Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Leon.
Hi Mariana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Interesting story, I’ll start from the very beginning when I first got my trusty camera. I had pawned some stuff when I was around 21 and purchased my very first DSLR camera! I still have it actually! It is a Canon Rebel T3i. I started learning how to use it for fun but, I eventually put it on the back burner because I moved to New York to continue to pursue acting. Something in me to told to pick it back up. I told my mom to mail my camera to my dorm. I started doing photography again as a hobby around 2014. I have always loved photographing people because to me they are the most interesting. I had never considered it something I could make into a career because I was so focused on acting at the time. Fast forward a couple of years later and it would always come back to me. People would always tell me, “Why don’t you pursue photography? you have such an eye for it!” I always thought I wasn’t good enough to do it so at that time, it never crossed my mind. Then after having a baby during a pandemic and no work for actors because of it, I decided to take the plunge this year in August and it has taken off since then so I decided to pursue it full-time! I’ve made a lot of big decisions in my life, but this has been the best decision I could have ever made!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles for me were more mental ones. I was afraid of failing and also it has always been hard to believe in myself. But it took failure to gain my necessary skills to be where I am at today. I am grateful for all the things I have learned and continue to learn in this career and in life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a portrait photographer. I capture couples, families, maternity and engagements! My Motto is “Capturing love in the moment.” I love to photograph the things people love most. I am most proud of the fact that I tell stories when I capture my clients. I am not just taking a picture. In my business, I incorporate acting. There is a famous teacher named Meisner and his philosophy is to always perform, live and listen in the moment. Feel whatever emotion comes up organically. I always try and incorporate that into my work and give my clients something that they can cherish forever that is authentic and that they can always go back to.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are so many people it honestly brings me so much joy. My family especially my partner and my baby daughter! Also, all my clients who invested in and trusted me to tell their stories. My Godfather Manny Lara who is a beast at what he does in media! He has been a BIG help and I’m so grateful to him always. The most important has been my mom. She has always supported me in whatever I set my mind to. She is my #1 cheerleader. She always believes in me when I don’t have the strength or courage to believe in myself. The list goes on! I am so blessed.
Contact Info:
- Email: theleonphotography@yahoo.com
- Website: https://theleonphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theleonphotography/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/theleonphotographyservices/
