Hi,
CALL ME KENDY
A creative chasing a dream, turning into something real.
I'm an artist at heart and a storyteller by nature. (Seriously, I was always going over word counts in college and I started writing a book a few years ago.) But it's telling the stories without words that brings me the most joy.
I'm a gentle-natured animal lover, a imaginative soul with 100+ projects always on the go, and someone who genuinely thinks that humans are art.
I'm all about embracing your inner child, finding whimsy in the ordinary, encouraging self-love, and keeping things real (for the most part, but I am going to Photoshop where needed).
I believe in finding yourself in adulthood, celebrating the beauty of our uniqueness, and the Word of God.
With over ten years in customer service, a diploma in Public Relations, and a lineage of entrepreneurial women before me, I bring a calm, grounded presence to every session. I know how vulnerable or unfamiliar it can feel to work with someone new, especially in front of the camera, so my goal is always to create a space that feels relaxed, safe, and hopefully even a little fun.
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8
me & my love
My Journey
Into Photography
2008-2013
christmas camera
My first digital camera. Then another. And another. And another.
I became obsessed with taking photos of anything and everything. Honestly, I even gave the salt & pepper shakers their own photoshoot ~bride and groom vibes~. I started my editing journey in Picnik, had the paid subscription and everything (who remembers that website??)
2014-2018+
friends & forests
By this point I'd moved on to convincing my friends to model for me, dragging them into the woods with a flowy dress and a vision. Nothing too serious, but photography was definitely something I really enjoyed.
2019-2022+
me & Adobe
Covid. Quarantine. Lots of time inside.
This is when I really discovered the power of properly editing, in Lightroom and Photoshop. I dove into learning about adjusting colours, retouching, and other creative effects. Online courses, Youtube, trial & error. A lot of photographers outsource their editing, or use AI to batch complete it for them, but it's honestly remained one of my favourite parts of this journey/job.
spring of 2022
maternity in may
The photoshoot that changed it all.
I headed out to the fields with my pregnant friend and did what I loved. She received the photos and told me it was the first time she felt good about how she looked throughout her pregnancy, and I started to see this hobby as a career that was within reach.
I was familiar with a camera, actually knew how to edit, and was starting to create the work I had always just admired.
I immediately started reaching out to acquaintances and friends of friends, getting in as many lifestyle 'sessions' as I could.
winter of 2022
holiday & hope
After months of taking photography seriously, practicing with model calls, and more - Kendrea Leonetti Photography was born. I hosted two weekends of fundraiser holiday mini sessions, officially open to the public for booking, and began my professional journey into photography.
Hoping that the best was yet to come. And it was.
2023
+ studio
Proof that with practice, prayer, and determination, hard things are possible. I was overwhelmed with the love and support from my newly growing client base, learning just how much referrals and word-of-mouth business matters.
Kendrea Leonetti Photography transitioned to KENLEO PHOTO + Studio.
I opened up the studio space on Rest Acres Road in the summer and have had hundreds of clients in there since.
2024
growth
Growth. That is the only way I know how to describe this year.
Growth in my business. Growth in my skills, my experience, and even the equipment I trust to tell these stories. But also growth in me as a person and an artist.
It was a year of learning, of loving the process, and of realizing that this dream I started chasing was a dream I am living.
I thought back to experiencing my first Macedonian wedding. The traditional circle dancing. Being right in the middle of that energy, camera in hand, capturing the excitement and joy around me. It was a feeling I can't even describe. One of those moments where you realize, out of all the avenues you've gone down, this is exactly where you are meant to be.
2025
bonds, bumps, & babies
The year that taught me to specialize.
When I first started this journey, I loved photographing everything. In many ways, I think I always will. It's one of my favourite things about wedding days. But instead of continuing to say yes to any request, 2025 helped me see more clearly where my heart and my work align best.
Moving forward, in 2026, I'm focusing my business on capturing bonds, bumps, and babies.
Bonds. The connection that exists between couples, the joy of a wedding day, and the relationships that shape a family.
Bumps. Beautiful and magical, maternity sessions will always have a special place in my heart. After all, it was a maternity session that sparked the beginning of this entire business.
Babies. Because those tiny toes, sleepy stretches, and little newborn scrunches are simply too precious not to capture.
No more super-themed mini sessions, no more milestone cake-smashes, no more headshot/branding sessions, no more birthday party coverage.
I'm investing my time and energy to show up and serve you best for the moments that matter most. The connections that deserve to be preserved. And the stories that deserve to be told with the most care.
Let's connect
This job is truly a dream come true for me.
I'd love to be the one to bring your vision to life.
"how wonderful to be who I am...my own thoughts, my own fingerprints. all that glorious, temporary stuff."