I am thrilled to introduce you to this talented Vail wedding photographer:
Cara Leonard {LISTmember}
What do you do? I specialize in wedding photography in the Vail Valley and surrounding areas. I also do some Portrait Photography, but weddings is where my heart is.
When and why did you start your business?
Cara Leonard Photography began back in 2007 just after having my first child. I had always been a "photographer" but just before having kids I had told my husband that I wanted "one of those nice, new digital cameras" (because before then I only had a film SLR). With my new toy in hand I quickly was taken with the fun and art of photography all over again while documenting my daughter. Soon, friends asked me to photograph their kids and from there it just happened. My first wedding was in 2008 and I was very hesitant to shoot it. I had never shot a wedding before and was pretty adament that I wouldn't enjoy the pressure and stress of it. But, I was completely wrong. I loved every aspect of it and from there marketed myself in that direction as well.
How did you learn your craft?
I first fell in love with photography my Sophomore year in high school. I took a photojournalism class to fill one of my art requirements. Back then it was full film, fully manual, and we developed our film and prints all on our own. These were some of my favorite memories of school. From there I went onto major in art photography. The stress and all-nighters of this major quickly made me reconsider my direction. I thought that I would never actually do this for a living so I ended up becoming a teacher. I continue to fine tune my craft by adding new challenges and following the industry.
Describe your photography style and approach to weddings:
I define my style as a mixture of fine art and photojournalism. I was trained in both arts and view my weddings as a platform to not merely tell the story, but to create beautiful images that will portray the emotion and feel of that day. Just recently while rebranding my business, I realized that every website and photographer that inspried me and the work that I was drawn to was film. That made me completely reevaluate the direction I was heading with my business. Film is where I started. Digital is great in so many ways, but I realized I will never be able to replicate the feel and depth that film gives. As if that isn't enough, the process of it: taking my time with each shot, sending it to the lab and WAITING to get my results back....that's the most fun. As of right now I am a hybrid shooter, I shoot both film and digital. But, something about weddings being documented with the raw, organic feel of film is amazing.
What or who inspires you?
Photographers that I love to follow are Jose Villa, Jen Huang, Jasmine Star, and the list goes on. I am part of a few groups on facebook of photographers who shoot film...these groups inspire me more than anything. We will post work, comment, share thoughts and ideas. It is such a great resource to have and to be a part of it.
Any awards or features/publications?
My work has been featured in the following publications: Style Me Pretty, Style Me Pretty Living, OK! Magazine, US Weekly, Wedding Wire, Mountainside Bride, Sneak Peek of Vail, Pregnancy Magazine, Smitten Magazine, Belle Lumiere, Beyond the Wanderlust, Swooned, Colorado Weddings Magazine, One Hitched Lane, and Paper Moon Weddings.
Favorite Wedding location:
This is hard. There are soooo many amazing spots to get married up here in the mountains. I love it when a couple can fully embrace being in the mountains and can carry that across their day.
Favorite Wedding Trend:
My husband and I were married 10 years ago. At that time, the trend was simply to have a traditional wedding. Over the years I have seen couples go outside of that box and create their wedding to really reflect who they are as a couple. I love this, and it is so fun for their guests to take part in a celebration that was designed around the two of them.
Advice for a couple planning a Colorado Wedding:
My advice would be to fully embrace this as a destination wedding. Colorado is such a beautiful place that changes its look every season. I love, love, love summer and fall weddings here in the mountains. I have been talking with other vendors recently and we are in the process of putting something together that will help couples do this in every season. Winter weddings are not as popular here, but I think they are beautiful and it brings in a new experience for your guests. I would encourage couples that if you are planning to marry in the mountains to not be hindered by the "what if's" and just embrace where you are going, and to create a meaningful experience for everyone. Colorado is a one-of-a-kind destination, there is a reason that people travel from all over the world to marry here.
Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Colorado?
I am from Texas originally. My husband and I moved up here 8 years ago for his job. I never in a million years would have placed us here, seeing as I don't like to be cold, but we love every aspect of our life here.
Here are a few of her favorite images. Check out her more of her work on her website:
Cara Leonard
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