We curate cinematic imagery blending the classic elegance of film with the contemporary artistry of digital.
From sacred ceremonies to modern love stories,
we deliver your vision with whimsy and style.
leonidas photo studio
I'm Ignacio Leonidas — a documentary style photographer and filmmaker with a deep appreciation for storytelling. Influenced by my background as a film director and a photojournalist, I blend film and digital media to deliver a product that feels honest, elegant, and alive.
I'm inspired by the beauty and tradition of ceremonies and cultural rituals, and I love reimagining those sacred moments through a modern lens. I want my clients to feel unrestricted in terms of their ultimate vision and have developed the skills necessary to bring complex ideas to life.
Whether we’re shooting on lush 35mm or 120mm film, capturing the movement of Super 8, or crafting something digital and editorial, I work with intentionality, artistry, and care.
Film Photography
My approach to film photography combines the intimacy of 35mm and point-and-shoot cameras with the refined look of medium format. I treat each wedding as an editorial story — blending candid emotion with cinematic composition. The result is imagery that feels natural yet cinematic, crafted with intention in every frame.
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offers a distinctive blend of spontaneity and nostalgia. I work with a range of cameras — from classic 1970s SLRs to compact 90s point-and-shoots like the Olympus Mju, along with fun Lomo cameras that experiment with colored flashes. Together they create images that feel both vintage and modern, elegant yet unposed — evoking the timeless charm of film while preserving the energy and warmth of the moment.
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offers a level of depth and detail that feels intimate. Using a Japanese Mamiya and a classic Rolleiflex — the same cameras used in iconic editorial portraiture of the 1980s and 1990s — I create portraits that are rich in tone and emotion: timeless, intentional, and softly cinematic. Every frame reflects a slower, more thoughtful process rooted in care and observation.
digital Photography
It allows me to capture every fleeting detail with precision and depth. Flexible and fast, it’s perfectly suited for a documentary approach — ideal for candid storytelling throughout the day, from quiet, natural light moments to the energy and flash-lit rhythm of the dance floor. The result is imagery that feels crisp, modern, and true to life.
Super 8 motion film
Bringing a dreamlike, nostalgic quality to your wedding story, this format captures not only what the day looked like, but how it felt. Shot on vintage cameras, it reveals movement, texture, and warmth in every frame — the soft flicker of sunlight, the grain of film, the subtle imperfections that make each moment feel alive.
There’s a cinematic intimacy to it — as if you’re watching a cherished memory unfold rather than a recording of an event. It evokes the romance of old home movies and the timeless beauty of classic cinema, transforming fleeting moments into something that feels both authentic and enduring.
When blended with 4K digital footage, the result becomes a seamless balance of nostalgia and clarity — a love story told through the poetry of film and the precision of modern craft.
digital video
It captures the movement and atmosphere of a wedding with cinematic precision — preserving not just the visuals, but the sounds, energy, and emotion that define the day. Every frame is crafted to feel immersive and true to life, from the subtle gestures during vows to the pulse of the celebration that follows. The result feels modern yet intimate, allowing each moment to unfold like a living memory. When paired with Super 8 film, it creates the perfect balance between nostalgia and contemporary storytelling — a blend of texture, rhythm, and emotion that brings the day vividly back to life.
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"We had the amazing pleasure of having Ignacio film at our wedding, and we were absolutely blown away by the incredible wedding video he created! We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to have Ignacio be a part of our special day and absolutely would recommend his videography expertise. His use of Super 8 film added a touch of nostalgia and timeless beauty to our special day, capturing every moment with an artistic flair that exceeded our expectations. His attention to detail, creativity, and ability to tell our love story through his lens truly made our wedding video a work of art. And, above all, we're so thankful to have worked with someone so communicative, open and receptive to the vision. We truly will cherish our video forever!"
Lauren Sbrilli Montaya & Andrés Montoya
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“My fiancé and I were blown away by Ignacio’s talent. He was able to take pictures VERY last minute and was extremely understanding. His photos came out beautiful- I immediately hung them up in our home. 10/10 would recommend!!!”
Taylor Giancarelli & Philip Saglietto
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"My wife Michelle and I worked with Ignacio for our August '23 elopement. We wanted a film video and our photographer immediately recommended him. He produced a gorgeous, thoughtful portrait of our day together. We both felt comfortable to be ourselves while he was shooting and we couldn't be happier with the result. We highly recommend Leonidas Photo Studio for any special occasion. Thank you, Ignacio!"
Daniel Bögre Udell & Michelle Faviola
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“We had an amazing experience working with Ignacio. He made us feel very comfortable having never done a photo shoot before. He put in the effort to pre scout the location and suggested some wonderful spots. We didn’t feel rushed and he took a lot of time to get the right shots and capture our personalities and love. We had a micro wedding with about 25 family and friends. Would highly recommend him. Lovely experience.”
Carly Squires & Patrick Soper
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"Ignacio photographed our parents' intimate wedding, and we were delighted with the results! He seamlessly captured the day's details and their love story. The lovely photos are matched by his remarkable care, patience, and flexibility throughout the day. Thank you!"
Mildred Morency
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“Ignacio was very accommodating and communicative throughout the entire process and truly listened to want my husband and I wanted. He was so personable and great to work with throughout the day. Ignacio made us feel very comfortable and gave us great guidance throughout the process.Our family and friends came up to us multiple times and were extremely complementary of him. We highly recommend Ignacio for any occasion :) !”
Caroline Benson & Andrew Spraberry
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We are so pleased we were recommended Ignacio! He made the most beautiful video suite for us, capturing our NYC wedding with a mix of Super8 and digital. Planning from the UK, we relied on trusted providers — and Ignacio made everything calm, easy, and fun. His communication was clear throughout, and he worked seamlessly with our photographer and coordinator. On the day, he brought such calm energy — half the time we didn’t even notice he was there — yet he captured every authentic, candid moment beautifully. The teasers, the edits, the music — everything exceeded expectations. We couldn’t recommend Ignacio enough — a talented videographer, a true professional, and an all-round great guy.
Kelly Hennessy & Mark Jepson
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We had a lovely maternity photoshoot with Ignacio at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He was super easy to work with -- clear and quick to communicate, and he really took the time to understand the vibe we wanted. It was a hot day, but he made sure we felt comfortable and relaxed. We're so happy with how the photos turned out and would definitely recommend him!
Clara & Cliff Keer
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Very pleased with my photos with Ignacio! He captured so many moments from our engagement party. Very easy to work with and very reliable. Highly recommend!
Nicole & Jorge
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Ignacio is absolutely wonderful to work with and all of the photos (digital and film) turned out beautifully!!! Would definitely book again for another event or photoshoot.
Remi & Brett
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Ignacio was such a pleasure to work with! I’m so glad I came across his photography. His photos capture the perfect balance of vintage and modern. He’s able to catch both the little and big moments of an event, with making them look so natural. On top of that, he’s wonderful to work with. Highly recommend!
Courtney & Matt
