post by leslie

Since it's still cold outside, and I want to have some fun in the studio, I thought I'd throw together a day of mini sessions for the children! I figure the kiddos have grown a bunch since their fall school pictures, and why not come into the studio and play around with bubbles, balloons and confetti while getting your picture taken! Talk about one way to beat the winter blues.How will this work, you ask? I'll photograph your child for 30 minutes and you will choose your five favorite images to be delivered digitally within two weeks. The delivered images will be sized up to 5x7, but you can order larger prints from my vendor online.The sessions are on April 6 (10 am - 4 pm), cost $150, and if you want more than five images you can order additional photos for $10 each.Also! You get to choose what photos you want at the session!Some questions you might have...Can we do a quick family portrait? Nope. These are just for kids. Sorry!Can I do the session with more than one child? Yes, but each additional kid will be an additional $50 (for which you'll get 15 additional minutes of shoot time and 5 extra photos included).Can I get photos of my kid and my dog? YOU ARE MAKING THIS SO HARD FOR ME! But I must say no due to time restraints. Those situations need a full hour, I am sorry to report.Can I bring outfit changes? Sorry, but we won't have time for that!Can my kid come in costume? ABSOLUTELY. I would love that.Should I ponder it for a bit? Probably not as most of my mini sessions book FAST! But I've never done kid mini sessions before, so maybe this time will be different?Interested? Fantastic! You can purchase your spot right over here, and if you have questions, just shoot me an email! I hope I see you and your kids soon!

post by leslie

One of the things that blew me away the most on this trip, as I may have mentioned, was how green it was! It seems as if California is in a perpetual draught (or on fire), and to see it dark and rainy and so, so green was a stunning sight.You know what else was stunning? How in this spot on earth you can see in one frame, a field of cactus, an orange grove, mountains and fog. And sometimes, even palm trees! Such a diverse landscape!

post by leslie

I have so much to show you guys! But also, not enough time to do it.I'm officially back from California, but I'm slammed with work this week. I'm going to try to keep these posts coming as Ojai is so special to me, and I want to show you why, but please be patient if I skip a day or two.Today I'm featuring scenes from around the town. As you can see, it's an artists dream with the murals, the plants and the amazing patios. Not to mention the outdoor used bookshop! And the random Emus in someone's yard! Perfection.

post by leslie

I'm starting to think had I been born 50 years earlier, I would have loved a career as a travel agent.Seriously, is planning vacations not the most fun thing ever? I cannot express the joy I get from scouring the internet for places to stay and planning activities and looking for picnic/photo spots. It brings me such happiness, and this trip to Ojai was no different.For this trip, I found an airbnb that I would move into TOMORROW, and not only was it stunningly gorgeous, but it was comfortable. I have learned over the years that these two things do not always go hand-in-hand, but this house was the golden ticket.The sofas were down, the bedding was 5-star-hotel worthy and the details and decor were top notch. There were books and a great kitchen and amazing gardens and multiple outdoor spots to enjoy your meals. And there was even a piano! It was magical.But enough talking about it. why don't I just show you! Enjoy. Oh, and you can rent it for yourself right here.

post by leslie

This past weekend, I took a bit of a break from the cold and met a girlfriend in Ojai. Oh where? Ojai (pronounced Oh, hi). It's about 80 miles northeast of LA, and Jamie and I discovered this sleepy little town of hippies and creatives back in 1999 (you know, the previous CENTURY -- that doesn't make me feel old or anything) when we lived in LA.I wanted warmth and a little isolation and someplace to hike. I got two of the three.I mean, it was 60 degrees. It was warmer than Minneapolis, for sure! But let me explain. Last time I was there, it was in the 80s, everything was brown and arid like most of California and it was still lovely. This time? It was rainy and green as Ireland and there was humidity! What a weird spring they are having out here! But it's really great as they need a good recovery after last year's fires,  and I'm certainly not complaining about 60 degree weather.Anyway, these are a few photos showing the fog and clouds and greenery that stunned me as we drove into town.I have so, so, so much more to show you, but I haven't processed them yet because I'm still in California vacationing and soaking up the ocean breezes while I can. I promise to give you some marvelous highlights this week (wait until you see the house I stayed in!), but until then, here is the greenest most lush bit of Southern California that I've ever seen. Enjoy!

Post by Lucy

I recently had the honor of stopping by a friend's house to take some newborn photos of their beautiful new daughter, Lydia Ann. I am just starting out with newborn photography, but oh my is it special. I love seeing the interactions of new parents (and grandparents in this case!) with their new kids - the love that fills the rooms is incredible. Also, those adorable little hands, toes, noses? Not a bad subject. I have a few more newborn sessions coming up, and I am excited to continue to learn more about this process, build my portfolio, and take on more clients! Also grateful to have someone like Leslie's work to look up to.Ok, I am going to log off now - I am up in northern Minnesota taking a little vacation, and it's time to get out and do some cross country skiing! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

photos by leslie

I think I've mentioned here a few times that the last month or two has pretty much been spent photographing portraits of people for their linked in, websites or other online presences. While this work is fine, it's not the kind that lights my soul on fire (unlike babies or pups or families!).But! In a few instances in the last month, the clients have brought along their dogs to work! And I've snuck in photos of them just to keep things interesting.Here are a few of those shots. The dog above was just too silly to ignore. The one below, Milo, smells and behaves exactly like my dear Merlin did, and he makes me so happy and sad at the same time. And at the bottom is sweet Miko, who followed me around yesterday melting my heart. I am so happy we live in a time when dogs are welcome in the workplace! I won't be blogging tomorrow as I'll be traveling (!!!), but here are some internet shares to tide you over in case this Cohen testimony isn't doing the job.+ This genius photoshopped celebrities with their younger selves and it's mesmerizing!+ Kristen Bell has come up with a new diaper line and I just can't stop loving her.+ Never give up on your dreams.+ An old TWA terminal has been turned into a hotel and it's GORGEOUS.+ This film is so beautiful -- skip to the 7:30 mark if needed. I promise it's worth it!+ Great tips on hosting a party in a very small space.No links on the Cohen testimony as we're only 2 hours in, but trust me I'll have some later!

post by leslie

A few weeks back, I spent the morning with that adorable kid up there and his family, and I got to make a short film for them. If you've checked out my family film packages before, you know photos are also included, so I'm featuring a few of my favorites below.This project was really fun on several levels (fantastic parents, beautiful house, stunning wallpaper, family dog, etc etc etc), but it was also such a creative shift from my other projects. One thing I love about film is how it forces me think differently -- it makes me plan my footage around a story, which needs a beginning, middle and end. It pushes me so much more than photography has, and it's so much more difficult! But also that's what makes it fun. I love to keep learning. And I love spending hours finding the music! And for your internet shares of the day!+ What happens when a chef gets sober.+ Life as an only child.+ Photos from inside the Hindenburg!