Ryleigh Liston

she was everything she dreamed she’d be

I’ve always wanted to document the world how I saw it. I found that the beauty is in the details. The warmth of someone’s smile, the big breath you take after a good laugh or the curvature of a building and it’s texture. I found that you can make anything in your life feel like a movie scene, but with your own personal soundtrack.

Portraiture is a form of art. The best part about taking portraits and creating art with someone is making them feel special. Making them genuinely smile and feel good as hell. I believe in magic because I see it in the glow of a person when the feel comfortable and proud to be who they are. I want to make you feel that way.

I finally let go of what I thought I should be and decided to embrace the fact that I’m always going to be a goofy “photography girl” at heart. <3

but to be honest, I think I’m killin’ it! I’m SO excited to be following my heart and creating content while getting to meet so many unique & lovely people. I want to learn from each other.

So I say this to you with pride;

Hi, I’m Ryleigh Liston, I’m a portrait photographer from Gloucester, Virginia. I want to know what scares you, what songs make you ugly cry, what your favorite childhood memory is, how your first kiss was. I want to get to know you and your greatest adventures, as you help partake in mine.

Photography is my greatest adventure. Thank you for being apart of that.

Enough with the cheesy junk.

Let’s go grab a beer and sushi soon, k?

My Life Soundtrack

I highly suggest listening to the songs if you want to get to know me on a more personal note! Music is one of the best ways to connect with others.

In your own small ways, you are creating a movie about your life. No, we don’t have camera crews following us around documenting our every move BUT we have endless amounts of photo & video footage that can showcase some of the highlights. Even then, we aren’t able to capture every emotion and in between moment with visual documentation but that’s where the soundtrack comes a long. The slow Mac Demarco song that you made out to in a car once. The throwback Usher song you and your friends listened to as you got drunk off a cheap bottle of wine. That one BeeGees song that makes you dance around your room like an idiot.

I think music can make things seem a bit more real, sometimes. I made my own “life soundtrack”, a Spotify playlist which will probably show me in my most vulnerable form. I’ve been slowly making this playlist for months. Each song holds a specific memory that I always think about when I hear the song. It brings me back to that feeling when you were eight (or 21) and would day dream out of a window on a rainy day.

I bring a speaker to each of my sessions and play my playlist to help make things flow and raise the energy a lil bit. :-)

Here are three songs in particular that hit harder than others. :,)

DECEMBER, 1963 - FRANKIE VALLIE & THE FOUR SEASONS

This song is an instant mood booster. One of my FAVORITE songs to drive to on a sunny day. Frankie Valli’s voice in it SENDS ME.

It has one of my favorite lyrics in it:
“She was everything I dreamed she’d be.”

but when I first heard it I thought it said:
“She was everything she dreamed she be.”

Even though that isn’t the true song lyric, I still identify with it and sing that instead every time.

SOMEBODY ELSE - THE 1975

Ahhhh yes, can’t make a soundtrack to my life without this in it. Did you expect anything less? This song reminds me of late night car drives in the summer with my best friend. It reminds me rainy days in the fall. One of the best songs ever made. I listen to it every day.

FAVORITE LYRICS:
“You're intertwining your soul with somebody else.”
“Come on baby, this ain't the last time that I'll see your face.”

RIDE - LANA DEL REY

YOU KNOW I CANT FORGET ABOUT MY GIRL!! Lana will forever and always be my #1 artist. I discovered her on tumblr when I was in middle school. She was the first artist with songs that actually spoke to me. Every song she writes is mesmerizing but “Ride” will always be my song. I have so many good and bad memories that go along with this one. That’s why I love it.

FAVORITE LYRICS:
“Been trying hard not to get into trouble but I’ve got a war in my mind.”
“I just ride.”
“I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast. I am alone in the night.”

LET’S LINK :-)

Wanna book a portrait session with me? Need help on which selfie to post or just want to chat about conspiracy theories? DM ME.

I consider us friends now. My DM’s are always open!

•KEEP SWIPING FOR TESTIMONIALS•

JESSICA’S TESTIMONIAL

I have always idolized Ryleigh not only as a photographer, but also as a person. She is so sweet and kind-hearted. She makes her models and anyone else she works with so comfortable and confident. She knows exactly how to boost her models spirit to make them thrive in their own element. She never hesitates to help with posing if that is an issue for her client. Ryleigh has an old soul and that is reflected perfectly in her approach of photography and editing style. Her work portrays a urban vintage style and is very trendy. She was a pleasure to work with and shadow. I am so fond of her work that I recommend her to friends and family members who are looking for a friendly and fun photog. If you get the chance to work with Ryleigh do NOT hesitate. She is the best!

JAZ’S TESTIMONIAL

Taking pictures with Ryleigh was one of the most exciting things that I’ve done. She has a way of making you feel so comfortable like you’ve know her for years. literally the first person I’ve ever taken pictures with and I didn’t feel awkward at all. It was very empowering and I felt so confident taking pictures with her. I was expecting my pictures to turn out good but I wasn’t expecting them to turn out so great to the point where I was just totally obsessed and I cannot wait to have another photo shoot with her. I’m so thankful and ready to see her career take off and I’ll be right here to support her!

LYNN’S TESTIMONIAL

I cannot thank this beautiful soul enough for taking the most breathtaking pictures of me I’ve ever seen. Ryleigh laughs with you, makes you feel completely gorgeous, and actively looks for the most wonderful sites for you while she shoots her magnificent photos. She makes you feel on top of the world, super important, and instructs you on what to do while she does her magnificent art.

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