post by leslie

Aren't you guys ready to get back to Lake Superior? I am. I keep seeing people's pictures of their weekend cabin getaways, and people, I'm just *itchin* to get back up north!Well, one way you can scratch that itch is to book a family mini-session with me on Lake Superior this fall! I know that seems like it's forever away, but when you start to look for lodging, you'll realize that's not exactly the case! So maybe we should all plan ahead and get this one on the books now, eh?I'll be up there during peak fall color (Oct 6-7), and I'm offering 30 minute family sessions during sunrise and sunset, when we can get the best photos of your family on the lake or in the surrounding woods. You'll get seven digital images sized perfectly for holiday cards or 5x7 prints for gifts. The cost is $200.Last year, we did this up at Lutsen (which was marvelous), but I got some feedback that a closer location might be easier for families with young children, so we are moving the sessions to Two Harbors. This means you can stay in Duluth, or at my favorite resort, Larsmont (no they are not paying me but they should for all the people I tell to go there!) or I also found this cute little air bnb.This is a great deal for families who have always wanted to have professional photos taken while on vacation but can't exactly trust strangers to take a great photo when you hand them your phone (we've all been there). Plus? This is one of my favorite parts of the state, and you know I'm happy to give you all sorts of suggestions on where to eat, where to stay, where to hike, etc etc etc.If you'd like to book one of these sessions, you can do so here. Just include if you prefer a sunrise or sunset session in the notes. Hopefully, I'll see you up there!

post by leslie

Wow, is it weird to see an actual human on this blog after all those foster dogs or what?!?But the thing is, I did this super fun shoot waaaaay back in early April where I photographed models for Cole's Salon. The stylists were entering the photos into a competition, so I couldn't share them until May 1. But that was the day my dog project started! So here we are in June looking at photos from April. Sorry about that, but I didn't want you to miss out on this cool hair. And for your internet shares of the day:+ Maybe after I get a bit better at the piano, I'll take on tap dancing. I mean, dancing to one of my all-time favorite Conor Oberst songs? Yes please.+ Maybe, just maybe, I would enjoy camping after all?+ Perfect plastic dinnerware for the patio.

post by leslie

You thought I was done? HA! I told you this project would be going on in a smaller fashion, and I'm going to kick that off today. My goal is to showcase a handful of dogs each month, and today is June 1, so let's just get it started. (Don't worry, next week will be back to normal.)This is Dumpling and she is five. Just look at that sweet face! This was one of the most gentle and loving dogs I photographed. All she wanted was affection. She just cuddled up next to me and kissed me gently, and she is just looking for someone who will treat her with kindness. We’re not sure of her background, but she is missing an ear, has damage to an eye and is riddled with scars. There might be bullet fragments in her skin. And after all that? She wants to sleep under the covers with you and shower you with kisses. She is calm and quiet, but not at all fearful. This sweetheart needs someone who will surround her with love and affection. This girl has had some health issues that the rescue is working to get cleared up 100% before adopting her out, but they believe she'll be ready in the next few weeks. Because she's not technically up for adoption yet, she doesn't have a page full of information. But if you are interested in adopting this lovebug, you can reach out to the rescue here or you can email one of their coordinators here. About this projectFor the month of May, I featured photos on my blog, my instagram and my facebook feeds that focused on dogs who needed homes. The project was so successful that I'm continuing it on a smaller scale throughout the year. These are dogs currently in foster homes, waiting for their forever family. They are amazing pups who will melt your hearts — some are hard to adopt because they are pit bull mixes (the sweetest dogs ever who cannot help their strength) or they have lived on the streets for a long time and are covered in scars or they might be blind or deaf (or both). Some are simply hard to get adopted because they are black, which is the dumbest reason ever. But each dog that has come into my studio in the last few weeks for photos has had a warm heart and wanted nothing more than love. Wouldn’t it be great if one of you could provide that? I hope so. To see all the dogs featured so far, look here. Also, special shout out to Lucy & Co. for donating all of the amazing bandanas!

post by leslie

Well, here we are at the end of May! What a month, eh? I ended up photographing 34 rescue pups, which I thought would give me enough coverage in case some were adopted before I ran them on my blog. You see, once I photographed the dogs, I sent the images to the rescue the next day to put online. So in some cases, the photos were up for weeks before I had time to publish the dog's story -- meaning a few were adopted before I could run them. These are those dogs.For those of you wondering, nine of the 34 have been adopted, and many more of them have multiple applications which are being vetted by the rescue groups now -- this pleases me to no end. I'll list out the success stories at the end of the post, but there are these three who you haven't seen yet who are already in their forever homes. And before I tell you about them, I ask that if you are looking for a dog, you can see the updated ones available over here. And might I suggest that lovely Sabine? I'm still sad I can't bring her home for myself. What a doll. Oh! Or Jazzy! Or Kingston! Or Venus! Oh never mind. I just adore them all.So first up in the "already adopted" list is Lewis (who loved to bow at me over and over during the session, as you can see above). I won't waste your time on why you should adopt him since that's taken care of, but just enjoy the photos below. Second is Honeybee and third is Cal. The other dogs who have been adopted include:Bobby (yay! this made me so happy!)Gabriel (oh man this puppy is adorable!)Dixy (the other girl, besides Sabine, that I would have brought home immediately if I had room)Betsy (such a gorgeous girl!)Fletcher (a fun and playful boy!)Rosie (the cutest little dog!)Now many of you have asked if I plan on extending this project, and the answer is yes. It will be on a much smaller scale (a handful of dogs each quarter), but I think it's important work, and it seems to really help the dogs find homes. So keep coming back as I'll have more dogs on the way!Also, in case you missed it, the Star Tribune did a piece on my project here.

post by leslie

This is sweet, sweet Alice. She is a gentle 12-year-old who came to Minnesota from Kentucky. She's calm, but not timid. She will go on short walks and she loves to lay (and nap) in the sun. She's completely potty trained and she's good with dogs, cats and kids. She especially loves being around younger dogs as they keep her young. She is such a gentle girl, you should probably look into her adoption right now. To do that, look here. About this projectFor the month of May, I’ll feature photos on my blog, my instagram and my facebook feeds that focus on dogs who need homes. These are dogs currently in foster homes, waiting for their forever family. They are amazing pups who will melt your hearts — some are hard to adopt because they are pit bull mixes (the sweetest dogs ever who cannot help their strength) or they have lived on the streets for a long time and are covered in scars or they might be blind or deaf (or both). Some are simply hard to get adopted because they are black, which is the dumbest reason ever. But each dog that has come into my studio in the last few weeks for photos has had a warm heart and wanted nothing more than love. Wouldn’t it be great if one of you could provide that? I hope so. To see all the dogs featured so far, look here. Also, special shout out to Lucy & Co. for donating all of the amazing bandanas!

Rosie is a beautiful 2-year-old sweetheart from Kentucky. She's got a lot of energy, and if she can't have a fenced yard, she would need at least one long walk per day. She is super playful and loves other dogs, but due to her size, strength and energy levels, a family with young children probably wouldn't be a good fit.My favorite excerpt from her adoption page reads:Rosie likes people of all shapes and sizes. She met one of her foster’s neighbors one day. He patted her and told her she was pretty, and she now stops in front of his house every day waiting for him to come outside to say hi. When walking past a local middle school, she always shows curious but polite interest in the kids.For Rosie's adoption information, go here. About this projectFor the next month, I’ll feature photos on my blog, my instagram and my facebook feeds that focus on dogs who need homes. These are dogs currently in foster homes, waiting for their forever family. They are amazing pups who will melt your hearts — some are hard to adopt because they are pit bull mixes (the sweetest dogs ever who cannot help their strength) or they have lived on the streets for a long time and are covered in scars or they might be blind or deaf (or both). Some are simply hard to get adopted because they are black, which is the dumbest reason ever. But each dog that has come into my studio in the last few weeks for photos has had a warm heart and wanted nothing more than love. Wouldn’t it be great if one of you could provide that? I hope so. To see all the dogs featured so far, look here. Also, special shout out to Lucy & Co. for donating all of the amazing bandanas!

post by leslie

This sweet girl is 4 years old. She was a puppy mill dog, and she isn't quite sure how to be a dog. She's super sweet, but she doesn't like to be petted and isn't a lap dog. That said, she LOVES other dogs! She would work great as a companion for another canine as she loves them all. She's also great with kids!And let me clarify -- she doesn't like to be pet or to sit in your lap, but she does like her humans. She'll greet you at the door with a wagging tail and she'll follow you from room to room, she just won't climb into your lap.Lucy Lala is also fantastic when left alone in the house, never needing a crate or anything like that. For more information on how to adopt her, look here. 

About this projectFor the next month, I’ll feature photos on my blog, my instagram and my facebook feeds that focus on dogs who need homes. These are dogs currently in foster homes, waiting for their forever family. They are amazing pups who will melt your hearts — some are hard to adopt because they are pit bull mixes (the sweetest dogs ever who cannot help their strength) or they have lived on the streets for a long time and are covered in scars or they might be blind or deaf (or both). Some are simply hard to get adopted because they are black, which is the dumbest reason ever. But each dog that has come into my studio in the last few weeks for photos has had a warm heart and wanted nothing more than love. Wouldn’t it be great if one of you could provide that? I hope so. To see all the dogs featured so far, look here. Also, special shout out to Lucy & Co. for donating all of the amazing bandanas!

post by leslie

This is Rocky. He is huge and strong and intimidating to look at... but man, he is really just a giant teddy bear! he wants to kiss you and please you and snuggle! He is truly the happiest dog I think I've had in my studio for this project -- tail constantly wagging and him just ambling up to me full of kisses and smiles.His foster parents do think he has some Vizsla in him, and I would agree with those eyes and coloring and his "velcro" nature -- the trait dogs are known for when they follow you from room to room and like to be touching you / leaning into you.Rocky is super playful and loves chewing on a bone, going for walks or playing with other dogs -- in fact, he would be excellent in a home with another dog buddy! But his favorite thing to do above all of that is to snuggle with his owner.Who wouldn't want this teddy bear in their life!? To bring him home to your family, just look here for his adoption information.About this projectFor the next month, I’ll feature photos on my blog, my instagram and my facebook feeds that focus on dogs who need homes. These are dogs currently in foster homes, waiting for their forever family. They are amazing pups who will melt your hearts — some are hard to adopt because they are pit bull mixes (the sweetest dogs ever who cannot help their strength) or they have lived on the streets for a long time and are covered in scars or they might be blind or deaf (or both). Some are simply hard to get adopted because they are black, which is the dumbest reason ever. But each dog that has come into my studio in the last few weeks for photos has had a warm heart and wanted nothing more than love. Wouldn’t it be great if one of you could provide that? I hope so. To see all the dogs featured so far, look here. Also, special shout out to Lucy & Co. for donating all of the amazing bandanas!