Rangefinder Magazine
November 2005

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Leslie McIntosh Peter Kotsinadelis
A Fine Protrait Photographer in Her Own Right

If ever you needed an example of talent running in a family, Leslie McIntosh would be a prime candidate. Daughter of master photographer William S. McIntosh, Leslie has developed a style all her own, and like her dad, has become a much sought-after portrait photographer.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at the Art Institute of Chicago, Leslie moved to London and began working as a fashion designer. A few years later she moved to Hamburg, Germany, with her husband, Harald, and began working as a fashion stylist, handling wardrobe, styling, and accessories in setting up an image for many well known photographers. “Hamburg is a major center for the European advertising industry,” explains Leslie. But six years later she decided to return to the U.S. and join the family business.

These days Leslie is behind the camera and photographs portraits exclusively, while Harald handles the business end things. “I really enjoy photographing people,” says Leslie. “For me it’s that simple one on one that makes it so attractive.”

Her experience in the fashion industry is something that Leslie believes has truly helped to define her portrait style as classic, with an air of fashion. “What I learned in the fashion and commercial world has really helped me behind the camera. I see things differently and always try to give my images a timeless look, like those you see in fashion images by photographers like Richard Avedon, Irving Penn or Peter Lindbergh.”

The majority of Leslie’s business is derived from senior portraits, while the remainder is split somewhat evenly between children and family portraits. While it certainly helps to have a recognized family name in the photography business for more than 50 years, Leslie does not make the assumption that this is all she needs for marketing. Instead, she relies on a variety of methods including the ambassador system. “Most of our business is word of mouth. For seniors, I find popular girls to photograph early, and they work as reps for me.” What sets Leslie apart from many is that she takes total control of the image form start to finish. “I help my clients pick out the right clothes and do the girls’ makeup. My experience has taught me exactly how to bring out their eyes and lips to make them look their very best. When they look great, the photos look great, then it’s easier to sell larger prints.”

Her system appears to work well with a schedule that keeps her busy almost every day of the week. In the last few years, senior portraits have grown to account for more than 50 percent of her overall business. Regardless, Leslie continues looking at how she can grow other areas of her business. “I would really like to increase the number of family groups I photograph each year by at least 25 percent. I really enjoy photographing them; it’s always a great challenge and very profitable.” The studio maintains a display in a local mall to show some of their best senior and family portraits to advertise and bring in new clients. “We try and keep our name out there and want to make sure people see the name McIntosh as synonymous with quality.”

When it comes to equipment, the digital photography bug has not yet bitten Leslie. She maintains two Hasselblad SLR cameras, a 500-series 6x6cm and a newer Hasselblad H1 6x4.5 cm. “I love them both. They are simple to use, and for me the look of film is just so much more real.” She also carries a Manfrotto Carbon One tripod for use on location. “The spiked legs are great in the sand.” Regardless of which camera she decides to use, Leslie only uses one type of film for all her portraits, Fujicolor Portrait NPZ 800. Why? As Leslie points out, “Many of my portraits are made outdoors before the sun goes down. With an 800 film, I can shoot before sunset or 20 to 30 minutes after without worry.”

The majority of her portraits are done outdoors on the beach and in color. “It’s so much easier to sell larger portraits in color versus black and white.” When she does use black and white, she shoots those portraits in her studio using controlled lighting. Regardless, color and black and white images are all printed traditionally, “To my eyes traditional prints look warmer and more natural.”

When shooting portraits, Leslie generally handles everything solo. The exception is when she is faced with a large or challenging group, such as one that may include smaller children. “When this happens, my dad and I work together as a team. I do the fine-tuning on posing in front of camera and entertain kids and adults while he handles the controls.” With a growing smile Leslie goes on to say, “We make a great team!” Portraits may often be time consuming, and Leslie makes it known that she will take whatever time she needs to put together the best image for her clients.

“Just like an artist does when painting, I envision how a large portrait will look. I believe that a great portrait is classic in its looks much like a great painting. It has a timeless appeal and will still look great 30 or 40 years from now.” With a growing client base and busy schedule, Leslie’s talent is sure to keep her busy. It would seem the family tradition is in good hands and safe for years to come. Visit www.portraitsby mcintosh.com/.