… except when a client asks me nicely.   Actually, I have done a few small, intimate weddings and I do enjoy photographing them.  How can you not get caught up in all the beautiful moments and love that surrounds an event like a wedding?  I met Jill three years ago when her parents hired me to do some family pictures at their home in Lake Mary.  In fact, her mom and sister were both telling me that they still have the pictures from that session hung at their homes.  In fact, this one from 2007 seems to be a particular favorite:

Fast forward to a few months ago and Jill emailed me telling me she was getting married and would I be her wedding photographer.  I couldn’t say no.  After all, we just *had* to update the photo above, with a more current version:

The wedding was held at the Heathrow Country Club and was simple, beautiful and so full of love and laughter.  I wanted to get some previews up quickly (wedding was just yesterday evening!) to share with everyone this lovely event.  Congratulations again, Jill and Jeff.  May your future life together be filled with much laughter and love.

I was going through some of my personal photos today looking for some images to hang in our house.  We’re having people over tomorrow, so its time to spruce up! (Doesn’t everyone do this??)  I fell into the way back machine when I opened up the file with my daughter’s baby pictures. Awww.  She was about 2 months old here.  This was actually the first time since she was born that I actually got “newborn” photos of her: sleepy, curly poses.  Up until this point I think I was too overwhelmed being a new mom to really dedicate the patience needed to get these kind of shots.  I remember this day she had a doctor’s appointment earlier in the day and received some vaccinations.  The vaccinations must have made her sleepy because she let me pose her for about 60 minutes in my bedroom, where some really beautiful light was coming in.

I posted this today for a couple of reasons.  First, because … awww … isn’t she adorable?   Second, because I encourage everyone to make sure they use their photos as art in their home.  I have several spots in my home dedicated to my family’s pictures: on the top of the staircase, outside all the bedrooms; on the fire mantle; on a wall in my living room where I have 3 large canvas prints hung; and in my kitchen where I’ve dedicated one wall to a “collage” of framed 8×10, 11×14 and 5×7″ prints.

This session actually came to be as a “happy accident.”  The family you’re about to meet is the family of another local Central Florida photographer, Angela Little.  I met her a few months back at a photographer’s workshop.  She said some of the sweetest, nicest things to me when we met and at that moment I just *knew* that something good was going to come out of our friendship.  Fast forward a few weeks when she made a comment on  her Facebook page that a quick snapshot taken by a kind stranger was one of the only family pictures she had (see, here’s the thing about us photographers … we’re really BAD about having our own family pictures done.)  That was it!  I emailed her and offered to do her family portraits.  Fast forward another month or two and our session took place on a Saturday morning (after getting rained out the week before!) in downtown Sanford.  I have to say that Angela has one of the loveliest, most loving families I have met.  Their happiness, even through some of the obvious challenges they are faced with, just shines from them.  Seriously.  It was such an honor to photograph this family.

Because I couldn’t narrow down any of the photos to show you a “quick” preview, I’ve embedded their entire slideshow in this post.  This also will give you a good example of the range of photos you might get out of a family session with KarenLeslie Photography.  Click on the arrow key at the bottom left of the slideshow so you can watch the entire thing.  Also, there’s music, so be sure your computer speakers are on.

The last time I saw this adorable little girl, she was just 4 months old.  She’s now 7 months, sitting up and trying her best to walk around.  And, she’s just as cute as ever.  This session now has one of my favorite photos: the one of her parents reading her a book.  There is just something so sweet and simple in the act of reading to a child.  I was so happy I was able to capture this tender family moment for them.

Oh, how I love one year olds.  So sweet … still a baby, but with their own unique personalities.  I met this little girl and her parents at Loch Haven Park last week to do her one year portraits.  Mom did such a great job pulling together adorable outfits and making (!!) her accessories.  I dare you not to smile when you look at these.

I know I’ve shared images from this same location a lot lately, but I have to say that it is one of my favorite locations in town.  As soon as a client asks for an urban-type location, I know exactly where we are going.  This session had actually been planned for a while: Mom bought the session for the family last Christmas and – due to a variety of circumstances I like to call “life” – we were just now able to get it scheduled.  No matter, the session was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed meeting this family.  I’m excited to share these images with them, as I know they are excited to see them.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.  ~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

For a while now I’ve had this idea of a special session for a little girl: a tea party.  The idea has been brewing for a while and I knew the time was right to put the idea on film (per se) when this little girl came my way.  So, a grand tea party we had.  And, let me tell you …. the “photoshoot” was secondary.  She was having so much fun, she completely forgot about my camera and just melted into her imaginary world.  Tea and cakes and little friends and “fancy” clothes and dancing.  I love the way this all turned out: it was pure magic!  I think these images would look amazing framed and hung in her pretty princess bedroom.

Do you know a little princess who is between the ages of 3-7 who would like to have her own special tea party?  I will bring all the props, including the tutus.  Its a truly fun playdate!  You can call me at 407.340.8088 or email me at karenleslie @ mac.com.

A couple of months back I had the opportunity to host a photography workshop in downtown Orlando.  It was a workshop given by the very talented Nichole Van of Utah.  The workshop was geared towards professional photographers and part of the workshop included some hands on shooting time.  I put the word out and got some really wonderful parents to allow me to borrow their beautiful children.  I’m afraid that I didn’t get to photograph all the kids who were involved, but the ones I did were just amazing to work with.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out to participate.

I love dog and I love their owners – they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.  I photographed this sweet pug a couple of years ago.  This year, his mom called me to do a mini session at his house so she could get some new photos for Father’s Day.  Love that! Can’t you tell he loves the camera?

If you are interested in a mini session, let me know via email (karenleslie @ mac.com) or phone (407.340.8088) and I’ll give you all the details.