Moving beyond one’s zipcode can be daunting. You’re signing up to leave everything you’ve ever known and hoping that you will be rewarded for taking a leap into the unknown. For Mississippi native, real estate closer, and photographer, Leah Bardin, moving beyond her zipcode was necessary to take her passion for photography to new heights and to bring her closer to discovering her most authentic self. As a fellow Mississippian who had an insatiable appetite to move beyond her zipcode and explore what the world had to offer, I joined Leah on Zoom to catch up and talk all things self-discovery, creativity, and, of course, her journey to creating and living life on her terms. Here’s what she had to say.
You’re a Mississippi native and you grew up in a small town. I want to talk a bit about that and why you chose to eventually move away from Mississippi and pursue a creative career.
So originally, it was because I was dating a guy that was in Seattle, and I wanted to be closer, but I mostly wanted to move because it was so different in Mississippi. I’ve always wanted to move out. Like it was always my plan, whether it was Tennessee, Knoxville, or if it was Georgia. I felt like with my creativity, with photography, I knew that Mississippi was not the place, because I do feel like we lack a lot of creativity in Mississippi, no shade, but I do feel that way.
I vividly remember sitting in Mr. Sansing’s class our senior year of highschool and you were telling me about your plans to forgo college, become a real estate agent, and pursue your photography ambitions. You seemed confident in your decision to pursue those things and I find that many people struggle with identifying their passions and then creating a plan to get them there. How did you come to discover your passion for photography and desire to go into real estate?
At the time, I just, like, had a camera, and I just really enjoyed it. As a kid I always thought I wanted to be in theatre — I was in theatre, I loved singing, drawing — but I didn’t think there was much you could do with that. And then when I picked up a camera, I was like, “Wait, I enjoy this, it’s artsy, but I also could make money with this.”
And I’ve always been a go-getter. I like to stay busy…. and so real estate was kind of like my backup, which is funny, because usually that’s not the backup [to] photography. And I was kind of flip flopped. I wanted photography to be my full-time, and then real estate to be my side gig. I’m actually hoping to get out of real estate soon, because I realized that I just had that as a plan B, and I don’t want a plan B anymore. I just want to do what I love.
When you came up with this plan, did you have any doubts that almost swayed you away from pursuing those things?
I did have a lot of doubts, because I was so young getting into real estate. At the time I was a real estate closer. I’ve actually been doing that for like six, seven years. Most people in that role are like 60 plus. So it was very hard to be in it so young. And people were very, I don’t know what I would say, like, they were very jealous that I was doing what I loved instead of following the way they did, because they have regrets. And so it was really mentally challenging.
When you were facing these challenges, did you have anything to help you through them?
It was actually photography. I was so excited to do it. Even though it was a job and there were stressful moments, like, it was still like something I could get my stress out of. It was my coping mechanism.
In one of your Instagram posts announcing your move to El Paso, TX, you wrote a touching caption that spoke to your self-growth, saying “Counting down the days I move to El Paso, and it seems so scary yet heartwarming. There’s something beautiful yet chaotic about starting over in a new state… I’ve come to love the feeling of chasing something new… From Mississippi, to Seattle, to Wisconsin, now El Paso… two years of chaos, moving, finding myself.” In what ways do you think moving beyond your zip-code plays into self-growth?
Well, for one, it’s the new culture. So everywhere you move, you have a new culture, and you learn more and more about who you are, things that you like to do, because where we both grew up, there’s not much to do there, like, you have sports and that’s about it. There’s not a lot of arts, crafts, music; it’s mostly just crawfish, eating at Mudbugs, and then maybe playing like baseball.
So when I moved from Mississippi to Seattle, I found out that I loved hiking, something I never thought I liked before. I thought I would like it, but I didn’t know. And then really my love for nature came from Seattle. And then when I moved to Wisconsin, my love for people happened because the culture here, and like, between Milwaukee and Chicago, the people are just so nice. And just being in the community, it made me a completely different person. And so now that I’m moving to El Paso, I’m like, “Well, what’s going to be my next thing that I learn?” So that’s what’s exciting about it.
With you being on the go so much, how do you decide where to go next? Is it a gut thing? Is it a logical thing?
This past time, it was kind of both of us. We were just ready to move and, like, try something out. He [Bardin’s boyfriend] got a better job offer, and I was like, “You know what? I don’t mind moving as well. I’ve already moved so much, and I’m ready for the next adventure.” I was kind of already looking at quitting my job and doing photography full-time. And so a lot of this was more like both of our decisions.
Do you ever get restless moving from one place to the other? Does it ever get overwhelming? Do you feel ungrounded?
No, not really… because I surround myself with my community. I mean, most places I go to, I feel like, I feel pretty grounded there, but I do get really sad when I do, like, separate. I remember when I was moving from Seattle, I took it all in. I did one last trip around, and I cried.
On your website you let it be known that you look out for the little things in life, saying that the subject of beauty for you is capturing what you people do not typically see — what is one of those recurring little things that people overlook that if they paid attention they would see the beauty that you see?
I would say life in general is community. I think people tend to overlook their community. People say there’s nothing to do in any city, but I think if you were to actually be involved with your city and, like, know what’s going on, you’ll definitely have things to do.
This series is called “On My Terms” because it features individuals who are creating and living a life on their terms. So, I want to ask: For life to feel and look authentic to you, what terms are required?
For me, it would definitely be flexibility and creativity, but also adventure. I think adventure would be mine. I’m an adventurous girl. I need, like, that adrenaline at times. I get bored very easily.
I’m Just Curious — rapid fire questions
Once a thespian, always a thespian: what is one lesson that theatre taught you that stuck with you to this day?
To be myself. Thank you, Janice Weaver.
What is your go-to book, movie, or TV show recommendation for fellow romantics?
How to Lose a Guy in 10 days. That’s my favorite. I love that movie.
Where has been your favorite place to do photography?
New York City. It’s my favorite. It’ll always be my favorite. I’m so excited to go back.
What is your go-to pastime when you’re not capturing moments on your camera?
Oh my gosh. I have no idea. What do I do in my free time? I don’t even know if I have free time. Probably painting. I feel like I paint in my free time if I have it or cleaning.
What are you looking forward to the most with your move to El Paso?
Trying the new food. I told my boyfriend this morning that I’m going to make a series on TikTok of me trying all the pho.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Tune of the Week: You're Gonna Go Far by Noah Kahan
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