Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beth Legg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Beth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Growing up, my parents gave me the space to try anything I wanted – whether that was art, tennis, and really any activity in-between. They didn’t push their ideas about who I should be or what I should do, but instead they let me try all the things – they gave me the freedom to explore and the trust to find out for myself. That perspective has been so important in my creative journey and especially in my decision to leave a traditional career path. This has led me to try many different careers spanning nonprofit, policy, product management, and now photography. Each role taught me something new and helped me show up more fully in my creative work today.

My parents never pushed me to quit if I wasn’t a natural – even when I was clearly the worst on the team. Instead, they gave me the tools to grow if I wanted and the freedom to decide whether to keep going. I remember crying after a lacrosse game (clearly sports were not my thing), completely overwhelmed by not performing well. My mom reminded me it was okay not to be the best (a generous statement) and that if I wasn’t enjoying it, I didn’t need to stick with it. She didn’t push me either way and gave me space to choose. That kind of parenting, rooted in acceptance and growth, shaped how I approach business. As someone who can be hard on myself, it taught me that effort and joy matter more than perfection. Building something of your own takes time. It’s okay to grow slowly, pivot, and change course when something no longer feels aligned.

Beth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Beth, and it’s great to meet you! I’m an inclusive wedding and elopement photographer based in San Diego (though I’m always excited to travel wherever someone’s adventure takes me), and I’m grateful to document all kinds of love stories. Whether it’s couples, chosen family, maternity, or self-love sessions, I’m here to capture authentic connection in a way that feels personal and customized to every person and story behind my lens. I travel for work and for fun, and I’m happiest exploring a new city with my wife, our dogs, and soon to be our baby girl.

From when I picked up my first film camera as an angsty self-proclaimed indie kid in 2008, I immediately fell in love with photography. After school, my grandma and I would go on photo excursions, playing with different lighting conditions and filters with no set agenda in mind. From there, I taught myself more about portrait photography by taking classes, reading, and photographing my high school friends/volunteer models, and I kept it up on the side through college and my 9-to-5 career. In 2023, I took the leap to go full-time. Leaving a stable job in product management (that I actually really liked) to pursue an unknown, creative path was scary. But I felt deeply called to do something personally meaningful – to create art and be a safe, affirming space for people who don’t always see themselves reflected in the wedding industry or the world in general.

As a queer person, I feel deeply empathetic to the vulnerability my clients bring into their sessions and passionate about making sure every person feels seen and valued. My work is centered around authentic connection and support, and I prioritize getting to know all people before their session. From learning unique couple and family dynamics, helping plan a timeline, finding a location, or just making sure people feel truly seen, I love the many hats I get to wear. And as a Virgo and an Enneagram 8, I’m both very planning-oriented and protective of my clients’ experience and energy. I bring that into my business by handling as much planning as I can so they can focus on being present. I want everyone I photograph to walk away feeling calm, confident, and like their love is worthy of being celebrated as it is (because it is).

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My work is rooted in love, joy, and sincerity. In a world that can feel so heavy, celebrating love is a beautiful act of resistance. Especially for queer couples, feeling safe and seen on your wedding day isn’t always a given. That’s why I center my work around inclusivity and intentionality so every person I photograph feels celebrated as they are. That mission inspires everything I do – from how I plan a session, to the language on my website, to how I pose or don’t pose people. I also use my platform to uplift other LGBTQ+ vendors and educate photographers on inclusive practices. Creating art is deeply personal, which is part of why I focus on building trust first. When people feel safe, they let their guard down, and that’s when the most authentic, beautiful images happen.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Right now, I’m in the middle of seemingly my biggest life pivot yet: I’m becoming a mom this summer – right in the middle of SoCal’s wedding season. As much as I’d love to think I can plan for everything, I know this is completely uncharted territory (no offense to my dogs who are like my kids).

Approaching parenthood (and carrying a human) has shifted how I think about my time, energy, and business. I’ve had to become more intentional with how I spend my days, set or create clearer boundaries, and invest in systems that support both creativity and flexibility. One of the most important decisions I’ve made is building out a team of associate photographers I fully trust – both to help me navigate new parenthood and also to serve couples who inquire when I’m already booked or looking for a more affordable option. Running a creative business while growing a family is going to be messy, beautiful, and very worth it. I’m incredibly grateful for the freedom to shape this next chapter and give myself the space to continue pivoting and growing on my own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bethleggphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethleggphotography
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/bethleggphotography

Image Credits

Beth Legg Photography