I anxiously awaited my trip to Vegas for several weeks. I’ve heard for two years how amazing it was and to finally have the opportunity to go was simply fantastic! I learned so much from the classes that I attended and met some amazing new friends. I’m very excited about implementing everything I learned with my weddings and portraits this year.

So let’s see, Monday I started of with David Jay and Ron Dawson’s class. Their class gave me a lot of new ideas for my website when it’s time to update again!
David Jay:

Ron Dawson:

I also really enjoyed Doug Gordon’s platform on Monday and then I called it an early night…but not before I got to meet the famous Mike Colon!

In the picture above also happens to be my four roommates! (Left to right: Janelle Bosko (roommate), Julie Colon, Kristin Renee (roommate), Mike Colon, Jennifer Finley (roommate), two friends of Mike and Julie, myself and Amanda Suanne (roommate).
Tuesday was amazing.. it started off with a bible study in David Jay’s suite. It was amazing hearing everyone speak about how God is working in their lives and photography. Here is a group picture courtesy of Andrew Barlow’s point and shoot!

I then went to an amazing platform given by Elizabeth Messina. She truly made you feel as if you were the only person in the room that she was talking to. She was such a HUGE inspiration! I then went on an awesome night shoot hosted by Josh Newton and it was nothing short of amazing. I had a blast with everyone that came along! Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Then I attended the Photo Lovecat Giveaway Gala hosted by Anne Ruthmann at the Caramel Lounge in the Bellagio. I made several new friends! These pictures are courtesy of Lisette’s point and shoot. One day I will own one!!!
Mrs. Lisette Price and Myself

Myself, Lisette, Jessica Messer and Alisa Lynn

And the out-take!

Wednesday was a bit more relaxing. I went to the amazing Jerry Ghionis platform with my great friends Jason Lanier and Donny Angel AKA Don Atherton. I then walked around the amazing trade show to find new gadgets and amazing products that I hope to offer my clients in the future. Then followed Gene Higa’s platform.

All in all.. this trip was amazing, exhausting, so much fun and totally priceless! I can’t wait to use all the wonderful things I learned this year and go again next year with my hubby!!!!

Destination Wedding Photographer

Tom and Erica were married this past weekend in Panama City. The ceremony was held at the beautiful First Presbyterian Church and the reception was held at the Boatyard Restaurant.

The first time Erica and I spoke on the phone we were on the phone for no less than one hour. I know I say this all the time but there is nothing better than becoming friends with your brides. It creates a comfort and a connection with the camera (and photographer) that allows for images that you could never capture otherwise.

Erica and Tom were both nothing less than stunning and they were both so relaxed. After being together for 7 years, this was a celebration that was nothing short of beautiful, heartfelt and sincere.

Erica and Tom, thank you for choosing me to photograph your wonderful wedding.. I had a blast! Here are a few of my favorites. Make sure you check out the slideshow at the end for more!





I love this picture of Erica and her father!

Panama City Wedding Photographer

WOW… since I don’t know where to begin, this is going to be a quick update. I am alive. I got home late Thursday night and jumped right back in to work on Saturday for a fabulous wedding. So.. I have several blog posts on the way. In the meantime here is a sneak of a fabulous engagement shoot in Vegas as well as a favorite shot of my wedding on Saturday!

Pensacola Photography

As promised.. the answers to this week’s Ask Leslie! questions!

1. Do you use Nestles or Bakers chocolate chips for your cookies?
While this isn’t exactly a photography related question (I never really specified did I!?) I have to say that I am Nestle by heart!

2. Do you use a tripod much or usually hand held. If it’s mostly hand-held are most of your lenses VR (vibration reduction).
The only time I ever use my tripod is if I’m shooting night shots. And no, I do not use any image stabilizing lenses.

3. What is the perfect setting for the most unique beach portraits? Time of day, weather, location, etc…
This is a great question!! There is not a wrong answer because it depends on what kind of “feel” you want for your pictures. I personally LOVE the hour just before sunset. However, when the sun is perfectly overhead you can really “play with the light” and do some cool things! I prefer locations that are secluded. I don’t like busy beaches!! I love Grayton Beach, Okaloosa Island, certain areas of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key! As for the weather.. I love a slightly overcast day!! It does amazing things for the skin.

Now on to other things! At last.. the long awaited arrival of the weekend is here! Tomorrow the hubby and I will be heading out for dinner and a movie and then Sunday morning I leave for Las Vegas to attend WPPI!!!!! I will have limited access to internet but will do my best to return emails as promptly as possible! The same goes with phone calls. I will be attending many classes and won’t always be able to answer calls immediately but please know that I will get back with you ASAP! I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend and a great week!

In honor of Valentine’s Day I decided to share two pictures! The first being my favorite picture of me and hubby EVER, taken by the wonderful Heather Stewart!

and of course the face that never gets old to me:

Every day I sit down and I want to blog. Really… I want to be a blogger. However, some days when I sit down, the words just aren’t there. It’s so aggravating sometimes because I used to be a really good writer. I was by no means the best but I always made very high grades on writing assignments. Even if I wrote them the night before! I was one of TWO students in middle school to score the highest on The Florida Writes test! Two, in the whole school! What good is that doing me now?! NONE! I guess what they say is correct, “If you don’t use it.. you lose it!”

So.. on to this week’s Ask Leslie! Remember, this is me giving back by letting my blog readers ask me questions about how I’ve done things. Again, I’m not saying that I have all the “right” answers or that all my answers are the only answers, but I’ve had amazing people help me along the way and I want to be able to do the same for others!  I will have all questions answered by Friday evening. I’ll be heading out Saturday to meet up with my WPPI roomie Amanda Suanne so that we can catch our plane on Sunday! (Well, after me and the hubs visit PF Changs for the first time ever and watch New in Town to celebrate Valentine’s Day out in Destin!!)

Today’s picture is of my good friend Heather’s little boy. Doesn’t he have amazing blue eyes?? I’ll be posting more of their family session later!

So, ask away! I can’t wait to see what questions my readers come up with this week!