Rich Leighton is a professional photographer and owner of Leighton Photography & Imaging located in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas. He splits his time shooting and specializing on outdoor/beach weddings and portraits in natural settings, and traveling the United States in a concentrated effort to photograph and preserve "the REAL America." Whether on location shooting the most extravagant of glamorous beach weddings, wading chest-deep in the swamps of the Florida Everglades or high in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific NW, he shoots with Nikon professional cameras and is constantly in pursuit of photographic excellence.
"Nature is a big component of my work. When shooting on location - I find the exact point of harmony between my subject and our chosen natural setting and use that as my guide. I want the bride to look like she was born to be on the beach, not just a woman on a background. I want my wildlife to be as alive as the backdrop - not in contrast to it. I want my subjects to both enhance and be enhanced by the beauty of our natural world. This is the true essence of the art of photography."
Together with his wife and partner, Galina - they are the creators and sole contributors of the widely popular FloridaNaturePhotography.com - started in 2006, it is a treasure trove of images, stories and articles about the natural history of the Sunshine State with a unique native point of view.
Professional associations and active memberships include Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and International Landscape Photographers' Association (ILPA), where Rich Leighton serves as vice president of ILPA.
Rich Leighton's work has been sold all over the world and has appeared in magazines, books, television, newspapers and other places from educational exhibits to retail stores. He is currently becoming more involved in writing for numerous venues and clients, and is now putting together ideas for his next writing project, following the success of his first book, "Native Orchids of Florida".
Fine art nature photography, beach weddings, outdoor portraiture, commercial/residential architectural photography, special events.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Neiders Company
Puget Sound Energy
Starbucks Corporation
Palmer Residential, LLC
The BoxMaker, Inc.
Republic Services
Ball Corporation
Cellar Stocker
Women Business Owners
ISPI
NOHLGA
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Lachini Vineyards, LLC
McCaw Hall
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Network After Work
Grand J&K Cabinetry Inc.
Fairwood Golf & Country Club
Highland Woods Golf & Country Club
Overlake Golf & Country Club
Quest Integrity Group
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
State Farm Insurance
Allstate Insurance Company
Mission Healthcare
Holmes Electric
Scarsella Brothers, Inc.
Express Employment Professionals
Physio Health Clinic
DeFranco Insurance
Baldwin Chiropractic
Spine Rehab Associates
Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation
Performance Mechanical Group
Transmark Logistics
Perinth Home Loans
WCP Solutions
Joe Wynn & Associates
Jeff West Homes, Inc.
Transformative Wave
White Oak Construction, LLC
Carpenters Construction Co., Inc.
American Cancer Society
HeartsApart.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Great Strides - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Breast Cancer Awareness Charity with the Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation