Meet Lea Black | Photographer and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lea Black and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lea, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting a business occurred pretty organically for me.

After spending the majority of my childhood exploring visual arts, I discovered photography as a teen and loved how it allowed me to apply everything I had learned in drawing and painting class and apply it whilst interacting with people- generating and evoking joy.

Through college, I continued to carry my camera wherever I went- shooting graduations, still lifes, weddings of friends. When I became a mother, photography was a flexible way to make some extra cash doing something I loved and had some experience in. It was the obvious and natural “next step”.

I have changed and grown a lot in business since then, learning as I go about client communication and refining my process, but the foundation was there and all started with curiosity and willingness to explore that interest.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

This is such a great question! It can be awkward to acknowledge your strengths in a culture where humility in your work/craft is revered. I have been playing with the idea that when we acknowledge our strengths and capacities, we get to share them more readily with the world- people receive our gifts and we get the gift of being received, that is a beautiful energy that can be generated.

So, from THAT space… What makes me most excited about the art I create, whether it’s promotional graphics for a business, branding photography or family photography- is that the art can actually create a difference in the lives of the people I work with and for. For a business, it could mean generating more business with more ease and less struggle. For families, it could mean witnessing the special family culture you are creating and seeing that in a photograph. There is no telling what impact ripples out.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

Choice by choice! Choice creates awareness (something I have learned from Access Consciousness). Each choice, whether the outcome is pleasant, or not so much, gives you clarity and information about how to move forward. I can’t say that it’s always been easy, but the more willing I am to keep choosing, keep moving and keep creating, the more the momentum keeps up which in turn inspires a lot of fun.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Keep moving! You don’t have to dwell, you can keep choosing.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

All businesses are works in progress, constantly evolving. You can never get it done, so I’d encourage others to keep having as much fun as possible. Take your work seriously in the sense of being present with it, but never make anything too significant- it will only get you stuck. Enjoy the ride!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Not sure if this question is regarding Miami, or my local city?

BISMARCK/MANDAN:

Coffee/Bites/Wine: Anima Cucina
Pastries: Brick Oven Bakery
Restaurant: EAT Thai
Walking/Running/Rollerblading: Sertoma Park and River Road
Views of the River: Cheif Looking Village
Hiking: Fort Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Katherine Oster!

Katherine is a facilitator of Access Consciousness, I have worked with her coaching me 1:1 (and have also had the privilege of doing graphic design for her business). Working with Katherine has opened up doors of possibilities in my business that I may otherwise have missed. She has been a joyful space of non-judgement and has invited me to see things in new ways. My business would not be what it is today if I hadn’t chosen to work with her!

Website: leablackco.com

Instagram: @leablackco

Image Credits
Personal Headshot of Lea Black Photo Credit: Quinnlyn Gumeringer