Leah Hennel has been following her lens for nearly three decades. It’s a pursuit that has taken the photographer everywhere, from small-town Alberta to countries all over the globe. The SAIT graduate got her start in daily newspapers at the Calgary Sun at the age of 16 and went on to an 18-year career as a staff photographer at the Calgary Herald.
She is passionate about telling stories that showcase her home province, especially the lesser-known communities and landscapes that make Alberta unique.
Leah has covered numerous Olympic Games on behalf of newspapers and the Canadian Olympic Committee and has also published two photography books — Along The Western Front as well as Alone Together: A Pandemic Photo Essay, which received the International Communications Arts Award. Her work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International, the National Newspaper Awards, and the News Photographers Association of Canada. She also claimed the Sports Media Canada’s Outstanding Photography Award. And, in 2022, Leah received an honorary degree from SAIT. Her clients include The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, Washington Post, The Narwhal, Canadian Olympic Committee, Getty Images and more.