Sierra Greenlee: Sun Goddess

Could you please provide us with a professional introduction about yourself and your photography work?

Hi, I’m Sierra Greenlee—the face and heart behind Greenlee Photography. I’m a portrait photographer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and my work is rooted in connection, emotion, and a deep love for capturing people as they truly are.

I first picked up a camera for fun, but it quickly became clear that photography was more than just a hobby—it was a way to freeze fleeting moments and preserve the beauty in everyday connection. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, families, and brands to create images that feel timeless, emotive, and intentional.

I specialize in lifestyle portraits, creative sessions, product photography, and brand storytelling. Whether we’re shooting in the studio or chasing golden hour light outdoors, I aim to make the process feel relaxed, collaborative, and true to you. My editing style leans warm and grounded, with a love for earthy tones and subtle textures that bring out the natural emotion in every frame.

Can you tell us about how you got started in photography?

I got started in photography when I was around 12 years old with my very first digital camera. I took it everywhere—on vacations, to hangouts with friends, even just around the house—snapping everything from selfies to random little details that caught my eye.

In college, I started taking photos of my friends for Instagram, and that’s when I began to realize how much I loved capturing people. Before a trip to Spain in 2018, I decided to invest in my first DSLR. I took hundreds of photos of the landscape while I was there, but the real magic for me was photographing my friend Carla. That’s when it clicked—what I loved most was the connection, the emotion, the storytelling that comes through in portraits.

When I got home, I started offering free sessions to anyone who was willing, just to keep exploring. Little by little, I built up experience and confidence, and I realized how much joy it brought me to photograph people in such a personal, intentional way. Eventually I began charging for sessions—and I haven’t looked back since.

What was your passion driving you during your journey? Who or what prompted you to begin?

My passion for photography was really born out of a need for self-expression. I’ve always felt the urge to create—but traditional mediums like drawing or painting never quite clicked for me. I tried different art forms, but nothing held my attention or lit that spark the way photography did.

When I came back from my trip to Spain, something shifted. I felt so inspired by everything I had seen and experienced—and all I wanted to do was take photos. It was the first time I felt like I had found my medium, the one that let me express emotion, beauty, connection, and curiosity in a way that felt natural and fulfilling.

Photography became this beautiful blend of creativity and human connection, and that’s what continues to drive me. It started as a personal outlet, but it’s grown into something I get to share with others—and that’s what makes it so meaningful.

Could you walk us through your photoshoot planning process?

My planning process really depends on the type of shoot, but when I’m working with people, it always starts with connection and inspiration. I like to get a sense of what my client is envisioning, so I usually ask them to send me photos that speak to them—whether it’s a vibe, a pose, or a color palette. From there, I’ll gather similar references to build a little mood board of sorts. It helps me stay creatively energized during the shoot and ensures I’m aligned with their vision.

On the practical side, I always prep my gear the day before—charging batteries, packing backups, and making sure I’ve got plenty of memory cards ready to go. I also like to stay in close contact with my clients leading up to the session. I’m always happy to help with outfit ideas, styling suggestions, props, or anything else that will help them feel confident and prepared. My goal is to make the entire experience feel thoughtful, collaborative, and stress-free from start to finish.

As a photography expert, what sets your work apart from other photographers?

What really sets my work apart is my focus on quality over quantity. I don’t believe in handing over hundreds of rushed images—I take my time with each photo, carefully hand-editing to make sure every detail feels intentional.

Retouching is a big part of my process, but I aim for a natural, polished look—removing stray hairs, softening skin in a way that still feels real, and cleaning up anything in the background that might distract from the moment. My goal is for each image to feel timeless and elevated, without ever looking overly edited.

I’d rather deliver a smaller gallery of truly thoughtful, well-crafted photos than overwhelm my clients with a batch of images that don’t hold the same level of care.

Where do you get your ideas for photoshoots?

My ideas for photoshoots come from a mix of everyday inspiration and daydreaming. I’m most creative when I’m fully present—really noticing my environment, whether I’m out on a walk or just at home. I’ll see the way light hits a wall, a random household item, or a texture outside and immediately start imagining how it could play into a shoot.

Music is also a huge source of inspiration for me. Sometimes I’ll listen to a song and visualize an entire scene or mood around it. It helps me tap into the emotional side of storytelling and brings a whole new energy to the way I approach a session.

And of course, Pinterest is a great tool—I use it to spark ideas and explore visual themes, but I always make sure that I’m not just recreating someone else’s work. Instead, I use those references as a jumping-off point to create something that feels unique to me and true to my client.

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment you've had as a photographer and what experience you gained from that?

One of the most memorable moments I’ve had as a photographer was early in my career, during a creative shoot I worked on with my friend and fellow photographer, Brian Spencer. He saw potential in me especially when it came to conceptual shoots, and he’s supported me with lighting and encouragement ever since.

We were working on this idea I had—a model dripping in gold paint, something dramatic and expressive. As we got into the shoot, the model started moving through poses, and at one point he arched his back and reached toward the sky in this incredibly raw, powerful way. There was so much emotion in his movement, and I could feel how deeply he was connecting to the concept.

It was one of those moments where everything aligned—vision, energy, expression—and I remember feeling completely lit up when I saw what we had captured. It reminded me that when everyone involved feels safe and inspired, that’s when the magic happens.

What are the most important components of an extraordinary photograph, in your opinion?

To me, the most important components of an extraordinary photograph are emotion, lighting, and authenticity. I’ve seen so many photos that are technically perfect—beautifully posed, well-lit, sharp in every way—but they fall flat because they’re missing feeling.

What really makes an image powerful is when it carries emotion—when there’s something raw and real behind it. That can come from working closely with a subject you’ve built trust with, or even from catching a spontaneous moment when someone isn’t paying attention. It’s in those unguarded seconds that the magic happens.

Lighting plays a huge role too, of course—it sets the mood and brings everything to life—but at the end of the day, it’s about intention. The way you see someone, the way you make them feel, and the story you’re trying to tell together. That connection and authenticity is what takes a photo from good to unforgettable.

How do you strike a balance between your artistic expression and your client's expectations during a shoot?

Striking a balance between my artistic vision and my client’s expectations is really about collaboration and clear communication. I love bringing creative, out-of-the-box ideas to a shoot, but I always check in first to make sure my clients feel comfortable and excited to try something new.

During the session, I like to show clients the photos as we go along. This helps them see what we’re creating together in real time and gives them the chance to share feedback or suggest adjustments. I think it’s really empowering for clients to see their own images during the shoot—it gives them agency to decide if they want to explore a different direction or keep building on what’s working.

Ultimately, it’s a partnership, and when clients feel heard and involved, the photos become more authentic and meaningful for everyone.

How do other artists influence your work? Are there any other photographers you look up to? Who?

Other artists play a huge role in shaping my work and keeping me inspired. I’m a big fan of photographers like Ren Hang, especially his work with animals, as well as Elizabeth Wells, Xenia Lau, Laura Shepard, and Cheyenne Sitdikova. Their unique styles and approaches constantly spark new ideas for me.

I love learning from other photographers in all kinds of ways—whether it’s through mentorship or collaborating on shoots. I’ve been really fortunate to work alongside amazing mentors like Brian Spencer and Nicole Cudzilo, and I credit a lot of my growth to their guidance and support. The community of artists I look up to motivates me to keep pushing my own creativity and evolving as a photographer.

How do you enhance your vision after a session by post-processing your photos? Do you have a best-kept secret for editing processing that you'd like to share?

Post-processing is such an important part of bringing my vision to life after a session. I always start by doing a first pass of edits, but I’ve learned to step away and come back to the images with fresh eyes. It helps me make sure I still love the color grading and overall feel after that initial burst of creativity.

Some images need more work than others, and I really like to take my time—especially when it comes to retouching and fine-tuning the details. One of my favorite tools is masking. I use it all the time to brighten my subjects and help them pop from the background without affecting the rest of the image. Recently, I’ve also been experimenting with masking white backgrounds and using the color sliders in Lightroom to add subtle tints. Most of my post-processing is done in Lightroom and Photoshop, and while I wouldn’t say I have any secret tricks, I think patience and intentionality go a long way.

Can you tell us about the most difficult photographic challenge you've ever had, including lighting, unexpected situations, and how you managed the issues on set?

Some of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced in photography haven’t necessarily been technical—they’ve usually stemmed from communication breakdowns or high-pressure environments, like weddings. Early on, I realized how important it is to be crystal clear with clients about the process and expectations. You truly can’t over-communicate in this line of work, and I’ve really refined that part of my client experience over time.

Weddings in particular can be stressful. There are so many moving parts, emotions are high, and things don’t always go as planned. I’ve learned that staying calm, offering solutions on the fly, and being flexible can make all the difference. Whether it’s adjusting to last-minute timeline changes or pivoting due to unexpected weather or lighting conditions, I’ve learned to adapt quickly and focus on what I can control. At the end of the day, my goal is always to support my clients and do my best to create

something beautiful—no matter the circumstance.

What are your top tips for aspiring photographers on skill development and finding their own creative voice? How did you develop yours?

My biggest advice for aspiring photographers is to immerse yourself in photography as much as possible. I truly believe that consumption is key—look at all kinds of photography, read articles, scroll through social media, browse portfolios online. Platforms like Unscripted and YouTube are also filled with incredible free resources that can teach you everything from posing to editing to technical camera skills.

But at the end of the day, nothing replaces hands-on practice. Get out there and shoot. Test things. See what works, what doesn’t, and how different settings on your camera impact the final result. The more you shoot, the more you start to understand what feels right to you—and that’s how your creative voice starts to take shape.

I also really recommend finding a mentor or someone to work alongside in person. That made a huge difference for me. I learned so much through trial and error, but also by working with people who had experience—especially when it came to lighting and composition. In the early days, I often photographed people who were naturally comfortable in front of the camera, which gave me the freedom to focus on my ideas and creative direction rather than worrying about posing. That space to experiment really helped me find confidence in my own style and the kind of images I wanted to create.

Can you tell us the story behind creating the photographs you submitted?

This shoot was conceptualized and created by my incredible model, Mikaela Janee. She had the idea to do a goddess-themed session, and I was so excited to make it happen. She brought a long silk robe, and we got creative—tying the arms around her neck to give the illusion of a flowing gown. To add to the statuesque, ethereal look we were going for, we sprayed the fabric down with water so it would cling more naturally.

The whole shoot was very DIY—we were figuring things out as we went, but that’s honestly what made it so fun. It was one of those sessions where everything just clicked, and we were both so connected to the creative process.

Where can we view more of your work and connect with you?

Instagram: @sierralaphoto

Website: greenleephotography.co

Photo: @sierralaphoto

Model: @mikaelajanee