now that the baby is getting a bit older. That FOMO feeling started to fade pretty fast though because I really just enjoyed being around my baby girl. Starting my business and being able to work my other job has afforded me the opportunity to be home a lot more so I have and still do spend a lot of quality time with my daughter, it's been amazing watching her grow. I am the only male in a house of five females which presents a whole new set of challenges. My fiancé has three daughters from a previous marriage and they are amazing. They are now 10,12 and 14 while my daughter just turned 10 months, so there is a big age gap, but they are fantastic older sisters and help out so much. As far as me being the only male in the house...that's another reason my fiancé let's me have some boy time with my friends, (laughs). I wouldn't trade any of it for the world though."

 

-I've had the privilege of meeting Jen, I think you two are perfect for each other. I personally know the story but would you care to share how guys met? When did you know she was the one?

TRAVIS: "My fiancé and I met like everyone else does now, Facebook. I was going through one of the worst breakups and lowest times of my life at this point, and that was now almost 4 years ago. I had lost everything, became someone I wasn't. Without getting into to much detail it landed us in court, me getting out of that house, and living at my younger brothers house in his spare room. It was embarrassing and defeating but I knew it could be a new start for me. I began rebuilding my mindset and my life. I had posted a quote I saw on Facebook...It said "YOU CANNOT GET BETTER IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT YOU GOT SICK" and Jenn ( my fiancé) commented on it. She was also going through a tough time and could relate. We began to chat every night for weeks. Long story short, I asked her on a date and because I literally lost everything in my old relationship, she actually had to pick me up on our first date because I didn't even have a vehicle. I was very honest with her about my situation but it she didn't seem to mind. She saw the potential in me and knew I was going to be back on my feet in no time. Our first date was at the Motorcycle Show they put on at the IX Center. We had the most amazing time together...our first date lasted nine hours. The rest is history after that. I knew she was the one a few months in, but we both didn't want to rush into anything because we both came from some pretty rough past relationships. It was on our one year anniversary that I asked her to be my wife. She said yes and we've been engaged now for two years and have a wedding date planned this October. Side note, we have several vehicles now and two Harley Davidsons...I no longer need a ride."

 

-The sound of wedding bells is not too far off in the distance! I was thrilled to have you be one of the people to stand next to me on my wedding day and I'm honored to have gotten the invite to come celebrate yours! How is the planning going? Do you have everything wrapped up? What's been the most stressful part? Any plans for a honeymoon?

TRAVIS: "We are very behind on planning our wedding (laughs). With four kids and four jobs between the two of us it's hard to find time to eat. Jenn bartends one night a week at a restaurant  where she has amazing customers whom I've met and just adore her.  She has also taught competitive dance to kids at a studio for nearly 20 years and has also just graduated and completed her first 8 weeks of clinicals to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant; on top of being a mother of 4...she's special for sure. Back to the wedding planning, we have all the big stuff set now, it's just the little details that we need to figure out still, but we'll get there. I'd say the most stressful part is just finding the time to actually sit down and lay it all out. She has the summer off from school, so we now have had a little more time to do so. As far as the honeymoon, we plan on doing a mini one after the wedding...like a weekend somewhere. Our daughter is just too young yet to send off with someone for week or so. We will definitely have a real honeymoon next year though when she's a bit older. Something all inclusive...beach vibes. Maybe Mexico or Jamaica possibly."

 

-I want to change the subject a little bit and talk about your photography business, Travis Lee Photography. What made you want to be a photographer? Anyone you reach out to for advice or help you get started?

TRAVIS: "As far as my photography business goes it was just a dream like so many things. For nearly a decade I was the guy taking pictures at every family function or outing. I had several editing apps on my phone and I couldn't wait to get home to clean them up and post them. I just loved it! I had been working at the same place for 10+ years as you know...we worked together Jeff! I remember sitting at my dining table one night and thinking I need more. What do I love to do and nothing other than riding motorcycles and playing guitar kept popping up in my brain. Neither was gonna pay the bills...then I just had a light bulb moment and I remember telling Jenn I wanted to pursue photography. I had no idea what that was gonna consist of, but I knew I had to take that leap. Jenn gave me her old DSLR camera with a kit lens and I just started learning everything about it. I would spend hours and hours on YouTube learning all the functions and it's capabilities. I also knew that if I was gonna eventually have people pay me to take pictures that I would need to prove that I could. So, I went out and just started shooting landscape photography and created a little Facebook business page. I posted landscape pictures for months! I was out in every climate getting lost in places I had never been and I loved it. People were really receptive to what I was doing and I even sold a few pictures at that time. I eventually posted that I wanted to do some family sessions and I charged $60 for a full hour and I thought if anyone would do that it'll be amazing. I had three people reach out and I did my first paid shoot..at night..in the middle of December with a Mom and her very young son. I would not suggest that as your first shoot, (laughs) but I nailed it! I learned how to edit on several programs through tons of hours of...again YouTube and just experimenting. Fast forward to almost my second year, I've now done hundreds of shoots including families, newborns, couples, maternity, boudoir, private events, bands, sports teams, dance teams and weddings. I'm busier than ever and have 13 weddings in the next four months this year alone. I did a promo shoot for a popular band out of Cleveland called Country Redford, and they ended up using the photos for not only there now merch line but also for there new album cover that just dropped this summer. It's been absolutely incredible. I work part time right now at a company called Steris and do my photography on the weekends. The goal is in the next year to move full time into this and open a studio. I spend every spare minute still learning my craft, that'll never change. I was lucky enough to shadow a friend before I knew anything to watch how a real photo session is live in person and I was hooked. Since then I've had a very well known Photographer in the area take me under their wing and that training has been priceless."

 

-What makes for a good session when you are taking special photos for like a maternity shoot or engagement shoot? Do you rely on the chemistry from the people you are shooting?

TRAVIS: "As far as relying on the chemistry of the subjects I'm photographing it really just depends. I myself am great with all types of people and that comes from all my years of being a social person. I've never gone to a shoot and had a bad experience. I trust in my abilities, knowledge and equipment to produce amazing results. People are often very nervous when the shoot begins but I make it very fun and it doesn't take very long for them to open up, trust me and be there authentic selves and that's what you ultimately want for great photos."

 

-Any advice you would give someone who is thinking of starting their own Photography business?

TRAVIS: "If I had to give someone advice on starting a photography business, and I have many times...it would be to want it as much as you want to breathe. You have to have a certain fire in you to succeed. That goes for anybody starting any business. I was the guy out in 14 degree weather in the middle of nowhere taking 100's of pictures to maybe use one perfect one to edit and post to show people that I'm in this. You can throw a rock in any direction and hit someone that calls themselves a photographer because they took a few pictures of their dog. What goes into really being a pro is learning your camera and camera bodies, f-stops, aperture, shutter speeds, iso, lighting techniques, posing, lenses, editing programs and then the whole other side of it which is marketing yourself. A lot of people may love photography but aren't willing to do the work."

 

-I feel like the editing part would be the hardest. What goes into editing pictures? Have you ever left a session not happy with the end product? What do you do to fix it?

TRAVIS: "Editing is an entirely different animal. I've gotten good with several programs but there is still so much to learn which is very exciting to me. My work will keep evolving the more I learn and I spend hundreds of hours on these programs and still have not used them to there full potential...but bet your ass I will one day. My first wedding I ever did was smaller and I had quite a few shoots under my belt and felt confident I could do it. I took the gig and took some really amazing photos. I captured their day really well and was very happy with what I did when I got home. I spent the next month editing them nearly every night...like 800 pictures. I sent the gallery over to them and they loved the photos but not the edits. I over edited which is a very real thing. That was the only time I had someone unhappy with my work but it was my first wedding and I thought all weddings should have that light, airy look. The bride did not, (laughs). So I re-edited all the photos which I did for her in 2 weeks. I spent sometimes 6 hours at a time on the computer. I resent them and she loved them. My mistake was trying to make my work look like other people's and sometime less is more. Since then, I have done around 15 weddings and they've all been thrilled with their photos. Lesson learned. I'm sill finding my style but that happens naturally, you can't force it but I think you can definitely tell a Travis Lee photo from any other."

 

-For anyone reading this I highly recommend you check out Travis's work. You can do that on his Facebook page, search Travis Lee Photography. How can they reach you to inquire about booking you?

TRAVIS: "I can be reached via Facebook at facebook.com/travisleephotography85 or check out my website travisleephotography.mypixieset.com. If you're not into computers than you can reach me on my cell (216-551-2239)"

 

-If you could turn back the clocks and give the younger version of you any advice, what would it be?

TRAVIS: "The answer to this question could go on for days. I've had a really wild life and I've learned so much. To make it short and sweet.. ALWAYS learn from your mistakes and do your best to correct them for the future. Never give up. Inspire someone. Don't listen to anybody's BS. Do what's best for YOU. Be humble, work hard. You're tougher than you think. Treat people well and be polite. Protect your loved ones and family. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with and that includes the partner you pick in life. DREAM BIG and go after that dream with everything you've got!!!"

 

-I know you support a lot of local music. Any artist or group you feel is strongly underrated? I might be putting you on the spot a little bit here. Who's your favorite local artist? How about band?

TRAVIS: "Music is a huge part of my life, there's rarely a time when I'm not listening to something. Matter of fact I'm listening to a band right now called Dirty Honey and the song is called California Dreamin'. Great band.  I do support a lot of local music. I feel like they're my second family. The local music scene in Cleveland is amazing. As far as any artist or group that I think is underrated or my favorite is a tough one. They all really do their thing man (laughs). I will spit off a few I highly recommend seeing in no particular order. Also, I highly recommend you check out three venues in our area that have always supported live music. Diamondback Bar & Grill in Eastlake, Stage Pass Tavern in Wickliffe and Hooley House in Mentor. Also, RollHouse in Mentor now has live music on their brand new patio and inside Bomb Bar. Be sure to check out Mentor Rocks as well! Mentor Civic Center puts on an amazing concert every Tuesday night from 7-9pm from June 7th-Aug 30th. Just a few bands to see off the top of my head, Disco Inferno, Big In Japan, Country Redford, Vinyl Arcade, Speed Rail, Myth N' Co, 1988, Sumrada, Post Road, TILTED, Tim Bradach, Michael Cesnik, Nick Zuber, Josh Robert, Super Bad, Metal Edge, Old Skool, The Glass House Band, 11th Hour, The Rustbelt Ragtops, and Loud Mouth..................................Just to name a few."

 

-I really enjoyed doing this interview with you, it's always a great thing to see your friends succeeding in life! I really do thank you for your time, I know your schedule is super busy!

TRAVIS: "If you've stuck around this long I really appreciate it and I hope you gained a little knowledge on me, my business and what it takes to pursue a dream. Thank you!!"

 

--You can contact Travis Esposito Owner of Travis Lee Photography with any questions or pricing.

• PHONE NUMBER--- (216)-551-2239
• FACEBOOK PAGE--- Facebook.com/travisleephotography85
• WEBSITE--- travisleephotography.mypixieset.com

 

***  THE PHOTOS USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE DIRECTLY FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES OF TRAVIS LEE PHOTOGRAPHY. I DO NOT OWN ANY RIGHTS ***