Hi, I’m Leila, a Finnish-Iranian photography enthusiast. I’ve taken photos for as long as I can remember, but really got into photography around 1997. Having done this and that, photo gigs, and projects big and small, over the years I found where my true passion lies.
I was born in Iran, lived my childhood in Scotland, and I’ve lived most of my life in Finland with a short stint in Barcelona. If you know the term third culture kid, that’s me. Never quite fitting in yet always finding it easy to adapt. I love to travel. I love new experiences, meeting people from different cultures, learning about places, seeing the wonders of the world, and listening to the stories. And everyone has a story. Languages tell a lot about a culture, but sometimes the story stumbles on a language barrier. Needless to say the old adage about how many words a picture is worth.
Therein lies my passion: to convey a story worth a thousand words. There are as many opinions on photography as there are cameras out there. It’s a form of art and to each their own. For me it’s about telling a story: giving a voice and conveying a feeling.
In 2014, I completed the New York Institute of Photography’s Complete Course in Professional Photography. After many years of figuring things out for myself with the help of friends, I understood that to get to the next level, I needed a little more help. And it’s helped immensely. Yet as much as I’ve learnt, the most valuable lesson has been the affirmation of my passion for visual storytelling. I’m a bit of a purist and still primarily shoot film, which I’ll continue doing for as long as I can. Although the end of days for film photography may come soon enough.
Anyway, have a look around. Maybe you’ll see a story, maybe you’ll just see a pretty picture, it’s your choice. I’ll carry on narrating the stories I come across around the world, and you’re always welcome back to see them whenever you want.