I can say I don’t regret doing it at all though, I learned so many things. Like sticking with something even when it was so hard that I felt complete panic and just sat and cried to Scott that I couldn’t do it any longer. I went far out of my comfort zone attending classes and conferences alone but leaving with new friends. I met some incredible people that I love staying in touch with after our sessions and I even have a few families that I honestly feel as comfortable with as I do my own family.

I feel blessed in being able to have had that adventure and meet the amazing people I have. I also feel so blessed that I had so many people support me and encourage me in this endeavor. I honestly could NOT have done it without my parents and Scott. They have championed me through it all. They encouraged me to take the leap, supported me when I was struggling, cheered with me every session I booked and gushed over every photo. I can’t thank them enough!! For now I’m going to work on shooting for me again and learn to it all over again. I’ll still be shooting for family and close friends so I won’t get rusty but I’m excited to relearn to love it again and hopefully see a return of the creativity! Thank you SO SO much for allowing me into your lives! I adore every single one of you!!

Love, Leslie

If you’d like a copy of this yourself go HERE to download. I printed mine and framed it too, one Christmas decoration down! You can also email me if you’d like the pdf version so you can customize the font, wording and even the placement of the trees and header! Here’s to a fun and busy holiday season beginning AND to keeping this blog updated!!

Pin It

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!!

So while we’re waiting for the 1st giveaway to end I’ll be giving a few hints that will help out with the second one!

Hint #1: If your December calendar is as jam packed as mine that means lots of parties and holiday activities! Don’t forget to take your camera along to record those fun memories!!

and become a fan.Then suggest it to all your friends too, since you know that’s what all the cool kids are doing!  Once I hit 100 fans I’ll be randomly picking someone for the 1st prize of Christmas!! Check on the fan page for more information!

I love what I do so I really appreciate your interest. Please feel free to leave a comment, I love to hear your feedback. And even more, I’d love to meet you!

I will not be accepting new clients, beyond the ones that are currently booked, until fall .

Thanks everyone for such an amazing year!!

Scott’s cousin Melanie was diagnosed with leukemia late last year. Melanie is honestly one of the sweetest people I know. In the 7 years I’ve known her I’ve never seen her greet someone without a smile. At family events you can always pick out where Mel is just by following the laughter. She is just a happy person and that alone makes her wonderful to be around. It’s not any wonder that the kids she teaches absolutely adore her!

Melanie has had to stay down in Salt Lake near her hospital in order to receive medical treatment. She is currently recovering from a stem-cell transplant. While she’s recovering she won’t be able to return to her teaching position for an undetermined amount of time. Modifications need to be made to her home for her safety since she can’t be around any mold. That along with the cost her medical bills from many months in the hospital and the amount of bills will be substantial. Her family and friends have put together a fundraiser to help with the cost of her treatment.

This community fundraiser will be held at the Hyde Park Civic Center on May 1st, 2010 from 8 AM until 4 PM. There will be a silent auction, bake sale, craft sale, and community yard sale.  To help with her cost I am donating one 60 minute photography sessions, valued at $150.00, for the silent auction. Please come out and support her! She truly is an amazing person!

Even if you don’t want to come and purchase anything but would like to contribute something, they are accepting donations of cash or items used for the bake sale, garage sale, and silent auction. You can drop them off the night before the Fundraiser at the Civic Center after 4pm. Or contact Cami about donating something for the silent auction.

If you’d like more information about Mel and her story her family does an wonderful job of keeping an updated blog about her! http://www.melanieballs.blogspot.com/