Leah Renee Monsour

Leah Renee Monsour is a photographer, archivist, and book artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Using a new documentary approach, she is inspired by subjects, lighting, and objects found in the extension of her own life. Through posed intimate portraiture, character studies and still lives, she aims to capture the life, trends, and heart of her generation and family, both chosen and given.

Monsour grew up in an all-American suburb outside of Syracuse New York and started taking pictures after being exposed to the ocean of images on Tumblr around age 14. Social media is still one of her main inspirations and communities. Her philosophy is to “follow the light,” and her images rarely feature lighting that isn’t natural to the setting inside the frame. The resulting images are warm, intimate, and beautiful in a way that is both contemporary and timeless.

She finished her BFA in Photography at SUNY New Paltz in 2018. Go Hawks!

The Blood We Choose

This is the evolution of love, this is the blood we choose. We look past the idea of romantic coupling as the epitome of human fulfillment. We seek the family form beyond the ones who raised us. We choose the arms of our friends, making space for the love we need to give and receive. Through photographic exploration, we celebrate platonic intimacy.

To view more of Leah Renee Monsour’s work please visit her website.