Upbound Content | The Studio Sessions — Simone • Portraiture
Upbound Content (UpC) is a service I provide offering ad-hoc quick, clean capture of content tailored to the respective needs of the client—always with an Upbound touch. This service entry features Simone Leanora, an actor, writer, producer, and industry professional.
Upbound Content is a service subsidiary of Upbound Media Group LLC (UpMG) , my media solutions company.
SIMONE LEANORA
Simone Leanora is an actor, writer, producer, and creative executive currently based in Los Angles, California, US. She appears in the film With 2 You Get Horror (2014), Them (2021), and an upcoming TV series called Scroll Wheel of Time.
How We Met
The breakfast and lunch lines at Achievement First Brooklyn High School had Simone to thank for an added layer of vivacity and warmth. Each morning and midday, she greeted students with laughter, positivity, and reflection—a role that went beyond her position as the school’s theater and acting teacher (and summer programs coordinator). I first met Simone when I covered the first 10 minutes of her breakfast line transition.
Her innate humor and energy confronted the challenges of a demanding school year for all involved in educating young people. Each sly yawn or quiet acknowledgment of fatigue from a scholar was met with a genuine optimism and open candor. Did I mention she’s hilarious? Student or staff alike seldom left a conversation with Simone without a chuckle or two.
An Ebb and Flow in Autumn
Simone approached me to create a custom in-studio photo session. Her vision was to explore the interplay of light and shadow against a fade-accented background, wearing contrasting dance-wear. In fall 2017, we brought this vision to life using three wireless strobe flashes and precise light sculpting.
I tend to have many favorite shots, but I always favor portraits with direct eye contact. Simone’s gaze brings an undeniable power to each shot—a signature of her craft as an actress. Our laughter nearly interrupted our workflow, but it was a welcome problem to have. This session with @simoneleanora was a joyous delight.
The Look
We laughed about using baby oil to enhance the way her skin caught the strobe light—a detail Simone was excited to try. But after reviewing the initial shots, we agreed that the natural look worked perfectly. Simone’s focus on body sculpting gave us images she loved, though we both wished we’d had more time to shoot before returning to another day’s school duties.
The Service Rendered
Upbound Content (UpC) provides quick, clean, ad-hoc content capture, tailored to the project’s unique needs. Upbound Content coordinated and executed this bespoke in-studio photography session.
For this session with Simone, Upbound Content managed all studio logistics, including sourcing, vetting, and booking. I handled pre-production and post-production deliverables, while Simone provided her own attire, hair, and makeup.
Our first session was uplifting, and I look forward to future projects together, including work with ZAMA Creative.
Reach out to content@upbound.media about commissions for your next set of media needs.
Portraiture
Concepts
Logistics
Photo Capture
SIMONE LEANORA
