We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Preslie Miles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Preslie, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
My goal is to leave a meaningful and positive legacy in both my personal and professional life. I firmly believe that hard work, integrity, and a commitment to doing good lead to positive outcomes. My goal is to be remembered for the dedication I bring, the kindness I share, and the genuine desire I have for others to succeed.
In my work, I aim to do more than just provide a service. I want to inspire, uplift, and truly support the people I work with. I hope my clients remember me not only as someone positive and encouraging but also as someone who created meaningful, heartfelt experiences, like videos that capture special moments to be cherished forever.
Preslie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My story
From the time I was a little girl, I’ve always loved capturing moments on video. Whether it was filming my sister dancing, my brother crawling, or even the backside of our couch, I found joy in preserving life’s details. I never imagined that this childhood passion would someday evolve into a career.
In high school, I initially planned to pursue a medical career, even taking numerous medical classes. However, I quickly discovered that blood wasn’t for me, and I realized it wasn’t the path I wanted to follow. My senior year, I decided to try something completely different: I interned with a videographer to see if this could be my future. Funny enough, I’d never even been to a wedding before! But after assisting on my very first shoot, I knew this was it—I had to turn this passion into a business.
A few months later, I took the leap. I got my business license, started marketing myself on social media, made connections, and did everything I could to get my name out there. I began by filming weddings, bridal shoots, births, and mission homecomings.
Growing up, I was also a dancer. I danced at Layton High School on the Drill team and have always been part of a big sports-loving family. Some of my former teammates who joined Weber State’s dance team invited me to take pictures for them during a football game. I offered to create a hype video as well, and that experience sparked a new passion. I now create videos for high school and college basketball, football, baseball, Drill teams, dance teams, and more.
Over the years, my work has expanded beyond sports and weddings. I’ve captured everything from birthday parties for influencers to quinceañeras, funerals, and even business promotional videos. The possibilities are endless, and I’m so grateful for the incredible clients and opportunities that have come my way.
Every step of this journey has been a blessing, and I’m excited to see where this path leads next!
Appreciate the Little Things
A quote from one of my favorite TV shows This Is Us shared, “That’s What We’re Doing, Just Collecting These Little Moments. We Don’t Recognize Them When We’re In Them, Because We’re Too Busy Looking Forward. But Then We Spend The Rest Of Our Lives Looking Back, Trying To Remember.” I want to be there for your special days and capture some of life’s moments so you can look back and cherish those little moments we forget about.
Challenges
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has been an opportunity for growth. I’ve learned so much since I started, and each challenge has helped shape me into the business owner I am today. One of the challenging parts for me was learning how to edit while still being different. Videography is all about creativity, and striking the balance between staying true to my style and keeping up with trends.
On the business side, I’ve been fortunate to have amazing role models who’ve taught me how to be a strong and ethical entrepreneur. However, I didn’t realize just how many hats I’d have to wear as a business owner. I’m not just the videographer—I’m also the social media manager, marketing manager, scheduler, secretary, and editor. From creating content and posting regularly to responding to texts and emails, it’s a non-stop effort. It’s all part of the fun!
As each year passes, I learn more about how I can improve and be better! While it’s been a process, I’m grateful for every lesson I’ve learned along the way—it’s all part of the journey!
My work
I specialize in videography, one thing that sets me apart is my quick turnaround time. It’s incredibly rare for couples to receive their wedding video within a week of their big day, but I make it a priority so they can relive those special moments on their way home from their honeymoon!
I’m incredibly proud of how much my business has grown over the past three years. One of the highlights of my work has been creating videos for Weber State’s dance team. It’s been such a joy working with them—they’ve truly become my besties! I even had the amazing opportunity to travel with the team to Florida for nationals, and I can’t wait to do it again this year.
Building genuine relationships with both clients and other photographers has been one of the biggest contributors to my success. Through my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly incredible people who have not only helped me grow professionally but have also become lifelong friends. Those connections mean the world to me and are a huge part of why I love what I do.
Thank you for trusting in me and allowing me to share my talent I love so much!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
I truly enjoy working with new clients, and much of my work is shared through social media, especially Instagram. While I may not post every project or maintain a consistent posting schedule (working on it), I’ve been fortunate to attract many clients through this platform. Word-of-mouth referrals are also a big part of how my client base grows. I always work hard to deliver my best so I get positive feedback and create work that others want to share. I’m so thankful for every client and the trust they put in me.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My journey in videography began in high school when I had the opportunity to intern. I attended weddings, bridal shoots, and mission homecomings, practicing with a small Nikon camera. However, I quickly realized that if I wanted to pursue this career seriously, I needed a professional camera. When I graduated, I decided to invest in a good camera instead of going on a senior trip. My parents surprised me with it, and that’s really where my journey began. I started doing a few events for free to practice and build confidence, and once I felt ready, I started charging for my work. The rest is history!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://presliemiles.wixsite.com/pressplay/contact-8
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pressplaybypreslie?igsh=MTFuZGVtZW1rMWJ5bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Thelightseeker