Memories in Raw Photography

An end

Leslie — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:09:26 +0000

I’ve been putting this off for over 6 months and going back and forth wondering if I’d change my mind but it hasn’t and I think it’s time. After an amazing 4 years of doing photography I’ve decided to stop. I’ve loved meeting each and every single client I’ve had and it’s been so enjoyable to be so readily included in many of their lives and families even after their session is over but I’ve been feeling burned out for a while. I’ve been feeling the creativeness slowly leave and I would never want to give someone a lack luster product so I painfully came to the conclusion that I need a break. Whether it’s a small break or a permanent break I can’t say.

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

Decorating the tree

Leslie — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:43:06 +0000

Christmas and Halloween always battle each other to be my favorite holiday and every year Christmas just barely comes out the winner. I think it wins because of the tree. I’m a collector of them. I guess you could say I take after my mom. Growing up I got my own full sized tree when I was about 13. My parents took me out and I bought my own ornaments and glowed with pride at decorating my very own tree in my bedroom. Every year we had 5 full sized trees and 5 half sized trees scattered through out our house. My mom changed themes often, santas, angels, bears, snowmen, nutcrackers…just to name a few. Even though I have 3 full sized trees of my own up this Christmas this tree is my favorite. There is something magical about twinkling lights.

Starting the Holiday season off right, with a Freebie!

Leslie — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:12:50 +0000

I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone with a craft project. I’ve been LOVING the bucket lists on Pinterest but never found one that would be perfect for me. I also have been less that great to keep my Memories in Raw blog updated with all my gorgeous clients and with me closing my year, minus the newborn shoots I do, until the snow melts my poor photo blog is facing a very sad and loney holiday season. SO….I decided to 1: Make my own bucket list and totally tailor it to me and 2: I’m going to use it to help me create mini photoshoots to keep me creative during the winter and give my blog some TLC. So if I come to you asking to borrow your kiddos now you know why! So here’s what I came up with! And I love it!

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

Neglected

Leslie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:46:01 +0000

Oh my sad and neglected blog! I promise to update you soon and do MUCH better about showing you some TLC. In the meantime, the fan page has been regularly updated during the summer and fall! Head on over to check out all the beautiful people I’ve had the chance to meet!

www.facebook.com/memoriesinraw

Hearten

Leslie — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:21:27 +0000

I met her mama a while ago and it was instant love. First because she is such a sweetheart and a very, very close second because they make the absolute BEST cupcakes and sugar cookies in town! And if it has sugar in it I’m a fan and if you are too you must try Temptation Cupcakes! So when I found out she was having a baby girl I knew that Hearten would be the perfect Princess for a Princess and the Pea photo shoot! And she was! She has the most delicate little lashes that I was so beyond thrilled that I was able to capture.

Plus even though the rest of us were literally dripping sweat (gross I know!) outside in the park her sweet little personality made it a breeze! And holy cow, did she slide into the poses easily! This is my quickest newborn shoot to date, she was just such a great sleeper and no fussing! Love her and LOVED snuggling her! So here is the little Princess Hearten!

Have an amazing 4th of July weekend!!

Leslie — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:18:30 +0000

Clap if you believe in fairies!!

Leslie — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:49:44 +0000

I hadn’t worked out the day of Hailey’s session but after chasing this fairy all around the huge park I felt like I had! She kept me on my toes for sure with how curious she was about everything! We played hide and seek in the tall grass, read every sign in the park and screamed every time we saw a bug, which I obviously didn’t do such a great job chasing them away from me because I got completely eaten by mosquitoes!! Hailey and I talked about her good friend, Tinkerbell, and she showed me how she could fly and in between all those activities she let me get in a few pictures and I had SUCH a hard time narrowing them for a sneak peek!! So these are my favorites and I hope they’re yours too!

Pretty Princess

Leslie — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:08:13 +0000

I can admit it, my favorite images have fairytale themes in them. I grew up loving princesses in huge ballgowns and dragons that captured them but when all seemed lost the handsome prince saved her and carried her off into a distant land with a gleaming white castle, Happily Ever After. The only 3 words that rival my all time favorite 3 words. Sometimes I get these images in my head and they swim there, keeping me up at night, until I get them planned out and photographed. So when I had the idea of a dark princess I knew the perfect girl for it. Tyler. She claims that she hates having her picture taken but how can she hate it when the camera loves HER so much?!? ;P She was a natural and even while playing the damsel in distress she ended up being my knight in shining amour…chasing a snake away from me!! And so she gets my 3 favorite words, I LOVE YOU!!

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!!!

Brooke

Leslie — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:23:56 +0000

Oh poor blog. You’ve been neglected! But spring weather is slowly peeking out and that means I won’t have to keep rescheduling my sessions! Like this beauty, who we had to reschedule at least twice because of the weather and ALMOST again the day of but we braved it out and it was worth it! We had lovely overcast weather and got some killer shots of Brooke!

Brooke,
I’m so glad that we were finally able to meet up for pictures! I had such a fun time with you, even though your eye was hurting you had such a great attitude!! I’m way excited to hear about your schooling and I know that you’re going to do amazing things!!