We recently connected with Lydia Leclair and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lydia, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My hope is twofold– to leave behind beauty in the world with stunning photographs, and to continue to spread love and joy to families through family portraits. When I photograph a family portrait session I focus on capturing the love and connection between family members, as well as the individual personalities of each person. The dream in my mind is that these prints and albums will be passed down through the generations. While I have photographs from my childhood, there were not a lot of family photos, and of course my parents were left out of most of them since they were the ones behind the camera. I think it’s really special to document your family every year, and to be able to SEE everyone. I think it’s so cool seeing pictures of my parents when they were kids! I think about the images I get to photograph, and how the babies and the kids in the pictures will maybe one day get to show their grandkids! I love knowing that my portraits and albums and art are viewed in homes, and bring back wonderful family and summer memories. My hope is that each time they look at their family pictures they feel something, and are transported back to that time for a moment. I photograph a lot of multi-generational portraits, and I find it so special to have grandparents and grandchildren in one image. I would love to be remembered for creating a the space for each family to be together, and photographed in a way that represents them.

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?

I’ve loved photography my whole life– and it started around when I was 5 years old. I remember making sun prints with photo paper when I was really young, and I also remember my first photography class around the same time. In middle school I picked up my dad’s old Canon film camera, took my first Black and White film class, and learned how to develop my own images. Having to use only one roll of film really helped me be discerning and selective on what I actually wanted to capture. I would spend some time composing my image and really thinking about how I wanted to use the limited space on a roll. Early on I focused on the natural world– I loved taking picture of trees, flowers, and wildlife. I then loved being in the darkroom developing my own film and, and then using an enlarger to print my photographs.

I took black and white film classes in middle school and high school, and I also took photography classes at the Santa Fe Workshops in New Mexico. In college, at the University of Delaware, I combined my love of photography with travel and went on 5 study abroad trips (camera in hand)– London, Costa Rica, Antarctica, Tanzania, and China. I studied Environmental Science and have always tried to combine my love for the outdoors with my love for photography.

I’ve always been nostalgic, and I think that lends well to being a photographer– wanting to capture a certain moment and a special time, to be able to return to. When I was younger I would look through old photographs. It still blows my mind that we can preserve moments forever.

In 2008 I started taking some photography jobs when I was living in California, and then restarted my business when moving to Colorado and having my first daughter in 2011. I decided I wanted to be a photographer full-time, work for myself, and create my own schedule. In 2013 we moved to Cape Cod, MA and I opened my studio a year later! Since then I have worked hard to create an amazing photography experience for locals and vacationers. My love for the environment still carries through by offering eco-friendly products, and I also donate a portion of sales (and time) to local animal and environmental organizations.

On my website I say “Patience is my superpower.” Over the past 15 years that’s the one thing I hear the most. I’m in my zone during sessions and give everyone I work with undivided attention. I absolutely love creating a beautiful space for families that is open, calm, and nonjudgemental; for the one hour we are together, I am completely present and and accept and allow everything to unfold. Each session is different and I follow the flow, the kids, and the energy.

I love continuing to meet new families and create beautiful images!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Most of my clients come from online searches! I’ve worked really hard to build a strong website that comes up in search engines. Since I primarily photograph families on vacation and tourists, they are typically searching for a photographer before they arrive– and they could be anywhere in the US or abroad. Some families will vacation here every summer and I get to see kids grow and families expand, and other families visit a new location every summer and are only visiting Cape Cod for one summer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

What I love most is being able to share my vision and style with others. I also get to bring their vision to life that they didn’t even know they had!! Very soon after meeting someone I usually can get a sense of who they are and are able to capture their personality and light. Prior to a session I see and envision what I want to create and capture, and I’m also inspired in the moment by the surroundings as well as each person’s personality. Overall, I try to translate magic and love in my photographs and work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lydialeclairphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydialeclairphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydialeclairphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-leclair-photography-b24005b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Eyelydphoto/videos

Image Credits
Lydia Leclair Photography Sandra Costello Photography: me in purple jeep, me hanging a photo, black and white of me on the beach.