When she was 16, Leslie Meyer hoped to become a features photographer for a newspaper. She ended up doing much more with her camera. Her company, Leslie A Meyer Photography, is responsible for class photos, for documenting performances by Janet's Dance Studio, for media releases for the Miss Missouri Scholarship Competition and much more.

Meyer's sports coverage of Community R-6 is a popular feature in the pages of The Ledger. She also operates her own social media marketing company from her Benton City studio.

Before opening on her own, Meyer served as marketing manager for KXEO/KWWR. The Louisiana native graduated from the University of Central Missouri. "I still call it CMSU," she says with a laugh.

1. Why take pictures?

[Making a face] That's tough. My very first camera was one of those rectangular boxes where you had to wind the film. When you got that film back it was like Christmas. It's exciting for me.

2. How many shots until you get one you like?

The proper thing to say would be 'as few as possible.' But it kind of depends. At a basketball game I can take 600 frames. A lot of it is luck and timing.

3. What makes a good picture?

You can't ask me that [laughs]. The best pictures capture the personality of the subject. Three or four different photographers could shoot the same thing and you would have three or four different interpretations -- and none of them would be wrong. They would all be good.

4. Do you have a favorite style?

It evolves. The biggest mistake is to mirror the style of someone else. It takes a while to find your own style. I'm finding that mine is more natural, no filters.

5. What got you into social media marketing?

I'm trying to back off on that. The photography is taking over.

6. Did you expect that much photography business?

No, but I've been really fortunate. I've had a lot of people supporting me. The community has been great.

7. I would imagine children are tough to work with.

I love the little kids. Their facial expressions are so great. I love pets, too. You just have to make it fun and give them space.

8. So that requires patience.

It does. But it's fun.

9. Are your walls covered with photos?

Yeah, my house is full of photos. Some people collect antiques, I collect photography. I made my husband turn one wall into a gallery wall.

10. What would make you put down your camera?

I don't know. Some of the Miss Missouri directors would say 'put your camera down and have a picture taken of yourself.' No, I think it would have to be ripped out of my hands.