inspirational quote

Guest blogging over at The Elephant of Surprise

Today I am blogging on The Elephant of Surprise. My sister has a really fun blog with lots of crafting, home decor and party ideas. I am talking about cute and easy ways to package photos!

Make sure you check out my post and all of the other creative ideas she has! 

http://bit.ly/11czilR

why I love lifestyle photography | tuesday tip

I love lifestyle photography because it is all about personality. My biggest goal, when I pick up my camera is to capture the connections, and all the little natural pieces of life. I find so much joy in the little things and the honest and simple moments together. These photos celebrate my baby and his life and all the simple greatness.

To me, it's about remembering what is here today and gone tomorrow.

Here are a few tips to help you capture those incredible honest moments in your life:
Capture what you and your kids love.
Remember the special routines that make up a big part of your daily life.
Focus on the details
And try to capture the emotion, no matter what emotion it is (happy, sad, upset, silly, etc.) Those photos will mean the most to you for years to come!

A really special Mother's Day

Spending any holiday without your husband is difficult and this was no exception. Tyler is busy working in Pennsylvania for a few (hopefully short) months but he managed to make yesterday a very special day for me.

He mailed me a rather small package and it arrived Friday, anxiously I waited to open it at his request until yesterday morning. We had an early morning Skype chat and he watched how surprised I was! He says that he had to go a little over board because I am taking care of my sometimes crazy son without his help. But he is helping me and supporting me by working hard and making the sacrifice to be away from us too.

I loved that I was able to spend this Mother' Day with my mom. My sister put together an awesome Shutterfly book of all of the pictures from our recent Disneyland vacation. It was the perfect gift for my mom! We also got to chat with my brother who is serving his mission in Houston, Texas. That, by far was the best gift my mom good have gotten. It was nice to see him and how well he was doing!

Mother's Day Mini Sessions | Rexburg, Idaho

Last month I put together two days filled with mini sessions featuring mothers and their children. I really wanted to feature hard working moms and all that they do! And since it was the last weekend I would be living in Rexburg, I just thought it would be a great way to say thanks so all the great people I have worked with. 

I started looking for a location, and I have to admit that I had some difficulty finding the perfect location. After looking at many places, I decided that the Woodman Ballroom on Main Street in Rexburg, would be the perfect spot for me. It was simple, a large empty space and I could fill it however I would like. 

Thinking about the props I wanted to bring, I knew I wanted something casual and simple. I didn't bring anything too distracting but all of the props were really bright and light.  Below, is an instagram picture of what my set up looked like. I also had to bring in a large reflector to bounce back some of the light that was coming through the windows. 

Asking for a little help, was also something that was very important. It just so happened that my sister was going to be in town and I hired her to be my secretary for the day. I had back to back sessions and to save a little time, I had my sister sign everyone in and give my clients all the information. 

I want to share a few photos from one of my favorite sessions! Kaeli has a really awesome Etsy shop called Simply Sublime Designs. She and her friend, Tiana make the cutest newborn hats that I have used in many of my photos. 

 

what to do with your instagram photos // tuesday tip

I love Instagram. Most of my photos of Patrick are all on Instagram. It is so much fun and it is so easy. Since so many memories are on Instagram, I made an Instagram scrapbook for my sister. All I did was print off her pictures and made a cute little chipboard book with paper and embellishments.

follow me @leslieleavitt

12 things happy people do differently / tuesday tip

I am always up way late, because I can't sleep. My husband says that I can't sleep because I am on Pinterest. But I tell him that I am only on Pinterest because I can't sleep. Anyways... I found this really cool article about what people do to find happiness. As I have started my business, I have been through a roller coaster of emotions. I have highs and I have lows and sometimes I drown myself in my lows. It is so easy to be critical and not give yourself enough credit. I have noticed that when I am not having as much success in my business, it is only because of ME!

1: Express Gratitude
2: Cultivate Optimism
3: Avoid Over-Thinking and Social Comparison
4: Practice Kindness
5: Nurture Social Relationships
6: Develop Strategies for Coping
7: Learn to Forgive
8: Increase Flow Experience
9: Savor Life's Joys
10: Commit To Your Goals
11: Practice Spirituality
12: Take Care of Your Body

The one that I am most guilty of doing, or not doing, is number three. I am constantly over-thinking everything, and comparing myself to other photographers and other business owners. I would compare my one year of experience to someone else's five years of experience and that would give me such self doubt but when I realize that the only person I should be comparing myself to was myself, I was able to grow in areas that I really wanted too.
Number seven was another one that I work hard to do. And it's not so much forgiving others, as it is learning to forgive myself. I have made many mistakes and when I let myself to forgive and forget, I can push on to the next thing without anything holding me back.



source: Mark and Angel

You Deserve A Photo Project | Guest Post

I am so excited to be apart of this great program called You Deserve A Photo. You should check out the facebook page and all of the other wonderful photographers involved.

I'm Alana Allred.  I am from Calgary, Canada and I am living in Rexburg while my husband and I attend school at BYU-Idaho.  We are the proud parents of a rowdy 18-month-old boy.  I am studying communications with an emphasis on advertising.   I married the boy that I fell head-over-heels for when I was 14 at EFY, but it took a lot longer for him to notice me.  

You Deserve A Photo is a project I started in January where I have collaborated with some South Eastern Idaho photographers who have donated some mini photo sessions for families in need.  Families are nominated by either themselves or someone else.  Throughout March families will be picked from the nominations made, and if all goes well, maybe we can do it all over again.  There is more information on the website: www.youdeserveaphoto.com

I decided to create You Deserve A Photo for a couple of reasons.  In order to graduate I need a senior project that applies some of the things I have learned in my schooling and occupies 50 hours.  As a mother, wife and a student, I already feel like my time is being pulled in too many directions and it is hard to create a balance.  I decided that I wanted to have a senior project that was worth my time, I wanted to do something that I felt good about.  

I also had this experience before Christmas in 2012 that made me realize just how fortunate I am, and I took a new interest in helping those around me who aren't so lucky.  We were providing Christmas for a family in need, and I kept thinking about how I should find a way to give them something that they probably couldn't give themselves, like family pictures.  I ignored that re-accuring thought, because I am no photographer, and it might be hard.  

When contemplating a senior project, I remembered that thought - and I realized I could probably do it.  I felt like I finally found something that would be worth my time, and also give back to the community.  I couldn't have done it without so many awesome and willing photographers.  

I just can't wait to be able to bless the lives of some families in Idaho.

spring cover contest

This will be my first time entering one of my photos for a chance to be on the cover of Chic Magazine. I am submitting one of my favorite photos of my friend Paige. I hope that this will be a good fit for what they are looking for. Wish me luck! 

Hair and Makeup: Jenessa Evans       

Model: Paige Dickson

Birth Story | Rexburg, Idaho Photographer

I hope that you are enjoying your President's Day!  We were lucky enough to have the day off, so we took full advantage and headed for the mountains in Park City. 

I have been dying to share this amazing experience I had a little while ago. I did my first birth documentation. I have been wanting to do a job like this and I was so excited when I had this opportunity. I wanted to capture all of the emotion that fills this day and I love some of the images I got.