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Capturing Places and Faces of Duke

Les Todd has been taking photos at Duke for 28 years

Les Todd on both sides of the camera at Duke's commencement in 2013. Photo courtesy of Duke University Photography.
Les Todd on both sides of the camera at Duke's commencement in 2013. Photo courtesy of Duke University Photography.

Name: Les Todd

Position: Assistant Director for Duke Photography

Years at Duke: 28

What I do at Duke: I, and the other photographers, try to capture the places, faces and activities that make up the university - to put a face on the institution, whether it is for outsiders, alums, or people that are currently part of Duke. I am one of five photographers for Duke Photography. When I started in this department 28 years ago, there were only two of us. Back then, we were doing film, so we had a darkroom with a revolving door. We are only just now getting rid of the last bits of that darkroom, even though we have been completely digital for about 10 years. 

Favorite photo shoot: In late 2000, we photographed the Chapel for the "Duke Chapel Illuminated" book. We spent nine days in late December and early January photographing every window, all the sculptures, the space above the ceiling, the tower, the crypt - everywhere. We even had all the chandeliers lowered so we could shoot the windows from a 50-foot scaffold without any interference. It was incredible.

What I love about Duke: The combination of the familiar pattern of the academic year contrasted with a constant flow of new and different things. One of the great aspects of this job is that it is part of my work to visit every nook and cranny of the university and attend all sorts of events. I don't have a deep knowledge of any one part of the university, but I've been exposed to an awful lot of it.

To start a conversation with me, ask about: Bird watching. I don't get out to bird watch as often as I used to, but I have a list of about 650 different species that I have spotted in North America.

What I like to do when I'm not at work: You'll often find me at a street fair or outdoor festival selling beaded jewelry from Guatemala. My wife and I have a small business called Atitlan Arts to help women from the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala make a living selling their jewelry.

My first paid job: Hanging tobacco in eastern Wake County during the summers of high school and college. I was tall for my age and that was an asset for scampering up and down 20-foot poles to hang sticks of green tobacco.

If I could have one superpower it would be: To fly. It would be exhilarating and would make bird observation much more interesting

Something most people don't know about me: I was accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill as a female. My first name is Leslie, and when they sent me my housing information, I discovered they had assigned me to a woman's dorm.