We’re looking forward to introducing you to carleigh lienemann. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning carleigh, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have been obsessed with reading romantasy books lately! lol. The Throne of Glass Series is my favorite! 🙂
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Carleigh, the storyteller behind Carleigh Rae Photography. I specialize in wedding and portrait photography with a focus on capturing candid, in-the-moment emotions rather than overly posed shots! With over a decade of experience, I’ve built my brand around timeless imagery that feels warm, moody, and full of life. What makes my work unique is my ability to blend storytelling with editorial detail creating photographs that look just as beautiful on your wall as they do in a magazine. 🙂 Beyond weddings, I am a travel agent and I help couples plan their honeymoons and destination celebrations, offering a full experience that goes beyond the lens!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must be released is the version of myself that always put others before me, even when it hurt. For years, I let being a people pleaser define me and let people walk over me and carried the weight of taking things too personally. I thought if I gave all of myself, others would naturally do the same. But I’ve learned that how people treat me says more about who they are than who I am. Their lack of effort, their cruelty, or their indifference isn’t a reflection of my worth.
What I’m releasing now is the need for approval and the exhausting cycle of trying to be “enough” for everyone else. Just because I would show up for someone doesn’t mean they’re the type of person who knows how to show up in return, and that’s not mine to carry anymore. I’m finally standing in the truth that my value isn’t dependent on how others treat me. I am no longer shrinking myself to keep others comfortable because I am worthy of taking up space, of being heard, and of protecting my energy.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that pretending to be “fine” was only keeping me small. For so long, I wore my struggles like a secret, afraid that if people saw the cracks, they’d think I was weak. But the truth is that the moments that broke me also built me. The pain I once tried to hide became the fire that pushed me to stand taller, to speak louder, and to show up fully as myself.
I started using my pain as power when I understood that vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s strength. Sharing my story, instead of burying it, gave me freedom. It allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level, to build resilience, and to remind myself that even in the hardest seasons, I am still capable of creating beauty and that everyone is going through battles of their own that sometimes they need someone to talk to as well. My scars aren’t something to hide because they’re proof that I survived, and that survival has become my strength.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Kind of silly because its a fictional character lol but, I admire Aelin Galathynius from the Throne of Glass series, not because of her power, but because of her character and the way she uses her pain to fuel her strength. Reading her story taught me that resilience isn’t about being unshakable but it’s about standing back up every single time life knocks you down. Aelin inspired me to stop hiding the parts of myself that felt broken and instead see them as proof that I’ve survived. She reminded me that vulnerability and strength can coexist, and that courage is often just choosing to keep going when it would be easier to give up. In many ways, her journey gave me permission to embrace my own and to believe that even in my hardest seasons, I can still rise, and I can still be fire. “You do not yield.”
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
Being more open and myself on my business social media platforms. I do find it hard to put myself out there but I am trying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carleighraephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carleigh_rae_photography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByC.Rae/
- Other: TIKTOK: @carleighraephotography
Image Credits
Carleigh Rae Photography
