Form an LLC before you start working, not after. Contracts, leases, and client work done beforehand won't get liability protection. Early registration builds financial history for credit and funding, and makes you look credible to partners and investors.
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Should you have your LLC registered before you begin your business? In many situations, if you plan on really grinding and building a business, then you are going to want to have the LLC first. The main reason is because you'll want the actions that you take for your business to be protected under the LLC. Basically, all the actions that you take for your business prior to the LLC being registered will not be protected. This can include things such as the contracts you enter into, the leases that you sign, or the work that you perform for the clients and customers. Also, the longer your LLC has a history of making money, the more likely it will be that you can get credit for the business, grants, and various funding. Not to mention, having the LLC will provide you with more credibility, might help you close more deals, and might be required by some brands and companies.