post by leslie

This past weekend, I had a maternity shoot with a couple I adore. A couple whose wedding I photographed last fall, as you might remember! They are expecting an adorable little person in the next few weeks, and we wanted to document that.Here are a few of my favorite shots from the night.For your internet shares of the day:+ Amazing photos all shot on an iPhone! + Oh yeah. Global warming is a total hoax. Sure.+ And speaking of that, it's good to see the death eaters are even turning on voldemort. (If you don't understand that reference, go read Harry Potter this very instant.)

post by leslie

This weekend we finally made it to my favorite farmer's market in town -- the Mill City Market. They have a wonderful selection of food trucks etc for breakfast, great produce, fabulous flowers and other great items, like the beautiful market bag I bought.Ezra loved visiting the Guthrie Theater next door and riding the huge escalators as well as visiting the 9th floor amber room (yellow windows make for yellow photos!).The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the weather, grocery shopping, cleaning the house and our Sunday night movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Not many internet shares today, but you can read my piece in the Sunday paper about our trip to San Francisco. And the sidebar! Enjoy!

post by leslie

As I've documented many times, I love, love, love having my front porch surrounded by beautiful plants. And many years, birds build nests in my hanging plants, so I always keep an eye out. This year is no exception, except that I haven't seen any mama birds for weeks and these eggs have looked just like this for at least 3 weeks. So I guess it was abandoned? Not sure. But I am a touch sad about it...I might also be a bit melancholy because it's 65 degrees and overcast outside today. The cool breeze feels phenomenal and it makes me feel like I'm up north at a cabin, but it also makes me realize just how fleeting summer truly is.For your internet shares of the day:+ Paint alone can truly transform a space. See what I mean?+ This essay from a mail carrier is wonderful. As someone who has pondered a job as a mail carrier since I was about five, I enjoyed this immensely.+ Another report from the Star Tribune on how Minnesota police departments investigated (or didn't) rape cases. This is so, so disturbing. Please support local journalism. It's so important.

post by leslie

Remember when I told you about photographing the Tans last week? Well I finally dug in and finished editing the first part of their session! And my favorite photos, hands down, are the morning snuggles. These are the moments that I never get to capture as a photographer but they are so sweet and honest and beautiful. These were some of my favorites, and a slideshow below shows my highlight reel*. Enjoy!Oh yeah! And if you and your family would like one of these amazing sessions, send me a note. I'm still finalizing how I'm going to run them and the cost, but this is the time to reach out!TanSlideshow from Leslie Plesser on Vimeo.*That highlight reel uses the same music from my video about Jamie and Ezra. It's because I'm still floundering around in the world of music licensing and trying to find *good* music that is under $100 for these experiments. When I start doing this for real (soon), I'll pay the $200 licensing for better songs. Until then, you get a repeat (which I did license separately for both projects, you rule follwers out there!). Sorry!For your internet shares of the day:+ Hilarious and honest homework answers from young children.+ This says if you smell coffee you'll be better at math. As someone who survives on coffee and sucks at math, I disagree.+ I can't remember if I posted this already or not, but our brilliant administration is threatening nations for trying to push the "breast milk is best" campaign because of how it will affect the formula business. Putting business before health. Sounds right up his alley. Jerk. 

post by leslieOne of my dear clients just had her first baby this summer, and I was so, so thrilled to head over for some newborn photos this week! Look at that cute ginger! He was so alert and smiley and the session was such a joy (also because this kid's mom is so much fun, and I could just sit and lunch with her for hours without taking photos!).Anyway, more photos below. What a sweetie! And now for your internet shares of the day!+ I guess I could live in this house if you made me.+ Did you know you can go camping in New York City? I sure didn't. But I'm gonna be honest, this would be my favorite kind of camping...+ As the owner of a teeny tiny front porch, I was inspired by this makeover! (Note that my porch is smaller than this one...)

post by leslie

This weekend we took Ezra back for the Pizza Train in Wisconsin. This was his third year, and his last. He's outgrowing it, and it's weird as this is the first thing that he once loved on his own and we're now watching him move past. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled as it's spendy and a long drive away, but it is one part of parenthood that I wasn't counting on.Here are a few images from our trip. Enjoy! And now for your internet shares of the day:+ This dreamy cabin is still for sale. You should buy it for me. Or the guy in the next internet share should buy it for me.+ This information in today's Star Tribune *enraged* me. SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. Who needs this much money? What work is *possibly* worth this much money? The idea of these people getting tax breaks and loosening laws regulating their salaries infuriates me. Where does the greed stop?+ I was too angry from that first bit up there to read this story, but I'm diving in later tonight. I will say, the Sunday Star Tribune is worth every single penny. I learn so much and enjoy it so much, and you should subscribe not just to become more educated but also because local journalism is one of the best things we can support in this administration. 

post by leslie

Last week, I was photographing my very favorite yoga teacher on the planet (she moved away to Colorado several years into my practice, and it's never been the same since...), and we stumbled upon this young deer near our path.I was shooting with my 50mm, which for those who are not lens nerds like myself, means I was about as close to that deer as it appears. I had no zoom, and this deer had no fear. It was quite a serene moment for all of us.I only have one internet share, and since it's Friday and we all know this president is selling us out to the Russians anyway, let's focus on something fun to pull us out of the depths of depression caused by the state of our union.I give you this.

post by leslie

This week, I had a different kind of shoot. I spent 23 hours with a family, documenting their every day life. I've been wanting to try these "day in the life" sessions for a very long time, and this summer I decided to jump in, and man was it fun!This family was my first (thank you so much for trusting me!), and I had a blast! It was so exciting to gain the trust of the kids and to capture the love between each of the family members. Next week, I'll do a longer post and show you what I'm talking about, but for now I just wanted to share some of these fun sprinkler photos! Taking pictures in the harsh afternoon light is not something I embrace, but the water and the shadows (and the smiles!) really said summer to me, and I wanted to share these images first.And now for your internet shares of the day:+ A friend of mine is selling these pins and they make me laugh (you will too if you get the reference).+ The dog photographer of the year photos are all over the European papers this week, and even in The Guardian (my favorite paper in the world). This pleases me to no end.+ A super fun gymnast routine with a Micheal Jackson soundtrack!