Meet Xavier Leeds | Celebrity Photographer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xavier Leeds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xavier, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I just always knew that I was supposed to work for myself & I always knew since I was a child that I wanted to be in the entertainment business in some capacity. I’ve always loved cameras, music, playing instruments. So it was only natural that I started my own business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others (in my opinion), I don’t box myself in. I photograph everything. All styles. I play around with my lighting a lot. You can’t just say I’m a live music photographer, or portrait photographer, I do it all! & I put the same passion in whatever style I’m doing.

Honestly, I’m excited about everything!!!! I have some really dope work I did in august 2021 for “The Hamiltones” if you don’t know about them, Google them! Amazingly talented group of brothers with some beautiful voices. They trusted me to being a vision to life & it was so fun. I can’t say what I did for them just yet, but I can’t wait for y’all to see! Big shout out to the Hamiltones from North Carolina!

I got to where I am professionally honestly with just consistency and just constant belief in myself. & it wasn’t always easy. I still have times where it’s hard. But it’s always worth it to keep pushing through. Whenever I felt like giving up, God would come through and bless me with an opportunity bigger than the last. I overcome every challenge I have with prayer, late night crying (I let it all out lol) , meditation and a daily routine of morning affirmations.

I’ve learned soooo many lessons along the way. I’ve been doing photography full time for 6 years now. But I’ll say the biggest lessons that I’ve learned are, no one can make anything happen for you. You can only make it happen for yourself. You can’t just pray and sit around waiting for something to fall into your lap. You have to be willing to put the work in, you’re gonna lose sleep, you’re gonna be scared, you’re gonna cry sometimes, but you gotta push through to reach your goals!

& another lesson I’ve learned is, you gotta have tough skin. People won’t always have the same heart that you have & people won’t always talk to you the way that you want them to. You have to know how to handle these situations with tact & without ruining your reputation. Patience is something all entrepreneurs must practice. No matter what field you’re in. Patience is key. Witn yourself and others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not gonna lie! Lol I’m a little lame when it comes to that. I really am a homebody. When I’m not shooting at the studio, I’m usually at home chilling , listening to old school soul & funk music, and practicing my guitar or playing with my 2 daughters.

I love doing chill things. But if I had to take them out, I love museums and the zoo. Those type of things never get old to me. So I’d take them to the field museum, museum of science and industry, the art institute museum, Brookfield zoo, and the planetarium.

And I’d take them to 9mag tattoo shop and introduce them to one of my fav people in the world, Stella. She also did my rose and butterfly tattoo on my hand.

As far as food!!! I love deep dish pizza, so I would take them to Gino’s east or giordanno’s for deep dish pizza! And for Chinese food, I’d take them to Joy Yee noodle, they have great food and smoothies. Huge menu as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really just want to thank & give credit to God first & foremost. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of the things I’ve done. Or made any of the connections that I’ve made. Very thankful to God.

I’ve also always had a great support system. Thank you to all of my friends and family. Specifically, Jaz ❤️, Miquan, Jasmine, Rae, Moriah, Stella & sooooo many more people.

Shout out to all of the celebrities that believed in me and gave me a chance. Jacob Latimore, Serayah, Luke James, Liv Warfield & more. I really appreciate y’all.

Cyn, one of my favorite models, thank you for creating so much heat with me! & making me a better photographer.

Instagram: @xavierleeds

Image Credits
All photos taken by Xavier Leeds Included in the photos are Luke James, Jacob Latimore, Liv Warfield & Omarion.