Featured in PIctures Magazine

Pictures Magazine was created as a celebration of all that is childhood. A resource for families to find everything from unique toys to creative photographers, as well as a place to share your favorite childhood memories.

Karenleslie Photography is featured in their Fall issue under Features > Find a Photographer

Enjoy this delightful new magazine. :)

Pictures Magazine

While on vacation from Germany...

A few weeks back I had the pleasure to photograph the Flory family, who were visiting from Germany. What a delightful and really fun family they were!

Here are some highlights from their session:

Decorating with Photographs

There is nothing that personalizes a home more than photographs. But, instead of just keeping a few photographs in frames on various tables and shelves in your house, how about using photographs as art and making a big impact with an entire wall of photographs?

Many home decor retailers are highlighting this new trend in decorating.



All it takes is a handful of black and white (or color) photographs of your family.



This wall of photographs will look more cohesive if you following a couple of guidelines:

1. Use the same type of frame: same color or same type of wood. The frames can be different styles or even different sizes, as long as you have some kind of cohesive element.

2. Either all black & white or all color photographs follow the same idea as #1. Consistency with one element will tie the grouping together.

After we complete your photography session, I can work with you to choose a series of photographs that will work best in your home. In addition, I can provide framing services so you can create your own personal wall of art.

Why I Do This

Some of you reading this may know me personally, but probably many of you don't. While I have always *loved* the arts in all forms and fashion and have played around with photography for many years, I really stumbled into this career not very long ago. My background is in business, specifically marketing. But, I knew as soon as I started taking portraits of children that I had come "home."

I love what I do. I can't express enough to you how much I love it. Every day I think I'm the luckiest person alive because I get to do what I do. (No, really. It's true!)

So, when I get feedback from clients that tell me they love the photographs I've taken of their child, my entire soul smiles.

The following paragraph came to me from Lori, who is Sydney's mom. This means so much to me:

I could say “phenomenal” or “exquisite” or “priceless” or “extraordinary”…but all the superlatives in the world seem insufficient. Of course, I am partial to the subject matter, but the skill with which you have captured the personality and beauty of my daughter (and my family) is simply amazing. These images are gorgeous, and believe me with all your heart when I tell you that they will be treasured by my family for a lifetime.

In return I say thank you for giving back so much joy in my life. This is why I do this.

Photos of the Week

These photos are from a recent session I did with some new friends at the beach -- Allie and Carson. This brother and sister were not only incredibly good looking, but lots of fun as well. :) They even brought along a couple of friends for some spontaneous photographs.

I love this set where little brother is peeking out at us!




A genuine beauty. :)





This one had a spirited personality.





And now the two friends that joined us.





Thanks to Allie and Carson for a really fun afternoon!

Product Spotlight: Holiday Cards & Holiday Card Mini Sessions

Just in time for the holidays, Karenleslie Photography is offering holiday cards in two different design styles: Classic & Simple and Fun & Bright. The cards are available in two sizes: 5x7" and 4x8" and come with stamped envelopes (how convenient is that?) The cards are single sized and can be customized with your own greeting (both the sentiment and your name).

If you've already had a photo session with me, you can choose a photo from our session to use on your cards and I'll work with you to customize the card's greeting.

If you have not had a photo shoot with me, from now until November I'm offering Holiday Card Mini Sessions. These sessions are scheduled on three different dates at specific locations:
>Sunday, October 22nd (Winter Park)
>Monday, October 30th (Orlando)
>Saturday, November 11th (Winter Springs/Oviedo).

There are morning sessions and afternoon sessions available. All locations will be outdoors in natural light. In advance we'll discuss the type of photograph you are looking for: children only or family. These mini sessions are offered for a special price of $125 for 50 cards and stamped envelopes. Sign up today because spots are filling up fast. Call me at 407.340.8088 or email me at karenleslie@mac.com.

Go to my website to read more about the mini sessions or see the card sets available this year.

Giving Back: Lighthouse Central Florida

This Saturday evening, I'll be attending the Eye Ball, sponsored by The Lighthouse Central Florida, and hoping that the photography package I donated to the silent auction raises a lot of money!

Since 1976, Lighthouse Central Florida (formerly the Center for Independence, Technology & Education - CITE) has served adults and children with low vision and blindness by providing professional rehabilitation and training programs in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Sumter counties. Lighthouse is the sole non-profit provider of comprehensive vision rehabilitation services in the Central Florida area.

Lighthouse Central Florida (LCF) is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving People with Blindness or Vision Impairment (NAC), and is a Heart of Florida and Lake and Sumter County United Way member agency.

If you're interested in attending the Eye Ball, I believe tickets are still available! And, if you're there, look for me and say hi. :)

Photos of the Week

What a great photo session I had with this family. Their two little girls were not only adorable, but very fun!

No time for portraits? Let me help you with that.

One of my goals at Karenleslie Photography is to not only make a photo session fun for you and your children, but also convenient for you. How do I do that? Let me walk you through a true scenario of booking a photo session with me:

1. When you decide to book a session, we'll talk about possible session times/dates, type of photographs you are looking for (e.g., any specific shots) and location. Most people prefer to have the session at their house, which always works out great.

2. We'll be in contact a couple of times from the time you book until your session to confirm details and for me to answer any questions you might have.

3. On the day of the session, I will come to your house at the time we agreed. I'll take some time to get to know your kids, and get a feel for the best lighting in your house. Since I am a natural light photographer, I don't use any studio lights, so my "set up" is pretty simple: just me and my camera. :)

4. A photo session lasts anywhere from one to two hours. The time I am with you and your children is fun and comfortable! I like for kids to just be themselves -- most times they quickly forget that I even have a camera in my hands. Mom and Dad can choose to stay with us as we take photographs. Many times, Mom and Dad will leave us alone, but stay within range in case there are specific questions or requests that come up. The kids and I will talk and just generally have fun. Don't be surprised if "bed jumping" is involved in our shoot! I also love to hear jokes and stories from your kids ... and have been known to get in the middle of a game of "ring around the rosie." :) I typically don't work with props, but if I'd love to include a special toy, blanket, stuffed animal or doll or anything else in the shots that would be meaningful to you and your child. If your child needs to take a break for a snack that's perfectly fine. Before I leave I'll make sure that I get all the "must have" shots that you requested.

5. Within two weeks, I'll be back in contact to schedule the proofing session. Again, I'll come to you to go through all your proofs. This typically takes about 30 minutes.

6. Before I leave the proofing session, you'll have all the information you need to order your prints. Don't forget -- orders within two weeks will receive the $100 photo credit from your session fee. You'll order your photos through a password protected online ordering site. The orders will come to me and I'll start preparing your final order.

7. Once your order is ready (approximately two weeks from the time you placed the order), I'll deliver your order to you.

See how that works? So convenient! No taking the kids to the photographer's studio. No return tip to the studio to view your proofs. No second return trip to pick up your order. I come to you and bring everything to you. And I've just saved you hours.

How could it get more convenient? No, I didn't think so. :)

My Friend, Sydney

This photo has a very important story attached to it. This is my friend Sydney; she is the daughter of a friend of mine. She is two years old and has has an (as yet) unidentified chronic blood condition that has caused her to be anemic for most of her short life and led to dozens of transfusions and several stays at the children's hospital.

A few weeks ago, her dad launched a website called Friends of Sydney (www.friendsofsydney.org). The goal of the website is to link people with other people in order to share information. See, right now, information is incredibly valuable to Sydney. If word spreads far enough, there is likely someone else out in this world that has a similar condition, or knows someone with a similar condition. Once its known what Sydney has, the cure can begin.

So, I ask you a favor. Please click on the link for Sydney's website, send her a word of encouragement and then pass that link on to other people you know. All it takes is a few minutes to share the information with someone and ask them to share it and soon Sydney will have her cure.

Please?

You can see a slideshow from Sydney's entire session here