We had the good fortune of connecting with Lea Frye and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Both my husband and I love being outside and exploring the great outdoors. His passion is for fishing and mine for photography and we have a shared love of wildlife. Almost by accident, a magazine started publishing my work, and even put a picture on the cover. Once I realized that my photography was “good enough” to sell, the thought process was: why not use my gift for photography to start a business which would give us the means and frankly an excuse to spend even more time exploring the amazing mountains we live in, and in turn, use those photos to educate and connect others to the natural world we care so much about.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My commitment to my customers to deliver photographs that capture wild animals in their natural habitat – the landscapes where they roam, bringing to life the essence of the animal and its behaviors as seen in nature. My ethic is a major part of my brand. My pictures are not from a zoo, wildlife farm or wildlife safari. I strive to not have any impact on wild animals, so I do not bait the animals or use flash photography. My strong connection to nature and wildlife is the integral component of my art, one that brings heart and soul to my images of wildlife. These are the kind of moments I seek and cherish as a wildlife photographer. Through my camera’s eye I capture these moments where I connect with my subjects in their natural habitat, bringing to life rare moments with images that best portray the personality, passion and struggle behind each wild animal’s existence.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Downtown is the place to start in Helena where you can find all the best local shops, breweries and restaurants. We would of course start at Mountain Sage Gallery where fourteen local artists, including myself, co-own the art gallery with a variety of artwork for all interests. Then walk a little further down the street to grab a coffee, warm latte or espresso at the General Mercantile where it is brewed fresh for each order. Our next stop would be for a juicy burger made from Montana grass feed cows at the “Old Salt Post” located right inside the historical “Gold Bar”. After lunch, I would take my guests on a short hike up Mount Helena to enjoy some of the those big sky views across the Helena Valley before returning to downtown. We would end the day with a cold on at the Ten Mile Creek Brewery which is in the walking mall and has some of the best local brews in Helena.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Scot Bealer for being my rock and my biggest fan,
Website: https://www.leaf-images.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.f_images/
Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/lea.f_images/
Other: https://www.mountainsagegallery.com/
Image Credits
Pictures of me taken by Scot Bealer. All other pictures are my artwork and taken by me, Lea Frye.