Meet Leigh Castelli | Owner & Operator Leigh Castelli Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leigh Castelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leigh, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a small business owner and busy working mother of two, I have always juggled the delicate balance of my career with my family life. Finding that perfect balance can definitely be a challenge but when you have something you are truly passionate about, you just have to commit to making it happen and release the inevitable mom guilt that many of us unfortunately experience at one point or another.

Photography has always been my lifelong passion and after ending a decade long career in television, I knew it was the perfect time to take the leap and start my own business. It hasn’t always been easy, there have been many obstacles and bumps in the road throughout the course of my career but I was never willing to give up and I always stayed true to my passion & my plan. I truly believe that dedication is the recipe for success in any business venture you decide to pursue whether you’re part time, full time or simply a hobbyist.

Owning and operating Leigh Castelli Photography over the last 11 years has given me so much purpose and has kept the passion of creativity alive. It also allowed me that balance to pursue my dreams of becoming a successful photographer with being the active mother I knew I always wanted to be. I am very fortunate that I have been able to steadily grow my client base while keeping up with a very full shooting calendar all year round. I have had the great pleasure of photographing thousands of precious moments for couples , growing families, special events, weddings, business professionals and many amazing brands and local companies. The daily juggle can be chaotic and some days are better than others but I wouldn’t change a thing. My priority has always been to provide a memorable experience for all my clients and I feel so lucky that this lifelong passion of mine has turned into a very fulfilling career.

What should our readers know about your business?
Leigh Castelli Photography was truly built from the ground up out of love. My tagline has always been “happily capturing life & love in Southern California” and that is how I feel. I feel so lucky that I get to capture the happiest of moments and the very best of times for families, friends and strangers alike. Knowing that I am responsible for creating and curating a lifetime of beautiful memories for so many of my families and clients is an absolute dream come true.

I take great pride in my work and I truly value the relationships that I build with each and every one of my clients. It’s important for me to establish a relationship prior to working together so that everyone feels comfortable from the very start. I enjoy spending time with people and getting to know my clients so that we can capture and create natural, organic moments and magical memories together.

As amazing and special as I feel about my chosen career path, this business has not always been easy. There are no shortage of amazing photographers to choose from in Southern California and finding your ideal client base sometimes takes time. The one thing I hear time and time again is how enjoyable I make the overall experience. I never want it to feel like a chore or something my clients are dreading to do. I want my clients to come to their photo sessions and be ready to have a great time and enjoy our time together.

If there is one thing I have learned it is to never give up. Never give up on following your dreams and pursuing your passion. It is always worth it in the end.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh this is a hard one! My family and I LOVE to travel. We have always been big road trippers and we have made it our mission to explore the National Park System – several of which are in our beautiful state! If I had the time and could spend at least a week exploring in California I would suggest heading up to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon & Death Valley National Park. The National Parks are all so different and so amazing and it’s a special trip for people of all ages.

If I only had one day in San Diego, I would get an early start and grab a Philz Coffee and head up to Torrey Pines for the beautiful beach hike. On the way back, I would stop at Broad Street Donuts for the AMAZING donuts (my personal fave is the churro donut!) and I would spend a few hours shopping around Encinitas hitting up Aloha Bags, Blenders and of course Queen Eileen’s & Flashbacks.

If you have more than a weekend to spend in California- a road trip up to Paso Robles is a great way to spend your time. There is so much beauty in that area and so much to see and do. The wineries are beautiful & unique and a stop at the Sensorio Exhibit is a MUST. And of course if you love music as much as I do, catching a show at Vina Robles Amphitheater is the perfect stop in Paso.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely would not be where I am today without the loving support and guidance from my husband and family. I have been fortunate enough to have many amazing mentors throughout the course of my life who always taught me to follow my passion.

Spending 10 years in the television industry definitely gave me the motivation & dedication required to succeed. It provided me with endless experience and knowledge that I have used every step of the way in my growing business.

Website: https://leighcastelliphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighcastelliphotography/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-castelli-photography-a2955816

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lcastelliphotography

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leigh-castelli-photography-san-marcos-2

Other: Google -https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=e58adf53c043c182&sca_upv=1&rls=en&q=Leigh+Castelli+Photography&si=ACC90nxUaQlEYyPWPer1nJgAB5evn4qtFnMAX98mvHiUas5jYWJZRnZ-1GJj6gOBXo6Bapczd3cEvCCKU6ZaN_wHA8HlmDfOEHaXe3dbX0DoIohTb-BDnx5lk3_GFsMUsrtdftRpCF4m52xCtbUtcmSPhwdSYO6xgWbdql7PEGZ4bBjKLtEWdUl0XzpgqW5DYBaNndBvQWM3owIFCFSOSBJxJ_QX3Bhra5wCzsaJ9XCsvIPDbHksmcxtFekV4fvXy2V_3MTNFa9dGy57l9myoMe_lJQNhc-99O_C2LLsFVQmDm35pEq3qO68BLalhBVaahoRMEa-QTf8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiR15ra_qyHAxUx7ckDHdDMBBsQ6RN6BAgiEAE&biw=1487&bih=1000&dpr=2

Image Credits
Thank you for allowing this space! My head shot was taken by the lovely Laura Bravo Mertz