Focusing in on Mr. Ledford, Samo's photography teacher

By Juliet Swimmer and Alani Kanan, Staff Writers

Deck: Martin Ledford is a photography teacher at Samo who is devoted to his students. Before he began his career in photography and teaching, Ledford worked as an engineer for 18 years. He has been teaching at Samohi for nine years and received his bachelor degree in photography at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. Two staff writers from the Samohi sat down to talk with Ledford via Zoom on Jan. 20.

Juliet Swimmer: What inspired you to become a photography teacher?

Martin Ledford: When I was a kid, I just had some really great teachers, specifically Mrs. White in fifth grade. I just thought she was the smartest person I've ever seen or met. I kind of had always thought, you know, maybe one day I'll give it a try. But it wasn't what I went to college for. I did my career in engineering for almost 18 years. But in 2004, when I was kind of tired of my job, I took a class at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena at night and really enjoyed getting into photography and learning that way. One of the professors said, you know, you should really consider doing this professionally. And it was a hard decision because for 18 years, I've been an engineer and the money was great. And it's hard to give all that security up. But they offered me some scholarships and they were so enthusiastic at the art center, so I decided to go and I quit. And so I got my BFA there in photography. 

Alani Kanan: How did you get your first job in photography?

ML: A company called Web Design wanted to hire a photographer to go around the world to photograph all of their water features and specifically spend time in Dubai documenting the construction of the biggest water feature in the world. So they hired me and I worked there for almost three years. But then the economy got really bad and people couldn't afford these $300 million water features anymore. So the company laid off almost all of its employees. And so again, I was very lucky that a woman who had come to this graduation show of mine worked at Los Angeles Metro and they were wanting a photographer who would document some of their new stations and also work on the construction of the bullet train. And so they hired me to do that. 

JS: How did Samo come into the picture?

ML: In August of 2012, I got a phone call asking if I was interested in interviewing for a position as a photography teacher at Samo. And it's one of those things, it's like okay, yeah, I've always wanted to be a teacher, you know, it's one of those bucket list things. And I thought, well maybe this is the time to do it. I thought I would stay for just like a year but I fell in love with it. I didn't know it was going to affect me personally, in that it just felt like I was doing something important with my life. You're so much more to many students than just the teacher. I mean often, maybe 50% of my day will be teaching, and the other 50% will be support and just listening and helping. I remember the first year I taught I went to graduation and afterwards students would come up and they would give me a hug and their parents would thank me for you know being a part of the kids life. And I had never had that in the working world. And it just felt very special. 

JS: It’s crazy that you started teaching so soon after you applied.

ML: Well, that's not to say I wasn't nervous. Also, once I started, I had to take college courses for two years at night because I needed my teacher certification so it was very busy since I was teaching all day and then doing coursework at night. The very first day I went to class I had to pull over on the side of the road and I threw up. I was just so nervous thinking how am I going to stand in front of the kids? And I remember once I just thought I was gonna break down and I was so upset because I just felt like I had done everything wrong that day. And I just remember I just threw my hands up and told the classes that I give up. And I walked outside. And I was so lucky because some kids came out. And they talked to me and they said, “Mr. Ledford, you're doing fine you know, we don't want you to quit, please come back, we'll be better”. And they were. So they were very kind. They looked out for me, they wanted me to stay. And they made sure I didn't make mistakes. But yeah, if my students hadn't helped me that first year, I wouldn't still be here. They were amazing.

JS:  What is your favorite style of photography and do you have any favorite pieces you've shot?

ML: Well, I do really like landscapes because they're quiet. But I do like shooting portraits. I miss photographing my students. Every day we'd either shoot inside on the stage, but most of the time we went outside, we did our assignments and I would help them out. And then when they finally got started, I would photograph them being students and having fun and just being in high school. I miss that. 

AK: Would you tell us about your 10 year program?

ML: Yeah, I started it actually during my first year of teaching. It began because the Vikes Inn was selling T-shirts and sweatshirts. And the lady who was running it, she said, “Oh, would you mind having some of your students put on the clothing and take pictures and we'll hang it up and try to sell it?” And I said okay, and we actually turned it into a fashion assignment. And when I was looking at the photos, I started thinking, you know, this is interesting. What would they look like you know, 10 years from now? And so I said would you guys be willing to come back once a year every year for 10 years? So when they come back we spend about two hours together and we shoot. And I have them write on a piece of paper what the year has been like for them and I also write how I think they've changed over the year. 

JS: How did your nickname “Leddy” come about?

ML: In my first year teaching, I knew nothing about southern California. I was born in Georgia. I remember the first period and this kid walked in, and he was in his surfer thing. And he goes, “Sorry, I'm late Leddy. I had a session at the bou.” I didn't know what any of that meant. I mean I really felt like I was on Mars. Like, what did he say to me? And then I found out that it was a surfing session in Malibu and he just gave me this nickname Leddy. 

AK: Thank you for talking with us.