About Leanna Slater Photography

About Leanna

I grew up on a ranch in southeast Douglas County, right along the Elbert County line—dirt roads, early responsibility, and wide-open skies that quietly teach grit. Even though our address wasn’t technically Elbert, my roots absolutely were. I attended Elbert schools from kindergarten through graduation. Elbert shaped me.

I left the day I graduated in 1990, adamant I would never come back. Ever. I had plans—big ones.
Funny how life listens politely… then rearranges everything. 

In 1992, I met my husband through my mom while he was working for her in Parker. We married in July of 1993 and began building our life together in the Denver University Hills area. In 1999, we welcomed our son—and when he turned four, we made a decision that changed everything.

Denver schools weren’t the right fit for us.

So in 2004, we headed south to Douglas County. I’m still grateful we did. That move gave our son room to grow, strong schools, and a grounded community. Castle Rock became home for more than two decades—where we raised our family, built careers, and learned what truly matters.

For a long time, I believed that chapter would last forever.

Then life shifted.

After losing my father in 2023, everything came into focus. Priorities have a way of rearranging themselves when you realize that caring for the people who cared for you isn’t a detour—it’s the point.

In Spring 2026, with the full support of my loving husband (who will absolutely be handling the real heavy lifting), we’re moving back to Elbert to be closer to my mom. I’ll take care of the rest—organizing, managing, and keeping the wheels turning—so she can truly enjoy this next chapter.

Coming home now doesn’t feel like going backward.
It feels like honoring where I came from.

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How Sports Shaped the Way I See

I was a three-sport varsity athlete—volleyball, basketball, and track—but basketball was always the heartbeat.

I started varsity all four years at Elbert, including starting on the boys varsity team my junior year. From sophomore through senior year, I also competed with the Denver All Stars. That level of commitment wasn’t casual—it was earned.

Most days looked like this:
I’d leave track practice, jump into my dad’s truck, and he’d drive me straight to Manual High School in Denver so I could make All-Star practice from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Late nights. Exhausted legs. Homework after practice. Then do it all again.

That grind changes you.

It teaches discipline, resilience, and how to perform when you’re already tired. It also trains your eye to anticipate the moment before it happens—which is exactly why I catch expressions other photographers miss.

Athletes trust me because I speak their language. I’ve lived it.

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From the Darkroom to the Boardroom (and Back Again)

Photography has been part of my life longer than I realized at the time. My art teacher at Elbert practically had to kick me out of the darkroom—I’d stay for hours obsessing over contrast, detail, and the perfect print.

That passion became a part-time business in 2011 and a full-time one in 2017.

Before photography took over completely, I spent years in corporate leadership roles in property and asset management—boardrooms, negotiations, and high-stakes decisions where “good enough” simply wasn’t an option. One of my favorite interview mic-drops?

Telling them I started on the boys varsity basketball team at Elbert.

It usually stopped the room.

That background is why I’m calm under pressure, wildly organized, and deeply respectful of people’s time and trust.

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What It’s Like to Work With Me

I’m hands-on, prepared, and genuinely invested in how people feel in front of my camera.

I run every part of Leanna Slater Photography myself—shooting, editing, communication, and delivery. No outsourcing. No shortcuts. My name is on every image, and my reputation rides on every session.

Whether I’m photographing an athlete, a senior, or a business professional, my goal is always the same:
to make you feel confident, seen, and proud of what we create together.

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Why This All Matters

I understand rural grit and Front Range expectations because I’ve lived both. I know early mornings, long drives, and doing the job right the first time.

I don’t just take photos.
I capture effort, pride, and heart—the things that last long after the season ends or the business card gets updated.

I never thought I’d come back home.
Turns out, it was the right move—at exactly the right time.

Let’s create something meaningful.