By AnaClare Barras

The ability to encapsulate the beauty of a moment in a photo is a form of art. Local photographer Leroy Tademy understands what goes into catching that feeling in a photo. Tademy, alongside wife and business partner Chelsea, has captured those moments and memories of Southwest Louisiana for more than 10 years with their company Tademy Design and Photography.

​Since opening their business in 2011, the Tademys have not slowed down. Recently, Leroy was chosen out of over 2,000 applicants to partake in a competition reality show called “Behind the Shutter’s Creator Series.” The show, sponsored by Canon, features 10 up-and-coming photographers who compete to prove their skills in lighting, posing and composition and for a chance to win $20,000 in cash and prizes. It is a 7-episode web series that launched on Aug. 29 on Sal Cincotta’s Youtube channel, with new episodes every Monday.

​Leroy Tademy has hustled his entire career, honing his craft into a style he describes as “strobist,” which is all about using artificial light to create shadows and drama. He met his wife in a photography course at McNeese State University, where they discovered that photography was something they thoroughly enjoyed doing together. Upon realizing other people really enjoyed their work together, too, they decided to take their mutual passion and open a business. More than 10  years later, they have grown their business into one of the most successful photography companies in the area, specializing in high-volume photography, sports photography, and high school senior photography.

​Tademy was attending ShutterFest in St. Louis, Mo., a festival organized by Sal Cincotta, when he heard about the “Behind the Shutter’s Creator Series” and was encouraged to apply. Out of 2,000 applicants, 500 photographers were selected to submit application videos introducing themselves. Of those 500, there were 10 finalists — one of those being Leroy Tademy.

​“It was intimidating,” said Tademy. “I’ve never competed on a national scale like this. The talent there was off the charts. [But] I wanted to flex my creative muscle. You know, when you first open a business, you’re only focused on paying the bills. My reason for applying (to the show) was to see how good I was, to see if other people saw the same thing.”

​Photographers were given a series of challenges, in which for each challenge the photographers were given 10 minutes to capture a single shot consistent with the theme. With every challenge, a contestant was eliminated.

​“(My biggest difficulty) was the uncertainty of not knowing what was coming up next,” said Tademy. “It’s a different type of pressure. You’re given 10 minutes to do whatever you want with what they provide, all to get that single shot.”

​Though the pressure and stress involved in competing was tough, Tademy does not regret it.

​“If you would’ve asked me a month ago (if I would participate in a competition like this again), I would’ve said no,” said Tademy. “But after seeing the impact it’s had, on me, my kids, my business, it was worth it. You have to realize every challenge is an opportunity, and be humble about it.”

Learn more about “Behind the Shutter’s Creator Series” on their website, www.behindtheshutter.com/creator-series/.

Watch Leroy’s journey on Sal Cincotta’s YouTube channel, with new episodes every Monday at www.youtube.com/user/sjcinco.