Meet Leslie Kehmeier of The Wide Eyed World

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Kehmeier.

Leslie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey as a photographer began 35 years ago in elementary school. I was part of a group of kids that had the opportunity to take some non-traditional classes. Photography was one of the pursuits, the catalyst for what I am doing today. Ironically, I was afraid of the dark back then, so one could imagine my nervousness when it came time to developing photos in the pitch-blackness of a converted utility closet. Looking back, it was a small obstacle in finding the “thing” that has been my way to fit into the world.

Since that time photography, along with athletics and travel was always a steady part of my life. My path to becoming a full-time professional begin in 2007 when my husband and I took a career break to travel the world on bicycles. I brought my camera and started a blog to document the experience. From there I started to think more seriously about photography and journalism as a way to make a living. For a decade, it was a side hustle. I was working at a non-profit and shooting and writing as much as I could. Eventually, I realized I wouldn’t be the photographer I wanted to be without dedicating 100% of my time to the craft. I took the leap in 2016 and have never questioned the decision to fully commit.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth…not exactly. The life of a freelancer comes with a lot of uncertainty – some days I might have an article published, multiple photos purchased, and inquiries to travel to interesting projects. Other times I will not hear from anyone for weeks or get more rejection emails than I care to read. Finances can also be stressful – it’s not the kind of work where you get a steady paycheck every month.

Sometimes I equate the ups and downs to something I came across recently called the fun scale. There is type 1 fun – enjoyable while it is happening, otherwise knows as fun. There is also type 2 fun – miserable while it is happening but fun in retrospect. To me, the challenges of being a photographer are like type 2 fun. I suppose in a twisted way, I know I’m meant to be doing what I’m doing because I embrace the miserable times and keep going.

The Wide-Eyed World – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As an outdoor adventure and travel photographer, I thrive on projects that connect people with wild landscapes, vibrant cultures, and active lifestyles. I’m known for being adaptable to every situation and being able to travel anywhere. At the core of my work is letting my wonder and curiosity flow no matter where I am or what I’m shooting. It’s helped me make deep connections with the people and places that I encounter.

As simple as it sounds, the world is big with lots of mind-blowing landscapes and fascinating people. If I can make an image or tell a story that breaks down the barriers of adventure travel and motivate people to get out and see the world, then I’m succeeding.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment so far has been having my work published with Patagonia. In addition to being a big fan of the brand and its ethos, the process has been a reflection of what it means to be “all in” as a photographer. There were no guarantees that I would ever get published when I started contributing to Patagonia, which might seem like a gamble for some photographers. Despite the risk, I knew that making photographs that came purely from my own vision and style is the ultimate path I want to be on.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thewideeyedworld.com
• Phone: 9706314564
• Email: bluebirdleslie@gmail.com
• Instagram: @thewideeyedworld
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theWideEyedWorld/

Image Credit:
Image credits: Leslie Kehmeier/The Wide Eyed World

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