Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Marie.
Hi Leah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Photography found me in the most unexpected way. I used to hide from the camera as a kid, but somewhere between the rise of Instagram and the creative rush of my high school years, I realized I loved being behind it. What started as documenting everyday memories with friends turned into a deeper curiosity about emotion, storytelling, and the art behind an image.
A few years later, a family trip through San Sebastián, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Lourdes completely shifted how I saw photography. I began noticing the details, the play of light, the colors, the way a single frame could hold meaning and memory. Around 2018–2019, I started experimenting with editing on VSCO, exploring color tones, moods, and ways to make a photo feel like a story. That’s when I realized photography wasn’t just about capturing what you see, it’s about translating what you feel.
When the world slowed down in 2020, I borrowed my mom’s Sony a6000 and decided to really learn the craft. YouTube became my classroom, and I immersed myself in everything from aperture and shutter speed to lighting and composition. I spent hours in Lightroom Classic, experimenting and shaping my own visual identity, something that felt warm, cinematic, and honest.
As I grew, I started shooting anyone who would let me, my sister, friends, couples, creatives, and that naturally evolved into larger projects. By 2022, I found the direction that felt most personal to me: celebrating South Asian beauty and culture through lens. Our community is full of color, depth, and heritage, and I wanted to tell those stories in a way that felt authentic and artful.
Since then, I’ve had the chance to shoot at South Asian New York Fashion Week (Seasons 2 & 3), collaborate with incredible designers, and work with Product of Culture, a South Asian marketing agency highlighting creatives across the industry. Now based in Los Angeles, I’m continuing to grow within the wedding and editorial world, focusing on imagery that feels both candid and intimate.
For me, photography has always been more than just a career, it’s a way to capture emotions that tend to be unseen by many.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey definitely hasn’t been smooth, and I wouldn’t want it to be. There were so many moments of overthinking, questioning how I wanted to present myself as a photographer, and figuring out what truly defined my style. It took time to discover what felt authentic to me: what colors, tones, and emotions I was drawn to. I spent countless hours experimenting and asking myself: Do I connect more with warm hues or cool ones? Do I prefer still moments or movement? What stories do I want my images to tell, and how do I want people to feel when they see them?
Those creative questions pushed me to grow, even when it felt uncertain. Translating inspiration into something tangible, something that reflected who I was, took patience and persistence. I had a clear vision early on, but getting there required a lot of trial, error, and self-discovery.
The process taught me how to trust my instincts and value the evolution of my craft. I’m still learning every day, refining my style, building connections within my niche, and pushing myself to create with more intention. The challenges have shaped me into the photographer I am today, and they continue to drive me to keep growing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an editorial and storytelling photographer under Leah Marie Photography, specializing in fine art narratives that range from weddings and engagements to creative editorials. My work has always centered around emotion, atmosphere, and story. Over time, I’ve been especially drawn to South Asian artistry, particularly in bridal, fashion, and editorial spaces, because it allows me to celebrate our culture and heritage in a way that feels both modern and personal.
What I think sets me apart is my understanding of how our community wants to be represented. South Asian beauty is rich, expressive, and layered, and I aim to capture that through a lens that feels cinematic yet intimate. My goal is to create imagery that reflects who we are, authentic and emotional, while being able to blend cultural depth with an editorial aesthetic.
I’ve had the incredible opportunity to photograph two seasons of South Asian New York Fashion Week, working with designers such as Always Raas, Akriti by Shakun, Maison Tai, and Svarini, as well as capturing actress Richa Moorjani, headliner of Season 1. I also had the chance to collaborate with Product of Culture during their Oscars event for “Anuja,” which was such a memorable experience, not only creatively, but for the opportunity to connect with so many talented South Asian artists and industry professionals.
Every project, whether it’s a wedding or a fashion editorial, is a chance to create something meaningful. I want my work to always continue to preserve moments that feel timeless, the stories people can look back on and still feel years later.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leahmariephotography.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahmariephotographyy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahjoseph7/
