Meet Lelanea Fulton: Photographer & Wine Sommeliére

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

Hi Lelanea, how do you think about risk?
I have learned to welcome risks and to lean on them. Risks that end in success tend to catapult me in ways that allow for immense growth and the risks that do not end in what is seen as a success tend to be even more beneficial than the former. My many attempts that seemed to have “failed” were the risk-taking that forced growth. I am thankful for all the times I fell on my ass; They kept my ego in check and my creative juices flowing. After years of risk-taking, I now find myself distrusting of decisions that don’t include some sort of risk…after all, where is the fun in that?

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.
I enjoy where I am these days with my art. I find decadence in rich oil-like lighting, beauty in ethereal fragments of light, and any forms of nature that make their way into a shot especially if it is through double exposure. I love shooting on film, polaroid, and large format. I love grain, I also love shooting on location in very primitive and old buildings. My last two photoshoots on the east coast were in upstate NY in a mansion built in the late 1700s and a “castle” that was built in the early 1800’s and was still fully furnished. Both locations were very selective as to who they would allow to photograph on site and both have historically only allowed a handful of photographers to conduct shoots there. I felt honored to be allowed to be one of them. My work tends to be a combination of digital, film, and polaroid sometimes layering the numerous mediums to better convey a feeling and texture.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a digital nomad so I don’t have a specific “city” or home. I bought an RV to better travel and feed my desire to explore. I am currently in the PNW along the Columbia gorge and have found the pace more welcoming along with nature, waterfalls, old forests, and natural hot springs. I have my favorite locations in my favorite cities from NYC, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Anchorage to Juneau. In each of these cities, I tend to seek out and explore the natural nooks and quaint historical picturesque towns outside of the major cities I have lived in. If a friend were to currently visit me, I would take her to some of the most haunting and magical old-growth forests here in the PNW where we would hike through to come upon some of the most beautiful natural hot springs. A Puligny-Montrachet, camera and antique oil lantern is always a must when hitting up Hotsprings in these misty mountains. However, during these dark days of pandemic, I do fantasize about New Orleans, the dense humidity, heavy, salty nights, old blues joints on the outskirts of the city, historical holes in the wall, and the amazing cocktails and fare that ensures one never forgets NOLO. If it weren’t for covid, I would find my way back there. 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?
I have always been deeply inspired by Francesca Woodman. Her work has fed me, encouraged me, and drove me to explore myself deeper. I tend to lean on the incredible works of 15th & 16th-century Dutch & Flemish painters such Frans Hals whose work has inspired me since childhood.

Website: www.lelanea.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lelanea/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lelanea.fulton/

Image Credits
Kristean Paerels Masha Szaro Rob Knips Lisa Ward Sascha Eiblmayr