landscape photography tips || tuesday tips

I have such a passion to shoot anything and everything with my camera. As many times as I have been to the city, I still love finding new and interesting ways to photograph it and improve my images. 

A few things that I keep in mind when I go out shooting is to always have some kind of focus point in the shot. The eye needs something to focus on and it helps the photo be more interesting and creative.

Remember the setting in your camera. The light will be constantly changing when you are walking around the city and you need to remember to change your shutter speed, and ISO.

Look for contrast! Having high contrast in your photos will create an interesting image. So look for a bright sky and dark buildings, or lots of sun and shadow. If you are shooting in RAW, you will have more flexibility in post processing to add contrast and highlights. 

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

Guest Blogger \\ Pacific Northwest Hikes

I am so excited to be having Justin Garin, the writer for Pacific Northwest Hikes, on my blog today! I follow him on instagram and I am a huge fan.  I asked him to tell us a little bit about all the adventures he goes on and how he gets such amazing photos. 

Follow Justin on instagram @vapormonkey

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Lena Lake, Olympic National Park

Hello followers of Leslie! My name is Justin and I write the blog Pacific Northwest Hikes & Adventures. Leslie has always shown great interest of my photography and I'm very excited to be writing on her blog. I have known Leslie in high school, but had no idea that she shared a passion for photography as well. I enjoy her photography, especially her portraits!

     Now for a little about myself. I grew up here in Washington and the Olympic National Park served as my backyard. At a young age I always found myself gazing at the mountains and I enjoyed the weekend trips to the Olympic National Park with my family. It wasn't until 2009 that I started venturing pass the full parking lots and well groomed trails. I can still remember my very first backpacking trip.  It was to a place called Enchanted Valley and we had hiked 13.5 miles to our destination. From that trip I realized that I wanted to be able to share the unscathed landscapes, the towering trees, cascading rivers, and snow covered peaks. I wanted people to see what I saw and to appreciate mother nature more.

     I could go on and on talking about the things I have seen, but lets get back to talking about photography! There are many places to see here in Washington, but if your fairly new to hiking I would recommend Marymere Falls trail. Marymere Falls is a fairly short hike at 2 miles, but every person I have brought falls in love! In the summer the trail is usually busy, but around this time of the year the parking lot is fairly empty. Marymere falls is located in between Mount Storm King and Aurora Ridge and tumbles its way into Barnes Creek, which drains into Lake Crescent. It's a well groomed trail with plenty of signs! Marymere falls is a short hike, but leaves you plenty of time to go swimming at Lake Crescent or explore some more!

Marymere Falls

f/22 iso @100 5s exposure

Barnes Creek 

f/22 iso @100 10s exposure

Here are few things that I do to take long exposure shots.
1.  Be sure to pack a wide angle lens, a neutral density filter, tripod and a remote to have your camera take the shot.
2.  Try to compose your shot before setting up your tripod it will save you a lot of time!
3.  Be sure to put your ISO to the lowest setting and I find that using the highest aperture helps get a long exposure.  Shoot in manual!
4.  Use a neutral or graduated density filter.  These filters allow you to get smooth silky water.
5.  Use the remote to take the picture.  Pushing the shutter button on your camera moves the tripod, which results in a not so sharp photo.

Another helpful hint is that sunny days aren't the best days for long exposure shots.  Cloudy days act as a filter and allows you to get long exposure shots.  
I try to follow these five rules every time to help get a great long exposure shot.  On top of all of that be sure to pack the "ten essentials" for hiking and make sure others know where you are at.  Do some research on the trail and try to find recent trip reports.  

Hope these tips help and you inspire you to get out and explore! Thanks for reading and thank you Leslie for giving me some space on your blog!     

Staircase Rapids is another short enjoyable hike full of cascades

overcoming negativity and hard work

I get so wrapped up in all of the business side of photography, that I forget why I love it so much. Isn't the whole point of this suppose to make me happy?

Some photographers work is amazing, and I am in awe of how wonderful their images are. I ask myself "How did they do that? I want to do that too." I feel very inspired by others work, but at the same time I get bogged down by feeling inadequate. It is easy to compare someones middle to your beginning. But how fair is that?

Not enough money or not enough time are just a few of the excuses I tell myself. But then I get overwhelmed and lack any motivation to improve. The only thing that will make any difference is work. A little bit of work at something is better then nothing at all. But where do you get that drive and confidence to pick yourself up and keep going?

I wish that I had all the wisdom in the world on how to get out of a rut. Is anyone an expert? I have been working hard this last week to overcome the negativity and rise above. I have had moments where I have felt like I might drown, but I don't give up. A few things that have helped me is:

Set goals: I write all of my goals down in a notebook and I look at them a lot. Some of my goals are big dreams! But others are daily and weekly goals. Little things that I can achieve and see immediate progress. It is important to see progress. It keeps us motivated.

Create an inspiration board: I have set up many places so that I can be inspired. I have a notebook filled with ideas, my phone is filled with saved pictures that I love, and my computer has several bookmarks of websites. I work hard to surround myself with motivating photos and ideas.

Take a mental break: I need to shut down my computer, turn off pinterest and just enjoy "the now." I will sit down for dinner with a promise to my husband that I will not talk about anything photography and enjoy being with my family. No stress, no emails, no thoughts about work. It feels good and it is very refreshing.

Check yourself: I tend to forget all of the progress I have made. I am planning so far into the future and thinking about what is next for my business that I don't notice all the good things that have happened. But it is not all about the good. Remembering the mistakes I have made has helped me become a much better photographer.

It doesn't have to be something creative or relate to business. Finding the time to exercising, that huge pile of laundry, any of those tasks that are not getting done. If you have been feeling a little discouraged and don't know where to even begin, I encourage you to think of something, even if it is tiny, that you can do today to help you reach your ultimate goal.

simple and easy ways to get more pictures of your children

I hope that you all had an incredibly fun Halloween! I sure did! 

I loved taking Patrick trick-or-treating and he even scored two full size candy bars.

I thought that I would share a few tips to make taking pictures of your kids a little easier. We all love capturing those special moments, the fun times, and first times. With the holidays right around the corner, we will have lots of great photo opportunities. 

I don't know about you, but I always seem to be busy getting ready and run out of time or in such a hurry that I have no time to take a few pictures. I always think that I'll get a few right before or right after but it never happens. So for hallo ween, I knew it would be hectic the day of so I decided to take photos the day before. We were in no rush and I was able to really spend time getting good pictures. It is crazy how much you can do with a little preparation.

You want to capture all of the little things and all the details. Your children don't have to be looking at the camera for a good picture. It is also so important to make things fun. If you are too stressed out because they wont stand still or they wont smile, then you will never get a good photo. After all, you don't want your kids to hate being in front of the camera, you want them to love it! Capturing all the faces that your kids make can be pretty funny and shows off their personality.

I have found that if I let Patrick do what he wants, he is more willing to be happy and smile. When we were taking these photos, all he wanted to do was sit down. I kept asking to stand up, so that I can see his whole outfit. I wanted the perfect picture but Patrick knew best. After I stopped pestering him about standing up, I stepped back and snapped a few of him sitting down. These turned out to be the best ones! He wouldn't stop laughing and smiling.

With carrying a diaper bag and Patrick,  I just don't have enough room to carry my big dslr camera. I only have my phone. But it is not always about getting professional looking photos, it is about saving and capturing memories, right? Here are a few photos from yesterday that we took using my phone.  

Someone told me that having a bad photo is better then having no photo. I have come to find that very true. Even though this picture is extremely blurry, I will always remember how much fun it was taking Patrick to his first trunk-or-treat activity!

10 best tips when traveling with toddlers

In the 1 and 1/2 years of Patrick's life, he has been on more plane rides and road trips than most. His first road trip was to Utah when he was no more then a week old. We have driven the long journey to and from Washington several times. Utah at least once a month and to go see my in-laws several times a month (only an hour away but still can be challenge).  Patrick and I have been on several long plane rides to and from Hawaii, as well as Ohio. And yes! Most of the time it is just me and him.

By now, we have it down to the science. One of my proudest moment, is when a women commented how fast we got through the security gate at the airport! Don't get me wrong it has been filled with ups and downs and pretty messy and stinky situations. And while there will always be challenges, it doesn't have to be miserable. But preparation is key!

It is so important and easiest to travel with absolute smallest amount possible. Anything in excess will be hard to carry and keep track of.

Diapers and Wipes: Take double what you usually use and definitely bring the whole bag of wipes. You'll use them for everything.

Always bring an extra set of clothes for you and your little one. You never knew when you will be desperate for a clean shirt. My little guy has puked and pooped all over me and luckily I had a change of clothes. There is nothing more embarrassing then smelling like your child's poop.

It is also important to bring little trash bags for dirty diapers and clothes. Theses are the ones we like, it keeps the smell contained.

Plenty of snacks! Pack snacks that are easy and no mess. We love plum organic snacks because they are easy to travel with, Patrick can eat them with little or no mess at all and they are healthy. We also try to only bring one or two sippy cups for him. We might have to rinse out his cup more, but its worth not carrying the extra stuff.

I know that you can't and shouldn't worry about all those crazy germs. It is especially important for us to wipe Patrick's hands because he is a thumb sucker.  I also can count several times when he stinks up the car with one of his dirty diapers and a little thing of Lysol can make that stench go away. Making the car ride that more enjoyable.

Sometimes it is hard for me to limit the amount of toys to bring. But only bring 1 or 2 toys. Everything is just extra "stuff" and it gets so hard. I have found that I have a lot of fun and interesting things in my purse that will keep him entertained, like a brush or a mirror. These are things I already have, I just need to use my imagination.

A blanket is something we often forget and it is a huge regret. It not only keeps them warm but it smells like home and that will provide much needed comfort.

If all else fails use technology! An ipad or iphone are great distractions. Yo Gabba Gabba is our favorite. It doesn't keep Patrick's attention for too long but even 15 minutes of him not moving around is enough time for me to catch my breath.

Most important is to have patience. Things are not going to go the way you planned. Your little one will throw the toy and hit someone in the head or spill milk all over the backseat of the car. Patience will keep the tough situations a little easier. And remember, it might not be funny in the moment but it will be something to laugh at later.

I know there are a lot of frequent flyer and traveling moms out there, what are your tips and must-haves? Check out this blog for more tips and good ideas.

Best locations in rexburg to take pictures

One part of being a photographer is deciding on the location to take photos. There are a lot of things to consider such as the style and feel of the photos, the lighting and if it will provide a variety for your photos. Parks are a very common place to have a photo session because it is filled with different back drops all in one location. I put together a list of some of my favorite places in Rexburg and a few in Utah. 

This is the place that is behind a church building in Rexburg, right off of W. 7th S. It is just down the hill and it has a cute wooden fence and lots of trees. 

Have you been to the apple orchards on campus? This makes a perfect place to take photos, especially if it is in the fall.  All of the trees look beautiful. 

This place is a little outside of Rexburg, towards Rigby. It is just a place right off the freeway and its right on the river. The street name is River Bridge rd. It is a beautiful place to have your photos taken.

We all have been to the Nature Park in Rexburg a thousand times, but it makes a great place. It has lots of green grass and a few cute wooden bridges. 

With this couple, we drove all the way down Poleline rd. and found an old potato cellar off the side of the road. It also had an open field filled with snow. 

This place is right off of Henderson and S. 5th W. It is a old green building that will give your photos a cute and rustic look. 

A few places in Utah:

Memory Grove Park is the perfect spot in Salt Lake City for any photo session.  I was there for family photos but it would be perfect for bridal and engagement as well. It is filled with colorful blossoms and a stream of water running through the middle of the park. 

A little further away from Salt Lake City is Draper Park. It is filled with cute wooden fences, railroad tracks, barns and much more to give your photos a lot or variety. 

the best tips and inspiration

I love photography. I love learning as much as I can about it. I stay up till all hours of the night just reading different websites, learning from some of the best. There is so much information on the Internet. Blogs, forums, tutorials is just the beginning.

I have only been doing this photography "thing" for a few months now but I have been able to find some really great information that has helped me not only improve my photography skills but my business skills. And why keep it a secret? The only way I am getting better is because other photographers share how they are successful. And not that I think I am a success (I have a long way to go), but this will help anyone who is interested in photography. Even if you don't want to start your own business.

Here are my favorite four websites:


http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/
This is a great resource that has tons o articles by different photographers. It also offers workshops and much more.

http://www.inspiremebaby.com
Inspire Me Baby is a place to find lots of information about newborn photography. From what kind of equipment to use to great tips on how to handle the newborn. And not only does it have article about newborns but maternity and children photography as well!

http://www.myfourhensphotography.com/blog/
This is a blog I recently have found but I am in love with it already. It has so many interviews with different photographers. It talks about what has made them successful, what
equipment they use and much, much more.

http://www.iheartfaces.com/
This website has a variety of information. It has photoshop tutorials, articles from different photographers, and a whole lot more. My favorite is the DIY tips.

I hope this inspires you to learn and improve your own photography skills.

If you have a great website that you love, I would love to know what it is!

I have to post pictures! And I can't help that I think my baby is adorable.

{What to Wear Guide}

One of the very first question I get asked is "What should i wear?" What people wear in their photos really can make the pictures "pop."  I don't think that wearing all the same color and style makes a photo interesting.  The goal is to have everyone complement each other and not be too "matchy matchy." 

It is important to avoid large logos and words, this will distract from the person.  But dont be afraid to wear interesting prints and patterns.  

Layers and texture are a great way to create dimension to a photo.  It just takes the pictures to a whole different level.  As well, you are able to have a few different looks with one outfit. Just by taking your sweater off or adding a scarf will give the pictures a totally different look.  Chosing fun and bold colors will look beautiful and add brightness to your face.  It will grab attention and create an element of fun.

It is all about the details.  Adding any accessories and fun accents to an outfit show personality.  It is important to remember to be comfortable and have fun.  What you decide to wear reflects your personality and makes the photo shoot fun!

I put together a few style boards to inspire you for this valentines holiday.

2,3,10: J.Crew

1,3,5,6,7,8,9,11,12: Nordstrom 

1,4,5,6: Nordstrom

7,8,9: J.Crew

2,3: Gilt

1,2,6,7,9: Mini Boden

3,4,5,8,10,11,12: Crewcuts

1,2: Old Navy

3,4,7,8: Nordstrom

9: Crewcuts

Now, go out and have fun and create cute valentine pictures!  If you have any really good ones, I wanna see! Attach a link below in a comment.