Archive for December, 2008

Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2008
Well Everyone..

I can officially say that I am going to take the next two days

off to enjoy spending time with my family and friends!

Yep, that’s right… no computer for two days.. although…
I might still be twittering a bit via my handy cell phone!

That being said I wanted to go ahead and wish everyone a very
Merry Christmas by sharing our Christmas cards (sorry.. I ran out

so a few of you will be getting your physical ones late!) this year
as well as a bible passage from church this past Sunday.

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Isaiah 9:2-6
2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

May you remember the reason for the season..
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
♥Leslie

Kricia Morris Photography: I'm so proud of you for actually making it 48 hours without your computer. That took some willpower! Love ya!

ohana photographers-david and kimi: your christmas card is awesome! good luck staying away from the computer :) hope santa was good to you and yours and have a safe and awesome new year!!

Wonderful White Christmas..

December 20, 2008
and no I’m not talking about the white stuff falling on the ground
around various parts of the country.

I’m talking about white all purpose flour and baking!!

I LOVE to bake. End of discussion. :)

Of course hubby thinks I am crazy because I will bake a whole pan of brownies and eat one. That leaves the rest for either him to eat or take to work.

He, 99.9% of the time, takes them to work.

However, this is the time of year that I bake most often. I mean.. who doesn’t?!

Kaydence is finally old enough to start participating in various activities and somewhat understands what is going on. I would also like to start some family traditions that she can hopefully pass along to her children one day.

I was going to get a gingerbread house kit and then realized she would eat it before it was put together and opted for sugar cookies.

(Either way.. yes I am still crazy trying to do this with an almost 2 year old!)

Here are a few pictures from our baking session. It’s the closest this family will come to a White Christmas without taking a vacation up north!

Leslie Roark Photography

Leslie Roark Photography

Please forgive the hair. I just threw it up in order to begin.. many years in the restaurant industry and I still can’t wear it down while cooking or baking!
Leslie Roark Photography

She did this all by herself with no encouragement from mommy or daddy!
Leslie Roark Photography

This is after we laughed that she did it without encouragement.
Leslie Roark Photography

Leslie Roark Photography

Adding some sprinkles…
Leslie Roark Photography

The finished product! Not bad for a first timer!
Leslie Roark Photography

The Shoafs: love love love it! Hannah Kay and I attempted sugar cookies this year too....except hers ended up with red hots and 14 different kinds of sprinkles on them. Kaydence is TOO funny with the flour...hope you guys enjoy! Also...I'd like to know your secret for baking an entire pan of brownies and eating only one. You are either LYING or you have INCREDIBLE self-restraint!!!

Leslie Roark Photography: Nope..not lying! I do have incredible self controld unless I'm actually have a "Craving." Andy gets so mad at me! LOL!

Christy Lynn Photography: That looks like it was so much fun!

I've just found your blog and I'm really enjoying it. I've just started my own photography business in Alabama and it's nice to see someone "close".

Merry Christmas
Christy

Leslie Roark Photography: Thanks Christy! I hope everything is going well.. Merry Christmas!

Memories by Micha: Love, Love, Love it... It reminds me so much when Olivia was this little and I miss it so much now she doesn't even care if we do it! She is such a cutie definately loving the flour on her face!!!

Kricia Morris Photography: I still stand on these are the cutest pictures of Kaydence ever...lol Of course you were pretty cute yourself! Love that shirt on you! Wish I could've been there to let the kids play together.

Special Thanks!

December 17, 2008
Websites are hard work. Period.

Anyone who has one knows this.

Especially photographers. Yes, there are templates to make the designing easier or you can pay someone to do it, but that is not the hard part.

Combing through thousands and thousands of pictures is the hard part.
At least for me it is.

Then, there is writing about myself, taking pictures of myself and designing a logo for myself.

Oh, but wait?! I had lots of wonderful people helping me with those things!!!

So that being said, I have quite a bit of thanks and praise to dish out!

First, I must say thank you to my wonderful husband for his love and support. Not only that, but for sitting hours on end helping me choose the pictures that best showcase what my photography is about and helping (or in some cases just putting) everything together.
I don’t know where I would be without him.. he is my rock!

Then, my husband, mom and Dane Sanders (Fast Track Photographer Book) for helping me write an About Me page that is true to myself. I want my clients to know who I am in order for them to feel comfortable with me during their wedding day or portrait session. I always stress how important it is for clients to be comfortable with their photographer! I hope that my new About Me gives everyone a better insight as to who I am!

To one of my best friends, Kricia Morris, for taking pictures of me that reflect my personality! I love to laugh and smile and she captured that perfectly for me share with others!

My former bride Kendra Fendt of Motif Design. She was the creative genius who took my thrown together idea of a logo and made it exactly what it is today. I love it! I think it reflects not only my business name but my personality as well and that is what branding is all about.
Finding what fits your personality!!

The most praise, however, goes to God. For without him I would be nothing.
Proverbs 3:5&6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”

I would have nothing, not my family, friends or business if it were not for trusting God to lead me down the path he wanted me to take.
Thank you SO much to everyone who has been a part of this process.
There are so many other people that I could thank for their
love and support over the last year but I would be here all day.
You all know who you are and I love you all very much!

Kendra Fendt: Leslie-
Congrats to you for all that you have accomplished over the last year! Since the time we met before hiring you to shoot our wedding to now, I've seen such growth in your work and your confidence as a photographer. It was my pleasure to work with you on your logo and I'm so happy that it's found such a lovely home on your new website!

Katie Simpson: Leslie,

The site is amazing!

We wish you the best! Are you still doing family portraits? We will be contacting you next year for that and also when we have our first child!! LOL

You rock girl!

Leslie Roark Photography: Thank you!!!! I love it!!!

IT’S LIVE!!

December 16, 2008
I am SO excited to announce that the new
www.leslieroark.com is live!

Let me know what you think!

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Aliya: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing. love love love it!

Jason Lanier: Congrats on your new website Les!!! It looks great and really displays a higher level of talent. Great job!

Kricia Morris Photography: Good job baby girl! Fantastic!

Kendra Fendt: I tried to leave a comment earlier today but I guess it didn't take. :(

Anyway, it said congrats to you on all of your accomplishments this year and on your incredible new website. You're a superstar!

ohana photographers -david and kimi: your new site is AWESOME!!! showcases your work perfectly!!

have a rad christmas leslie!!

Soon to go live………..

December 14, 2008
I have long been anticipating this moment!

I might add that I’ve not been so patient…..

However, Leslie Roark Photography will soon have a new face!

Here is a small sneak of what is to follow in the coming days. Keep an eye out!

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Also, when the site goes live my wedding package prices will be increasing.

There is a short window to receive the current pricing.

I’m SO excited for everyone to see the finished product!!!!

Kendra Fendt: OMG I can't wait to see it!!!!

Kricia Morris Photography: I know it's been a work in progress for SSSOOOO long! I'm so happy for you and I'm super excited that you allowed me to be a part of it all! Thank you and I love ya!

Memories by Micha: Woohoo! I can't wait to see it all loving the first page!

Aliya: I am eagerly anticipating this transition... considering I have a pretty good feeling that I personally know a prettyyyy good percentage of the people that will be in the pictures on your new site! haha :)