Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan Leonard
Hi Meagan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first fell in love with photography when I was young. Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a keen awareness of the delicacy and beauty in life, love, and people. Back then, it manifested itself on a purple digital camera packed with blurry images of family, friends, and even pets. As I grew, it began to take shape as a way to preserve the most joyful moments in life, as I had began to struggle with some depression in high school. Photography gave me an outlet that helped seek joy in the midst of struggle. I wanted to capture all the goodness around me and hold onto it forever, and photography gave me that opportunity. Now, this desire to “hold on” has grown into preserving all of life’s moments, both in joy and grief, as a way to honor life, love, and every emotion we experience. I get to photograph newborns, families, and weddings, some of the happiest days and moments of people’s lives, while also holding close the realities that moments of joy can bring up loss and pain for many, including myself. Photography gives me, and many others, a way to tangibly hold both in a way that lets us respect wherever we are in life- the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and sometimes, both in the same moment. Photographs hold a unique power to take you back to a moment, a feeling, or a time. They have the power to evoke strong emotions. They allow memories and people to live on forever. These truths have led to deep desire and calling from God towards being a photographer, and preserving this life for myself, my family, and others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey to becoming a full time photographer was definitely not what I had imagined for myself. I had many mentors that taught me so much- Katie Norrid, Kristi Jones, Tim Jones, Marissa Morrison, and many more. I was extremely blessed with a community of people who came alongside me and desired to teach and guide me along the way! This made my road to learning and growing much quicker and smoother than if I had tried on my own. However, I still wasn’t sure if I wanted photography to be my hobby or my career (if this were even possible for me). If it were to become my career, I also thought I had to start off doing something else, and work my way towards full-time photography during late nights and early mornings before and after another job. Graduating college in 2020, however, left me in a different situation! All the leads I had for jobs, understandably, stopped hiring. I was extremely blessed to be able to move back to Memphis and into my parents’ home as I finished my college degree. As I was figuring out what in the world to do next, I decided to do some front porch photo sessions and other outdoor sessions as a way to make money as we waited to see what would come next for all of us. As time went on, I was able to grow my business into becoming a full-time photographer. It definitely wasn’t easy, and sometimes still isn’t! There are a lot of variables that go into owning your own business, but ultimately I feel extremely blessed to do something I love so much as my career.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first began photography, I pretty much did it all: maternity photos, newborn sessions, birthday parties, weddings, and family sessions. I truly didn’t know what I loved most! The more I photographed, the more it became clear how much I loved wedding photography. So, over the past few years I have made the switch to being primarily a wedding photographer, and it has brought so much joy and fun to my life!
There are so many amazing wedding photographers in Memphis, which I love. Everyone has their own unique style, brand, and experience. For me, I specialize in merging the “candid, journalistic” wedding day approach alongside the more curated “editorial style” imagery. This is the best of both worlds for me. I love capturing the real, raw, authentic moments on a wedding day: the surreality as a bride glances in the mirror after slipping into the perfect dress, the beaming grin or tear-streaked face of the groom as he takes in the beauty, the moments waiting in the bridal suite with best friends and closest family, the sacred moment walking down the aisle, the flicker of candles at the reception, the warm embrace from our most cherished loved ones. These are the moments that we long for the second they are gone, and the moments we hope to hold onto so tightly it will never escape our memories. These moments cannot be recreated or posed- they are real, in-the-moment experiences that are captured as they happen naturally. I also love the curated, editorial side of photography. The ability to create artistry out of images and let them grace hallways of homes and pages of albums for years to come. Because of this, I am very intentional in the timeline of every wedding day to leave space for the “in-betweens” and for the curation of images. I want to create space for couples to be fully present on their wedding day, allowing them to feel all the feelings and see all the things, but also to get those images you see online that make you do a double take.
My desire is to truly know my couples and become their friend. I am not the photographer who wants to show up to a wedding day introducing myself to a couple for the first time; my work is too relational and intimate for that. I want them to be comfortable with me, as if their best friend was in the room with them. I truly believe that this is where art is created, and the only way to truly capture those real moments.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid-19 taught me a lot both personally and professionally, so I will try to keep it brief! Personally, it illuminated what truly matters most to me in life. It showed me how fragile and precious life really is, and how we truly should never take it for granted. It made me savor hugs and conversations with family and friends more deeply than ever before. It helped me slow down, as to not miss what is right in front of me. It also taught me a lot of challenges and grief, and amplified my need for Jesus. These lessons, in turn, led me to the same conclusions as before: life and love are precious, and truly the greatest gifts we’ve been given.
Professionally, it taught me to expect the unexpected and to always be adaptable. As business owners, it can feel like we have control of every facet of our business, because we have to wear a lot of hats! But, there is SO much out of our control, and Covid really illuminated that. Most importantly, I think it revealed the community of Memphis creatives and vendors as we worked to figure all of this together, helping each other as much as possible. I am so thankful for this career!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meaganleighphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganleighphoto/
