Sean LeBlanc: Engineering a Career in Photography
- PhotoED Magazine
- 22 hours ago
- 8 min read
An interview with NIKON Ambassador Sean LeBlanc
Sean LeBlanc’s journey towards becoming an award-winning portrait and wedding photographer is unconventional. After studying engineering and business in university and working in the renewable energy industry for years, he found his true passion photographing people.
Sean resigned from engineering to work as a full-time photographer in 2018 and hasn’t looked back. Since then, he’s been documenting weddings all over the world, including in Japan, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and of course at home in Canada.
We spoke to Sean about his work and adventures as a Nikon Ambassador.
photoED: How did you learn photography?
Sean:
When I was working as an engineer, I often brought my camera to work. During lunch breaks, I would explore the city, taking photos of buildings and landscapes. This helped me learn a lot about exposure and how to photograph in manual mode. I watched numerous YouTube video tutorials on composition, lighting, and capturing natural moments, and videos by Nikon ambassadors focusing on wedding photography. Before a shoot, I’d watch a video and apply what I learned during the session. I made it a point to attend at least two in-person photography learning events per year, and I practised using flash equipment by asking my kids to model for me — all learning through trial and error.
photoED: What did those early days feel like for you after you had made this decision to make photography your full-time career?
Sean:
I have to admit it was nerve-racking, especially with a young family at home. Giving up a well-paying engineering career with a salary, benefits, and an annual bonus wasn’t easy. It took about a year to convince myself I could make a living for my family through photography. Although I enjoyed my engineering work, I knew that photography was my real passion and my true calling. During that year of contemplating leaving the corporate world, all I could think about was growing my photography business, supported by family and friends. I also received industry recognition through awards, which boosted my confidence. Though it was a leap of faith to switch to full-time photography, I can’t imagine doing anything else. 2026, marks my eighth year as a full-time photographer.
photoED: What do you love most about sharing stories through photography?
Sean:
As a portrait and wedding photographer, I often capture stories of celebration. Whether it’s a stunning wedding, an anniversary milestone, or a family’s growth, I feel privileged to document these joyful moments. These occasions are significant and memorable, and I believe these photographs will be cherished and passed down through generations. I’m creating something meaningful for my clients. I enjoy blending creativity with storytelling in my work, often layering multiple stories into a single photograph from a unique angle. When it all comes together, it’s truly exciting.
photoED: Whose work has influenced yours?
Sean:
I have been influenced by so many incredible photographers — Joe McNally, Cliff Mautner, Mark Seliger, Erin and Ben Chrisman, Erika and Lanny Mann, Lindsay Adler, and the legendary work of Albert Watson and Irving Penn, just to name a few.
At the top of the list, I would have to name Nikon Ambassadors Jerry Ghionis and David Yarrow. Jerry is a master when it comes to portraiture, lighting, posing, education, and business — all things photography. He has great charisma, and I have learned a lot from him.
Lately, I’ve been inspired by the fine art work of David Yarrow. He has an incredible eye for composition and interesting ideas for creating fine art.
photoED: What makes a good photograph?
Sean:
In my mind, there are three elements that make a good photograph: lighting, composition, and moment or emotion. Great lighting can draw a viewer’s eye to a particular part of a photograph, create striking texture, mood, and tone, highlight the eyes, and evoke a certain feeling in the photograph — there is so much that great lighting can add to creating an image.
A striking composition guides the viewer’s eye and creates a sense of wonder, but moment (or emotion) in the photograph trumps everything. Authenticity evokes emotion and gives viewers a reason to pause. It is the secret sauce in any good photograph.
Of course, the technical elements of a photograph, such as exposure, focus, and clarity, should be considered, but sometimes a technically sound photograph just doesn’t work.
photoED: How has working in photography influenced you personally?
Sean:
Photography has completely changed my life — for the better.
When I was working as an engineer, I liked what I was doing, but I didn’t love it. It was a grind, and I didn’t feel I was really contributing to the world. I was always watching the clock, waiting to go home. My heart wasn’t in it.
With photography, I sometimes get so completely absorbed in what I’m doing that hours go by and I don’t even notice. It is also a career with great time flexibility — I am home when my kids get home from school, and I can take a day off when I need to. Most of all, as a photographer, I have the privilege of creating art that will proudly be displayed in my clients’ homes for years to come and passed down to future generations. I get to be creative both in my art and in my business. I absolutely love it. It is an incredibly fulfilling career and has created abundance for my family.
photoED: What has been your favourite or most personally impactful project, client, or photography session?
Sean:
During the pandemic, my wife and I saw our two boys grow very close. I documented their relationship throughout that period as well. It gave me the idea that there must be other amazing sibling relationships out there, so after the pandemic, I launched a photographic project celebrating relationships, particularly sibling relationships. In addition to creating beautiful artwork from the sessions for parents, the idea was to create a book of sibling portraiture, sell the book, and donate the proceeds to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
I received a fantastic response from other parents who saw their children grow closer during the pandemic as well. I had the honour of creating many pieces of art from the project and also raised a lot of money for the hospital. Overall, it was a fantastic project I’m really proud of.
photoED: Tell us about your hardest or most challenging day as a photographer.
Sean:
I don’t recall a specific day, but rather a period of time. During the pandemic, I started receiving emails and calls from clients wanting to cancel their sessions due to lockdown restrictions. It was a challenging time because I wasn’t sure what steps to take, as photography was my main source of income to support my family. While considering different options, I came up with the idea of creating an online mentorship program for aspiring photographers. I contacted several photographers I thought might be interested in mentorship, and I was amazed at how many accepted my offer to collaborate. Soon, my schedule was booked, and I was able to work from my computer without worrying about clients visiting my studio.
photoED: Where do you hope photography will take you in the future?
Sean:
My hope is that photography will continue to take me further into the realm of photography education. I truly love sharing my passion and business with other like-minded people. I would love to one day lead multi-day workshops, travelling overseas to explore countries I have never visited and cultures I have never experienced.
photoED: What advice do you have for photographers just getting started in any genre?
Sean:
For photographers just getting started in the industry, I would say don’t get bogged down in a specific genre right away. It takes time to find a genre that resonates with you. In the early days, I photographed everything — newborns, family, corporate, weddings, landscapes, etc. It took me a decade to realize studio portraiture was the genre I wanted to focus on.
I also believe it is helpful for photographers to shoot weddings at some point in their careers. Weddings will teach you how to plan, create under intense pressure, and shoot with different lighting, both outdoors and indoors. It is basically every genre wrapped up into one! I learned a lot from photographing weddings.
Finally, I would encourage new photographers to learn about the business of photography — this is so important if you want to maintain longevity in this industry. Marketing is the lifeblood of any studio — you need to have a constant stream of inquiries. Invest in a photography business coach.
photoED: We simply have to ask … what are your top travel tips or hacks for travelling with photography equipment for events?
Sean:
In my early days of shooting on location or capturing destination weddings, I travelled with an excessive amount of gear — light modifiers, camera bodies, many lenses, and filters. I quickly realized that carrying too much equipment slowed me down and kept me from capturing great shots, especially during weddings when changing lenses took time. As I gained more experience, I learned that travelling light is more effective. Now, I typically bring only two camera bodies, two or three lenses, and one or two lights with a few modifiers — about a third of what I used initially. With fewer lenses and lights, I became more creative and deliberate in my compositions.
GEAR UP
What camera and equipment do you most use now? What’s your favourite lens? Tell us about your experience using NIKON products.
Sean:
I mostly photograph in my studio with two Nikon Z9s and a few different lenses — the 70–200mm, 24–120mm, and the 85mm f/1.2. When I am on location, I like to bring along my 200mm f/2 and 35mm f/1.2.
I love the compression and versatility of a 70–200mm. My favourite lens is the new 70–200mm II. I had the privilege of shooting a campaign for Nikon USA with this lens, and I love how it’s lighter, smaller, super sharp, and quick to focus — better than the previous version. The improved optics are awesome, and the Arca-Swiss mount and closer focusing distance are such a nice touch. This is now my go-to portrait lens for both studio and on-location work.
My experience with Nikon products has been fantastic. I love the build quality, optics, autofocus, usability, and constant product innovation. Nikon also supports the photography industry through events and educational programs for photographers, and I am very proud to be part of the Nikon family as a Nikon Ambassador.
Check out all Sean's favourite Nikon gear, HERE.
To see more of Sean's work, check out: seanleblancphotography.com
