Brooklyn, New York, United States
I create visual narratives that trace the cultural threads connecting generations— Through emotionally intelligent storytelling, I create photographic and cinematic work that reflects a sensibility for bold aesthetics and quiet complexity. With experience across commercial, editorial, and fine art environments, I bring a production-savvy mindset to every shoot — whether self-producing, collaborating with agencies, or building immersive concepts for branded campaigns. My work reflects a continued commitment to thoughtful generational storytelling—whether for campaigns, editorial, or cultural strategy. If you're working on something aligned, I'd love to connect! Clients and collaborators have included Brown Forman Corp., UGG Boots, and 400 Conejos, as well as ongoing partnerships with nonprofit and cultural organizations like The NYC AIDS Memorial & Whitney Museum of Art with Legends of Drag, to NYC-based arts education, MAD54. My images have been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Musée Magazine, and exhibited internationally at festivals and institutions including the de Young Museum and PhotoVogue Festival. I'm currently open to: • Commercial + editorial assignments • Creative direction / branded content • Fine art collaborations and commissions • Campaigns seeking authentic, cinematic, and experimental storytelling 📍Brooklyn-based, working globally 📥 Let’s connect or email: [email protected]
Leal was invited to the 2025 CPW-Kingston and The New York Portfolio Review— hosted by NYTimes & Photoville. She has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Byline. She was a mentee for the 2024 Apostrophe Reps AMP Program, and her work is archived in Fotofilmic’s JRNL 22, Musée Magazine no. 26: Spaces, and Aesthetica’s “Future Now 2023”. She has exhibited in galleries and festivals including: The deYoung Art Museum, The Tenderloin Museum, San Francisco, CA; Photoville, Brooklyn Bridge Park, NY; and PhotoVogue’s “Panorama Latino-Americano,” Milan, IT.
Director & Photographer: • Commerical - 400 Conejos US Holiday Campaign (2024) Producer, Writer, Editor & Director: • Stills & Motion Campaign - "Billboards on the Coast" (2025), for Apostrophe Reps Amplify Mag vol. V • Commercial - "The Sherry Godmother" (2020), Written & Directed by Deb Leal & Daniel Robert Juenemann, Ford's Gin • Music Video - "Sugar" by James Wavey (2020), "Mulligan" by Small Crimes (2017) • Narrative Shorts - "Primal Impacto" (2021), Selected & Screened at Connecting Perspectives Festival, Consulate General of Canada in New York, 2021, "Black Witch Moth" (2017), Selected & Screened at Roxie Theatre, Mixtape Film Festival 2017 Production Designer: • Feature Film - "He Won't Belong", Written & Directed by Dominic Mercurio; currently in post-production (2022) • Commercial - "The Sherry Godmother" (2020), Written & Directed by Deb Leal & Daniel Robert Juenemann, Ford's Gin 1st AC: • Feature Film - "Buried Onions", Written & Directed by Mackenzie Mathis, Executive Produced by Gary Soto; currently in post-production (2022) Grip & Electric, BBE, Swing (2015-Present): • Commercial - Clients include Robinhood, Cisco, Grove, Stashers, Skycar, Arlo, Generation Tux, etc. 1st AD • Music Video - "Baby Don't Dance", Written & Directed by Syra McCarthy (2022) Unit Stills • Feature Film - "Buried Onions", Written & Directed by Mackenzie Mathis, Executive Produced by Gary Soto; currently in post-production (2022) • Short Film - "Value Over Replacement", Written & Directed by Ruben Grijalva (2015) • Series Pilot - "Feel More Girls", Written & Directed by Valerie & LL. Mills (2015)
Select Clients - Ugg, Brown Forman Corp., Mac Cosmetics, The Bon Vivants Group, L.I.E.S. Records, AARP. Select Publications - The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, Hypebeast, The Zoe Report, Condé Nast Traveler, InStyle.
Lead Nightlife Photographer for Fringe SF, Hotline, & Better, Harder, Faster, Stronger. •The Great Northern •Madrone Art Bar •DNA Lounge •Slate Bar
• Sugar Music Video Release Party (2019) - Event co-director: Shirley Brooks. Sponsored by Bacardi Limited. In partnership with Mujeres Unidas y Activas, $1,033 in donations raised with non-profit coordinator, Crystal Millán (CALMA). • Viva La Mujer ('Mulligan' Music Video Release Party) - Co-director: Shirley Brooks. Sponsored by Jagermeister & Lo-fi Aperitifs (2018). In Partnership with Mujeres Unidas y Activas, $1,110 in donations raised with non-profit coordinator, Crystal Millán (CALMA). • Husk & Marrow Group Show (2016) - Event co-director: Chelsea Nobbs. Held at PianoFight in San Francisco, featuring artists Aleksandra Zee, Mallory Rose, Pakayla Biehn, Isabella Hill, Got A Girl Crush, and more.