Memories in Raw Photography » Family Memories

Johnson Family

Leslie — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:53:13 +0000

I’ve known them for almost 27 years. Seriously! I grew up in the same ward and our families have always been intertwined. They are one of the most giving families that I know! And one of the closest families. Enjoy this darling family!

Johnson Family,
Can I just tell you how impressed I’ve always been with your family! All your kids are kind and carry themselves so well. Maybe it’s silly but I really am so impressed by how they interact with people on their facebook pages, they’re not crude or inappropriate. I just adore them all! And Tracy and Troy, I’ve always thought you were one of the most generous couples. I know while my Dad and Troy were in the bishopric together, it wasn’t easy having my dad be gone so much and it couldn’t have been any easier for you guys! And lastly, Matt…you’re incredible! Thank you SO for your service four our country!!!

Thank you to my soldiers

Leslie — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:30:34 +0000

I spent New Year’s Eve in the SLC airport. I cried too. Out of happiness and gratitude. The happiness part was due to us picking my brother up after he served a 2 year LDS mission in The West Indies. The gratitude part came from something I was able to witness.

A big group of people, young and old mixed together, came in with big poster boards and bundles of red, white, and blue balloons. They giggled and talked amongst themselves, I could hear the excitement in their voices. They were here to welcome their soldier home. I heard screams and there he was, luggage was dropped and replaced by bodies trying to hug him all at once. He took his wife in his arms and held her and their small son for what seemed like an eternity, just soaking up their presence. His little boy didn’t leave his arms after that. I sat and watched them and saw this image and it took my breath away. I was all stealth and took the picture, even though after I did go up and talk to him and I’ll be sending him this image and a few others that I took. Watching this homecoming stirred me in a way I haven’t felt in years. And I felt so much gratitude and wonder that we have so many amazing men and women willing to sacrifice time with their families and put their lives on hold while they defend our county, us, and me…someone they’ll never know.
It pains me wishing I could thank every single one of you personally but I do want to show my gratitude by doing this. I’ll be giving away 4 family sessions (immediate family) for free this year to military families.

Please spread the word to your friends or family that may be interested in this. You don’t have to like my fan page on facebook or leave a comment on the blog to qualify.

Winners will receive a free 60 minute family session (up to 6 people), as well as 25-30 edited images on a disc along with a personal print release and a personal online gallery so you can share your images with family and friends. I’ll be randomly picking 4 families on January 31st. You must live within 2 hours of travel time from Cache Valley (Logan) UT to qualify for the contest. Sessions will all need to be completed before the end of 2011.

How to enter into the contest:
Email me at leslie@memoriesinraw.com with your name and where you or your family member has been stationed and a few things about them and your family. Those will be shared in a future blog post.

I’m so excited to do this and have the opportunity to meet a few of the incredibly brave and selfless people serving our country. Thank you. Thank you more than I can put into words!!

Mike & Billie’s Family

Leslie — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:17:13 +0000

It was a day of trials, the clouds grew heavy and dark as we drove to our location, it became so cold that poor Lauren had to wear her coat until the very last second before I pressed the shutter button and then we had not 1 but THREE photographers show up with their clients during our session as well! Thank heavens it was a big location and we all played nicely together. Even with all the problems we faced you’d never know it looking at their pictures! They were upbeat and Lauren & Tyler were more than willing to climb over dead branches and cement plus they even helped me find a rockin new location while we were waiting for the other photographer to finish with their session!! A very photogenic family, polite kids, and perfect clothing colors…ah I’ll face the biting cold weather for that any day!

Mike & Billie, I’m so glad that we were able to find a day for family pictures! You guys are such a darling family and I can’t believe how quickly the time flew by! I’m so excited for you guys to see the rest of your session, they’re looking amazing!

Billie, I had to add a 5th sneak peek because how perfect is this for your family…tires!!

Vance Family

Leslie — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:59:15 +0000

This is a record for the fastest sneak peek I’ve done! I came home and pulled all the pictures from their session, backed them up, opened up 2 or 3 to get a feel of the editing I was going to do…all pretty routine. I edited 2 and then a few more and then a few more and before I knew it the clock read 3am!! Ack! I just got carried away with this photogenic family!
I was really excited to get with this family for 2 reasons. 1st of all, I was thrilled to hear that they had a 7 and 9 year old! Yay for kids being old enough to 100% understand what I’m telling them! haha The other reason I was excited was because right off the bat Shanell requested something urban, which I don’t get to do very often. All of them were so great and easy to work with plus I absolutely LOVED that they were always giggling or teasing each other because their smiles were so genuine! And can I just mention how polite these kids are? We were getting ready to pack up and leave when their daughter came up and thanked me for coming and taking their pictures! Aww…Anyways, enough talking! You came to see pictures! I hope you love them as much as I do!

Shanell & Tyler, I had such a blast with your family! I loved that you wanted to do something different! I think your cute family fits perfectly with this area!!

Chalmers Family

Leslie — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:49:56 +0000

I’ve been looking forward to this one for months! Not just because they’re such a cute family but because they won this session at the silent auction for my cousin who was fighting leukemia!! Ever since the auction I’ve been curious about the family that won it but I didn’t hear from them right away. Then I had knee surgery and I was hoping and praying that they wouldn’t call before my knee was healed up so I wouldn’t disappoint them. It all worked out for the best because my knee is better, the leaves were just turning that gorgeous yellow, we had perfect weather and their baby girl Hallie ( I hope I spelled her name right Danielle!) is just about to turn one so we were able to get a few pictures of just her to mark her upcoming big day!

Danielle totally made my day with all the props and outfit changes she brought but to add a cherry on top they brought their family dog to be a few pictures too! LOVED it! So to the future clients you should bring your pets! Except snakes…I don’t handle anything without legs, it’s unnatural! Steve and Danielle’s little girl could melt anyone with those big blue eyes of hers and that sunny smile that was out the play almost the entire time, that’s a feat for a one year old! I had such an easy and beautiful session with them, I’m so excited for them to see the pictures!

Steve & Danielle, You guys were absolutely wonderful!!

Toni & Kailee

Leslie — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:50:10 +0000

I was editing and I loved this picture SO SO much that I had to throw it up as the world’s SMALLEST sneak peek! I can’t even describe how much these two make me laugh! Toni, I freaking adore you and your CUTE daughter!

Matt & Jessie: Take Two

Leslie — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:46:42 +0000

We had a gorgeous session all planned out. The grass was vibrant and green. The sun shone. It was a perfect spring day. And then in typical Cache Valley Spring weather the clouds opened up and a rainstorm chased the sun away. We tried to make the best of it, a colorful umbrella was even used but in the end the weather won out and we canceled the shoot. Running to our separate cars trying to beat the downpour we shouted to each other that we’d try again. So this is our try again and the weather got my memo for a warm, sunny and DRY day!
It’s another session that I had a hard time picking which pictures to put up as a sneak peek. Their family pictures turned out great but there were so many Mommy & Daughter and Daddy & Daughter pictures that are so dang sweet that I can’t even wait for Matt & Jessie to see all of them! You don’t have to know them to feel the bond they have as a family and I loved being part of their family for the day!

Matt, Jessie & Family; Take one

Leslie — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:51:02 +0000

So ugh…I am officially over this weather we’ve been having! I am tired of wearing sweaters when I should be sweating in a short sleeved shirt, tired of wanting hot chocolate instead of ice cold Diet Coke, tired of me doing cute hair and then in a quick run from my car into a store the blasted rain has my hair that took me 30 minutes to curl now looks like a drowned rat! Mostly though, I’m tired of rescheduling my photo sessions! I want to see your wonderful faces! Ok, vent over!
The weather forecast was great until the morning of this shoot and then it was gray skies but still warm. About an hour from the session the rain decided to come. Jessie still wanted to brave it out so I threw on the thinking cap real quick and grabbed a big umbrella I had and we set up shop in this field. Great idea until the rain started coming at them sideways so we headed to an abandoned building I love and we got a few more shots until it just got to dang cold. We had to call it a day but one that sun makes a more permanent appearance we’ll be going back out again to get the rest of the shots!

Jenn & Steve

Leslie — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:05:14 +0000

What can I even say about these guys? That I was hysterically laughing the entire time? That Steve is such a goofball? That they’re adorable together? How about all of the above!

The {L} Family

Leslie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:24:24 +0000

I was so excited to do this shoot but when I woke up that morning and I looked out the window and what did I see? A blizzard! As the shoot got closer I started really stressing out that we’d need to reschedule but then a miracle! An hour before it stopped snowing and it stayed that way up until we were packing up the cars to come home after! Not only did the weather work perfectly but these kids are honestly some of the most well behaved children I’ve ever met. They listened and did exactly what I or their mom suggested. They were a dream!