We were lucky to catch up with Letha Imboden recently and have shared our conversation below.

Letha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

I like to throw out the rulebook when I shoot. Minimal lighting, no stiff poses, no over-planning—just a camera, a connection, and a moment waiting to unfold. I’ve found that when I let go of the technical ‘should do’s’ and stop trying to control everything, the real magic happens.

It’s in the unplanned glances, the unexpected laughter, and the quiet in-between moments that emotion shines. I let myself get lost in the flow, following what feels right for my clients, and that’s where the heart of the story always seems to find me. Finding the heart of the story is what matters and what makes the difference. I’m there for my clients. I’m there to make them smile, to bring them back to a moment, to make them feel. Because years from now, I want them to look at these photos and remember exactly how it felt to be there, how it felt to hold the ones they love in their arms, how it felt to have that tiny hand in theirs or how their child’s hair curled and glowed in the sunlight.

We often find ourselves caught in a cycle of analyzing every pose, doubting our abilities to read and find the light in just the right way, and fearing failure. We become so consumed with the desire for perfection that it becomes difficult to take any action at all. Instead of embracing the inherent messiness of creativity, we get stuck in a loop of self-doubt and indecision.

The truth is, overthinking stifles our creativity. It keeps us from fully exploring and expressing ourselves because we’re too busy second-guessing every click of our camera, every pose, or every minute we’re not completely engaged with our clients. We become so fixated on the perfection that we lose sight of the bigger picture—the joy of the creative process itself.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s essential to be prepared and organized for our sessions – we are professionals, just be mindful of over-preparation. There is a fine line between being prepared and overthinking, between structure and stifling spontaneity. Approach your work with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, rather than with the weight of perfection on our shoulders.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In short, I am a wife, a mother, the woman behind the lens, lover of stormy skies, and windy days. And someone who doesn’t allow a job to define who they are.

People say that I dove into photography head first. And to an extent I suppose that’s true. I was working full time at a private school which left me busy in life but felt the creative side of who I was dissatisfied.

Discovering my passion for photography was a turning point in my life. One that I wasn’t even aware of at the time. When I picked up a camera and started capturing moments, I found something that ignited a fire within me. Photography allowed me to express myself creatively and see the world in a whole new light. It allowed me to capture small pieces of magic in everyday life and share these pieces with others. I found joy and fulfillment in every click of my shutter. This newfound passion for photography laid the foundation for my journey into transitioning to photography full-time, and that’s exactly what I did. Head first and fearless.

There’s a certain thrill in curating a personal collection of negatives from my early photography years. A physical testament to my journey and progression in the ever-evolving field of photography. All these years later, with a wealth of experience under my belt, I still find endless joy in documenting life.

The path hasn’t been linear, but every step has been instrumental in molding me into the photographer I am today. From my mother’s old Instamatic 110 camera in the late 1980’s to a full-frame Sony A7iii 8 years ago. With each evolution in technology bringing new challenges and new opportunities for artistic growth and I approach each one with excitement!

I am a wife, a mother, the woman behind the lens, lover of stormy skies, and windy days.

My love for photography continued to evolve and expand. I transformed a hobby into a passion and more importantly, a career. I became fully immersed in the world of photography. When my youngest daughter entered middle school. I was gifted a Sony A6000 crop sensor mirrorless camera from my husband that year. It was then that I truly committed to understanding photography at a deeper level. I absorbed every piece of information I could find, learning about the intricacies of lighting, composition, and perspective.
Upon my transition to a full frame camera, the Sony A7iii, my skills took a quantum leap forward. My world was no longer limited to casual, point and shoot moments with limited light and capabilities. I was given the ability to capture the raw beauty of life in a wholly unique and artistic manner.

And so, my journey continues, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a relentless pursuit of capturing moments into documented memories. And every time I hold my camera, I’m reminded of my humble beginnings. That little Kodak camera and the passion that has fueled my journey.

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

When I was young, my Aunt Linda engrained in me to “be a leader, not a follower”. Throughout my entire life, I’ve tried to find ways to be different, to stand out and to create my own magic. In life and business I steer from the “norm”.

As my photography business grew, I knew that I had to truly stand out in such a saturated industry. I needed to create unique content that captured the attention of potential clients and showcased my skills. This meant constantly brainstorming new ideas. Staying on top of the latest trends, and finding ways to set myself apart from the competition. I also had to carefully consider my target audience. Who were they and what were they looking for in a photographer? It wasn’t easy. But through trial and error, I discovered the perfect balance of tone, style, and voice that appealed to my audience. Once I had my emotion in photography figured out, I decided to introduce water photography as a means to further stand out. As a result, my content not only attracted new clients, but also solidified my reputation. I was able to continue growing my business and living my dream of being a full-time photographer.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I was one of those people who would strive for perfection in everything. I mean everything. I found it exhausting to live up to the high standards I set for myself. I had the habit of tearing myself apart emotionally when something wasn’t technically correct. I would spend time picking apart an image filling my heart with so much self doubt. Sending myself spiraling into the depths of imposter syndrome and feeling like I just wan’t good enough. This way of thinking was reflected in my images. They were missing emotion and depth.

I learned to give myself grace.

In the world of art, whether it be photography, or any other creative pursuit, we often find ourselves held back by our own self-imposed expectations and high standards. We become our own harshest critics, constantly berating ourselves for not living up to the unrealistic standards we’ve set.

Granting ourselves grace is a radical act of self-compassion. It is the recognition that making mistakes and embracing imperfections are not signs of failure, but rather vital components of the artistic process. It is through these missteps and imperfections that we learn, grow, and ultimately create something truly unique and authentic.

Granting ourselves grace also helps cultivate a positive mindset and fosters a healthy relationship with our work. Instead of dwelling on our shortcomings or comparing ourselves to others, we learn to appreciate our own artistic journey and progress. We become kinder and more compassionate towards ourselves, celebrating our successes and acknowledging our growth.

We are not machines, but human beings with fluctuating energies and changing moods. Not every session will be highly productive or yield fantastic results. And that’s okay. The key is to prepare enough, not over-prepare; think enough, not over-think, and create freely without self-imposed pressure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.limbodenphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterphotographer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearwaterphotographer
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lethaimboden/