How I became a Boston Family Photographer...
I thought it would be nice to share a little bit of my journey to becoming a family photographer in the greater Boston area.
About 13 years ago, my husband brought back a canon rebel DSRL from one of his trips to the USA. I was so intimidated by that camera that I did not touch it for over a year. It just sat on a shelf. Then, one day, I just picked it up a shot a few images, one of them was this one:
I could not believe how beautiful this was, and to this day it’s still one of my favourite image ever: it started my photography journey. I did not know I lucked out with perfect soft light, (almost) perfect focus on the closest eye, and a perfect angel like expression. I tried to recreate this photo many times, sometimes I got close like with these images of my darling nieces:
I knew to put my subject close to the window but still didn’t know how too create the softness. hint: you need a north facing window or an overcast day!
Most of the time I created hot mess, but I still cherish the memories. I didn’t know how to focus and move my focus points around and created images like this blurry one on the left or my flash would go off to create images like the one on the right ( the toothless smile and pigtails are everything though!). Of course these are unedited and shot in jpeg, because I I had no idea what I was doing.
I didn’t understand directional light and would luck out with nice side light like the one on the left or mess up with no light in the eyes as you can on the right. ( isn’t he adorable?)
But I was determined to learn and from 2012 until 2017, just after we moved to USA, I did one photo a day every day for 5 years. I learned everything I could about light, composition & the technicalities of cameras. Around 2014, after me moved to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, I shot film for two years. I developed and scanned my film at home in my kitchen sink. I learned so much again from shooting film. Every mistake on film costs $$$$. I loved the vintage grainy feel of film. (this a our little friend in Provence on film)
In January 2016, I was accepted as one of the contributing photographers on Stocksy , and I have been building my portfolio to over 8000 images since then. I have sold images all over the world, and regularly find them in local stores when they are published in magazines. My latest favourite publications have been BELLA GRACE and BRIO MAGAZINE . Being a stock photographer has definitely pushed me to better my art, I get constant feedback on my work, and have my eyes on the best artists around!
By then I mastered focus and natural light perfectly, but I was still intimidated with studio light. I don’t like harsh light, I love how soft light gives you perfect bright and clean skin tones, so the last couple of years I set out to study just that and with the help off Sandra Coan , I found the perfect recipe to create these beautiful light creamy images. My latest family studio photoshoots in Boston were everything I dreamed of and more. Every year I still take a class or two to further my education and become the best family photographer I can be. I love this art and I LOVE to give you the best images I can.
Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my progression as a photographer, if you live in the area (Boston, Sturbridge, Providence), I would love to connect with you about a shoot with your family!
Léa is a Boston area family photographer
who loves to create magic with her camera. Her photography is simple and genuine. Her down to earth approach will put your at ease in the first few minutes of the session. Léa will help you to relax so that she can bring out those sweet and authentic moments. Léa established her photography business in 2016, and has been working with families in the Boston area since then. She is a published photographer, who frequently travels to Europe and particularly France where she originally comes from.