Meet Leslie Hall | Photographer, Registered Nurse, Travel Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leslie Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
The natural and simple beauty of our surroundings. While I am blessed to live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, surrounded by some of the most beautiful places in the world, I feel that we can find beauty in nature anywhere. My favorite thing is to find something simple that takes my breath away. A droplet of rain on a leaf, the footprint of a tiny bird in the sand, the reflection of sun on the water, the contrast of the colors of marsh grasses… Mother Nature’s most special gifts are the ones in plain sight. You don’t need a special camera or photoshop – it’s all right there. Just step outside.
And the feedback I get from people who enjoy my work is that they are now inspired to find the simple beauty in their own surroundings. Even if I never sell another photo, knowing that makes it all worth it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Talking about my work is hard for me because it still seems like a dream that I get the privilege of calling myself a photographer. I’ve hauled cameras around since I was little, making my dad chase birds and dolphins in the creeks of Edisto, using over 100 rolls of film during a trip in college, asking my husband to stop on the sides of highways all over the country… But I never dreamed I would sell my work, much less be interviewed about it. Having confidence in the art world is hard. There are so many talented photographers and imposter syndrome is real, loud, and paralyzing at times. But what I’ve had to do is remember that photography brings me joy. Like that golden, sparkly, goosebumps kind of joy. I don’t have to be better than anyone. I don’t have to sell every photo. I just have to keep walking out the door, into the fresh air, into the marsh, or up the mountain. To keep feeling that joy when I capture something in my camera that is just as beautiful as I saw it with my own eye. My photography is mine, and it is my gift to those who see my vision in it. If it makes you feel something, that is my gift to you. And not everyone sees it, as everyone’s “eye” is different. Mine sees beauty in the simplest of things. I don’t use expensive editing software or the best camera because I take pride in finding breathtaking beauty in nature just as it is. And showing others how easy it is to spot it. Because it’s all around us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is my jam. I was the concierge manager at Kiawah Island Resort for a few years after college, so I love planning people’s trips. I have also recently signed up to work for Inspirely Travel Group – a locally owned travel agency – so this is something I take very seriously! We’ll have to assume I’ve got someone else’s credit card though…
First, we are going to Edisto. Botany Bay for sunrise, the Sea Cow for breakfast, beach all day, drinks and apps at Whaley’s (my great uncle’s old gas station turned restaurant), pick up a couple of pounds of shrimp to take back from Edisto Seafood, then dinner at Roxbury Mercantile on the way home. Their she-crab soup is the best I have ever had.
You can’t miss downtown Charleston, of course. I’m biased, but I think my cousin Mimi Whaley is the best tour guide in town, so she would provide the history of the city while I pick all the food. Breakfast at the Marina Variety Store, lunch at Cru Cafe or Basic Kitchen, and dinner at one of the old standards: 82 Queen, Anson, High Cotton, SNOB…
Other must-dos and sees are the
– Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square on Saturday mornings. If you want to meet some really cool artists and farmers and really learn some great history from real Charlestonians, that’s the place to go!
– Sea Island Farmers Market on Saturdays on John’s Island. Can’t miss the Angel Oak and lunch at the Stono Cafe.
– The Windjammer on Isle of Palms is an absolute must – whether it’s a show on the Beach Stage in the summer, oysters on the deck in the fall, or just a quick stop after a walk on the beach. You’ll meet your future best friends there.
– Dinner at Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island and olive oil gelato at Beardcat’s downstairs afterwards. Just trust me.
– Sharks teeth hunting on Folly
– Kayak tour out of Isle of Palms Marina or boat tour to Caper’s Island
– Walking tour with one of the Charleston County Parks’ naturalists
– One of my most favorite things is to walk the side streets of downtown Charleston right after sunrise. There are no cars, no people, and the early morning sunlight makes everything look magical
– McClellanville is one of my most favorite places to take people when they visit. The McClellanville Diner is fantastic (one of the best burgers in town and some really good she-crab soup) as is TW Grahams. I love taking people to see the shrimp boats, and it’s even better if the shrimpers are there and want to chat!
– Because I live in Mount Pleasant, we have to go to Hometeam BBQ to watch football outside in the fall or to cool off with a gamechanger in the summer. Music on the patio outside at Rooted Bottle Market and Bar as well
– And… there’s Park Circle! I love taking people to Commonhouse Aleworks, Holy City Brewing, and Firefly Distillery. Can’t miss a trip into Roadside Blooms – they have the best plants, flowers, and gifts!
– Lastly, no visitor of mine leaves without dinner at ACME Lowcountry Kitchen on Isle of Palms. The nightly seafood specials rival any food downtown. And if you weren’t a fan of grits before, you will be after a trip to ACME.

Obviously, I love food. I love music. And I love being outside. So that’s what most of my visitors end up doing. And there’s plenty of all of that in Charleston!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Gosh, I could spend hours listing names of people who helped me get to this place in my life. First, my parents. Their love of Edisto Island is what started all of this. Some of my greatest memories are of my dad driving me in circles in his boat, chasing dolphin and birds so I could get the perfect photos. I wish my mom were still here to see what has transpired since those moments.
But it was truly my friends on my social media platforms who encouraged me to do more with my photography. I started posting more of my work during the pandemic and was motivated by all of the support I received on every photo. And then people I only knew on social media and have never met in person were asking to purchase my photos. That’s when it started to become real. But when other photographers like Jenny Hough, Trey Hopkins, and Justin Falk started including me in their conversations, that’s when it hit me. I am a photographer. A real, live photographer.

Website: www. lesliehallphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliehallphoto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliehallphotography