Life & Work with Amari Leath of South Kansas City, Missouri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amari Leath

Hi Amari, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first got started in photography during my senior year of high school, though I have always loved playing with cameras since I was a child. My mom was a photographer, and I would sneak her old film camera out of the closet to play with it. I just thought it was so cool to look through the viewfinder. I always enjoyed going into stores and testing the display cameras.

I wanted to be a director, but I thought that would be impossible, so I never really pursued it until my senior year of high school. We were on vacation when I switched my point-and-shoot camera to manual mode. I fell in love with how I could control the way an image looked. I had all these ideas for images I could create, and then I said to myself, I can do this.

On the plane ride back, I did some research and decided on my first actual camera, a Canon T6. The rest is history, as they say. I kept putting myself out there and meeting people, which led to new opportunities.

My first solo photography exhibit was at Jacksonville International Airport. From there, I used that achievement to land my first major job as part of the Best Buy College Crew. We were paid to create content featuring Best Buy products and we even got to keep them. I invested the money I made from that opportunity to open my first photo studio inside Groom Therapy Jax. I was only a junior in college at the time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’d be lying if I said the road hasn’t been bumpy. Right now, I’m navigating a new city. I recently moved from my hometown to New York, and then I moved again to Kansas City. Restarting so many times has been challenging. I also have a lot of range, I do so many different types of photography, plus videography and graphic design. Because of that, it’s been tough to find a niche.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on sports photography and videography because one day, I hope to work with an NFL team.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I always refer to myself as an artist first. No matter what project I’m working on, I always draw inspiration from my street photography roots. I believe that’s what sets me apart. I’m not just trying to create a nice image, I’m creating a work of art, something worthy of being hung on a wall or displayed in a gallery.

One of my signature techniques is multiple exposures. It’s the art of taking one photograph and layering another on top to create an entirely new image or perspective. I’m always looking for new ways to shoot, whether it’s partially detaching my lens to expose the sensor for light leaks or holding an object in front of the lens to create a unique effect. I love the artistic process of it all.

At the same time, I can also switch gears and capture corporate events or professional headshots. I can do it all.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people who deserve credit for my success that I know I’ll probably miss someone, and I would hate that. So, I want to give credit to my family, friends, fraternity brothers, my HBCU Edward Waters University, everyone who has taken the time to share wisdom with me, and most importantly, God.

I wouldn’t be here without you.

Contact Info:

• Email: marigottheshot@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marigottheshot/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amari-leath/