Meet Denise Leitner | Dance and Fine Art Photographer

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

Hi Denise, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I was a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer for over 30 years before I moved to photography. During those years there were many times as a dancer that I felt like quitting. Normally it was after not getting a gig after an audition that really got me down.  I would get down on myself, put my dance shoes in the closet and say that’s it I am done! Then the next day arrived and I was back in dance class sweating and loving the feeling of movement and expression. The thing is, I can’t not create. As a photographer I think about giving up all of the time. Then I wake up in the morning and need to create. If I have a day where I am not doing my art you do not want to be around me. I have learned in my life that I have to make art. It is my heart beat and my breath. On days that I think about quitting it is because I have to face a challenge. For instance when a piece is not coming together as I imagined. On those days that I want to throw in the towel I tell my husband that I am done. Then the next day arrives and the piece magically comes together. My brother is my inspiration. He is a brilliant painter. We have conversations for hours about the need to create and the desire to quit. When I think about quitting it is just my fear that is getting in the way. I think about this quote from David Bayles in his book Art and Fear. “Fears about yourself prevent you from doing your best work while fear about your reception by others prevent you from doing your own work.”
For me being an artist is a curse and a blessing.  A curse and a blessing that I adore living every day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career as a dancer and dance teacher led me to dance photography. On my way to finding my voice as a photographer I met the amazing Brooke Shaden. Her work and mentorship inspired me to go deeper into my artistic expression. It was challenging and still is to learn new skills. The work does not stop after capturing the image. It takes many hours in photoshop to create ethereal environments where I place my dancers. I am excited when I see a piece come together and always happy when I hear that a piece speaks to the viewer. I am always thrilled to try new art forms. Last year I studied encaustic painting. It was wonderful to see my dancers live in a multimedia piece. I am now working on cold wax and oil painting hoping to combine my dance images within this medium. For me, being an artist does not stop with one form. I am always reaching to learn more and create more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Day 1 Morning breakfast: Hanks bagel
Afternoon outing: Getty Museum
Dinner: El Coyote

Day 2: Huntington Gardens

Day 3 :Drive up the coast to Big Sur

Day 4 :Big Sur

Day 5: Big Sur

Day 6: Drive south and have dinner at Hendry’s in Santa Barbara then head back to LA

Day 7 :Breakfast at Back on the Beach in Malibu then spend the day relaxing in the sand. Dinner at Musso and Franks

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Alan Leitner

Website: DeniseLeitnerPhotography.com

Instagram: Deniseleitnerphotography

Image Credits
Kelly Allen Paige Amicon Jessica Granit Joelle Martinec