FilmingLifer | Leslie Plesser
Leslie Plesser is a Minneapolis-based photographer with a background in graphic design and art direction. Her photography has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, the Star Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily, Mpls/St. Paul magazine, City Pages, Cosmopolitan.com and Vita.mn. Various blogs have written features on her as well as a segment on WCCO.
Leslie is also a talented filmmaker and runs her own photography & film business, Shuttersmack. In her previous life (before running Shuttersmack full time), she was the art director for vita.mn and a designer for a variety of newspapers including the Star Tribune and the Miami Herald.
She is continually inspired by Lake Superior, black and white punk photography and everything on her pinterest boards, and counts herself lucky to have her amazing and supportive family which includes her bad-ass husband, her little boy and her adorably (and nutso) dogs, Magda and Hazel.
On top of all that Leslie is also a member of the FilmingLife® Academy + Network and one of our valued FilmingLifers. FilmingLifers are an elite group of family filmmakers who strive for a professional level of excellence and exemplify artistry in the films they produce.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I'm an "old" mom who is trying to be a kindergarten teacher and a photographer and a filmmaker at the same time (aren't we all?!). I live in Minneapolis, which I LOVE, but the weather here limits my "outside" shoot dates to about 6 months out of the year under Covid, so my addiction to coffee is pretty serious as I try to fit 12 months of work into 6.
I have always been drawn to making things look good, and I began my career as a graphic artist, spending hours perfecting typography and color choices. I married young but had my kid as a geriatric pregnancy (leaving plenty of time for travel and adventure in-between). I am a huge dog lover, and I am happiest curled up with a good book by the fire and a pup sleeping at my feet -- preferably dreaming with their legs dancing and whispered yelps heard just above the crackle of the fire.
Tell us about the kind of photography & films you create
I worked in newspapers as an editor and visual storyteller for 20 years (started in high school!) before leaping out on my own to start a photography business. Because of this, telling a story with my photos and films is what really gets me excited. I'll always be a journalist at heart, even if I'm not working day and night to produce a newspaper.
When I first began taking photos, I made the images my client wanted. Now I spend 10 minutes at the start of each session doing posed shots, and the rest of our time is spent documenting the family playing together, which is much more of my jam.
Because of this, I enjoy the "day in the life" type film and photography sessions the best.
How did you first get started in photography?
I loved documenting things for my high school paper when I was younger, but learning to perfect everything on film was extremely expensive, and I didn't have the resources.
When digital DSLR cameras came out, my husband gifted me one when we had two puppies (because we were insane, clearly). The pups provided so much fodder for my camera, and I still treasure those images. If only I knew video back then!
From there, I started a daily photo blog (ah, the 2000s!) and started getting requests to take family or wedding photos. I just rolled with what people wanted until I didn't want to do weddings or posed baby photos anymore! ha!
What made you decide to learn video? What was your motivation?
Each spring I try to learn a new skill to expand my own creativity. I think it was 2018 when I took Courtney's Creative Live course. I really wasn't sure I would enjoy making films at all, but I think it's good to stretch. And then I made a film of my kid and his dad and I was SOLD. I've always had a deep love of music (I've spent many, many nights photographing concerts for local publications), and the idea of setting my own work TO music lit my brain on fire.
It took me a long time to decide to bite the bullet to join the Filming Life Academy, and then once I did I was like 'WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS SOONER?!?" I learned so much more about... everything? Plus it's so fun to watch other filmmakers learn and grow -- and the challenges keep me working (especially during covid when I'm struggling to remain creative).
What was your biggest challenge when you first started learning video and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is and will always be sound. Our city airport leaves many of my clients' homes in the flight paths, and I cannot tell you how much great audio I have lost to planes. I had some marvelous audio once at a beach that was ruined by waves and a drone overhead. It's the one thing I just cannot control and it makes me crazy. Because of this, I often do my filming, trying to capture voices, but then go inside the house to a quiet area and ask clients questions with my iPhone recording for voice overs. That seems to work better for me.
Also, I have a REALLY hard time switching from film to photo, so I have to carry 2 cameras when I work. It's a real pain.
Did you find it a challenge to educate clients on the value of films, how were they first received by clients?
I sold 6 films last year, which I felt was successful -- it was my first year marketing packages that included them. This year I have only sold two, but I think Covid is a huge part of that? I hope it is anyway!
I think people don't know what to do with films, and that makes them harder to market. They can't hang them in their house or put them in a book, so while they love them, I'm not sure they see the value. I work hard at explaining to clients that the KIDS love to watch the films over and over again and that they will cherish them for a very long time, much like we do family movies. It is a hard sell though. Everyone LOVES when I post my own family films, but getting them to spend a grand on their own is a different story.
Tell us about your favourite film and why it's special to you
My favorite film (below) was for a client who was terminally ill. It was very challenging because the mom was sick and there wasn't a lot of energy, so I could only be there for 1.5 hours to do film and photos. I ended up just spending 30 minutes at the end capturing the mom playing with her kids and then sitting down at the kitchen table after and asking her a bunch of questions while I recorded.
I love this film because I know these kids will cherish it. They were so young when she passed, and I wanted them to hear how much she loved them. Every time I watch it, I cry. I would love to do more of these kinds of films, but I am at a loss how to market them.
What is your best piece of advice for those just getting started with films?
I would say to be patient with yourself.
You're not just learning the camera settings, but you're also learning how to move your body. You're learning how to capture audio and that you need to capture something from 4 different angles. You're learning to move more slowly and you're learning whole new software!
It's a huge leap, but man is it fun.
See more of Leslie’s work via her website - www.shuttersmack.com - and social media - IG: @shuttersmack
