Today, we’re getting to know Lesley Stefanski a little bit better! This is part of a series of interviews we will be having with KIKI members. If you would like to be interviewed go to our interview page and answer a few questions!
Website/ Blog: http://www.adleystudio.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AdleyStudio
Twitter: @LesleyStefani
1. When and how did the photography bug bite you?
In 2008 I purchased a DSLR for my now husband that we took on a camping trip with us. From my fine art days I knew all about composion but didn’t understand how a camera worked, that week he taught me all about exposure, aperture, and ISO and I was hooked! I came home that fall and started a business specializing in children’s photography, which over time, completely changed. After moving from Vancouver, Canada to The Netherlands last year I decided to specialize in my passion and am now a Woman’s portrait artist!
2. Your house is on fire, your family, equipment and pets are safe, but you only have time to take 2 items, what would it be?
My shoes and notebooks! Shoes because they are an extension of me and my notebooks because they are filled with endless stories, memories, and ideas!
3. If you could have a conversation with anyone about anything, who would it be and what would you talk about?
I’ve always dreamed of sitting down to a dark wooden table, with beautiful sunlight pouring through a window and a nice warm cappuccino in my hands while I chatted, casually, with God. We would chat and he would answer all my burning questions I have about life and why he chose to do some pretty crazy things – according to the bible. It’s a rather fabulous time!
4. What can you talk about for hours? (apart from photography)
Apart from photography, I can talk about encouraging passion and dreams in others. I get so excited when someone comes to me and tells me a dream of theirs and we collaborate on how to make it a reality.
5. What makes you really angry?
‘m passionate about many things, but nothing really gets me angry.
6. You help an old lady load her groceries in her car; only to find out she is extremely wealthy. She wants to buy you something to say ‘thanks’. What would you choose?
Except for a pair of fabulous Christian Louboutin?! Probably nothing, I honestly have everything I could possibly need.
7. What subject matter do you love shooting?
I’m a woman’s portrait artist, I loooove photographing every day woman!
8. If you could only take one lens on every shoot (even if you don’t currently own it), which one would it be and why?
I take my 35 1.4 with me everywhere I go!
9. If you had all the time in the world to do one photography project, what would it be?
Photographing woman living out their dreams and passions, whether it was folding tiny little onesies and raising their babes, owning a boutique, curing cancer, traveling around the world, or serving with an open heart.
10. Have you ever had one of those embarrassing moments at a shoot? Would you tell us what happened and how you survived?
I don’t photograph weddings so I don’t have an embarrassing moment while working, and I don’t get embarrassed that often, so sadly I don’t have a funny story.
11. What music do you listen to when you have to get through long hours of admin and editing?
Usually some Justin Timberlake or Rhianna while editing as it goes by quickly. But Admin tasks usually something by Coeur de pirate, William Fitzsimmons, or mello indie music.
12. Which aspect of your craft are you the least and most confident in?
I’m least confident in bookkeeping and invoicing, so I’ve outsourced that this year as I’m pretty horrible with numbers. I’m most confident in well, pretty much everything else as I know I’m passionate about it!
13. When you have to make big decisions, which do you prefer? “Flipping a coin”, “Comparing the pro’s and con’s” or “going with the flow”.
I go with my instincts…it’s always right!
14. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to travel to Kenya, but we’re heading there this year, so now I’m really focusing on the Maldives!
15. Give a link to one of your recent shoots that you absolutely loved shooting? Why did you enjoy it so much?
I recently had the pleasure of creating some amazing portraits with 10 women in France! These woman were amazing, inspirational, and so loving! Up until this point most of my clients had been in their mid-twenties but these woman were no younger than 35 and one was over 60! It was so powerful and really instilled my passion for working with woman.
