From classroom to camera - cultivating what matters most.
Hey there, I'm glad you've arrived. In short, I'm a lifelong Creative who has a B.S. in Arts Education and a minor in Theatre Arts with over a decade of experience working directly with public school youth. I've worked the majority of said time solely in the Art room where it has been my professional mission to expose students to the wide wonders of art making, the importance of curating a personal sense of appreciation, and how to have the courage to be creative throughout the process. Here and now, is my attempt to put that same passion into personal practice by sharing my own photographic portfolio.
Behind the lens.
I was born and raised in the humble mountains of Eastern Kentucky where coal, Friday night lights, and county fairs brought its people together. Nestled within a "holler" sized portion of the Bible belt, I'd developed a patient, meticulous, and observant personality that proved to be a strong foundation that later was nurtured within the walls of the University of the Cumberlands' Art and Theatre Departments in Williamsburg, KY. Having explored and created in a variety of media, I developed a deep understanding of
visual storytelling — from the textures in sculptures and the compositions in printmaking to the nuance of set design and stage makeup. This diverse foundation sharpened my creative eye and gave me the tools to approach photography not just as a technical skill, but as an expressive art form. Whether I’m capturing an ambitious senior, a growing family or a proud business, I draw on my years of artistic practice to compose images that feel both thoughtful and alive, but more importantly, authentic.
Art Teacher
I was once told, "Choose a career that you love and you'll never work a day in your life." While there is great truth in this claim, there remains a twisted path full of life lessons and a never ending game of give and take. From an early age, it was clear in my brain that I had a passion connected to the arts and a purpose within the world of education. Combining the two, has been one of my most challenging endeavors. Feeling the pull of these passions and purposes produces a deep personal and professional desire to create learning environments free of prejudice and full of opportunity to explore and present.
My students are the absolute heartbeat of this mission. They come to me with raw creativity, untold stories, and limitless potential — and it’s my job to expose, guide, challenge and cheer them on. Watching them grow not just as artists, but as thoughtful, expressive humans reminds me why I continue to choose this twisted path even when it takes a spicy turn. Their courage and pride fuels my own creative work and keeps me anchored in the belief that art has the power to shape people and shift perspectives.
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This is a paragraph. Click edit and enter your own text. You can make changes like making the text bold, underline or italic. This is a great place for you to tell your clients more about your story and to describe the type of photographer you are. You can come back at any time to make more changes.
Get in touch
"Connect and collab with me! share what you'd like to celebrate, any ideas or themes you're considering, and let's mark our calendars together. I offer multiple flexible packages and am truly eager to chat about your upcoming photo experience!"
- Leslie Dawn