How many of us really allow ourselves the luxury of just pursuing a passion?  Leslie’s passion is the ever-changing landscape of the human condition, in this case meeting, talking with and photographing survivors of suicides.  She glossed over the  impact she’s having with these families and friends of suicide victims, but I’m willing to bet she’s making a huge contribution to their healing process.

Thank you Leslie for being willing to share something this personal and remind us that there is no limit to a photographer’s reach into humanity.  Photographers have an incredible ability to touch the hearts of their subjects in so many different ways.

For the past couple of years, I have made major changes as I identify and prioritize what matters in my life. For example, I have sold or passed on many of my personal belongings and moved to a much smaller place. One of my goals in this is to put myself in a position to be able to continue working on personal photographic projects that allow me to explore and share my passions.

As I work to build a photography business, I sometimes take jobs in which I create images that aren’t necessarily life altering to me or anyone else. I think many photographers can relate to this. In order to put my all into those less than life-changing jobs, it’s best if I have a project going in which I CAN find great personal meaning. This work reminds me why I want to capture life through photographs. I find that some photographers would not dream of taking a photography job that is not related to their higher sense of photography as art. Then there are others who are constantly thinking of how each image will fit into their portfolio to help them get the next job…the next buck. For me, I find that I must extract reality from somewhere between the two extremes. Personal projects help me maintain the balance.

My most recent completed personal project deals with suicide survivors in the state in which I live. Although I received mixed reactions from people when telling them about the project, it was a subject I felt I needed to explore. Montana, nicknamed “The Last Best Place”, consistently ranks near the top for suicide rates in our country.

My portrait project centered upon ten people in Montana who have lost someone to suicide. Each participant shared their thoughts on suicide with me and then helped construct their portrait by choosing a photograph, item, or location that represents their loved one or his or her healing process.  Through this process of collaboration with those I photographed and by sharing their experiences in their own words (through audio recordings), I felt a real sense of doing something important…something meaningful. 

As I continue to move my life away from being focused on possessions and towards being focused on the most meaningful things in my life, I find my attachment to stuff is fading.  However, the need to make a difference in my own life and the lives of others is increasing. Even if my personal projects never change someone else’s life, they change my life. Creating personal projects keeps me fresh and motivated, no matter what is in front of my camera.

Leslie McDaniel