Today we’d like to introduce you to Loreal Curtis.
Hi Loreal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It’s definitely been a journey, but a meaningful one. I had always loved taking pictures, but it wasn’t until high school that I started turning it into something more. I began shooting graduation photos for seniors and later landed an internship with my local newspaper, where I shot and wrote for the sports column. Seeing my photos published in print was incredibly rewarding and gave me my first real taste of what photography could become.
When I got to the University of Florida, everything truly shifted. UF was my dream school, and being able to compete on the track team while also expanding my photography portfolio felt like such a blessing. I had always wanted to shoot sports at the college level, so I reached out to Florida’s official sports photographer and asked if I could assist him. He said yes, and became a mentor who taught me not only the technical side of sports photography, but also the pre and post-shoot practices that made him so successful. With him, I had the opportunity to cover nearly every aspect of UF Athletics including media days, press conferences, practices, games, matches, signings, tryouts, and competitions.
At the same time, my teammates and other athletes started asking me to take their graduation photos. From there, word spread across campus, and soon I was photographing students outside of athletics too. Every graduation season was packed, and if I wasn’t in class or at practice, I was behind the camera. There was never really an off-season, and I loved it. That’s where a fire was lit under me, and I felt so inspired and honored to be living out what I had always dreamed.
After college, balancing a full-time career with photography was a challenge, and I wasn’t always consistent. Still, I never let go of it. I poured myself into portraits including branding sessions for creatives and business owners, couples, weddings, and the occasional graduation shoot. But it wasn’t the same momentum I had built back in college. That period tested my confidence and fueled imposter syndrome, because I knew I wasn’t giving photography the focus it deserved.
Things shifted again when I started shooting concerts. I captured my first shows while still in college, but I didn’t receive official media credentials until 2020. Since moving back to Houston after the pandemic, concerts have become the heart of my work. They bring me the same adrenaline I once felt from shooting sports, and there is nothing that makes me feel more alive than having a camera in my hand and capturing the energy of a live show.
Now, I’m in a space where I’m realigning with what I love most. I don’t want to limit myself to one lane. Whether it is music, sports, or portraits that celebrate people, I want to follow what inspires me and capture it on a larger scale. Every twist and turn of this journey has brought me here, and I’m excited to keep growing and telling stories through my lens.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. If anything, it’s been full of twists and turns, flat tires, and a few U-turns. I’ve gone through seasons where I was so disappointed in myself. I felt like I failed myself and the version of me I thought I’d be by now. I’ve battled imposter syndrome more times than I can count, and I’ve compared my work and my journey to other photographers in ways that left me feeling stuck. I’m my own biggest critic, and I know I’ve gotten in my own way plenty of times.
One of the hardest parts has been trying to balance a full-time career while still chasing this passion. There were times I was shooting things I didn’t even enjoy just for the money, and that left me drained instead of fulfilled. On top of that, social media makes it easy to compare yourself when it feels like everyone suddenly has a camera. In such a saturated industry, it can be tough not to question yourself or your path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller. I use photography to capture energy in its purest form, whether it is the rush of a live concert, the intensity of a game, or the confidence in a portrait session. Right now, I specialize in live music photography, but what really defines me is how multi-dimensional I am as an artist. My taste in music is a wide spectrum, and my work reflects that. One night I might be photographing a drag queen’s performance, the next a reggae festival, and the night after that an R&B concert. My lens follows wherever the music takes me, and that variety is what keeps me inspired.
What I’m most proud of is that I never gave up, even when it would have been easier to walk away. There were moments I felt like I wasn’t where I thought I should be, but my perseverance and my faith kept me going. I know my breakthrough will come in God’s timing, and until then I get to keep doing what I love, which is capturing unforgettable moments and preserving the energy of people, music, and culture.
What sets me apart is my versatility and the way I connect with people. I’ve grown my craft in different spaces, from concerts to sports to portraits, and each one has shaped me into the creative I am today. Beyond the technical side, I want every shoot to feel like an experience. When you are in front of my camera, I am your hype woman and your biggest cheerleader. My goal is to make you feel comfortable, confident, and celebrated, so when you look at the photos you don’t just see an image, you feel the moment.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to always remember my why. I’ve put years of blood, sweat, and tears into my craft, and it hasn’t always been easy. There have been times I felt uninspired or questioned myself, but I’ve realized that success is not overnight and it looks different for everyone. For me, true success is having joy in what I do and staying connected to my passion.
I’ve also learned that rejection, disappointment, and missed opportunities are part of the journey. What matters most is how you respond to them. I can either let them define me, or I can use them to fuel me. I choose to keep going. I know my breakthrough will come in God’s timing, and until then I’m going to keep showing up and enjoying the ride. Photography makes me feel alive, and that passion is what keeps me moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lorealcurtisphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorealcurtisphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorealCurtisPhotography/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorealcurtis/
Image Credits
-The feature photo was taken by Jordan Marble
-The photo of me with my camera is taken by Kevin Rawls
-All of the other photos were taken by me
