Today we’d like to introduce you to Leta Singleton.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The common thread between human beings is resilience, and it is resilience that has been the driving force throughout my life. Resilience helped give form and bring clarity to my passion…my purpose. It illuminated the path along my life’s journey and helped land me in my current state of reckoning. I (and later three other siblings) grew up in my great grandma’s house, a household comprised of all women, including my single mother, grandma (before her passing), great grandmother and two aunts, all of which strongly supported me and contributed greatly to my life. My mother worked hard and could periodically afford an apartment for me and my siblings but at some point, we always managed to land back at my great grandmother’s home. Our 3-bedroom home was small (approx. 800 square feet), quaint and nestled in an upper-lower class community. Though I was motivated by love and the desire to live up to my family’s high expectations of me, I saw struggle and hardship all around and had every excuse to take a different, less favorable path. However, I was driven by an inner voice (I trust was God) and first-hand accounts of miracles that inspired me to be resilient and overcome my circumstances. I succeeded in obtaining an undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of West Georgia (UWG) but not before giving birth to my first daughter by my husband, then fiancé (high school sweetheart), Robert.
We struggled through our senior year of college as a new little family working through the kinks created by financial and emotional challenges and lovers growing pains. Despite our differences, we were both committed to providing a stable home for our daughter where both parents were present given we were both fatherless and in my husband’s case, without his mother for a significant part of his life. A few years after college and after a year-long separation, we reunited, married and had our second daughter right before I headed off to grad school to complete my master’s in Information Technology. Yes, I know. It was far from a psychology discipline, but I had decided early on, prior to leaving (UWG) during my psychology intern at Inner Harbor youth home, that it was too easy for me to become emotionally attached to clients to succeed in the field of Psychology. So, as faith, fate and resilience would have it, I was driven by the urge to delve deeply into the field of technology. This discovery came while teaching myself HTML code and developing a printer equipment information website for a very large client during my time at Xerox Business Services (my first “real” job and means to an end after college).
Though I was only an administrative assistant at the time, it became apparent, very quickly, to me and my manager that I had a strong aptitude for technology. I was soon promoted to a Regional Billing/Database Coordinator, a position that still did not serve well my appetite for technology. I wanted to learn more. I wanted a master’s degree. I wanted to pursue a career in technology. After receiving a very clear message from God that it was time for me to take a leap of faith, I resigned and enrolled in American Intercontinental University – AIU. I had the unwavering support and blessing of my husband even though we were covered in debt with a toddler, an infant, no savings and after my resignation, no health insurance. My husband, as an aspiring and struggling actor, worked only part-time jobs that allowed him to have a flexible schedule to pursue his career. I encouraged him to continue that path. Needless to say, we were in a very precarious predicament. Despite our heavy reality, we both had our minds set on big dreams and having one another’s support and God’s blessing were all we needed to sustain and persevere.
During my master’s program, I was able to land a contracting job as a database coordinator with the state of Georgia’s teacher certification division (Ga Professional Standards Commission – GaPSC). Now having a steady income and with my husband’s help rehabbing my credit from funds earned from a relatively successful theatrical acting gig, we were able to buy our first home in Dallas, Ga. Another baby, the purchase of another home for my mom and the opening of our first business (a huge investment) soon followed…all of which were sheer leaps of faith. We were now business partners, deeply invested in a failing business that was exponentially adding to our debt. We knew nothing short of resilience, so we fought through, learned and grew from our mishaps only to be stronger, more knowledgeable and more resilient on the other side. By the time I completed my master’s program, I was a full-time state employee for the GaPSC. Over the course of 10 years, I worked myself from a division level database coordinator to a certified database administrator for the commission, responsible for state-wide testing and certification data. Towards the end of my time with the organization, I worked as project manager and assistant director of technology. I was easily doing the job of three people, but my salary was far from reflecting my talent and contribution. It was time for a change…another leap of faith.
Well, we leaped and many sacrifices were made and mountains of work completed before giving birth to self-produced productions that we were spiritually guided to pour our hearts into. We managed a full-length indie film and a one-man theatrical production with my husband spearheading writing, directing, acting and talent and me overseeing tech (sound, lighting, photography, post-production editing, internet marketing/website design/maintenance, etc.). We were a force to be reckoned. We were resilient.
Shortly after, in 2009, my husband’s career took flight. He landed his first role in a blockbuster movie, giving us the financial freedom we needed to make our next bold and courageous move. He convinced me to resign from my overworked and underpaid position to manage his career. I knew management. I had a team of techies that I helped hire, train and lead on projects. I knew my husband and his goals, believed in him and his vision, but I knew nothing about the entertainment industry. Still, I agreed and walked away from a job I both loved and resented almost equally. Due to my specialized talent and knowledge, I was unexpendable and almost immediately hired back and paid more than double my salary as a state contractor doing a little less work with the ability to work remotely from home. It was a blessing beyond what I had prayed for that afforded me the flexibility to continue my love for technology while delving into my newly discovered passion for photography and the arts. I worked in this capacity for about two years until the demand of my job with the GaPSC began to increase a bit more requiring more time away from my family and passions. It was very clear to me at that point. I had to put my family, my passion and our businesses first. It was not easy walking away from such an attractive salary and my “job security” as a state employee. It was a very pivotal moment for me. It was the moment I defined myself as a full-time entrepreneur – talent manager, freelance coder/web designer, photographer/ videographer, and property manager/Airbnb host alongside a fully committed role as a wife and mother of our three amazing babies.
Life after the GaPSC has been full of travel, adventure and growth. I’ve accomplished many other milestones along the way which included the completion of several technical certifications and training courses and building a very steady photography client base for my company, newNsight Photography. Over the years, I have acquired vast experience working with couples, families, infants, children, seniors and professionals from various industries. I specialize in event, portrait, headshot, engagement, wedding, landscape and real estate photography as well as offer videography production and post-production services.
In addition to my photography business, my husband and I have incorporated three LLC businesses, produced an Indi film, theatrical play, album and countless music videos including a music video short film as well as completed his autobiography. I manage and handle daily operations, technology development and maintenance, graphic art design, accounting and marketing (though I painfully struggle to keep up with social media marketing) for each of our businesses while managing my workload of being a partly-full time photographer averaging about 3 to 4 photography sessions per week.
In 2018, we also opened an acting school/recording studio alongside my photography studio (newNsight Photography) in Suwanee, Ga called IronE School of the Arts (ISA) where we offer acting workshops and classes, private lessons, audition coaching and taping for kids and adults in person and via SKYPE. We also contribute our time when possible to community outreach endeavors.
I am thankful for the inspiration that guided me to take many bold and courageous leaps of faith throughout my journey. Having time to raise my family, grow our businesses and work more consistently as a photographer has been a priceless gift for which resilience has fronted the bill.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey has been far from easy, but it is one I value for my struggles, tragedies and triumphs alike. The culmination of my life experiences helped make me the strong, resilient and successful entrepreneur I am today.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with newNsight Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
newNsight Photography is where professionalism meets great quality and affordability. It is where clients’ expectations are surpassed and service is elevated to a level unmatched in the industry. We offer each client a customized photography experience and cater to their needs while offering “new perspective and insight” during their session to capture creative and memorable photographs.
Good customer service is hard to come by these days in all industries and outstanding customer service is a rarity. I have a unique background that sets me apart from most photographers/videographers. I have years of unique, dynamic and well-diversified experiences in educational training and professional work experiences combined with a profound work ethic and strong moral foundation backed by the basic principle of ~ truth and love for all and in all I do.
It is always my goal to provide my clients with exceptional service, and I stop at nothing to accomplish that goal. I am most proud of my 100% 5-star customer rating over the past 11 + years since the inception of my business and my ability to help my clients feel at ease even when they are experiencing stressful circumstances that have nothing to do with their photo session. I have always lived by the notion that it is my responsibility to leave people feeling better than they did before my encounter with them. I feel that our greatest and most powerful gift from God is having choice/free will and opportunity each and every day to make the world a better place, one encounter at a time. Having the opportunity to share this blessing with my clients through my photography services is fulfilling in every way.
At newNsight Photography, I aim to offer my clients the best prices, the best service, the best quality and the best experience while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Being born and raised in Atlanta, I am deeply connected with our city’s rich history and inspired by its transformation. It’s wonderful to see our city take flight and grow in the arts and diverse cultures giving rise to endless experiences and opportunities. As a photographer, my appreciation for our beautiful city comes from my love of nature and Atlanta’s vast array of scenic locations. From Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta to Lake Lanier in our neighboring city of Gainesville, there are many locations that offer great backdrops for almost any occasion. The downside of the amazing growth in Atlanta has been the agonizing increase in traffic congestion. With so many people moving into the city along with the influx of movie productions and other businesses and events, it is close to impossible to have a stress free commute, even over the weekends!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.newNsight.com
- Phone: 8887594859
- Email: designit@newnsight.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newnsightphotography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newNsightPhotography/
- Other: ironesa.com
Image Credit:
Leta Singleton – newNsight Photography, E.Z. Singleton – newNsight Photography
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