Archive for the ‘Portraits’ Category

Last Christmas I had the pleasure of meeting sweet Alyssa. Her mom Jenni had set up a session several months before and we made our way to the beach. So when she called again several months ago to book a session that included both her and Alyssa as well as her hubs and in-laws I was more than delighted!! Since I’ve now had the chance to meet both Jenni’s family and the family she married in to… I can say that she is surrounded by amazing people! Thank you, Jenni.. for thinking of me again! I can’t wait to watch Alyssa grow even more!

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Shannon Wermers: Too cute of a family! Great work, as always, Leslie!! =)

Becka @Studio222 Photography: Her pigtails are too cute! I love the one of the little girl running.

Jenni: Love these! You did a great job! Thank you!!!!

Sessions • Sneaks

November 7, 2009

Not only do I have a ton of weddings to catch up on blogging but I also have a ton of sessions ranging from families to engagements to catch up on. Here are a couple recent ones to look forward to next week! As it is, I’m headed out to Shaena and Ben’s wedding so have a great weekend everyone!



Pensacola Portrait Photographer

I’ve known Linda for about two and a half years. How did we meet you might wonder?? Well, we met in the magical land known as BABYCENTER. Yes, that’s right. Our babies were both born within a month of each other so we are both members of the February 2007 Babies Club on Babycenter. Never in a million years did I think that I would actually find a friend in the area on there but it happened. I was super excited when she called me up to schedule a family session. We went out to The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino and WOW. It was BEAUTIFUL! Not only that but they specialize in equine assisted activities and therapeutic
riding for individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth in Northwest Florida. I emailed Linda her sneak before I managed to get it up here on the blog and (only by about 12 hours but still) as I was talking to her confessed that I’m always SUPER nervous when I shoot for friends. I don’t know why.. I guess I’m afraid if they don’t like their pictures it will hurt our frienship. I know.. I’m a little loco in la cabeza (crazy in the head) sometimes but I always have that moment when I call them to tell them. Oh well.. she loved them and that’s all that matters! So.. here’s the sneak for you all to see as well. Enjoy!
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Ava ~ A Newborn Session!

October 2, 2009

Hello blog world! I’m so sorry for my absence. I’ve really missed you but had to get my clients taken care of first. I know you understand!

That being said, I’m going to start back with an absolutely PRECIOUS (and my new FAVORITE)  newborn shoot (EVER) with a dear friends new baby girl. She was only 12 days old and did amazing for our shoot. She only whimpered once. Absolutely the best baby and SO beautiful!!! Thank you Alison.. I hope you love these as much as I do!
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Jessica Wright: These are so beautiful and out of the ordinary. Love them!

Melissa Manzione: Les I LOVE this shoot!!! She is such a little doll :)

Christy Lynn: Hey Leslie, so good to see you posting again. These are beautiful!! She looks like a wonderful little baby.

Katie Jordan: Leslie, these are fantastic! I love that green bowl you have her in.

She remembers the exact day he left. She cried so hard that she made a wrong turn as she headed back out the gate. Sobbing. The love of her life..the man she married barely a month before.. was being shipped to Afghanistan for roughly four months.

I’m crying again as I write this post. Although I was a teen when my own husband was shipped overseas I still remember the anxiety, saddness and loneliness. Everyday men and woman in the armes forces are going or coming from dangerous countries. Places were bombs and gunfire are heard daily. Most sleep in tents and suffer through sweltering heat. They deserve our thanks and praise and appreciate our prayers and support. They are our United States Military.

Yesterday I got to experience one of the most amazing events I have ever seen. You may remember JT and Steph from their wedding post. Steph has become one of my dearest friends over the summer and when she called and asked me to come and be with her as she waited for JT to come off the plane I was more than delighted! I had to laugh because she said to me, “Now.. I want you to come as my friend.. not a photographer..though I may make you man my little camera!” I remember the elation in her voice when she called to tell me that she found out when he would be home.. in less than 48 hours! While I led Steph to believe that I would just be using her small camera I had other plans. I wanted to capture this moment in time for her and JT the best way I knew how.. so I brought my camera!

Steph, THANK YOU! You are a reminder of how amazing my career really is. I am so blessed to call you my friend. JT, WELCOME HOME! You were dearly missed! Now.. let’s set dates and times for all our get togethers! I want to soak up as much time as I can with the two of you before you’re stationed so far away from me!

Here are a few of my favorite images from the homecoming. Enjoy!
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Melissa Manzione: amazing images Les :)

Mom: Everytime I think you've outdone yourself...you do it again! The picture of the children holding the flag waiting so patiently is priceless. Great job babe.

Kristin: I love this!! The story, the pictures everything! Some of the best homecoming photos I have seen in a while, you should become a part of OPLove (www.oplove.org) its a blast! I love doing those sessions!

Kylene Gay: Ok yes, a bit teary eyed over here! My brother-in-law just got back from 7 months in Iraq/Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. I wish I could have been there to photograph it like this (but Hawaii was just a bit too far). :) They'll always appreciate you documenting this wonderful moment for them!

jill smith johnsoN: well, I am in tears as I look at the wonderful pictures you took for Steph and JT. My husband, Drew has only been home for a month from deployment (6 months). It is something hard to describe to someone who has never expeirenced a deployment/homecoming, but I think you did an awesome job of what a homecoming is all about. Steph will ALWAYS cherish the photos you took for her, they are priceless, at least mine are. Great job Leslie!!

JM: It's their job! I served six wonderful years in the USAF! I did my tours as well. Many young kids go in today because A. They can't find a job. B. For the education benefits (which quite frankly suck compared to my old GI bill) They forget that the job of a "soldier" is to serve, and to protect at the calling of the Commander in Chief. They forget that they WILL be put in harms way. They forget they will be asked to KILL. They, I, we are NOT heroes. We are doing the job we are (were) sworn to do. For years, and years, between Nam (when I served), and 2001 there were a few conflicts, nothing major. I served with many kids who were in it for the reasons stated above. They really, and honestly were clueless as to the fact that when conflict breaks out they will be forced to fight. I'm extremely proud to have served in the Air Force. And, I would do it again if asked to. Deal with it.

Leslie Roark: My father served in the Vietnam War.. my husband was a member of the USAF Reserves for 8 years and was deployed overseas. Both knew exactly what they were facing when they signed up. IMO they are hero's. Deal with it.

Jen Johnson: I think you captured the emotion of this day in an amazing way. I can only imagine the host of feelings the couple felt as they waited to be reunited. Our military men and women are heroes, even if they were deployed for a short time and not put in direct danger...they are heroes because they know that their circumstances can change in a flash because they felt the call to protect OUR freedoms! I'm SO GLAD you were there to witness this couple's first moments back together. The relief, joy, and love on their faces is priceless! Well done!

Melissa: JM- Families are separated by military deployment every single day. The only thing documented in this post is the re-uniting of two people in love. Please keep your nasty comments to yourself.

Leslie Roark: Another blog reader sent me their comments. Since her husband is active duty in the military she did not want her name used as to avoid any conflict. A. My husband joined the military though ROTC at his university during his freshman year so finding a job wasn’t the issue at hand. It wasn’t a split second decision in order to avoid unemployment. B. The educational benefits are fantastic. If the individual is willing to commit himself/herself to service after their education... why not take advantage of the educational benefits? C. Nothing in the blog post indicated that anyone forgot that their job was to serve and protect so this was not the medium to address the author’s feelings about this issue. D. Combining the next two points: Again...no one mentioned in this blog post forgot that he/she would be put in harm’s way or that they would be asked to kill (another reason why this medium was not the appropriate place for your comment). In fact, everyone involved in this post was very aware of the imminent danger they would be put it but they went into it since it was their JOB (as you pointed out). E. You point out that they (or you) are not heroes. Please scroll up and read through the blog post again. You will notice that the word hero was never mentioned in the post. Your point is irrelevant. Finally..Thank you for your service in the Air Force. You tell readers to “Deal with it.” Noone said we aren’t. We are, in fact, dealing with it. I will revert back to what I was always taught as a child... If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. You were wrong to "rain on the parade" of the happiness of this post. If you have an opinion on all of these matters (which you clearly do), I suggest you start your own blog instead of intruding on a happy occasion and using it as a forum to push your negative opinions. I think it was very well stated and deserved to be shared! xoxo, Leslie