It all began with “I do”: Franci Leoncio and her eye for truly special moments
© Franci Leoncio (Private)
Today, let’s take another look at the other side of the camera—and see how the photographers at Westend61 work. We’d like to introduce you to Franci Leoncio from Lindau on Lake Constance, who found her way into stock photography and our team through wedding photography. It’s certainly no coincidence: after all, both fields are about capturing unforgettable moments in images—powerful emotions and special moments that stay with you!
International, colorful, and multilingual—just like our business—that’s also the story of Hungarian photographer Franci Leoncio. Born near Budapest, the 46-year-old came to Germany 23 years ago. Like many of our creatives, she also found her way to professional photography through a series of detours. Previously, the trained office clerk and accountant had worked for 13 years in a medical supply store specializing in orthopedic shoes. And because she has always loved traveling the world, she previously spent two years working at a travel agency in Cyprus, among other things. Speaking of shoes: She is now certain that she has found her perfect fit in photography: Here she can express her creative side while earning a living.
© Westend61 / Franci Leoncio
Before joining the Westend61 team two years ago, Franci had already been working primarily as a wedding photographer in the Lindau area for several years. “I didn’t take photos at all back then,” she says. But that changed with her own wedding to her partner from Spain. “That was the turning point. Because back then, I realized how much fun it can be to use photos to tell a beautiful story about that special day and create lasting memories.”
What Franci didn’t know at the time: Saying “I do” to her husband would also open the door to professional photography for her. Because after that, she began taking photos at weddings among her circle of friends—initially just out of curiosity. “At first, it was more of a hobby, but then I realized it was going well.” She began to delve into the technical basics of photography, took workshops to further her education, and experimented. And within her, the desire grew to make photography her full-time career.
Soon after she launched her professional photography business, the COVID-19 pandemic struck—a very difficult time, not only but especially in the creative industry; and for Franci, too, it was an early test of her resilience and motivation. “I just ended up taking a few photos of the wedding ceremony at the registry office,” she recalls. But things got better: Many couples had postponed their wedding plans during the lockdown, which led to a wedding boom after the pandemic ended—good news for Franci!
© Westend61 / Franci Leoncio
For some photographers, photos of bridal couples are a “day job” that brings in revenue, while their heart and soul belong to other subjects. Not so for Franci, because her professional passion lies above all in capturing images of the most beautiful day in life, when two people get married. “I’m still just as excited today as I was on the first day. It’s always different people and different locations.” It takes a delicate touch to capture a couple and their wedding guests in a way that’s both unique and authentic. “The human connection is the most important thing,” Franci knows.
This requires planning, but also attention and empathy. “As a photographer at a wedding, you can’t miss a thing—like the exchange of rings, for example.” That can create a certain amount of pressure. Plus, many people get married during the warmer months. “For me, that means I have to earn the majority of my annual income in six months,” says Franci. That’s why she came up with the idea, like many other photographers, to generate additional income through stock photography. When Franci told her friends about her plans, some frowned: “And you really think you can make a living from that?” But such concerns only spurred Franci on: “I’m a very ambitious person. And when someone tells me something is impossible, I want to prove all the more that it is possible.”
No sooner said than done: “In late 2022 or early 2023, I first came into contact with stock photography through courses in the U.S. and Spain,” Franci recalls. She gradually began supplying stock photo agencies with content. That’s when she heard about Westend61. “Westend61’s high standards for quality appealed to me, and it was clear to me: I absolutely wanted to be part of that.”
© Westend61 / Franci Leoncio
“Quality over quantity”: That’s exactly what not only our clients love, but also our photography community. And we, too, quickly came to appreciate the fresh, authentic images from Franci, with whom we’ve now been working for about two years. Her work for us mainly falls into the “Business” and “People & Lifestyle” categories . “At first, I mainly used models from my family and circle of friends, but now I also hire professional models,” Franci explains. These connections often arise through Instagram and by interacting with other photographers, with whom Franci has built a strong network.
Franci also seeks out locations for her shoots abroad. Thailand, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Japan… Because travel is also one of her passions: “It’s an important source of inspiration for me,” she says. Sometimes she and her husband are on the road for several months; taking a break far from home and earning money through photography often go hand in hand.
For Franci, stock photography for Westend61 isn’t just a source of extra income, but also inspiration: “I really appreciate that I’m well supported here as a photographer. You can ask questions, get feedback, and receive suggestions. That’s extremely helpful because you learn a lot in the process and can continue to develop,” she notes, adding: “What really sets Westend61 apart is the personal guidance and support—that’s very motivating!”
We’re so glad to hear that! After all, inspiration isn’t a one-way street—we, too, rely on the creativity and willingness to experiment of the women and men behind the camera to stay on the cutting edge. When we help each other grow together, everyone benefits in the end.
© Westend61 / Franci Leoncio
After two years in the stock photography business, Franci has realized that her wedding photography also benefits from her work as a stock photographer: “I can apply many new ideas there”—for example, a new perspective, a new focal length, or a different lens. “And I’ve learned a lot about using artificial light sources,” says Franci. Conversely, her experience as a wedding photographer has taught her how to create a relaxed, natural atmosphere with the couples, so that people act authentically in front of the camera—an important skill even when working with professional models during stock photo shoots.
Because ultimately, despite all the variety of subjects, it always comes down to one thing: authenticity! This is all the more true in light of the current AI hype. Franci Leoncio sees this as a challenge, but by no means solely as a threat to providers of high-quality stock photography. She, too, has noticed a growing backlash against the sterile, mask-like faces in many AI photos: There is a resurgent desire for that certain human touch in photography: “Real moments and emotions are in demand again. And no AI can simulate those.”
