By Woodrow Polston
BENTON CITY—The publishers of Senior Year Magazine have announced their choices for the winter 2022 edition and Audrain County photographer, Leslie Meyer, had two works selected for the edition. Meyer has been busy working on senior photo sessions in various locations within Audrain County.
“I am overjoyed by the news,” said Meyer. “I love my senior sessions, so having my work recognized is just icing on the cake,” she added.
Meyer submitted several images for consideration during the autumn months last year. She received an email two weeks ago, informing her that her work had been selected for publication. She was told that she would be able to view a digital copy of the magazine before the first printing this month. The letter from the publishers also explained that her images were selected from thousands of entries that came from across the world, including Canada.
Both photographs were chosen from a creative collaboration between Meyer, April Thomas at The Sparkly Pig, and Molly Deimeke from Molly Deimeke Salon. Meyer said the day-long session allowed her and the senior models to try out new angles and locations while Thomas styled the outfits and accessories, and Deimeke tried new hairstyles and makeup techniques. The first image featured Van-Far senior Alayna Bryan. Meyer took the photo of Bryan in an alleyway in downtown Mexico.
“I loved this image for so many reasons,” said Meyer. “Molly nailed Alayna’s hair and makeup, and it matched perfectly with the ’70s vibe from April’s graphic tee and bell bottoms. With the way the light hit Alayna’s hair, it just made for a perfect picture,” added Meyer.
The second image featured Centralia senior Lexie Bousquet, and the photo was captured inside The Sparkly Pig store. For Meyer, this is a great moment as she is predominantly an outdoor photographer.
“When you capture indoor photos, you have to make sure the lighting is absolutely perfect,” Meyer explained. “Since I started working as an outdoor photographer, sometimes the nerves can really flare up with indoor works, but I knew the moment I shot this image that I was going to submit it. From the background to the pinks in the clothing and makeup with Lexie’s gorgeous dark hair, it was just a winner from the get-go,” she added.
This is the second time Meyer’s work has been featured in this publication. Meyer expressed that this has given her motivation to drive her work to new heights.
“I’m going for judge’s choice for the next magazine,” Meyer exclaimed. “These really push a photographer to try new techniques, new lines and new poses. I’m already planning on upcoming sessions,” she added.
Meyer specializes in senior portraits, but is also known for her family, wedding, wildlife and landscape photography. Her work has earned her a finalist spot in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources contest, a winning entry in the Travel Missouri contest, and has been featured in many print and social media campaigns including one that was used in a video by the Miss America Organization. Fans can follow her work on Instagram as well as her Facebook page, Leslie A Meyer Photography.