Daily Inspiration: Meet Leah Gray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Gray.

Hi Leah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have been interested in photography from a young age. Despite having a passion for photography, I decided on a healthcare career. While pursuing a career in healthcare, photography became less of a priority. About 7 years into my healthcare career, I realized that not maintaining an artistic outlet had left a void in my life. The desire to fill the void led to my pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. While working towards my degree in Graphic Design, I rediscovered my love for photography, and the creative void I had felt for my entire career was filled by film photography. After nearly four years of working full-time in healthcare and attending classes, I graduated in October 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design.

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While I do not regret my decision to pursue a career in healthcare, it caused me to put my love for photography on hold. I wish it had been a smooth road, but life sends you in various directions, and sometimes, you lose sight of your passions along the way. Thankfully, my employer allowed me to obtain a degree in Graphic Design, which ultimately led to my re-discovery of photography. Working full time, especially in healthcare during a pandemic, and going to school at the same time is one of the most challenging things I have ever done. It was also one of the most rewarding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I consider myself an Artist or Creative. I primarily focus on film photography, but I also enjoy digital photography. With film photography, you have limited opportunities to obtain the perfect photo. Since you can only see what the photo looks like once the film is developed, you have to put a lot of effort into choosing the proper light, angles, and camera settings. Not having the instant gratification of knowing if you have captured the perfect shot makes it much more rewarding when you develop your film and find you have captured a photo that has exceeded your expectations. I have several film cameras, the oldest being manufactured in the 1940s and the newest in the early 2000s. Each camera has its quirks ranging from faulty film advance levers to grainy lenses, providing me with unique photos that no one can replicate.

What’s next?
My Instagram primarily focuses on my film photography. I would love for more people to see my photos. Ultimately, I want to find a way to publish and sell prints of my photos. I am still working out the best way to price and sell prints. I do have a website that showcases my digital and film photography.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinajunephotography.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolina_june_photography/