Today we’d like to introduce you to Leanne Willett.
Leanne, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Every artist has a unique story. Although to each of us, it is just who we are. I was 10 when we moved to a rickety old house in the woods. I knew my mother was sad to give up our fancier house, but I loved it. It was high on a hill, had a dirt road, was quirky and had the most spectacular sunsets. There was a secret hiding space under the front porch. There were wild blueberry bushes, raspberry bushes and when it rained enough there was a puddle, which I considered a pond. In the woods I would find old glass bottles and numbered crystal rocks, which to this day I have no idea how they got there.
The reason I tell you this is because this is where my fascination with nature and abandoned places and things came from. From the way the light would play on the trees in the wind, the vibrant colors of the sunsets, and how the moss grew in dark wet places.
In addition, I had always loved the idea of taking a picture and being able to “keep” a moment. I could keep that beautiful sunset, snowflake, or that afternoon I had spent with a friend. I had an old point and shoot family camera and would buy my own film. It was such a fun surprise to open up the envelope, sometimes weeks later, and see the developed pictures. There would be images you had forgotten you had taken. Things weren’t so instant then. The waiting made it sweeter.
While I have dabbled in many areas of art throughout my life, drawing, graphic design, bridal headpiece designer,
hair stylist and home decorating to name a few, I maintained my love of photography. With photography I have found my artistic outlet. It is a way I can incorporate my love of nature, color and light with my love of being able to “keep” a moment and give it to someone. It is the perfect combination and I can’t think of anything better than capturing beautiful memories.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is my photography. I photograph senior portraits, families, children, business head shots and just about everything in between. I edit, retouch and design the look of each image.
I make portraits as art for my clients as my business. We discuss location, wardrobe and time of day to achieve the result they have envisioned. I then present the client with their images and help them make selections. While I do offer digital files, I try to guide my clients into printed portraits. Having a professional portrait to hang on your wall to see every day is my wish for them.
I make my own photographic art for me. I love to come up with a unique and artistic concept, a model, location and wardrobe. I love the freedom of being creative for my own vision as well as enhancing the image digitally for a unique look.
While most of the time I am inspired for my clients by the location of a shoot and the subjects themselves, I am personally inspired by fairy tales, forests and abandoned places. I love photographing in and around water. The colors, reflections and patterns are endless. To be able to create something beautiful is my goal.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
One of the questions for this interview was how I thought national or international events have affected my art. I believe with photography, it is the other way around. I believe photography affects the entire world and our perception of it. We are able to view an event on the other side of the world in an instant and it gives us a glimpse into the past. We use photography to document family milestones, capture beauty, display the ugliness of war and show our friends what we are up to on social media. It is a form of communicating without words. Photography has changed the world and the way we see events way more than any art form. While I am not a photographer of worldwide events, I am happy to create a beautiful image and provide a family with a visual record of some of the most important times of their lives.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
In my studio, I have many images on display. I like to feature a variety of styles and setting and change it up often. I designed and maintain my own website as well as host both a Facebook and Instagram page where I post the most recent images I have taken and things I am working on.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11 Loumac Road, Wilmington, MA 01887
- Website: www.LeannesStudio.com
- Phone: 978-658-5557
- Email: LeannesStudio@comcast.net
- Instagram: @LeannesStudioofPhotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leannesstudio/
Image Credit:
Leanne’s Studio of Photography
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