At Evolve Edits, we love highlighting photographers who have built thriving businesses by creating sustainable workflows. This week, we’re featuring Leroy Tademy, a seasoned photographer based in Southwest Louisiana. Working with everything from seniors to volume sports, Leroy quickly discovered how to create workflows that scale.
With 15 years in the industry and 13 years of working with Evolve for post-production, Leroy has mastered the art of scalability. Through his business, Tademy Photography, he has built a system that balances high-volume school and sports photography with personalized senior sessions—all while ensuring smooth operations through automation and teamwork.
Watch the Interview:
Leroy Tademy Talks Workflow, Team Building, and Success
How It All Started
Tademy Photography began as Leroy’s wife’s business, but together, they shaped it into a brand known for its reliability and creativity. From the beginning, they positioned themselves as the go-to photographers for high school athletes and hobbyists, reaching out to parents and coaches to build strong relationships. Their reputation for being available and dependable helped them become trusted in the community.
The Power of Volume Photography
Tademy Photography specializes in school, sports, and senior photography, with a few weddings sprinkled in for past clients. However, their bread and butter is volume photography, which accounts for nearly 200 jobs annually, while senior and destination sessions make up another 50 to 70.
Leroy knew from the start that he wanted a business model that provided consistent revenue, regardless of economic fluctuations. That’s why he focused on areas with steady demand:
Sports Photography: Teams will always need photos, even during challenging times like COVID-19.
Senior Portraits: High school seniors graduate once in a lifetime, making this a milestone families will always want to capture.
By focusing on these evergreen opportunities, Leroy has built a business that thrives year after year. A key part of his strategy has been outsourcing post-production to Evolve, ensuring consistency and efficiency while keeping costs manageable.
Building a Strong Team
One of Leroy’s strengths is his ability to surround himself with talented people. From his time as a manager at Sears to his experience in sales, he learned that great leadership means investing in others. At Tademy Photography, he fosters growth by mentoring team members who are passionate about photography, helping them refine their skills and learn how to run a successful business.
Leroy believes in playing to his team’s strengths, which is why he has specialists helping with volume shoots, post-production tasks outside of Evolve, and even videography. By allowing his team to focus on their passions, he has built a company that runs efficiently while maintaining high-quality service.
His leadership philosophy? Show your team that success isn’t just about you—it’s about helping them achieve their own goals as well.
Scaling the Business with Automation & Technology
To remain competitive in school and sports photography, Leroy has embraced new technology. He recognizes that whoever responds to potential clients the fastest often wins the job, which is why automation and streamlined communication are crucial.
Tools like ChatGPT have helped him improve email communication, ensuring he delivers clear and timely responses. Additionally, he’s focused on building systems that allow the business to run smoothly—even if he steps away. This mindset is key not only for growth but also for long-term sustainability. If he ever chooses to sell the business, he won’t just be selling a photography service; he’ll be selling a proven, automated system that runs seamlessly.
Looking Ahead: Growth Through Content
Beyond photography, Leroy is expanding into content creation. His YouTube channel recently hit 1,000 subscribers, and he’s working to grow it even further. By sharing insights and behind-the-scenes looks at his business, he hopes to educate and inspire other photographers looking to scale their operations.
Final Thoughts: Workflows That Scale
Leroy Tademy’s story is a testament to the power of strategic growth. By focusing on high-demand photography services, surrounding himself with a strong team, and leveraging technology, he has built a business that not only thrives but also has the potential to operate independently of him.
Outsourcing post-production to Evolve has played a major role in this success, allowing him to focus on shooting, mentoring, and expanding his brand. His journey proves that with the right workflows in place, photographers can scale their businesses while maintaining quality and consistency.
What can Evolve's editing services do for your business?
Want to scale your photography business like Leroy? Let Evolve handle your post-production editing so you can focus on shooting, selling, and growing. If you’re looking to grow your business and take post production to the next level, Evolve is here for you!
Contact us today to learn more about our memberships and post production services.