Lou started his photography business in 1980. He earned the coveted Master Photographer designation in 1995 and Craftsman of Photography in 1996. He is the recipient of many awards, including Illinois Top 10 Photographer of the Year, which he won six years in a row, Several Fuji Masterpiece awards; Best Black and White Print awards five consecutive years.

Lou has also been named Illinois Photographer of the Year! Lou has had images on display at Epcot and the "Photography Hall of Fame". Lou has been a featured key note speaker at numerous Professional Photography workshops throughout the United States and Canada.