My name is Leila Savina, a photographer & videographer from Tucson Arizona. Documenting serves as ease and flow for me - I have found solace in producing photographs that portray versions of us that we naturally do not see in our day to day. Applying an aesthetic appeal to my images help me visualize the beauty in the mundane. It provides more life to me - a never decay. Evolving everyday as an artist, I admit that I still haven’t found my why exactly. Consistent practice takes me deeper and deeper. I am obsessed with failing and succeeding with every moment that I capture. I like the feeling of a good photograph taken and I like even more the idea of photographs becoming archival memories. Documenting ourselves and what lovingly surrounds us is what keeps me afloat, that specific feeling knowing that as I grow older I could never forget exactly what once was with a photograph.

Photographing became a consistent practice of mine since 2021 when I was in high school. It was something that stuck for the first time - something I didn’t find immense struggle or frustration in.

I began learning to photograph on 35mm film as opposed to learning digital first. It wasn’t an intentional decision more so that I was just gifted an Olympus point & shoot as my first camera. During this time, my friends became my main subjects when I would shoot, whether we were at parties or our lunch breaks at school.

Fast forwarding to 2023, I decided that I would take photography seriously. I had no better ideas what I would declare my major as for University. I just knew I wanted to be an artist. It wasn’t until then that I would pick up a digital camera - I hated it at first. It seemed way more intimidating than film. Which now, I think the total opposite.

Once I finalized my pursuit in 2023, I had no hesitation about my future as a photographer. Now my day to days consist of planning new ideas for shoots while working two retail jobs to keep me afloat. For now I work until my dream as a full time photographer becomes my reality.

As of 2026, I decided that I would take a step back from University. I am currently utilizing this gap year to assert most of my focus to photography and experimenting with freelance work. As burdening as it sounds to decide to step away from school, it just was not aligning with me as a self sufficient individual. It is not easy to live in this world as a person, student, and artist that was making scraps each week while trying to balance my academic life. School will always be there. Right now I think it is more important to live sustainably and feel financially stable as opposed to struggling with finances and mental health.

I think this was the best decision I have made for myself. It was not easy feeling like I let down the people I love - but I knew it was healthier to follow my intuition.

I felt rewarded with this decision of mine once I learned that I can actually be commissioned for my photography. If I hadn’t taken the risk, I wouldn’t have been able to tour the country with one of my favorite bands as their photographer. For me, in this moment everything is about experience to me. I will return to academia once I feel comfortably settled in my sufficiency.

With all said and shared, I hope that my work can serve as inspiration to those considering photography.

For now I remain in AZ but by all means I will travel wherever for photo related work <3