Meet Deena-Leigh Photography | Destination & Intimate Wedding Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deena–Leigh Photography and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deena-Leigh, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Creative freedom.

I had worked in the photography department at my alma mater in Pensacola FL, for two years prior to moving to Texas and was a part of many creative projects, but could not have singular creative freedom for what I envisioned (which I didn’t expect, working for a college with their own brand) but the desire was there. Fast-forward to living in Texas, I was once again working for a boss with their own brand and vision as a photographer and social media manager. I was doing a lot of sessions on the side, and slowly growing my own brand, so when the opportunity came to quit my 9-5 and pursue my own business, I didn’t think twice!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art is personal expression, yet, as a photographer, you have to take your client into consideration. They are often my source of inspiration. I want to capture not only beautiful photos, but true personality and emotion. I focus on *really* getting to know my clients and do that through in-person meetings, video calls, and my favorite, a couples insight questionnaire that my couples answer via video. It has been an incredible resource for me as a way to see them interact and get a good understanding of their dynamic so I best know how to interact with them at their session.

I didn’t start by photographing people. I was quite against the idea. However, after having the opportunity to capture my best friends surprise engagement I realized how much I truly loved being a part of the experience and capturing those moments. There’s nothing like it. A photographers relationship with their clients is a beautiful one, because you come together to create something beautiful and lasting. I cherish the trust my clients have in me to be there for some of the most important days of their lives.

My clients trust me to capture their day without a list of “must-have” shots, so while I am capturing photos for them, I still maintain creative freedom in how I go about documenting their wedding. I do my very best to show the feel of the day, so I am constantly observing and looking for inspiration, which can come from something as simple as how the light catches or a gentle touch shared between bride and groom during speeches.

My art, while an expression of myself, is just as much an expression of my dear clients, and through it we are always connected. That to me, is incredibly special.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to explore and I love plants, so first things first we would visit my favorite plant place in Downtown Dallas, Ruibal’s plants of Texas. I love their wide variety, and the owners are always genuinely friendly and helpful.

Some of my favorite eating spots would be Keller’s Drive-In for a unique dine-in your car experience, and then out in the metroplex we would not be able to pass up the best sandwich place around, Weinberger’s Deli. While we were in the area, taking a walk down Historic Grapevine’s main street would allow them to explore the many shops, my favorite being the Farmer’s Market of Grapevine.

Back in Dallas, and back to plants. The Dallas Botanical Gardens would be the perfect morning experience to beat the crowds as well as the heat. Up in Highland park I would show them some of my favorite little hideaway parks, Prather and Flippen Park.

Some of my favorite coffee stops would be Pax & Beneficia, White Rhino Coffee and of course, Dutch Bros for a quick stop.

For a laid back afternoon, visiting the Dallas Museum of Art would be relaxing and a wonderful spot to draw inspiration from for future sessions (I may be on vacation, but I’m always keeping an eye out).

Before our trip ended, I would want them to experience what I think to be the best place to catch the sunset, which is with your feet hanging over the cliffs edge at Rockledge Park in Grapevine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first photography teacher, Jan Leakey, who was the photography mentor for the Happy Hustlers 4-H group I attended in my highschool years. If it hadn’t been for the interest she had showed in my creative eye, and the willingness to cultivate it, teach me photography basics, bring me along on photography trips, and truly believe in my ability, I wouldn’t be running my own photography business today.

Thank you Jan.

Website: https://www.deenaleighphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deenaleigh.photography/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deena-leigh-photo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeenaLeighSPhotography/

Other: Blog: https://www.deenaleighphotography.com/blog/

Image Credits
JAYCEE QUINN PHOTO