Leslie's Blog

New Blog!

2009-05-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my blogging friends. I have landed in Houston and things are slowly falling into place. Thank you so much to all those who sent prayers and kind words our way. It is greatly appreciated. I miss Germany so much already, but I know that great things are about to happen here in Texas. Please keep in touch. I still love hearing from you.

I have a new blog set up for sessions here in the States. Please check it out, and as always, leave comments. You know I love comments!!! To everyone in Germany, I hope that our paths will cross again someday. Take care and God Bless.

http://www.lesliecervantez.com/blog/

Signing Out,
Leslie Cervantez

Things I am Thankful For

2009-04-29T00:57:00.001-07:00

God,
MyHusband,
MyChildren,
MyFriends,
MyHappiness,
MyLife,
MyVoice,
TheSun,
Photography,
Laughing,
&Good Health!

Here's to a new beginning!

My Last Client in Germany...

2009-04-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dear bloggers,

Ah, my time is shortening here in Stuttgart so quickly. To baby A, I have been waiting for you. Even though your daddy gives me a hard time, I couldn't wait to see you three together. Once again, I had a great time with you all and your portraits are beautiful. Thank you G Family, for your laughs and sarcasm. It was a perfect ending to my time here.

Of course this is not the last time I will take pics here in Germany. I just took my kids out to shoot today... I will post those soon. I think I will be on the airplane taking pictures out the window. If the weather is good.

Enjoy your portraits.
-Leslie

Letting go and moving on - Part II

2009-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hello again bloggers! I wanted to talk a little about the pDNA questionaire that comes with the book, Fast Track Photographer. "It is designed to help you discover who you are. As a professional photographer, that is. The goal is to get a snapshot of the qualities you currently possess that will most likely shape your path as a pro. The results will give you a kind of “photographer personality profile.” This should clarify your starting point (or restarting point) in the business and give your future potential a major energy boost. When coupled with the Fast Track Photographer System, the results will be amplified exponentially. But it all begins here." - Dane Sanders

My results were as follows:

EXPERIENCE: The degree of experience you have with photography.
High
I did not think I would score high on this. There are SO many things that I still want and need to learn! I hope it does not mean that I THINK I know more than I actually do. Yikes, that would be bad!!!

SELF-STARTER: The degree to which you start things on your own.
High
I want to start my career as a Signature Photographer. There are so many possibilities about how I want to present my style and look. It is so exciting!!! The wheels in my head are turning.

PROGRAM-STARTER: The degree to which your motivation to start things is derived from a program (i.e. any kind of structured learning framework outside yourself).
Medium
I need to work on this one, and I agree with the results. I need to establish my own rules!

CONFIDENCE: The degree to which you feel confident as a photographer.
High
I feel that my confidence comes from knowing that I am in the right field. Photography fits me. I know that this is what I am meant to do, and my interest and learning keeps growing because of it.

RISK TOLERANCE: The degree to which you feel comfortable taking risks.
High
Uuuhh, you think so? I am pretty much throwing all my eggs into one basket with this move to start my career in the States. Keep me in your prayers!!!

NEED FOR CONTROL: The degree to which you need control to feel strong as a photographer.
Low
Wow, I guess I need to be careful with this one. I do trust people very easily, but that is not something I want to loose. I just have to be careful with this one. Like the results said, take my time with partnering up with people or things.

SELF-DISCIPLINE: The degree to which you can routinely get work done on your own as opposed to needing other people and structures to help you be productive.
Medium

ARTISTIC ID: The degree to which you find your core identity as a photographer in your artistic expression.
High
Mr. Bill, I think you will be proud of me for this one!

ENTREPRENEURIAL ID: The degree to which you find your core identity as a photographer in your success as a business-person.
Medium
I am open to this, it is something that really interests me. I would love to come up with creative ways to sell, but I think I have a long way to go before that.

ATTRACTIVENESS: The degree to which your personality, physical presence, charisma, social skills and confidence draw others to yourself.
High
YEAH!!! :D

GRUMPY FACTOR: The degree to which you measure your success relative to how others are doing (e.g., if others are flourishing, you feel as if you’re failing. If others are struggling, you feel as if you’re gaining ground).
Low
Whew! Nobody wants to find out that they are grumpy. Well, at least I don't. That would make me grumpy... just kidding!

COLLABORATIVE CREATIVITY: The degree to which you get your creativity from being with people.
High

INDIVIDUAL CREATIVITY: The degree to which you get your creativity from being alone.
Medium
I do need more practice with this. I need to start venturing out on my own and try new things. Spark new ideas and try them out.

SELF-PROMOTION: The degree to which you feel comfortable promoting your brand (yourself) and actively seeking new business.
High
OK, Let's see if this result pays off!!! I've got high hopes, I've got high hopes, I've got high apple pie in the sky hopes... :)

Letting go and moving on - Part I

2009-04-16T02:13:00.000-07:00

Hello blogging friends. OK, so as many of you know, we are moving back to Houston. Yey, yippie, ye-haw... But there is a whole other story for my business.

I have been working in the Stuttgart area for a year now. The experience from starting my photography business was AWESOME. I wanted to focus my time on learning and growing in both my photography and my business. I thought, "This will be great! I will make all my mistakes here in Germany. Then move back to the States as a smarter and wiser girl." Although that is true, I am finding the need/want to dig deeper and mold what I have learned into something even better. So in a sense, I feel like I am starting all over.

This January, I created a new website with new rules & prices for the new year. Now, three months later, I am looking to change all of it. You think I am crazy, don't you? Well, I know it will be a lot of work but I need to lay down a solid foundation for the rest of my career. WOW, what a huge responsibility, right?

Via the internet, I have been exposed to the best of the best in the photography world. I have been able to focus on my business and my photography by doing tons of research ALMOST for free. A couple of months ago, I joined a wonderful forum called Photography Mentor, which contains a smorgasbord of information. On the forum, I also found a wonderful book titled, Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders.

I have just finished reading the fourth chapter and I am impressed. The book asks so many questions that I just couldn't put into words before. They are ideas that I think of on almost a daily basis, but have never took the time to write them down. It is an easy-read book. However, it is not just a book, its like a life/career workbook. So getting through the chapters take time, effort, and a lot of thought. I have been reading this book in the midst of our move, and you would think that I'd be overwhelmed... but I am not. The truth is that prior to reading this book, I have given a lot of thought to the questions he asks. The problem was that I did not take action. Right now, I am in action mode. There are a lot of changes going on in my life and they all fit together nicely.

The funny thing is, that in the last few weeks, my life has become, "To keep, or NOT to keep". Which possessions do I want to take vs. leaving here? What things did I learn during my time here in Germany that I want to keep? What things did I learn about my life that were negative? (and let them go) Letting go of so many things is not only liberating, but it seems to be making me a stronger person. I am letting go of things that really don't matter and I am focusing on things that do matter... and my life is less cluttered!

The same thing goes for my business. I am looking at things that worked and I would like to continue. On the other hand, I want to let go of things that did not work for me. Whew, it is a lot! I will have to change some major things. Just one example is PRINTING. I do all my own printing right now. Even though I love printing my own work, I do not think it is time or cost effective for my business. I am looking into a few options when I get back.

Last night I had a light bulb moment, and every thing just clicked. It jolted me and I was given a glimpse of what I have to offer. All I could do was cry, because it was just too easy! All I have to offer is "ME", nothing else. But why was that so hard? Why IS it so hard? It is both scary and exciting to think that people are going to REALLY know me. Only my close friends really KNOW ME. But looking at the past couple of years in my life, I think I have been building towards this moment!

Before I move further, I need to collect my thoughts and start putting it all together.

Stay tuned...

Spring is Here

2009-04-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hello blogger friends. Wow, I know that Spring is here. We have had over a week of sunshine and newborn babies are everywhere. I love it. Here is a sneak peak from one of my sessions last week. He is absolutely an adorable baby and such a good little boy. Mommy, you are very lucky. He is a cutie pie!

For Our Neighbors

2009-04-08T00:34:00.001-07:00

Hello again bloggers. OK, I will let you in on a little fact or tid-bit about myself. I am known for locking the keys in my house, car, whatever. I have gone through many locks in the past years. I should probably have the locksmith's phone number on speed dial. A few months ago I locked my entire family out of the house. We were on our way to eat dinner with our best friends (who were leaving in less than a month). Some of our neighbors came to the rescue. We have such sweet and helpful neighbors, and they have been to our rescue on many occasions. So in return, I offered my services. Here are some images from the J Family. Enjoy your portraits, and thank you for your help!

Little Bitty

2009-04-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers! Things have been a little hectic around here with the move and all. Of course, the weather is gorgeous and we have so much work to do. I guess that is just the way it works sometimes. This newborn session was a special one because her Mommy was my first bridal session. One year later, she and her husband have a wonderful little girl. It is so sweet to see families grow and I love being a part of it. L Family, I wish you the best of luck with your new family. I am glad we got together one last time.

Couldn't Resist

2009-04-05T16:09:00.001-07:00

Hello bloggers. I am in the middle of editing pictures from my neighbor's precious 6 month old son. He could pass for a year and a half, if you ask me. Even though I am not finished with the session, I could not resist posting this image. What is it about big blue eyes that I love? I don't know why, but I do know that I am sucker for them. Stay tuned for more images from this session. He's adorable!

Cute & Cuddly

2009-04-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers, here is a cute & cuddly newborn session for you. To the S. Family, thank you for such a sweet session. I had such a great time with you all. I could not believe that baby H. did not want to fall asleep. He was so interested in everything going on. It was so funny because he had you guys really working hard. But we finally did get him to fall asleep... and the clicking of my camera did not help either. I did not realize this at the shoot, but he really looks a lot like your daughter. I can see it in his photos. Enjoy your new baby and your portraits. Many blessings to your family. -Leslie

Good Times

2009-04-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am not sure what I have done to my kids. Is there a limit on how much you can photograph your own children? he he They are getting way to good at this modeling thing. I may be biased because I'm the mom, but they are really working the camera. I LOVE IT!!!

Family Fun

2009-04-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again bloggers, thanks for checking out my SUPER FUN family session! I love sessions that don't feel like work... but more like visiting with friends. I have to say that I have two favorite parts from the session, 1) When the entire family climbed out of the window (yes, we all did it!) and 2) I just loved how every time I put the camera to my face, everyone had a perfect smile. That made me laugh so hard. It was like smile reflex. I tell you what, I don't think you guys could ever take a bad photo. You are ALL smiles!!! Thank you L. family for sharing your time with me. I had a blast with you all and I can't wait to see you again when you visit Houston... :)

Till next time
- Leslie

The Eyes Have It

2009-04-01T12:24:00.001-07:00

Picture from today...

Black and White

2009-03-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hello blogging friends. Today we went on a mini-shoot with our dear friends. I am playing with B&W images so these are my kiddos from today. Enjoy!

Princesses For A Day

2009-03-30T05:51:00.001-07:00

What fun, being princesses for a day. You girls are so sweet and adorable. We did a lot of running around the castle. I had a great time playing, I mean working, with you. Your energy and laughter is contagious. I hope you enjoyed the day. I know I did. Thank you B. for meeting with me. I have been looking forward to photographing your angels for some time now!

Lovely Mother-To-Be

2009-03-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

What a lovely mother-to-be. Your calmness was such a pleasure to be around. Thank you for sharing yourself and your home with me. I wish you the best of luck with your new baby. You are a beautiful person and I can't wait to meet the baby. Take care - Leslie

Baby Bottom Boy

2009-03-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

To an adorable baby who loves to be in his birthday suit and his lovely sister with the cute smile: Thank you for coming to the studio and spending time with me. You guys are so sweet and big sis, you are such a great helper. I have to say that baby J surprised me by wanting to be naked. Once his clothes were off, he was happier than a kid in a candy store. He was everywhere, I REALLY got a work out just chasing him everywhere. I am sure that you had to give him a good scrub down when you got home...

Thanks for a memorable session!

Sheek Maternity!

2009-03-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

WOWZA!!! To our dear friends J & J. We love you guys so much and wish you the BEST with your new baby boy. Now, I know that you wanted to be my silliest couple ever, but I think you win the sexiest couple ever. You guys totally ROCKED the camera and your images are BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for such a FUN FUN FUN session, y'all are awesome. I am so glad that you were willing to try anything. We just got creative, let loose and took some awesome images. I am kind of jealous of your pictures because I wish I had maternity pics like yours ;). Back in the day, I set up lights (in our basement) and took pictures with my Fuji S7000. (Yes, a point and shoot!) We took a family self portrait when I was VERY pregnant with the twins. Yeah, they are not glamorous or Fun. But we still have the pictures and that is what matters... but I still like yours better! :P

Precious Moments

2009-03-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

Hello again blogger friends. I am SO behind on posting my recent sessions. Things are starting to get a little hectic around here in preparation for the move. However, I am busier than ever with work and I am so thankful! Spring is coming and all my newborns are arriving. Baby C, you are such a blessing and your parents are wonderful together. E & C, I loved being a part of your family (even for a short while). You are so great together and watching you three is incredibly sweet. I almost started to cry while I was editing your session. Your love simply fills a room. Enjoy your portraits. - Leslie

So Long, Farewell

2009-03-11T01:28:00.000-07:00

March 30 will be my last day to accept photo sessions. : ( sniff, sniff

We are moving back home to Texas... Houston to be exact. I wanted to Thank all the wonderful people here in Stuttgart who shared their families with me (and my camera). I am going to miss everyone! I am so grateful for all the work and people here in Stuttgart. It was a challenge at times, but YOU GUYS MADE IT WORTH IT!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep in touch. You know that I love hearing from you...

I am also excited about starting up my business in the Houston Area. I hope to reconnect with old friends from home. As well as my Stuttgart Family who has been long gone and scattered all over the United States. If you or someone you know is in the Houston Area, I would love to meet you or them. I am motivated and driven to spread as much LOVE while I am in the States as I did here.

When God closes one door, He always leaves a window open.

Baby Blue

2009-03-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hello friends. Remember that song 'Baby Blue', by George Straight? (I think that was the name of the song.) I loved that song. Anyhow... Back from memory lane! Here is my baby blue for her second rockin' photo session. This girl is absolutely a Gerber Baby! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. She is such a joy! The puppy dog that you brought to the session was so cute. I loved how excited she was to see him. She was flapping her arms and had a smile from ear to ear. Her laugh was so cute... especially with her two bottom teeth showing. I think pink suits her very well, and her eyes are amazing. I love her new little outfits and I am so glad you asked me to photograph Little H again. Daddy, hold her tight because she's a cutie pie!

Play Date

2009-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hello again to all my blogging friends! I think I have passed my record of BLOG posts in a week. Woo Hoo! That means I am shooting more than editing. Yesterday, we had a play date here at my house. My children played with C, and I got to hang out my favorite Aunt T. But, what's a play date with out pictures? Just a regular play date. But not at our house... now we have pictures to remember our wonderful friends. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from our very own G Family. Enjoy your pics! We love you dearly!!!

Beautiful Baby Girl

2009-02-25T07:09:00.000-08:00

I love my newborn sessions. Babies are such a blessing, and they smell so good. I get to hold them, and talk to them. Ah, and then I get to give them back to the parents. :) Thank you guys for another wonderful session. I am so glad the three of you could be together during such an important time in your lives. Cherish these times, even though they can be rough, it really does go by too fast. Congratulations on your new arrival.

S for Sweet Family Photo Session

2009-02-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

I had such a nice time with you yesterday. Sorry that I had to bring my children to the photo shoot. We sure had a full house, didn't we? Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. Your children are adorable and I love their big blue eyes. They have such wonderful personalities and I am glad that it came through nicely on your photos. You are such a sweet family, and it was a pleasure meeting and photographing you. I can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks for your newborn session. Many blessings to you.

My Silly Boy!

2009-02-22T03:13:00.000-08:00

Tutu Cute!

2009-02-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

I made my first order on ETSY last week, and I received this awesome tutu from I luv U Tutu Much. I love it! Jen, you did an awesome job. Thank you, thank you so much! Here are a couple of sneak peeks from my daughter and her bestest friend. You girls are totally tutu cute!

Natalia - Pink Hat Series

2009-02-18T06:04:00.000-08:00

A Little Town...

2009-02-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, we went to visit a friend from high school. He is visiting Germany and we met up with him in Ramstein. We drove through some little towns then finally parked and walked around. I love all the little accents of this town (stadt). Of course it was freezing, but we had to introduce him to German Ice Cream!!! MMMMMMmmmm

Daddy

2009-02-17T15:16:00.001-08:00

Little moments like these are so precious. I love the way they are watching Daddy work outside.

You Will Always Be My Baby!

2009-02-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

Another HOT Maternity session. I wish I could post all your images up, but I cannot. They got a little too HOT if catch my drift! E & C, I loved your session and you guys worked the camera. All my little usual tricks did not work with you guys because you totally had your OWN STYLE, and it was a pleasure to photograph. You were troopers to hang out in the cold for so long, and it paid off. I think the roof is my new favorite place to shoot... Photographs that is!!! (That did not come out right, but you know what I mean.) E, you had some awesome poses against the wall. But I have to say that my ultimate favorite scene was the arched wall with the bikes under it. That was totally European! What a great way to document such a special time in your lives in such an AWESOME country. Beautiful, I love it!

Girl With The Dazling Eyes.

2009-02-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

We spent the day in and out of the studio, and I loved every bit of it. Besides the fact that I stepped in dog poo, tracked it in your car, and lost my cell phone. I know that my phone is still sitting in a pile of dog poo right now! : ) You guys definitely left your mark on Stuttgart. You are so happy, in love, and comfortable together that I do not think it would have mattered where we shot. Your bond was so nice to see and very easy to capture on camera. Thank you for all the laughs and silliness. You are awesome, especially when we climbed out of the window to shoot on the roof. Rebels! I can't wait for your newborn shoot, and I will be working on my directing skills too. So, let me know next time we meet. Oh, and A. you win 1st place for the Most Dazzling Eyes Category... hands down!

What's Going On In LCP?

2009-02-04T01:52:00.000-08:00

Many exciting things going on! Be the first to sign up. Please send this to others who may be interested. Your help is greatly appreciated.

NEW PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

TWO FREE SESSIONS TO GRADUATING SENIORS 2009

Time Flies When You're Having Fun.

2009-02-04T01:29:00.000-08:00

OK, I have a little confession. I have been consumed with finishing my website. I almost pulled 3 all-nighters in a row. I think I slept a total of 12 hours in those 72 hours. What can I say, I love what I do. But, now that I am rested and SO behind on my sessions, (sorry Adie), I am ready to go again. If you can, please check out my new website and pass it on to your friends. And as always, I would love to hear from you. People are coming out and talking with me about different blogs that they liked. I love sharing my life with you all, and I would like to hear from you as well. So leave me a comment or two, and that way I do not feel like I am talking to myself all the time. I know you are out there!!! Don't make me get the hose, Layla! (You know who you are.) That line is from Mrs. Doubtfire.

Please visit: http://www.lesliecervantez.com

Ice Cream and Cake!

2009-02-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

I think we have way too much fun on our sessions. From singing All My Single Ladies to Ice Cream and cake. Next time I will have to bring a disco ball and a fog machine. ;) You guys rocked the camera once again, and we got to spend time together. In between all the feedings I think we pretty much know each others lives now. So, in my book you all are considered family friends. (My family has extended to Florida as well.) There are too many pics to show from your session, because they are all so touching and beautiful. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you all around again. Also, I still have that beautiful drawing you made for me M. I love it. Thank you so much for that. Now my studio has personality... and everyone who has been there knows it needs some.

I lost my phone!!!!

2009-01-29T16:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, so after all my business cards have been printed, I LOST MY CELL PHONE. I had it with me on a shoot last weekend, and I think it fell out of my pocket. I am so so sad. I have changed my phone number, so if you need to get a hold of me dial:

0711-794-75-294

If you left a message for me on my phone, I am so sorry. The best way to reach me is via email: leslie@lesliecervantez.com

Leslie

New Flyer for 2009

2009-01-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

Answer to Jenny's Question...

2009-01-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Jenny,

I started to write you back in the little comment box, but I ended up writing too much. So I thought I would dedicate a blog post to your question. Here is what Jenny asked me:

Are your walls covered in your photography??

I WISH I had all my picture on the walls. I print my favorite ones out, but I really do not have a lot of frames. So they sit in an archival album awaiting the day to see the sun again. It is pretty sad.

Another reason why they are not on my wall is because we are renting our house here in Germany. And for those who have lived here know about the two feet concrete walls. What ever happened to the good ole days when we could hammer a small nail into the wall to hang up a freakin' picture?

Not now! "Babe, get the hammer drill, a screw and the screw bit.. and make sure the screw bit fits the screw..." (The screw bit is that little plastic case so the screw does not slide out of the wall.) Not to mention that you need goggles to protect your eyes from all the flying concrete when you drill!

We hung a lot of frames in our last house here in Germany. Oh man! Once we took things off the walls, they looked horrible. Like I used a machine gun to make the holes. (especially when I did not measure and had to redo the hole 3-4 times.) oops!

No thank you, I am waiting to move back to Texas to hang my stuff!!!

Inauguration Day 2009 - Barack Obama

2009-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

What an amazing day! I am so excited about Facebook and CNN teaming up to cover the Inauguration Day. We do not have AFN and our German cable is not working. I would not have been able to watch today's special events from my home. I am so proud to be watching this today. It is truly history in the making. Please visit CNN for more information. Bring on the tissues... happy tears!

A Cute Picture and A Funny Story

2009-01-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a cute pic of my daughter who is modeling for me as I meter the light for one of my sessions. Thought I would share with everyone!

OK, the funny story. To all those who believe that if you eat gum it stays in your system for 7 years. MYTH BUSTED!!! Yesterday, my son finally put his climbing abilities to his own benefit. He found the sweets stash in the highest kitchen cabinet. So as one of my sons is napping, the other one has found the mother load. When I found him, he had almost eaten an entire brand new pack of mint gum. (I won't say the brand name for legal purposes. ;) So, I am thinking to myself... this is not a good thing. When I went to go and check on my other son, who was napping, I noticed that he had a little stick of gum lying next to him. So at least his brother was sharing...

Today, he had many "dirty" diapers with chunks of blue sprinkled all over. And the best thing of all is that they all had a minty unfresh smell. It kind of reminded me about that old Jim Carey skit of Flatuscents. Remember that one?

So cold snow session.

2009-01-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

So cold snow session, try saying that 5 times fast. : ) Remember those funny tongue twisters? This is my first session of the year... Yey, I am up and running again. At the beginning of this session, we walked outside and it was snowing. But we proceeded with the session anyhow. But it was very cold. They were all so brave and wanted to take their jackets off. Even one of the locals told them in English, "Too cold." I was not wearing gloves and I couldn't feel my fingers. I can usually handle my camera without looking at the buttons. But since I could not feel very well, I had to keep checking that I was even touching a button. Also, we started the session later in the evening and it seemed like we lost daylight so quickly. I did not realize that the sun starts to set around 4 o'clock. But we made it work. All in all, we had a successful session and their images are so cool. (ba dum)

To the P family, thank you for your time and patience with this session. You will definitely not forget this one. Thank you for sharing your smiles and your last time together here in Germany with me. Wishing you the best.

Leslie

The Cutest Troll I have ever met!

2009-01-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

Hello again. I am posting my last session from 2008. Wow, what a way to end the year. This session felt more like a family reunion. The two older sons came home to visit mom, dad and little sis. They were having fun together, laughing, and playing around. I felt so welcome with them and at one point I was laughing so hard that I missed a photo opportunity. The brothers broke out in song and that was it for me. I was hurled over laughing. I missed a part of the dance that went with the song too. But, oh I smiled the whole day after that. W family, I would just like to tell you how much fun I had with you all. Thank you for such a great session. Enjoy your portraits and I hope to hear from you soon. Guys, take care back in the States and don't be a stranger when you come back to Stuttgart.

Oh, and yes about the troll title. When I was photographing little sister, who is absolutely beautiful, I called her a princess. I soon found out that she did not like to be called princess, so instead her brothers called her a troll. She loved it! I thought that was the sweetest thing. (Because I was a tomboy in my younger years, and I did not like girlie things either.) I am so glad that I finally got to meet a troll.

I'd love to hear comments from all you readers out there. Don't be shy. It's a new year! : )

Till next time...

Renewal of Wedding Vows

2009-01-01T16:36:00.001-08:00

Dear H Family,

Thank you for asking me to be a part of such a special event in your life. Even though the ceremony was short and sweet, the meaning of it will last a lifetime. I hope that these images preserve that time for you both and that you will continue to grow this great love for each other. Your family is so sweet and I fell in love with the kids. I loved how big brother was standing proudly next to dad. He was concentrating on the ceremony. Let's not forget big sister who was waving to me during the ceremony. That was hilarious. And the best was when little sister laid down at your feet while you pronounced your vows. That was priceless. They are darling. Enjoy them at this age. Because I don't think she will lay down in the middle of her wedding ceremony many years from now. Many blessings to you all.

By the way, I loved the red dress!

Leslie

Looking forward to 2009

2008-12-31T13:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Bloggers,

It was not that long ago that I was begging my friends, "Please let me borrow your family for a portrait session?" I would say, "I need to photograph other people because my kids are getting tired of me chasing them with the camera." Little did I know that my hobby would turn into a photo business.

2008 was my first full year as a professional photographer, and I couldn't be happier. As I look back on how much I have grown and what I have learned, I am so thankful for all my experiences. I am thankful for our loving God, and how he has led me to capture his little blessings in this world (both with and without the camera).

I appreciate everyone who has been in my life this year... God, my family, my friends, the MWR crew, ladies at the IBC, ladies in my belly dancing troop, my neighbors, and all my clients. I have met so many wonderful families who have amazing stories. I am so honored to have been a small part of your lives. Thank you for sharing yourself and your families with me.

I look forward to seeing you again next year. May you all find happiness and good health in the New Year.

Many Blessings,
Leslie Cervantez

One of my favorite images from last year. Painter in Paris

Day after Christmas

2008-12-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

OK. I know that I have been slacking on updating my kid's portraits. Here are some shots that I took the day after Christmas. Enjoy, and we miss everyone back home!

Santa's Visit

2008-12-26T17:46:00.001-08:00

Yes, that's right. Santa came to our house this Christmas. He ate all the cookies, drank the milk, and also left us a note. Even the reindeer drank the water we left outside for them. This was a great Christmas!

Cookies for Christmas

2008-12-26T17:28:00.001-08:00

This was the first time we made cookies from scratch. And it was harder than I thought. We ended up spending hours in the kitchen, and making a huge mess. I think we threw away two batches of batter because we did not follow directions. And we threw away one batch of cookies because the batter was not mixed right. When I pulled that batch out of the oven, it did not have that sweet cookie smell. But it did smell like baked flour. Yummy!?!

After almost half a day, we found a groove and stuck with it. We ended up decorating the cookies around 11:30 at night. Which is a shame because we started the entire process around 1:00 in the afternoon. Talk about exhausting. Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, I do not take you for granted anymore. I will gladly pay for a tube of cookie mix.

One on my favorite parts was when the boys softened the butter for us. That was funny. (See above image.) We did not have to wait too long for that! Also, another cute thing in the picture is in the last photo. You can see "S" eating his cookies. He decorated about 6 cookies, but only gave 2 back.

Ice Cream

2008-12-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, my daughter received a pottery wheel for her birthday. It is really fun to use... and messy. One of my sons, J, wanted to create a little something. So I started to shape a bowl for him. And to our surprise, he really picked up on the technique...

...for a little while. Then he got tired and did his own thing.

When he was done, we asked him what he made. He said, "Ice Cream".

It's a boy...

2008-12-26T06:05:00.000-08:00

Hello again blogger friends. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I have been so caught up in the holidays and my family that my work fell slightly behind. I have finally finished this wonderful maternity session from two weeks ago. "S" Family, sorry it took a while to post these. I had a difficult time choosing the best images from your session. There were so many great shots here that I could not narrow them down. There is so much love and character in your images and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of that. I LOVE your maternity portraits in front of the windows, they are simply gorgeous. You go girl ;)

I can't wait for your newborn session!

Fun Family Session

2008-12-15T03:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you, C Family for such a fun session. I felt so comfortable with you guys! I would have to say that the funniest moment was trying to get a smile without the Nintendo DS in the shot. But we made it work. Who knew that a DS could bring such a great smile on a kid's face (during portraits). I think I will have to invest in one for the shop ; ) Enjoy your portraits and I will see you around.

Feel free to leave a comment. I love hearing from you...

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

2008-12-12T08:46:00.001-08:00

Since today was only 30 degrees outside, I decided to take the kids out for some fun in the snow. They had a blast and did not want to go back inside. My daughter kept rolling in the snow and my twins were determined to pull the sled across the field. I have never seen snow covered apples before. That was neat to see. Also, my daughter took a picture of me. I thought it would be fun to throw snow up in the air. She thought it was funny when it hit me in the head.

When the sun comes out, I would love to do more sessions in the snow. We were outside for a little over an hour and it was perfect timing to get some cool shots. If you are looking for a fun and different session, bundle up and let's head outside!

Stay warm...

And yes, by the way I cut my hair. (over a foot and a half)!

The Sweetest Thing

2008-12-07T15:42:00.001-08:00

Thank you B Family for sharing your brand new baby with me. It was such a pleasure meeting and getting to know you. You have a precious baby and he is a joy to be around. I am pretty sure that by the time you see this BLOG, he will have gained weight and looks older. In this early stage of life, they grow and change so fast. He is simply adorable.

Feel free to leave comments.

Until next time...

Sweet Baby

2008-12-04T16:31:00.001-08:00

To the sweet family that I photographed last weekend. Thank you for sharing your beautiful baby with me.

Operation Love Reunited

2008-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce that I have joined this amazing organization. It is a small way for me to give back to our service members and their families. Please visit their website to see how photographers have come together to serve our military back at home and overseas. It will touch your heart.

I will be accepting sessions soon. Please call for more information.

Ready for my close-up!

2008-12-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

Isn't he adorable? I just had to share this one. I will be posting more images from this session soon.

Till next time...

Cute & Curious

2008-11-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

Hello again bloggers. I am uploading a session from last week. Those of you who live in Stuttgart have seen the beginning of winter. The ground is lightly covered in snow and it is very cold outside. Under these conditions, we went out on a photo shoot and it was awesome. We did not stay outside for very long because it was cold. The sun was shining and the light was wonderful. They wore cute hats and scarfs to bring color to their portraits. It was so much fun. Their son was so curious about everything and he had so much fun outside. He was exploring around the park, looking at the plants and running in the snow. He did not want to leave the park, but we had to because everyone had frozen fingers and red noses. :)

until next time...

A Winter Rose

2008-11-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

I am dedicating this post to all the military spouses of deployed soldiers. In the middle of one of my sessions, this lovely woman spotted a rose. It was the only rose amongst many tangled bare branches. She said, "This rose is beautiful. She is all alone in the cold and she is standing strong." When she spoke those words, I immediately thought of her, my freinds, and the thousands of military spouses standing strong during hard times and deployments. Ladies, you are like this rose holding it all together while waiting for your loved one. And I bet in his eyes and heart, you are the rose he is waiting to come home to!

Signing out...

Sk8ter Boyz

2008-11-24T14:52:00.001-08:00

A great way to personalize your portrait session is to bring something that you love doing. These handsome brothers are into skateboarding and they were really good at it. I was photographing their stunts as well as using the skateboard as a prop. They really started warming up to the camera when I showed them their "action shots" on the board. Thank you boys for showing me some stunts. OK, OK, I know it wasn't a stunt... I tried to use the skateboard as a stool while I was photographing, and I almost fell off. That was my big stunt for the day ;)

Enjoy your portraits...

All For You

2008-11-20T03:26:00.000-08:00

Hey bloggers, it's me again. I have been so busy with work that it took me a little while to post these images from last weekend. I met such a sweet family with a beautiful baby girl. I'm telling you, she is a Gerber baby model. She was so active and curious about her surroundings. She was looking everywhere with her big blue eyes. "A" Family, thank you for sharing your family with me. It was so nice spending time with you all, especially since we had those nice breaks in between. ;) The day was all about baby H. and we wouldn't of had it any other way. I hope you enjoy this sneak peak from your session.

signing out..

Baby of Mine

2008-11-14T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hello bloggers, I am posting a maternity session from this week. I love the interaction between this couple, so calm and soft spoken. There was so much celebration and love for their baby between the two of them, and it was nice to be around. It was cold outside that day, but they handled it nicely. And when the sun went away, it really got chilly. We shot where we needed to outside and then headed indoors for more portraits. It was such a pleasure meeting you J. And M, I wish you the best of luck. My prayers are with you and your new family.

I have some exciting sessions coming up this weekend. Stay posted.

Until next time...

Vineyards

2008-11-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

The thing I love about Germany is that it is so green. When I moved here from Texas, I said "Wow, the plants actually look happy here." So what could be the downside to that? Rain! This wonderful family session was planned on a nice cloudy day. But for those of us who have lived in Germany know how unpredictable the weather is. It was raining off and on that day. It seemed that every time we thought it had stopped, and after we got all the kids downstairs, it would start raining again. (That happened twice.) So we all hiked back upstairs to wait the rain out. Later that day... We did eventually have a break and we visited the nearby vineyards. I LOVE it there! So many colors and the rows of grapevines are simply beautiful. Not to mention the top view of Stuttgart. I have found a new place to photograph. M family, you guys were such great sports that day. I loved spending time with you all. I am so glad that we finally got together again. I hope you enjoy your portraits. It was such a joy photographing the wonderful blessing in your life... your family.

The Little Things In Life.

2008-11-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

This image is from one of my sessions this week. I just love this one! Isn't it always the little things in life that get us?

Timeless...

Indoor Fun!

2008-11-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hello Bloggers, it has been a little while since my last post, but here I am again. This weekend was my session with Miss B. I held a session with her sister earlier this summer. And even though they have a lot of the same features, their looks are quite different. Miss B. walked into the studio with a little grin on her face since she already knew how things worked. I could tell she had the session all planned out. She was so cute with her hair and make-up done. I couldn't wait to get started! As I am photographing her, I am realizing that the same poses I did for her sister were working for her as well. That has never happened to me before, and so I tried mixing it up a bit. I love the images with her hood. She looks like a model! Miss B. you worked the camera!

I have two maternity sessions and a family session coming up. Don't forget to keep an eye out for them.

Signing out...

Puppy Love

2008-10-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

OK guys, I just had to sneak these images in quickly before I head off to bed. These are so cute that I couldn't wait to post them. On Sunday we went out to the park and even though it was a little chilly, I had a blast. This couple is SO in love and silly together. Even though we wanted a little privacy in the park, we soon learned that it was not going to happen. They were the center of attention and everyone loved them. And the dogs are TOO cute... wouldn't you agree? Oh, I fell in love with them. They are just adorable. It was nice hanging out with you guys.

Until next time...

Hands Down

2008-10-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hello again fellow bloggers. What a beautiful weekend we had. Ah, it was so nice to be out photographing and taking advantage of the sun. OK hands down, this session was the cutest! If I could have posted all their images on here I would have. There is so much love and interaction between the family and little Z is simply full of life. Her curiosity and excitement for everything and anything was a joy to see. Children really do appreciate our world and they love exploring by touching, smelling, and yes... tasting. I know there were a few things her parents did not want her to put in her mouth, but we were not quick enough. : ) You know, photographing children is about getting down on their level and seeing what they are experiencing. It is refreshing to see life like they do and it makes me feel like a kid again. As adults we are here to show children how to grow up in this world, but isn't it funny how they show us how to do the same thing?

See you soon. I still have yesterday's session to post with the sweetest couple and their cute little doggies...

Moving On

2008-10-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we were stationed here in Germany with the ARMY in 2001. We have been here for most of my husband's military career. Now after 8 years of service we are now officially an ARMY veteran family. Because of our military experience, I have grown to appreciate military service men and women as well as their families. This is not an easy life. But you manage to work and sacrifice for the good of our country and that is special. Last week was his last week of duty and once again "Of course I had to take pictures!" As we move on to a different chapter in our lives, we will never forget this time. Baby, I am so proud of your service and I love you very much. Here's to you and I look forward to many more years...

Shining Through

2008-10-20T03:07:00.000-07:00

You don't have to look far for the free gifts in life. Isn't it amazing how you can look at an image like this and feel hope, inspiration, renewal and love all at the same time? Well that is what I felt when I saw this cloud. I just closed my eyes and took a deep breath. These are moments worth living for. This shot was taken from my backyard (and edited in photoshop).

The Fall Boys

2008-10-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last Friday the boys and I went outside for a little Fall cleanup. They were having so much fun that I had to photograph them. Plus, who doesn't want pictures of their babies playing in the leaves? We were having a blast until they started fighting over the same pile. One wanted to jump in the leaves and the other wanted to throw them. And taking turns was not an option that day. So, mommy had to make two piles, and as you can see J started raking on his own... too cute! Enjoy these and I hope everyone is staying warm in the cold weather.

Tagged

2008-10-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Kelly

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Weird random facts about me: OK here it goes...

1. I love finding God's blessings and love in the world.
2. My husband was my first date.
3. The doctor said I would not be taller the 5 feet tall... I am 5 foot and a half inch. Oh, yeah.
4. I am extremely competitive in sports. (and I love doing cartwheels in the middle of practice when the coach is not looking.)
5. I can play the flute and the guitar... and I love to Karaoke.
6. I can touch my tongue to my nose. My second toe is bigger than my first. My brother-in-law named it "The Cheetoe".
7. Two years ago I went through about a year of vocal therapy for a paralyzed vocal chord. I worked through my paralyses and I have my normal voice again.

Here's who I'm tagging: (These are some of my favorite photographers.)

Leah
Alicia
Cindy
Jaime
Brianna
Peanut Photography
Jessica

Silly and Sweet

2008-10-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers! I am posting my last session which was full of energy. I had to stay on my toes at all times to catch the little moments in between. I love the personalities and bond between the children. They are so much fun together. To give you a little insight to their session, we were doing the chicken dance at one point. It was awesome. I do enjoy sessions like these, because it reminds me that I am here to capture you as you are and NOT how I want you to look... Which is one of the reasons I love this job. I am always pleasantly surprised at how each family session is different. Even if I try the same shot with two different families, it comes out different. That is what I am looking for, a connection or a way of looking into your lives at this point in time. Thank you D family for sharing your lives with me. It was nice meeting you.

As always, I am open to comments. I'd love to hear from you,
Leslie

RB Studio: Under renovation needs furniture

2008-10-15T03:14:00.000-07:00

This image was taken from: http://www.homedecorators.com/Decorating_Ideas/Room_Planning/186/

I am still in the process of renovating the RB studio. The process is
moving along and I am getting excited. I would like to decorate the
waiting room as a welcoming spot. Almost like a living room. Since I
do not have a big budget, I am looking for FREE or CHEAP furniture and
decorations for the area. I also need sitting benches and posing
chairs. If you or anyone you know (especially if they are PCSing)
need to "get rid" of furniture; or if you have decorations that are
simply collecting dust and they need a good home, I would appreciate
it. Please send this to people you know (the more the better)!

If you are interested in donating or selling, please contact me at:

01511-590-3800
leslie@lesliecervantez.com

Things I would love to get:

Benches
Children's chairs
Big Baskets!
Big round clocks
Cool looking furniture
Sofas
bookcase
small round corner table or a table to put against the wall (for
decoration)
a small coffee table (wooden and sturdy)
any decorations (small decorative mirrors, inspirational words,
plants, a throw blanket, anything...)
old frames
dress up stuff, tutus
simple maternity clothes (nothing to fancy)
tube tops
colorful blankets
hats (all sizes)
white button down shirts (mens and womens)

Thank you,
Leslie

Just Plain Fun

2008-10-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

Peek-A-Boo and make believe princesses where the highlights of this session. Whenever the baby heard the words Peek-A-Boo come out of my mouth, he laughed so VERY VERY hard. You just couldn't help but to laugh along with him. His cheeks are just precious and I wanted to hold him all day. He is such a cute and wonderful boy. When we went outside we played princess dress-up and searched for apples. She was adorable in her little outfit, and the colors were so cute. I love that her dress was just a little too big. Because when she walked, it looked like her dress had a train. I really enjoy being around children, they know how to have fun in the simplest ways.

I'll post some more BLOGs soon. I'd love to hear from you...

Christmas cards are in!

2008-10-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the Christmas cards I have been working on. I would like to put a few more up, but I just wanted to show you that I am working on them. These cards are printed from the States so please allow time for delivery. They are 5x7 folded cards with envelopes. You may write a message to go inside the card. Please contact me for pricing information. Don't forget to book your session, open dates are filling up fast!

Waiting for you...

2008-10-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers, it's me again with another beautiful maternity session. Whenever I was pregnant with my children, I think the hardest thing about pregnancy was waiting. Waiting to see our baby(ies), waiting to hold our baby(ies), waiting to fit into regular clothes again... Everything is about new beginnings. There are so many changes going on, and you can't make the time go faster. Which is not a bad thing, because there is so much to prepare for. This couple was so sweet. And Even though they were not completely comfortable in front of the camera, they wanted to preserve this time. In their portraits you can see the waiting, anticipation and excitement. J & W, thank you for trusting me to capture such a special time in your lives. You look so happy together. I had a great time with you. Your family is blessed to have a new addition to it.

Baby Blue

2008-10-04T00:36:00.001-07:00

You know, I never want another baby until I get near one. Ah, I love baby sessions because I get my "babyfix". They are such a joy to be around. I love hearing all their baby noises, smells, and mannerisms. Oh the blessings of little babies. Thank you guys for coming to do portraits again. Your session wasn't as energetic this time, but I forgive you... Well with your recent delivery, I guess I can cut you some slack. ; ) I am just teasing you, I had a very nice time with you here. You have a beautiful family, and enjoy your new baby boy!

I have a few more new posts coming so please come back. See you then.

A day at the park

2008-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am posting my session from Saturday. The weather was beautiful and the lighting was awesome. I met a very nice family who have two great children. They were so interested in all the fun things to do at the park. They looked at the ducks, rode the rides and rolled in the grass. I think father and son had a race at one point. I love this family shot of them, because the kids loved looking at the ducks. If you notice, there were about three ducks that landed in the water (located on the bottom right). I thought that was such nice timing. M family, it was so nice meeting you and spending the evening with your family. I hope you enjoy your portraits.

As always, please leave your comments for my Blog. I'd love to hear from you.

20 years of service

2008-09-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

S family, It has been such a pleasure having you as friends here in Germany. I am so thankful that I met you guys, and I think your family is the sweetest ever! You have been such a big part in the turning point in my photography. I can't thank you enough for your patience and time... and referrals. ; ) Congratulations for 20 years of service, it is definitely appreciated. Love you guys, Leslie.

Baby Announcements

2008-09-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

Hello again. I am working on baby announcements, graduation announcements and Christmas cards. The colors can be changed if you like. And you can pick your favorite images from your session.

Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery. I am in the process of adding these to my price list. I hope you like the new layouts, they will also be under my "Design" section on the right drop menu on my BLOG page. Images and designs are copyright of Leslie Cervantez Photography.

Let me know what you think...

Wonderful Maternity Session

2008-09-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hey guys. It's me again... posting a beautiful maternity session. Last Sat. I met an awesome couple who is expecting their first child together. After their indoor session, we decided to take a drive to the local downtown platz. Once we found parking, we walked around and shot against different backgrounds. It was so much fun, kind of like a treasure hunt. The thing I love about being in Germany (aside from the fact that everything is so green) is going through the little towns. There are little details, textures and vibrant colors everywhere. It makes photography exciting and fun! Ideas were running through my head at every street. We did not get very far into town because there was so much to see within a few blocks. It seemed like I was stopping them every 30 steps or so. J & K, you were so much fun to be around! And I love the fact that you were in that HOT dress... even though it was cold outside. Thank you for sharing your time and laughter with me.

My BLOG is open for comments. I look forward to hearing from you.

until next time...

Birthday Girl

2008-09-09T16:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to a sweet girl! G family, I just wanted to say what a great time I had this weekend. L is such a beautiful and sweet baby. She has such a cute smile, especially with those two bottom teeth. I am so glad that we were able to work around her schedule because after all the work she was doing, she did get tired. She did an awesome job in front of the camera and your portraits are one of my favorites! Thank you for your time and I am glad that I got to meet you all. Enjoy your portraits. -Leslie

2 + 3 is 5...

2008-09-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

Can you Imagine going to the doctor and finding out you are pregnant? What an exciting time, right? At at your next doctor's visit he says, you're having twins. Wow, even more exciting. Then at the third visit, you find out you are having TRIPLETS!!! Well that is this family's story... 2 + 3 is 5! It was such a pleasure meeting your family and spending time with you. Thank you for a wonderful session. I loved watching the kids interact with each other. They were having fun, playing, laughing and they were so sweet together. I am glad that no one ended up in the water ; ) The day turned out to be a beautiful one (even though the forecast was rain). I am so glad that we were able to get all the kids together before going off to college. K and N, I wish you a wonderful year in school. And to the entire W family, I truly hope you enjoy your pictures.

Beautiful Maternity

2008-08-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, this session was AWESOME!!! What a great time we had on Saturday. I tell you, I was laughing so hard that I had to keep putting my camera down. Thank you so much for being great sports. I loved the fact that you showed all kinds of emotions. It came through beautifully in your portraits. I wish you the best of luck with your new baby, and I look forward to your newborn session. I can't wait to meet the baby.

GOOOOO, Seniors 09!!!

2008-08-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Exciting, beautiful, & FUN. B, you are such a joy to be around. Thank you so much for your company. It was a pleasure meeting you. You have a gorgeous smile! I wish you much luck in this coming year. Swing by anytime when you visit Stuttgart again.

Our Family Vacation - 4 SLIDESHOWS

2008-08-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Paris, FR -

Bertchesgaden, DE & Eagle's Nest -

Venice, IT -

Lago Di Garda, IT -
Images taken at Cervano Bed and Breakfast, and down by the lake.

V Family

2008-08-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

It was a pleasure meeting your wonderful family. Baby M was a delight to photograph, and she has the cutest smile. She has a great big brother who loves her very much. Thank you for sharing your time and smiles. I look forward to another session with you all.
-Leslie

BEST Arts and Crafts program

2008-08-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

The Stuttgart FMWR Arts and Crafts Program was selected as the BEST Arts and
Crafts program on a large garrison in the whole Army! This is the second
year in a row the program has received this prestigious title! The program
was judged on many areas of the operation, including programming,
innovations, community involvement, training, and marketing. The following
are just a few of the key areas that helped the program win:

* Renovation of Patch Multi-Crafts
* Introduction of the Glass Bead Making (Lampwork) Program
* The Pottery Bar
* The Multi-Media and Digital Scrapbooking Lab
* Our local Photography and Fine Arts Contests

Join the Arts and Crafts team in celebration on September 12, from 11-18!
We'll have
* free food
* all merchandise 25% OFF (exceptions apply)
* an opportunity to paint pottery
* demonstrations of Lampwork beading, digital scrapbooing, and long-arm
quilting
* in-store giveaways
* AND the 100th shopper will receive their purchase up to $100 for FREE!!!

For more information contact Patch Multi-Crafts at 430-5270 (0711-680-5270)
or Kelly Sarles at kelly.sarles@us.army.mil.

Fun, Fun Maternity

2008-07-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dear R Family,
What a wonderful and FUN session. My cheeks hurt so much from laughing and I was in tears. I loved your session and how you guys interacted with each other. I was hoping to get at least one good picture because I could hardly push the shutter release and laugh at the same time. You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing such a special time in your life with me. I wish you a wonderful pregnancy and I can't wait for your newborn session.
Love,
Leslie

Postcard Designs 01

2008-07-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

Little Brother

2008-07-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

I was going through old files and throwing away photos that I did not need when I found this image. This was a session I did with my kids about a year ago. I love it! My little Q-T Pies...

A Piece of Germany To Take With You

2008-07-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

We are so thankful that you have been a part of our lives here in Germany. We wish you all the best of luck at your new home. You will definitely be missed.

Love,
The Cervantez Family

Cool & Sultry

2008-06-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine cool and sultry...? Amazing pictures! A & P, you were like professional models in front of the camera. I really enjoyed our time together. Thank you for a great session.

Sending much love,
Leslie

Cool

2008-06-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

Cool, meaning calm and collected, is the only way I can describe this session. He really knew how to pose for the camera and it made my job very easy. As soon as I took about 4 to 5 shots he was already facing a different direction with yet a new pose, but he still held the poses long enough for me to capture him. He was very cool throughout the session and was able to handle the spot light nicely.

It was nice meeting you A,

--Leslie

Sultry

2008-06-29T04:59:00.000-07:00

I love seeing people work with the camera! When I build a trust relationship with a person, it really shows in their photographs. My goal is to create a comfortable setting that allows people to relax and be themselves. The focus then goes into making a great photo rather than forcing a look or idea. For this session, we discussed various ideas and styles. This young beautiful lady, who knows how to work the camera, really shined through. I appreciate her ability to go for a look, and then is able to pull it off. Her images feel natural and genuine.

Once again, beautiful work P.

--Leslie

G Family

2008-06-22T12:52:00.001-07:00

"G" Family, Thank you so much for a wonderful session. Here are some sneak peaks from your photo shoot. I hope you enjoy them. You have a beautiful family. Love, Leslie

A Good Morning Hug

2008-06-18T00:24:00.001-07:00

Houston, We Have Contact

2008-06-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

My twin boys are two years old. They are constantly moving around. I usually capture twin sightings, you know... shots of the backs of their heads or them running past the camera. Finally, I captured an image were we have eye contact!!! Why is it so hard to photograph your own children?

Mi Welita

2008-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Welita,

Aquí están algunas fotografías de usted. Usted es la única abuela que tengo, y soy agradecido que le conozco.

I love you,
Leslie

Thinking of you, بابا

2008-06-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Although we did not speak the same language and lived in different countries, you were the only grandfather I met. I was looking through some photos from 2004 when you came to visit the United States. That was the last time I saw you. I remember the time you came to visit when I was about 7 or 8. You re-tiled my parent's bathtub. After you were in there for a few hours, I went to go and see you. You were covered in white powder from head to toe. I thought it was the funniest thing. Thank you for making me smile. Rest in peace...
Leslie

First Communion

2008-06-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of K. We were standing outside the church after our First Communion ceremony and here was this big blue eyed darling standing next to me. I had to take her picture. The stare in her eyes send out such a peaceful feeling. I like the contrast in her attire and her hair. Her veil and dress are simply elegant yet her hair does not match the occasion. However, her eyes draw you into the image and all you can see is her sweet face. I think this image is symbolic of the day, because receiving communion is not about what you wear or how you look. It is about a personal and physical connection with Jesus. And this portrait recreates a similar connection that draws you to her.

What a big day it is to receive first communion! Congratulations K, I am glad I was there to capture this special time. Remember this day and what it means as you continue your life with Jesus.

Tribal Delight with Sharon Kiara

2008-06-05T06:28:00.001-07:00

Aela, sorry it has taken me a while to post these images. I truly had a wonderful time dancing and photographing that night. To all the ladies (and man) dancing in the show, all I can say is WOW! There was so much talent, beauty and elegance on the dance floor. Thank you so much for an eventful and delightful show. To all my friends who came to watch the performances... You guys ROCK!!! I loved seeing you out there and from the bottom of my heart, I am thankful for your friendship and support. Make sure to check out the slideshow underneath Sharon's Photo. Special Thank you to Aela Badiana for organizing and putting on a great show.

--Leslie

Sweet, Sweet Baby

2008-05-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

We all know that life can be hard at times. Baby D is a testimony to that. She was born weighing only over 1 pound, and was in intensive care for the first few months of her life. Her mother said that when she was born she stamped her footprint. Baby D's tiny foot fit inside her mother's thumb print. She is truly a beautiful and amazing baby, not to mention a fighter. She is a few months old now, and is gaining weight and growing wonderfully. She is now a whopping 6 pounds. Keep up the good work!

Congratulations, and Welcome Home!

--Leslie