Oh hi there...
I'm Michelle Leudy, wife to Tony, mom to Brittany, Tanner, and Lakyn, and my newest role is "Nana Chelle" to Posey and Aker.
My photography journey started for me before I even knew it was a part of me... From being a small child spending hours on end looking at family photo albums, to being the girl in the 80's snapping photos with my Dad's polaroid.
Fast forward many years ahead (I won't say quite how many), Brittany, my oldest, asked me for a "good" camera for Christmas. We got her a camera that year, but I actually started playing around with it too - taking photos of my kids and then posting them on Facebook (a cool new social media platform that was really taking off). Encouraged by friends reacting to the quality of the photos, asking me if I would take pictures for them a photographer was born... Kinda, that's the short answer.
Within a few years (slightly forgetting the timeline here), on a whim, I quit my full-time job as a teacher's assistant to follow my heart. While there have been many ups and downs on this journey, I can honestly say I haven't looked back since...
The story continues...
I can still remember a Mother's Day letter from Brittany before I took the plunge of becoming a full-time professional photographer and I would like to share a small piece of it with you...
"You deserve to live your dream and, Mom, I know your scared of change and big adjustments but you need to follow your heart. We all believe in you and I know that with your talent it doesn't matter where you live. You can still do what you love to do. This isn't the usual Mother's day kind of letter, but I really feel you need more encouragement and I know my mom's not a quitter because she is strong - just like her mother!"
A few things you might not know about me!
I'm a wife to my high school sweetheart of 20 years!
I was always that friend back in the 80's buying & developing film
Some kids play house, I played 'styled photoshoot,' dressing up my my cottage patch dolls & taking pics of them using my Dad's polaroid camera!
I couldn't live without coffee...and my grand babies!
I am a true Cape Breton girl and proud of it!
My big acceptance speech!
We all practice our "Oscar" speeches in the shower (Come one, you know you've done it)... and if I won the imaginary award for "World's Best Photographer," my speech would go something like this:
I am filled with so much gratitude to first and foremost God for gifting me with this passion. I seriously couldn't imagine doing anything else in life! Thanks to my family for always supporting my dreams and, of course, my clients - many of whom have been with me since it all began. Wow! Thank you!
Qm I the right girl for you?
How do you decide if I'm the right photographer for you?
Well, let me start by saying my most important tool in this trade is my heart. It's been the one thing that has fuelled me from the start of this journey and 10 years later it's still fuelling me. I suppose that sounds a little corny, but it's true!
I believe photography is about emotional connection - so that perfectly posed newborn shot, or family of six all lined up and posed is not what you will get fro me. I want your joy as a family, or a couple, to a shine through! If you can let me in, I promise I can deliver you back that joy to cherish for years to come.
So if your love is open & fierce, or even quiet and shy, then hopefully you'll se me as the girl for you! I love working with clients who value those imperfectly perfect moments, full of heart, and real raw emotion!
If that speaks to you, then I'd love to work with you!
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