We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leslie Affeldt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Starting this journey into a photography business didn’t really start for me until my early 50’s. I have always had this passion burning inside me, it was just never the right time to set it free. As an adult you get busy with being a grown up and raising kids and working a “paying job”. Now is my time to show the world my god given talent. My mother always encouraged me to peruse my art of photography. She could see it in me, even when I couldn’t see it for myself. My mom has been gone since 2006 and I can only hope she is proud of me and this new amazing journey that I am on now.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in Washington State, where I lived and raised a family. My husband and I and our 2 Labradors moved to Arizona in 2024. We have vacationed here many times and always loved it so we made it our home. Arizona has so much to offer. 
I have always had a camera in my hand since about 8 years old. I see things that others may not, and try to bring that out in photographs. I have been told throughout my life that I have “the eye”.  In the last 5 years I have been inspired by a few key women in my life to pursue my photography career. I have a great passion for this and do consider myself an artist. I have decided to share my passion with you and hopefully share the beauty I see in this world through my photographs. My most favorite thing is when someone sees or purchases my work because it made them “feel” something or brought back a great memory. When someone takes home my work I always tell them “I love that you love it”.  This world is a beautiful place and I hope to share it with you.

I print my photographs on metal, canvas and paper prints with a can do attitude. My motto is the answer is always yes. I will just about any size on any material and ship it to you free or come and hang it in your house for a more personal experience if that is what you want.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing for me is when my photographs evoke emotions or feelings or a special memory for the person viewing it. Weather they purchase or not, my response to them is “I love that you love it” It truly makes my day every time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started into my photography business (selling my work) in Washington state where I was born and raised. I built up quite a good following there and was on a good trajectory for continued success.
Well, life changes and my husband and I decided to take a chance and move to western Arizona. I wondered if my short lived career might be over? I thought I would have to completely start over or just give up. After getting settled in to our new home, I decided to give it a go and see if people like what I do.
To my pleasant surprise folks are loving my work! Things are progressing nicely and many new opportunities have opened up for me professionally.
The moral of the story is though it may be a bit scary, “change is good”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Leslieaffeldtphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieaffeldtphotography?igsh=M3JlNHRvb2tuOG5y&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075956211531

Image Credits

Leslie Affeldt Photography