We’re looking forward to introducing you to Liesl Walsh. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Liesl, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A few months ago I reached a very proud moment in my career as a professional photographer: I walked into the studio of KelbyOne to record my second online class. KelbyOne is a longtime respected online education community for thousands of photographers around the world. When I started my photography career 15 years ago, Scott Kelby’s books about Lightroom were a solid foundation and impacted my growth. For years I saw Scott’s influence in the photography world, and I had met him a few times at events. Years later he saw my work and liked the artistry of my images, and was impressed with the success I have with my students.
To be invited by Scott as an instructor at KelbyOne was a huge honor! He was thrilled with the success of my first class at KelbyOne and I was invited back to record a second class. My classes are “Selling Your Prints on Fine Art America” and “Marketing & Selling Your Photography”.
In the last year I’ve also appeared on The Grid four times, the podcast at KelbyOne that airs on Youtube. Sitting in the studio with Scott Kelby and Erik Kuna with all the lights and cameras, I was struck by how this moment was a big accomplishment in my career. It feels like only the beginning! I have so much I want to share about photography, I look forward to teaching more at KelbyOne!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m originally from Pennsylvania where I was an art teacher, but now live in Venice, Florida. I’ve loved art since I was a child and wanted to be an artist when I grew up. My love of painting and drawing has influenced my photography.
As a professional photographer my goal is to create images that not just show the beauty of a location, but make the viewer feel it. People say that my images have a mysterious, peaceful feeling, and they enjoy the feeling my art gives them when a print hangs in their home. This feeling makes my images stand out online, and it’s helped me get work with clients, get published, and sell prints. I’ve been selling prints of my work locally and internationally since 2015.
Businesses may contact me for licensing and commissions. My images are perfect for businesses and homes looking for serene scenes of coastlines, landscapes, landmarks, and cityscapes of Florida and beyond. See my portfolio and order prints at https://liesl-walsh.pixels.com/.
Learn more about what I offer clients at https://www.lieslwalsh.com/.
I also capture historic locations to appreciate our past and preserve it for future generations.
Recently my photo of the 1927 historic train depot in Venice, Florida was published on the cover of the book, “Venice: A Century on the Gulf” by Larry Humes, a book about the hundred years history of Venice, Florida, which is celebrating its Centennial this year. The train depot was used by the Ringling Circus and was restored.
Since 2023 I’ve been creating online courses for photographers. I have classes about how to market and sell prints online using Fine Art America, editing using Lightroom and Photoshop, how to do sky replacements, and I offer personal coaching sessions and portfolio reviews. See my courses at https://www.lieslwalshphotos.com/.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Both my father and my husband are self-employed and have given me the confidence and encouragement to start my photography business. Being self-employed is a leap of faith as income can fluctuate without a stable paycheck from an employer. But the reward is great building your own business, creating a brand that you are excited about that fills a niche, and growing strong client relationships.
Over the years I watched how hard my father worked. He is a mechanical engineer who worked at NASA and later opened his own business to provide specialized research for aerospace. It was a gutsy move to start a brand new business being self-employed with four teenagers at home right before I entered my first year of college. He sacrificed a lot to provide for the family, and has a vision that keeps him going. He is very dedicated to his work and loves what he does. My father has been self-employed for 40 years and still keeps going.
My husband Mike is hard-working and has made an impression on me with his knowledge and innovative, creative solutions. When we met he was in construction, and right after we married he started his own business repairing paint damage and leather seats in cars. I admired his courage to starting something brand new like that, and after seeing my father’s success being self-employed I fully supported it. Mike’s business took off very quickly and ended up providing for us much better than his construction work. I left my art teacher job to work with him full time as his business was growing, and it gave me valuable business skills I use now with my photography business.
What made Mike’s business stand out from the competition was his excellent service to clients. He was fast, reliable, consistent, and always did high quality work. We interacted with our clients on a professional level with honesty and built long term client relationships lasting 15 years. His word was solid. It was the best experience working with him, and I’m thankful how it provided for us. We now work together in my photography business with the same values of excellent service to clients and high quality work.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Sometimes life throws things at you that are very rough, and when it’s one thing after another for a long time it gets you down. The wounds are still raw. After enduring a lot of suffering through a very long dark time, this is what it taught me:
When times are tough you will see which people in your life are real friends or not.
A kind word or small action can mean a lot to someone who is suffering. Sometimes it’s from a stranger and it means even more, because they don’t know what you are going through and what they did was exactly what you needed.
Sometimes people will not understand unless they have been there, too.
Spend time with people who are positive and inspire you to be a better person. Avoid negative people who bring you down.
What is important in life are relationships over things.
I can be happy without a lot of material possessions.
I am stronger than I thought.
When times are rough, just think about getting through one day or hour at a time.
Suffering can beat you down a lot, but it’s possible to come back, even if it happens very slowly.
I have come a long way. You appreciate more how far you have come after having a rough time and the success is sweeter.
Taking time to breathe, get outside, and walk can make a big difference in your day.
Staying creative can help you get through a hard time. It will help keep your mind on positive things when negativity is surrounding you.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
As I build my photography business I am committed to quality, honesty, and trust, and will not cut corners and put profit over my student and client experience.
It is important to me for my clients to have high quality prints, and I will not use a cheaper printer just to make a higher profit. Having a museum quality print with excellent service is what my brand is about and what my clients love. Being reliable, consistent, and excellent is very important to build long-term client relationships.
My students know they are valued. In my classes I give them them personalized feedback and attention so they get the most out of the experience.
I put my heart and soul into my work, and the feedback from clients and students have been overwhelming and positive, so I know they love the experience they are having. That means the world to me!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I have no plans on retiring anytime soon. But if I did retire, this is what my clients and students would miss the most.
People might not remember what you say, but they will remember how you make them feel.
My local clients who enjoy my photography would miss the feeling they get if they did not see my art. I show local landmarks that they love. I am very visible on social media sharing videos and photos of places that are important to them, especially snowbirds who are away from Florida. They like seeing the serenity and beautiful moments here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. That moment of beauty can be a ray of sunshine to someone.
I appreciate the many comments I receive from clients that show how my art affects them.
Donna Oak wrote:
“Thank you for adding color and beauty to my life. I appreciate you!”
Gilberte Frechette wrote: “It makes me remember how I love Venice.”
Bonny Jonas wrote: “Liesl, thank you so much for doing this for us!! I have always loved your work and now I love your heart!!!”
Debbi Mike wrote: “It’s beautiful Liesl… your work seems to speak to many people (purple heart)”
Jeff Stewart wrote: “… these images warms my heart and clear my head…”
PS Gallery wrote: “Love the peaceful essence it gives. Thank you and great job.”
I think what my students would miss the most is my personalized feedback with encouragement and excellent service. My students are important to me, and I am committed to their success, and care about them as individuals. I’ve gotten incredible feedback from them, and am so happy they are enjoying my classes!
Sherry Keene
“Liesl herself is a gem; possibly the kindest and most patient instructor I’ve had the pleasure of learning from. Her approach is personalized and supportive, ensuring that every student feels valued and understood.”
Kevin Orlando Lau
“You aren’t just helping me learn, you make me a better person. I don’t owe my professional success to my destiny, courage, luck, belief, confidence or fortune. I owe it to a wonderful mentor like you. Your diligence and direction have inspired my inner confidence to climb like a Tiger until I reach the pinnacle of my ambitions. I look up to you as the ultimate role model.”
Bob Biamonte
“Liesl is the best! She is so caring and dedicated to her student’s success! Love her teaching style and passion.”
Patrick Kerwin
“You really take care of your students. I was raised by a teacher, so trust me when I say this, you truly have the heart of a teacher – dedicated, diligent and caring.”
Mark Laurie
“She gives everything she has to her students.”
I will remain committed to giving my clients and students excellent service, and look forward to sharing more beauty of the world around me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lieslwalsh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lieslwalshphotography/
- Twitter: https://x.com/LieslWalsh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LieslWalshPhotography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lieslwalshphotography
- Other: Education Website: https://www.lieslwalshphotos.com
Prints Website: https://liesl-walsh.pixels.com
Image Credits
Liesl Walsh
