Check Out Emii Leal-Youngblood’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emii Leal-Youngblood.

Hi Emii, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Emily “Emii” Leal-Youngblood. Born and raised in Houston, Texas and found my way to Colorful Colorado about seven years ago, not knowing what I was going to do next.

I came from a childhood full of being bullied and misunderstood for being the “different” one that we typically see as “trendy” in today’s age. I find myself being grateful to have had that lonesome experience because it has built character and given me a wide range of perspectives to be there for those I come into contact with.

Upon moving here, I found myself amongst some of the best people I could have ever dreamed of meeting. They have helped shape me by allowing me to feel safe amongst them so that I could heal ideations that were holding me back from being the successful soul I am striving to be. I quickly became motivated and began my journey with school after my first unforgettable trip to Maui.

I am currently enrolled at the Metro State University of Denver. I am a biology major and a dance minor. I want to become a marine biologist and move to Hawaii to make use of my degree so that I may save the ocean because if it dies, we all will. I want my grandchildren to be able to still see dolphins and enjoy playing amongst the waves. I also desire to open up my own body-positive dance studio/aerial gym where no one can be told they can’t dance if they feel the beat inside them. Something I also struggled with growing up. I have don’t most of my dancing as an adult because of it. I want others to know, limitations do not exist and that we are all beautiful.

Having a background in modeling since I can remember has been such a wonderful and magical experience over the years, but I wanted to find a way that I could be on the other side of lens. I began shooting in July of last year and have had exhilarating adventures with many different types of models. I have met so many other models and photographers who made everything such a joy but often found myself being met with the worst of horror stories within the modeling industry. From handsy photographers to risky shoot sites, it can be an intimidating and scary place. I, myself have had my fair share of unjust situations and unprofessional behavior. It was then that I decided to create a safe woman-owned photography studio for any and everyone.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was not always on the “best” path so to speak, specifically growing up. I struggled just as much as the next person. I was bullied for many years, physically, mentally, sexually, and spiritually abused over the years by more people than I can begin to count, and ultimately ended up on even worse path because of it and turned to the worst outlets. Today, I can say I am almost ten years sober from my drug of choice. I ended my eating disorders and would have never had the concept of healthy food like I do now. Spirituality was nonexistent for me until I found the people I did upon moving to Colorado. I now am more aware than ever and believe me, I am still learning and will never stop. I truly want to be a better me each and every single day.

Things can often be a bit of a challenge. Many things I’ve learned over the years, but the hardest thing was letting go of my past and unlearning all of these bad habits I gained, so I could learn how to be who I wanted to be and how to fall back in love with myself. I promised myself after years of abuse and losing my fiance in a fatal circumstance that I would rise from the ashes to be a better person than who I used to be. I would strive to be who I wanted to look up to. I wanted to do two things: inspire others and be a walking piece of art. After finding my dad, being kept away my entire life, I moved to Colorado in 2015 to start my new chapter and instantly looked for ways I could make art with other like-minded souls. I want to be the change I wish to see in the Universe.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Sunlit Bottega, I strive to be different than most photography studios by offering several different themes, a Client Closet in which we get to have fun and play dress-up and enjoy our true selves, or as always they bring what they feel comfortable in, snacks and refreshments, and so much more than your standard studio, plus it offers 420 friendly options, both inside and out! From no experience to your next unforgettable shoot full of fun, this new photography studio will have you wondering what will come next! All art creators and other photographers are welcome!

From fun family sessions with the kiddos to unique magical concepts, we are a HUGE help in what you are wanting in your next dream set! At the comfort of a nice studio, we offer much more than most, we offer modeling lessons, multiple sets to choose from, and an overall safe space for anyone, including sex workers, even offering tips and tricks on how to market yourself, your site, and so much more!

Not only do we offer in studio sessions, but we also have made accommodations to bring the sessions or sets to you. Knowing a number of hidden and magical spots around Colorado, it is guaranteed to make your snapshots one of a kind! Hosting photography sessions at events, as well as your next music video is what we aim for!

Make your next booking the best overall experience ever with the help of Sunlit Bottega!

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A few books and an app come to mind when I think of what has helped heal and inspire me.

Two that started my journey, The Secret and The Power written by Rhonda Byrne. They show a true understanding of the power, energy, and how the Universe works as a whole. I love them both and highly recommend! As a gift from family and friends awaiting my arrival to Colorado, I read these books they changed my negative outlook on life.

Another set of books I particularly find helpful on a day to day basis are The Four Agreements and The Fifth Agreement written by Don Miguel Ruiz. They show a new way of living to help yourself and others around you. When I was gifted these books, it truly opened my eyes how I hurt my own feelings more than others simply by not following these five agreements shown to us throughout these books. I could be so much happier living by these fun ways of life and end this miserable cycle I kept putting myself through.

I Am is an app I heavily recommend, as it gives encouraging and meaningful words of encouragement to help throughout the day. You can set it to send messages however many times throughout the day and it is truly amazing! It has definitely helped give me hope and inspiration everyday!

Lastly, I will speak on the best tool ever…your intuition. Ultimately, we are our own teachers, students, and source of validation. We are able to be the source of all the answers we seek if we trust in ourselves. It is not easy, but it is absolutely incredible to see the pay-off once you reach it.

Pricing:

• $75/hr – Studio
• $120/hr – Studio + Client Closet
• $200/hr Studio + Photographer
• $250/hr Studio + Photographer + Client Closet
• $80/hr Model + Pose Coaching/Awarness

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/sunlitbottega
• Facebook: facebook.com/sunlitbottega
• Other: instagram.com/thatonechicktherephoto

Image Credits
Image 1 me with the green hair – Emii Leal-Youngblood shot by Nick Del Duca Image 2 soul in purple – Gore Chan Image 3 soul in red with tattoos – AliceSin Image 4 soul with flower train skirt – Davena Renee Ceballos Image 5 soul on swing – Maya Mikayla Garza Image 6 soul in red in pink/red room – Megan Banich Image 7 soul in black/witch – CaptivatedAnarchy