LEANNA T. KETCHEL

Wedding & family photographer LBI, NJ 

This is the place in most photographer’s bios where they list when they purchased their first camera, what inspired them, and how they love taking photos. My journey has all those moments, but that is not what LTP is built upon. LTP's foundation is simple. It's the idea of treating clients how I want to be treated,  scheduling and details made simple, someone who guides you and makes the entires sessions stress free and easy, and pretty images with a quick turn around time. 

Photography is a luxury, but it's also one of the most valuable things we have.  As phases of life pass by looking back and treasuring what was is a beautiful thing.  Having your photo session be guided and laid back to give you those images is also important.  It has always been my goal to help you feel at ease.  There is no time our session will feel rigid or stuffy.  I buil this company based on one simple idea:  to treat my clients exactly how I want to be treated.  To take the extra second and make adjustments and listen to what is important to the clients.  

In a world of AI, where we never know whats real or fake, taking a step back and a deep breath is something we all need. . I want my images to tell your story as close to your reality as possible. A posed portrait can be beautiful, but if you are an informal couple a session full of formal portraits doesn’t represent who you are. I feel an image of your child in the midst of a big belly laugh holds more sentimental value over the years than a standard posed studio portrait. This philosophy can be seen and felt in all of my work.

1. I think American cheese is terrible.  
2. I have tossed a coin to make too many important life decisions. The universe always has a better plan than I do. 
3. If we are friends I will be the first to make the inappropriate joke we are all thinking but no one will say out loud. If we are just working together I will smile and say nothing because at the end of the day I am a true professional. 
4. I took my first of many photography courses in high school and worked at our local photo store through those same years. There were periods of time I spent more     time in the darkroom than in the light. Somehow I feel sharing this fact ups my cool factor.
5. I have a beautiful daughter named Kallan (like the mans name Allan with a K). She's equal parts firey and sweet and I will always encourage that firey light to burn bright. Watching her become her own person has been one of my favorite phases of life.
6. I have three professional, candid photos of myself and my best friend who passed several years ago from a wedding reception. I would pay my life savings twice over   for these photos. This is one of the few things that solidified my love with photography.
7. In the 9th grade I was grounded when my family went to Disney. Since there is no way to continue punishment in the happiest place on earth my father wore a   women’s purple tank top with Minnie Mouse in a white and pink polka dot dress and made me hold his hand all day. I was 14. To date this was one of the worst days   of my life. If you can’t appreciate the humor in this, we won’t get along.
8. I love New Jersey. I am a serious Jersey girl at heart, a Jersey-Shore girl to be specific. Big personality,  love for family and friends like no other,   pizza, salty air, sandy feet and hoodies you stole from a guy friend and will never give back. That is my kind of happy.
9.  My very first job was at a place called the Flaming Pit. I stood on Route 9 in a chicken costume and waived. I was 13. I am sure my family and friends were proud.
10.  I like to think I am an A- or B+ personality type:  I like a solid plan but am always ok with "just rolling with it" and seeing how things turn out. 
11.  I love jewelry design and have made many custom pieces.  I can talk about it and look at unique pieces all day. 

11 RANDOM THOUGHTS AND FACTS YOU PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT  ME