Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Riggs.
Hi Leah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been drawn to anything creative. Growing up, I loved illustration and playing the piano, and in high school I took a photojournalism class. Looking back, it’s actually kind of surprising I didn’t find my way into photography sooner.
Life took me in a different direction for a while. I worked in a variety of industries over the past 20+ years, and every job taught me something valuable about serving people and running a business.. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those experiences would eventually become the foundation for my own business.
After I became a mom, I was constantly taking photos of my kids on my phone. I was always thinking about composition, editing, and finding interesting light. After hearing me talk about wanting a camera for years, one Christmas my husband surprised me with one. I don’t think either of us realized at the time how much that one gift would end up changing my life.
From there, I dove in headfirst.. At the time, I had been working in the insurance industry for about ten years. On a work trip to Dallas, I spent my free time walking around the city with my camera instead of relaxing in my hotel room. By the time I got home, I was so excited that I decided to stop treating photography like a hobby and officially launched Texas Innerbloom Photography.
Today, Texas Innerbloom Photography serves clients throughout Central Texas, specializing in family, couples, maternity, senior and graduation portraits, as well as life’s milestone celebrations—from cake smashes and birthdays to intimate weddings and special events. While I’m grateful for the recognition my work has received over the years, what means the most to me is when clients come back year after year. Watching families grow, meeting babies after photographing their parents’ maternity session, and seeing children who once fit in their parents’ arms now running around in front of my camera is something I’ll never take for granted.
Looking back, it’s funny how one Christmas gift completely changed the direction of my life. What started with one camera has grown into a career that has introduced me to incredible people, turned many clients into friends, and allowed me to do something I genuinely love every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, I was working in the insurance industry while trying to build a photography business on the side. Every free moment seemed to go into learning, editing, building my website, answering emails, marketing, bookkeeping, or figuring out one more thing I didn’t know the day before.
At the same time, I was raising two young children, and finding a healthy balance wasn’t easy. There were days I realized I’d been sitting at my computer from the time I woke up until I went to bed, only stopping to take care of my family. To be honest, that’s still something I have to be mindful of today. When you genuinely love what you do, it’s easy to let work take over.
One thing that wasn’t a challenge, though, was the photography community. Before I started, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly found that photographers are some of the most supportive people I’ve met. Many have become close friends, and it’s been incredibly encouraging to be surrounded by people who genuinely celebrate each other’s successes and are willing to share their knowledge.
Looking back, I think the biggest lesson has been learning that building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. There’s always more to learn, but if you stay true to yourself, treat people well, and keep showing up, the rest tends to fall into place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I photograph families, couples, maternity, seniors, graduates, and many of life’s biggest celebrations. Every session is different because every client is different, and I enjoy getting to know the people in front of my camera just as much as creating the final images.
One thing that’s always been important to me is creating photographs that feel timeless. I’ve never been someone who chases editing trends or tries to make my work look like someone else’s. Instead, I focus on creating images that feel true to the people in them. I spend a lot of time making sure every client’s skin tones look natural and beautiful because no two people are the same, and I don’t believe every gallery should be edited the same way.
I’ve also always loved writing. Every session gives me two creative outlets: first through photography, and then through the stories I get to share afterward. When clients are comfortable with it, I love writing about the people behind the photographs because I think those stories become just as meaningful as the images themselves.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Many return year after year, and somewhere along the way, many have become genuine friends. That’s something I never expected when I first started.
I’m also incredibly grateful to have been voted into the Top 3 for Best of North Hays two years in a row, earning 3rd place one year and 2nd the next. Knowing that my clients took the time to nominate and vote for me means far more than the placement itself. Their support has played a huge role in helping my small business grow, and I’ll never take that for granted.
Photography will always be about beautiful images, but I hope people remember how they felt during the experience just as much as they remember the photos themselves. If they leave feeling comfortable, genuinely seen, and surprised by how much fun they had, then I know I’ve done my job.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is making time for the people I love, even when life feels busy.
It’s so easy to believe we’ll always have another chance to slow down, schedule the photos, or spend a little more time together. Then before you know it, your kids have grown, your parents are older, or a season of life has quietly come and gone.
Photography has reminded me that the little moments we sometimes overlook often become the ones we treasure most. That’s true in my own life just as much as it is for my clients.
More than anything, I hope the work I do encourages people to pause for a moment, be present with the people they love, and create something they’ll be grateful to have years from now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texasinnerbloom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasinnerbloom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasinnerbloom
