Aleigha Jade Kelley doesn’t just take photographs — she builds worlds.
A mother, photographer, storyteller and self-described dreamer, Kelley has turned imagination into a full-time career that blends artistry, emotion and transformation. Through her business, Through The Looking Glass Artistic Imagery, she creates cinematic, story-driven portraits that invite clients to see themselves differently — often more confidently and more beautifully than they expected.
Her connection to photography began long before it became a profession. “What began as a love for taking photos of my pets and friends as a teenager slowly became my calling,” Kelley says. “My Mother used to take me into the dark room as she developed film from her art projects in college. This totally lit up my imagination. This grew from my need to create moments in time, other worlds and to help people see themselves in a beautiful way they maybe never had before.”
From childhood, she was drawn to visual storytelling. “Photography felt like magic to me — freezing a feeling in time,” she says. “I grew up loving old family photos and the stories behind them. I loved album art and creative music videos as well.”
By her early twenties, her creative experiments turned into full productions. “I was building sets, doing hair and makeup, costuming, shooting and editing the whole thing. Full production by myself and I felt so good, all for fun. Then I knew this could be my life.”
Kelley’s start in business was far from polished. It was built on determination and trial-and-error learning. “The early days were scrappy, chaotic, and fueled by pure determination,” she says. “I said yes to everything, learned through trial and error, and poured my heart into every session.”
She is entirely self-taught, learning each technical skill through research and persistence. “I didn’t have fancy gear or a perfect setup — just passion and a deep desire to create something meaningful.”
As word spread among friends and family, requests grew. What began as a creative outlet became a sustainable career. Kelley has now been full-time for 10 years and opened her studio two years ago.
Her business name carries personal symbolism.
“It represents stepping into another world,” Kelley says. “A place where you see yourself differently — more magical, more confident, more beautiful. It’s about perspective and transformation.”
She chose the name in 2008 while still in high school, inspired by Alice in Wonderland. “As I see a Wonderland through my lens, and that’s where the magic begins.”
Her work has evolved far beyond traditional portraits. “I now create themed experiences, elaborate sets, and sessions that feel like stepping into a storybook or movie scene,” she says.
She describes her style as “warm, whimsical, cinematic, emotional, and story-driven,” and what she loves most is “showing people a version of themselves they didn’t know existed.”
One session, however, deeply changed her perspective on the power of photography. “When I took someone’s photo for the last time, it became their last image on earth,” Kelley says. “They poured into me that day about how much the photoshoot had meant to them and their story of self love and overcoming dark times. They passed a few days afterwards. This really changed me.”
Moments like that underscore the emotional weight behind her work.
Running a creative business while raising a family requires constant adjustment. “Some days it’s beautiful balance, other days it’s chaos,” Kelley says. “I’ve learned to give myself grace and accept that balance looks different every day.”
Her approach to time management is candid. “Hanging on for dear life, making time for home life, lots of sticky notes on my desk and learning when to rest. And a lot of coffee.”
Her family plays a central role in her success. “My husband, my family for sure,” she says. Her husband assists with videography, prop-building and childcare support when needed. Kelley hopes her children learn an important lesson from watching her journey. “That passion can become a career. That hard work and creativity can build a life you love.”
Kelley openly acknowledges self-doubt. “Absolutely. I experience this regularly. I have to get out of my own head and let the doubts motivate me to go create something beautiful.”
She also notes the challenges women face in business. “Learning to take up for myself, charge what I’m worth, and not minimize my success for anyone.”
Her advice to other women starting out is simple:
“Start before you feel ready. You’ll learn along the way. Don’t wait for perfection.”
Kelley sees wide horizons for her future. “I want to travel more. My camera opens up so many opportunities across the country and it has been amazing. I want more!”
She is expanding into workshops, larger themed productions and recently added photo repair and digital restoration services.
Through it all, she stays grounded in purpose. “Remembering why I started and the people who believe in me.”
For Kelley, success is personal as much as professional. “Freedom. Time with my family. Creating a life that feels fulfilling.”
If she could speak to her younger self, her message would be clear: “You are capable of more than you think. Don’t doubt yourself. We are absolutely going to chase our dreams, forever.”
Above all, she carries gratitude. “The people I’ve met, the lives I’ve been allowed to capture, the places I have seen and the Joy. All the Joy.”
Her journey comes full circle in one final reflection:
“Running my own business has taught me that creativity, courage, and heart can build an extraordinary life.” https://www.facebook.com/Throughthelookingglassartisticimagery/
