We recently connected with Vicki LeBlanc and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vicki thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, yes, I would have started my photography career a lot sooner. If I could only tell my younger self to have more confidence and not waste time with nonsense, wouldn’t nearly everyone choose to do that?

In the early 80’s, I was on the other side of the camera. I lived a short while in New York working as an editorial model. New York was a very different place in the 80’s and very rough for a young girl just out of high school. I worked all the time, met some truly amazing photographers, andI regret not taking the time to learn more of their craft.

New York was a cement jungle and I was longing for my wide open spaces in Texas. After moving back to Texas, I started traveling a lot, and one of my travels took me to Africa. As I readied myself for Africa, the place I had always dreamed of, I bought my first professional camera. I ended up traveling to Africa a few times and met some of the best people that are still in my life today. I really considered moving to Zimbabwe just before I met my husband. Looking back, I am Glad I didn’t move.

Fast forward to today, my full time photography career started in 2009. I had been working in the tech world and layoffs finally caught me in December of 2008. I made the decision of not going back to the corporate world and used the unexpected opportunity to develop my photography business.

Knowing what I know now, I would have done things a lot differently in learning and developing my craft. Having a supportive husband enabled me to take that leap of faith which led me to a successful imaging business documenting history and creating memories. Having now been published and awarded, as a photographer, it is a dream job, fulfilled.

Along with my photography portrait business, I lead a workshop in West Texas where we document the US cowboy western heritage. I started the workshop in 2012 (Shooting West Texas) after a visit to Alpine in 2011 which turned into a great opportunity. Numerous photographers and artists have attended and produced award winning works of art. It is one of the most award winning workshops available.

Would I really change things? Probably not. My path might not have led me here.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My background in the horse industry as a competitor and breeder led me to specializing in equine photography and documenting western heritage. Portrait and editorial photography was a natural fit from my modeling days and travel opened landscape and street photography.

What makes me stand out from other photographers is my style and vision. Being able to truly see the beauty of my subject then create a powerful image is my main goal.

I don’t force creativity, I let it present itself and I wait for inspiration. When you are inspired to create a portrait, the result should truly represent your subject and invoke joy.

Videography is a part of my product line. I enjoy making short stories and or corporate videos. I am a licensed drone pilot and incorporate aerial photos and videos into my projects.

My website can give the reader a glimpse into some of my work offered.

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

My journey has been fun, adventurous and tough. This field comes with a lot of work and dues must be paid. I had the advantage of learning my craft from some of the best photographers with Nikon. I have always used Nikon equipment and now I am a member of NPS.

When I say “dues must be paid”, I am talking about grunt work. I spent many long hours in the field in dirty and dusty environments with little renumeration. If you don’t love what you are doing, grunt work will make you give up. Being resilient kept me working through the hard times and knowing the only person that could stop me from my goal was myself.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to leave a legacy of historical value with my photos. Creating photo books of the Texas cowboy will give the viewer a look into old traditional ranch life that are slowly being replaced with technology. Creating photo books of US parks, European landmarks and people can be a visual measurement of change.

My new photo book is in the works about the West Texas Cowboy. The photos in this book are some of the last of its kind. Stay tuned.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.VickiLeBlanc.com
• Instagram: vickileblancphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickiLeBlancPhotography