WHO AM I?
I N T R O D U C T I O N S : To whom it may concern,
I seem to live with my phone at about 16% battery life and my stereo at full blast. I'm the kind of person that likes to blow out a set of good speakers just to be able to say that she has done it. Not every day is a good day, but I feel like we should see the best in even the very worst. I'm like a warm front meeting a cold front; I'm El Niño at my best. I like to curse because vulgarity can be a type of sex appeal and self expression in stress-release. I can be a blatant professional or I can get down & throw a dance party with my coolest of clients. I like to be who I am and I expect you to do the same; I will be disappointed if you don't spend a good ten percent or greater of our shoot laughing. I feel that laughter and love and complete solace are the best medicines for healing and healing is what we aim to do. I am real and I want to see nothing but absolutely 100% you. You are unique and beautiful and it's by time you see it for yourself. >> Keep scrolling for more of the good stuff. <<
WHO I AM.
Hi! I'm Laura Leigh. I’m a daughter, a friend, a sister, an ear, a pet-mom, an artist, an aunt, and a woman; I’m a professional, but I am not done learning. I feel there is always more to life & way more that we can be. I strive to be as distinguished as possible and to do as much as I can, be all that I can before my time on this planet is extinguished. I’m a young heart with an old soul rolled into a nice balance of daring and cautious. I see the beauty in everything and the light within the dark; I can turn a trashcan into a well engineered photograph. I’m a photojournalist and a photo-therapist, so I am here for the conversation. Anyone that knows me knows that I have the gift of gab. However, it’s taken me years to be able to formulate a short bio page for my “about me” style. How do you summarize a life that is still living or a story that is still being written? In my humble opinion, we don’t - we instead capture that moment in being exactly who we are and preserve that memory for a lifetime. But, I’m getting ahead of myself! I suppose we should start at the beginning.
BACKSTORY.
I started seriously taking pictures in high school as means of connecting with my big sister when she started college. She wanted to be a photographer and frankly, I wanted to do everything she wanted to do. Kimberly was always my inspiration, my hero, and honestly still is; I wanted to be her when I grew up. Then – I grew up and finally learned to want to be myself, leaning on the aspirations of the sister whose footsteps I attempted to follow. Kimberly ended up as a hospice nurse, and I went to school for photojournalism. While in school, I met a young man that became the reason for my first tattoo and the inspiration for my company name. Between classes, we would fold paper airplanes and write happy notes inside to shoot at people walking up and down the stairs. We were both of the philosophy that bringing a smile to someone could entirely change their day. This dear friend passed, but his memory lived on. He knew what I was meant to do long before I did. A few months later, my camera saved my life and shifted my perspective entirely. From there forward, I want to help people see themselves in a different light & change the narrative.
WHAT.
I am a firm believer that sometimes, you do not know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. I’m often asked, “What do you do?” The answer is not all that simple and it is more than just a job title that you can tack at the front of a name. I’m not just a photographer or a journalist; I’m a storyteller, counsel, and a mirror. I help those that are struggling to see the good in themselves feel anew. I do not believe in excessive photoshopping or dodging the burns, but rather embracing the art of exploring what makes each wound heal and every step of that forward motion and growth. I’m here to hold your hand, to celebrate your successes and to grieve your losses alongside you. Phototherapy and photojournalism are tools that can be utilized to create not just art, but the self expression of every traumatic or elating event. If we can harness those feelings, that emotion, that passion - we can create something so raw together : we can showcase you, the real you. I’m here to make your moments into tangible memories to remind you, should you ever forget.
Build your own dreams
Or someone else will hire you to build theirs. Here is how you can take action – starting today.
WHEN.
I offer sessions from Monday - Friday, unless previously discussed. Even though I do not currently have an office open to the public, I do still operate under standard business hours. My office hours are 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and my phone goes on “do not disturb” after business hours. We will set up a time and date depending on both client and photographer availability. I offer travel and adventure sessions throughout the year except on major holidays.
WHERE.
I do a lot of things & take a lot of pictures. I’m paid to travel the miles for the adventure we can take together. I offer one on one sessions at local parks, gardens, and bnb's, but I prefer a more natural light and setting when applicable. The earth can be so nurturing and an essential for personal development in healing past traumas. The greener, the better! Meet me in the mountains and we will have a meeting of the minds. Show me a waterfall, and we will dive right in. Show me the stars and I will show you you’re worth more than all the galaxies. Start me a fire and we will display the seven wonders of your body’s empowerment. Let us play in the rain and I will help you dry the tears. If you’re not catching my drift yet, I go where the camera and soul bond leads us. I’m at your service, just tell me where to go or drop into a quaint coffee shop and let’s have a cup of tea while we break the ice and iron out the details of our session plan.
WHY.
Photography is something very dear to my heart and I feel that expressing oneself should not come from just one format or medium. I am in love with the art of storytelling and I want to hear what you have to say. Our session isn’t just about getting the right angle or the perfect shot but about getting in touch with who you are and what you have to offer yourself. Finding purpose can help guide us through the toughest of moments. Truth be told, my camera and this art-form saved my life when I was wrapped so deep in the arms of depression that I almost lost. If my passion can help just one person in some minuscule way, it will all have been worth it. Why you should choose to book a session with me? I will give you five good reasons.
Build your own dreams
Or someone else will hire you to build theirs. Here is how you can take action – starting today.
HOW.
The process of setting up a session varies from client to client depending on your photography need/desire and the state of the world. I require a consultation from all clients except charitable donations in order to better assess your photography or phototherapy needs. This is non-negotiable and is a means of making sure that we are not only a good model + photographer match but it also allows us to get to know one another a little better in order to remove some of the shoot-day jitters. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are equipped for video conferencing consolations via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Instagram Chat, and various other methods.