Check out Leyna Butcher’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leyna Butcher.

Leyna, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I first picked up a camera in high school, taking pictures of the high school paper. I wanted to do humanitarian work and travel the world, taking pictures of in the name of inspiring social justice. The internet was still not widely accepted so when it was time to choose a major looked to teaching instead. I ended up becoming a high school math teacher. I did very little to further my interest in photography but my teaching portfolio was more than half made up of pictures. I took a black and white film class and landed a C. It wasn’t until I was married and had kids that I really picked up my camera, ready to document my kids’ lives that I learned the technical part of it. We had the kids pretty close together with the intention of me returning to the classroom once we had gotten past toddlerhood, but there was another plan in the works. At church we did a self-study that was to reveal what we were made for. Looking at my past experiences, my core values, and my God given talents that I undoubtedly knew that photography was what I was built for. I never looked back.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My favorite subjects are people. People are important. People matter.

This can go and has gone in many different directions, but I mostly photograph families.

I see my work as a validation for my subject. This varies from person to person. For a mother, I want her to see that what she is doing is hard and that she is doing it well, raising her family. For the husband I want him to see what the connection and affection for his wife feels like. For kids, I want them to play and wonder and laugh. The connections we make to each other is the very fiber of life. I want to remind them that their affections for each other are worthy and important.

Lifestyle family portraits are really popular where you pick color coordinating outfits and a beautiful location. However, my favorite kind of portraiture is more documentary, a-day-in-the-life. These are things you don’t think to take photographs of but they are true gems. I love to photograph what most would find mundane to later realize that is was magical–the evening routine. A photograph of the kids setting the table or feeding the dog. Mom and dad making dinner together. Greeting the teenager home from water polo practice. The carpool to school. The overly worn shoes. The dog hunting for cherrios under the high chair. Or even dad on his cell phone holding a fussy baby. This is where we connect, in the seemingly mundane.

How can artists connect with other artists?
I can totally relate to this! I personally believe everyone has the potential to be an artist and creative problem solver. It’s the teacher that still lives with in me. So, to solve the problem of being alone is simple, plan to spend time with others. The best way I have found to do this is to go on photo walks. I blast my Facebook friends with a time and place I want to go shoot. I honestly don’t care if they are a professional photographer or not, because I believe everyone has something to offer–a new perspective. I am happy to have company and spend some time in my shooting observatory mode. I learn so much on these walks because watching other people observe the world around them through a camera lens makes me want to stop and see what they want to show me.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am currently being featured in Nelson’s Photo Supplies as Photographer of The Month for May! The gallery focuses on using movement and color to capture everyday family magic.

I have a business pages on Facebook and Instagram. Instagram is my happy place! www.facebook.com/photosbyleyna and www.instagram.com/photosbyleyna

Families are my game so I am always in the lookout for people who want me to come play and make some memories. I’m more than happy to work in their home or help choose a location that will lend itself to a lot of running around. Movement makes it fun and easy for everyone! 

Contact Info:

• Address: 1178 Crystal Lane
• Website: www.photosbyleyna.com
• Phone: 619.886.7533
• Email: leyna@photosbyleyna.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/photosbyleyna
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/photosbyleyna

Image Credit:
Leyna Butcher

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