May 8, 2017

Meet Laimis Urbonas of Laimis Urbonas Photography in Pilsen

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laimis Urbonas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Photography always was a big part of me. It started as a hobby. As time passed, I decided to dive into professional photography full time. In the beginning I was working mostly with my friends. We experimented with different angles, light and locations. It was fun but it was also a great learning experience. You get better with practice. Later my friends’ became my real clients, and their recommendations helped me to extend my network. As my client list kept on growing, I realized that I had to get a studio. Just using my camera was not enough anymore. Photography is a very competitive and unique business. Photographers, just like people, are all different. Everyone sees life from their own vintage point. When choosing a photographer, people have decide for themselves which world perspective they like the most.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To build a brand new business from the grounds up is always hard. Years ago when I moved from Salt Lake City to Chicago, I needed to build and expand my client list from scratch. It required a lot of work, time and effort. When my business started to expand, I had to start investing my own funds into new cameras, lenses and studio. It takes time and a lot of hard work to achieve your goals.

Laimis Urbonas Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My focus is mostly on fitness and dance photography. I do fashion shows and corporate events. I also work with family portraits. In my spare time I work on my personal projects either at the specific location or in my studio. I am inspired by black and white photography as it brings out difference shades, expressions and angles. I am very well known among dancers and athletes. They always come back to my studio. To show their appreciation for my style and aesthetics, they keep recommending me to their friends and co-workers. In the end, I am not just a photographer who takes pictures. I am an artist who is exploring the world and people through my camera lenses.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Definition of success changes with age. Something that you consider a huge success at twenty might be viewed differently at forty. You have to experience failures, make mistakes in order to know true success. Photography business is very competitive. One has to work really hard to get their name out there. The best reward always comes from my clients. Their acknowledgement, their references and their return appointments mean that I am doing something right. I don’t have a fixed definition of success. I am not trying to be perfect in anything I do. Perfect is boring. Instead, I am staying open, moving forward, and I am always trying something new. I am work in progress.

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