Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Steppe.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been obsessed with photos my whole life!! As far back as I can remember, I would go through my family’s and even my friends’ photo albums, I just couldn’t get enough of seeing these amazing memories captured and saved for so many years.
Instead of asking for a car for my 16th birthday, I asked for a camera. I wanted to document everything! When I had my first daughter, I bought my first DSLR camera. We couldn’t afford professional photoshoots, so I was determined to take my own. I constantly set up little photoshoots for my daughter, 1st birthday, princess dress-up, trips to the beach… When I started posting them to social media, I would receive messages from friends and family asking if I would take photos for them too!
After helping out a local landscape company with their project photoshoots in 2020, I decided to leap to start my own photography business. I was terrified!!! Every time I got overwhelmed with thoughts about how difficult it would be, I shot my worries down immediately and told myself “Stop thinking, and just do it.” What did I have to lose? Go big or go home!
The business took off quickly! I started in November 2020 with my blue truck holiday photoshoots. I sold out the first weekend, so I opened a second weekend. I was shocked when those sold out too. I still take photos of so many of those original clients, and I’m forever grateful to them. They took a chance with a photographer who had no professional portfolio, and it paid off.
My business went from a little side gig to a full-time business in less than three years. I still can’t believe it sometimes. It is such a dream to take photos for so many families!! I get to see a lot of them every year (sometimes several times throughout the year!), and I get to catch up on everything they are doing!
I get to see couples get married, have their first baby (or second, or third…), and see those kids grow up year after year. Best of all, I get to capture those memories that I cherished as a kid, and who knows, maybe one day some kid out there will see the photos that I took and they will be inspired to follow their dream and become a professional photographer…
A lot of these clients now feel more like family.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest challenge is honestly time. Time away from my family, time away from chores, and making time for my business. My work hours truly start when the kiddos go to bed.
We are always running and I am still trying to find the balance.. between work, sports, volunteering at school, and giving attention to all four kids is a lot! I’m not sure I’ll ever figure out the solution, but I’m working on it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I do a variety of photoshoots, I would say I specialize in family photography. I have four kids, so I know how to get children to have fun and feel comfortable. I want you to feel something when you look at your photos. I think a lot of families come to me because they know I won’t make their family sit still and smile. I want you running around, playing, tickling, and doing things they love with their family.
However, I photograph more than just families! I do newborn, couples, events, seasonal mini shoots, baby cow minis (very popular!!!), sports teams, and branding. If you follow me on social media, I’m always posting about new sessions available.
I am most proud of coming up with new mini-shoot ideas every year. I have so many ideas and I love to bring them to life. My holiday mini-sessions are where I thrive. Every year, I have added a new idea and each one has done so well. My goal for each mini is to have an activity. Whether it’s hanging an ornament on a tree, mailing a letter to Santa, throwing (fake) snow in the air, etc. I like to offer something different so the photoshoot feels a little more special.
Any big plans?
My long-term goal has always been to find a home with lots of land (and possibly a studio) to host my clients. I can’t spill all of the tea just yet, but I’m working towards all of these dreams every day.
I plan to just keep doing what I’m doing!! I love the size of the business right now and pray that it continues to be a success!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lesliesteppephotography?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lesliesteppephotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Leslie Steppe Photography
