About

I’m Rou Leonard — a Haitian American photographer and brand strategist based in Seattle.

My work sits at the intersection of image and intention. I create visual systems that don’t just look good, but move culture and shape how brands are experienced.

I started in drawing and printmaking, learning composition from the ground up. That foundation led me to photography, where I found my medium. Not just capturing moments, but constructing them. Framing stories with purpose, tone, and direction.

I earned my BFA in Digital Media and Brand Imaging from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Since then, my work has taken me across New York, Seattle, and Paris, from documenting street culture to shooting during Paris Fashion Week. Across each space, the throughline has stayed the same: a focus on cultural awareness, restraint, and elevated visual language.

Over time, my role expanded beyond the camera into Creative Marketing Direction, where I focus on how imagery operates within a larger system. Campaigns, platforms, audience behavior. Not just what looks good, but what drives impact.

Today, I operate as both a photographer and brand strategist, building narratives that translate across platforms and hold weight over time. My approach blends instinct with structure, aesthetics with intention.

I’m currently focused on creative direction, working toward building brands that feel as considered as they are compelling.

Selected Clients and Collaborations

  • Fairmont Olympic Hotel

  • Renaissance Hotels

  • Paris Fashion Week

  • The Railspur

  • Seattle Storm

  • The Stranger

  • HUMP! Film Festival

  • Boutique Airbnb and hospitality brands across Seattle, New York and Mexico

A woman in a white off-shoulder satin gown holding a bouquet of flowers, standing indoors near a window and a wooden cabinet with plants.
A man wearing glasses and a cap that reads "Creative Arts Dept" is seated at a table with his hands clasped and resting near his face, in a black and white photo.

WHO IS ROU ?

A black and white portrait of a man with dreadlocks wearing a head wrap, glasses, a pearl necklace, and a dark shirt, looking slightly upward.
A woman with bright green hair wearing a black beret, a black leather jacket, and black distressed pants, squatting in a room with a plain white wall and wooden floor.
Woman in black fur coat and navy blazer standing inside a boat or ferry with green benches and windows showing water outside.

HAuS OF HIGHLIGHTS

Photography —10+ years

Creative Direction —10+ years

Luxury & Lifestyle Brand Positioning — 7+ years

Content Marketing — 7+ years

Social Media Strategy & Management — 7+ years

Campaign Development — 7+ years

Visual Design & Art Direction — 7+ years

Marketing Analytics & SEO Strategy — 6+ years

UX-Driven Content & Digital Experience — 5+ years

Cross-Industry Collaborations

(Fashion. Hospitality. Real Estate. Interior Design) 8+ years

b.f.a PHOTOGRAPHY & imaging

b.f.a PHOTOGRAPHY & imaging

b.f.a PHOTOGRAPHY & imaging b.f.a PHOTOGRAPHY & imaging

TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Why Work With Me

What I BrinG

Brands don’t just need visuals — they need narratives that spark emotion and build cultural relevance. I create strategies and stories that elevate perception, inspire loyalty, and connect audiences to brands at the intersection of art, design, and lifestyle. My work isn’t just about capturing images; it’s about curating experiences that leave a lasting imprint.

  • A Dual Lens: The instinct of a fine artist paired with the strategy of a brand director.

  • Cross-Industry Impact: Campaigns and collaborations across fashion, hospitality, real estate, interior design, and lifestyle.

  • Global Influence: Work across New York, Seattle, and Paris, enriched by diverse cultural perspectives.

  • Luxury Positioning: A refined ability to design visuals and strategies that feel aspirational, intimate, and timeless.

  • Leadership Vision: A clear trajectory from content creation to brand strategy to creative direction.

A black and white photo of a rocky island with trees on top, surrounded by water, with a lighthouse visible on the island.