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

Leah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

I was 21 years old, freshly out of college, and honestly had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I went to The University of Alabama to achieve my undergraduate degree in Marketing, but I honestly never felt super inspired at school. My inspiration came from my tiny little beach town of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where I had lived for the last five years. I would come home and feel inspired by the beauty of the coast and love life again—hence the name of my business, The Beached Creative!

After graduating from college in May 2025 and having no luck finding a “normal” full-time job, I jumped into my creative career. I began pitching myself to local businesses to do their photography and content for their social media platforms, and making TikToks about my family, couple, and lifestyle photography. The next thing I knew, my June was busy, busy, and my July was completely booked. I had four monthly retainer clients for social content, hired an intern, and got my studio organized and running!

Looking back, honestly, it has been a crazy ride. I went from taking Venmo’s from clients to setting up my QuickBooks software, shooting on a Canon to switching to Sony, and feeling not so talented to feeling like I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Figuring out what a DBA was, how to send an invoice, how to pay taxes—there were a million things I had to teach myself and learn along the way, but I genuinely am so thankful. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I have always loved creating for as long as I can remember, and I genuinely am in shock at how many blessings have happened in the last nine months. I just moved to San Diego to further my career in the creative field after running my business in Florida, and I am so excited to work with new clients in a new place!

Leah, 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?

Howdy! I’m Leah Block! I am a 22 year old founder of The Beached Creative: a coastal creative studio based in Southern California. The Beached Creative offers photography, videography, creative consulting, and content creation for brands, restaurants, hotels, events, and individuals, with an emphasis on aesthetic lifestyle, wellness, coastal living, and brand storytelling. In addition to brand work, I also photograph weddings, families, couples, seniors, and more. Telling people’s stories, whether personal or professional, is just as fulfilling to me.

I help clients around the country elevate their brand visuals to appeal to their consumer. These aren’t just “photos” or “videos”. Because of my background in marketing, I understand how visuals work together as part of a bigger brand narrative. I approach every project with a storytelling mindset curated to the moment, or brand and their consumer.

Fine art photography is also a huge passion of mine. I offer select fine art print collections from destinations around the world, allowing people to bring the coast into their homes. This side of my work fuels my creativity and eye!

The Beached Creative was built on passion, intention, and genuine love for people and aesthetics. Human connection and visual storytelling are truly my two favorite things. I would be honored to bring your story to life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I refuse to believe in failure. There is only redirection.

7 months prior to graduating from college, I began my hunt for a “normal, big girl job”. Yes, I paid for LinkedIn Premium, and applied to over 200 jobs from November to May. From Marketing Coordinators to Events Managers to Social Media Manager roles, I honestly couldn’t pinpoint exactly what I wanted to do. I felt really lost, down on myself, and confused. In May, I had one last job interview with a marketing agency that I wanted so bad I could taste it. Four interviews and a presentation that took me 8 hours later…I cried. Honestly really hard. I wanted to tell everyone I was moving, take my class pass membership, my benefits, and head to a new city with a job that I probably wouldn’t have fulfilled me as much as I thought. After that I decided I was going to move back home, and actually figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

I sat down and thought about what I was good at. Aesthetics and photography combined with my marketing experience was honestly my perfect fit. I began pitching myself as a freelance marketer to businesses and brands in Florida. From music festivals to beach bars, I have marketed it all! I began creating content for clients, doing photography, and marketing myself! I knew I wanted to combine it all into one, and out came The Beached Creative! I have always been entrepreneurial and always wanted to own my own business one day. I didn’t expect it to be so soon, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Through the no’s, I found 83 yes’s in 8 months. 83 yes’s willing to trust me to capture their weddings, brands, events, families, and more. When you get a constant no- it probably is because you are meant to be doing something else. Know your worth. Figure out your talents, and work hard doing what you love. You will be rewarded. I genuinely believe that. You are not a failure, you are being re-directed to your true purpose in life. Embrace it and follow your synchronicity.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to do what I love, and live my life to the fullest doing so.

Growing up, I don’t think there was one adult around me that truly did what they loved. The energy of “work” was that it was just “work.” This really resonated with me and took me by surprise, because I’ve been a little bit of a dreamer my whole life. Maybe it’s because I am stubborn, but I simply cannot do work that I do not care about. (It won’t get done) – I have to be passionate about it!

Passion is extremely important In order to do good work, I believe. When someone is passionate about what they are doing, or what they are providing, the whole energy of the room shifts. You can feel it!!! I really do embody this in my work. It comes easy when you genuinely love what you do.

In journal I found a while back from my younger years, I had written: “If money didn’t matter, I’d travel the world, taking photos, meeting new people and writing music.” That was all it took for me to realize… wow Leah… you are doing the right thing. I can proudly say that I really try and live this life for myself. Taking photos, opening myself to new experiences, and connecting with people every which way.

Following your dreams is for lucky people. The lucky people that sit and think about their higher purpose in life, and what they truly love. We get one life! Might as well do something you care about!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebeachedcreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahblock_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahmblock/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thebeachedcreative/