Blogging over at Tea and Toast today on my first attempt at street photography.
Head on over there!
The Streets of Fells Point
May 21, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
It’s Ok
May 20, 2013 by · 1 Comment
I always tell my kids that its ok to feel sad and to have rough days.
because I do.
We tend to forget that they are little people too and they aren’t going to be happy go lucky every day.
because I’m not.
But I encourage my kids to shake it off, always stand up a little bit taller and have confidence.
because I try to do the same thing.
If you missed the big announcement, I’m taking clients again! email me for pricing at hello@leslierhodes.com. If you don’t already, follow me on facebook!
listening to: queremos pas by gotan project
The Small Details
May 17, 2013 by · 4 Comments
It’s the small details that I love about kids.
The ones that you don’t usually notice.
And the light. Yes, the light is what makes the pictures even more amazing.
My life is crazy busy at times and, unfortunately, I don’t stop to notice the small things about my kids.
The one ketchup spot I forgot to wipe off or even the crazy outfit they are wearing because I’m just so happy they have clothes on and we are getting in the car.
That’s why I love my camera and film because it forces me to slow down and actually notice those small details.
And if you are wondering, yes, I’m taking on clients again! WOOHOO! I’m so excited. It was so nice to take a year break and focus on personal work, which I still will be doing, but I’m ready to have your awesome kids in front of my camera!
Email me at hello@leslierhodes.com for pricing
Listening To: Jump In The Line by Harry Belafonte
Mini Me
May 15, 2013 by · 7 Comments
You are a child’s role model and I couldn’t have proven it more until I saw these pictures last night.
I had forgotten that I had these of my mini me shooting.
Seriously, could she be any cuter?!
and of course, she has to practice shooting and who couldn’t be a better model then her little sister!
Chloe loves that Minolta, and just like her Mami, she carries it around with her capturing the world through her eyes.
Listening to : Fightless Bird, American Mouth By Iron & Wine
Monday Morning Thoughts
May 13, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Woke up feeling refreshed and motivated this morning.
Maybe it was the relaxing weekend I had with my family.
Massages, shopping, girl time with my mom & sister and a canoe ride. Yeap, it was a perfect weekend.
I also reflected on motherhood and the sacrifices we make as a mother for our children.
We give up a lot. From hobbies, interests and even careers.
But, their worth it.
The sleepless nights, the chaos in the house, and the moments when we just break down.
I wouldn’t change it.
Because now my life wouldn’t be complete without them.
Listening to: Sweet Memories by Melody Gardot
Never Stop
May 4, 2013 by · 3 Comments
This morning I got up and ran/walk a 5k with my better half! We encouraged each other when we thought we couldn’t run anymore, when we were so out of breath and wanted to walk to the finish line. But we made a promise that we would run to the end together.
When we first signed up for this 5k, I was really surprised that he wanted to do it. He doesn’t work out and he has never really showed any interest in running. Yes, I doubted him and was worried (that mommy in me kicked in).
He proved me wrong and taught me a lesson.
Never stop reaching for your goals and dreams. Even if it sounds ridiculous to the people around you. Even when you doubt yourself.
NEVER STOP!
KEEP REACHING!
because all that hard work will pay off and you will make it to the finish line!
p.s. he is signing up for his next 5k in June:)
listening to: Never Want to Change by Coldplay
Road Less Traveled
April 23, 2013 by · 2 Comments
windows rolled down. map open on the passenger side. favorite song blasting as the wind blows through my hair.
i’ve always loved driving. maybe because it means i’m going on an adventure. the destination is somewhere different then my everyday and change of scenery is much needed.
my son and i made a pact recently.
we pinky promised to the thumb.
spit on it.
did our gangsta handshake.
and sealed it with a kiss.
we will be saving up for a VW bus.
say what? yeap, we hope to find one that both of us can gut and make it our own. but, we had to convince my better half that he was not allowed to help. this is something my son and I want to learn on our own. His response was ”oh boy, this should be interesting!” more motivation to get one and prove to him that I am totally capable of working on an engine.
this is the thing, when I get something in my head, and I say it out loud, 80% of the time I execute it. Period. even if it takes me a couple of years, i will do it.
but why? I want to take my kids on adventures with me. just pick a place on a map and go. for now, they will be weekend getaways or day trips but they will be our memories.
sometimes we get stuck in doing the same thing everyday. Don’t get me wrong, routine and stability are important, but we let time pass and then we start saying “I wish I did this” or “If only I had the time, courage and money.”
i don’t want to live my life in the what “if”. I just want to be wild and free!
Inspirational Links:
listening to: Video by India Arie
Farm To Table
April 15, 2013 by · 4 Comments
aren’t they the sweetest?? these cows were more scared of us that day. 
little chubby hands with a hello kitty hat approaching a big animal would scare anyone! Well, these cows anyway. I’ve never seen cows so terrified in my life.
We were visiting these beautiful creatures and their farm to show my kiddos where their food comes from. Farm to Table. It was a very empowering experience for us. To meet the kind people who work really hard everyday to provide yummy food.
If you buy locally, take a trip and find out who, what and where your food comes from!
*i was only allowed to take pictures of the cows out of respect for the farmers but for the record, this farm is beautiful and so are the people that live there*
Listening To: Where Are You Now by Mumford & Sons
Natalie
April 2, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, she laughs without fear of the future.”
— Proverbs 31:25
I’ve been reading a lot about encouraging mother’s to get in front of the camera and I think that’s so important. When I took Keira’s pictures, I asked her beautiful mother, Natalie, if I could capture her as well and she was all for it! We had a lot of fun and after a couple of shots, Natalie got comfortable and gave me a beautiful laugh.
As mothers, we forget to jump in front of the camera and capture ourselves too. But it’s really important that we take pictures with our kids so we can remember these times with them. I have to be honest, I have a REALLY hard time getting in front of the camera. A lot has to do with the fact that I am always behind the camera but I want more pictures of me and the kids. But to be even more honest, it also has to do with the fact that I am still not comfortable in my skin after having babies but im working on it. BIG TIME! Not only so I can be an example to my girls, that we should be confident in our beautiful bodies, but for myself. Because behind that camera is a strong woman who is confident in her skin and what’s to be an example to all the mother’s out there!
On that note, Spring is here and Mother’s Day is around the corner! Get out there and take pictures with your kids whether it be with your phone or a professional. Invest in taking pictures. It’s worth it. If you are interested in taking some with me, email me at hello@leslierhodes.com. Session fees start at $400.
Listening to: Electrical Feel by MGMT
Super Hero
March 13, 2013 by · 7 Comments
Meet Keira she’s my niece and my buddy. We love her to pieces and she’s my kids’ best friend. What I love about Keira is that she loves super heroes. She came over a couple of weeks ago to play and I made sure her mommy (which you will see her mini session here shortly) brought over her costume. The kids had a blast dressing up, undressing, dressing up, and undressing. You get the point. I think for the most part they were running around half dressed screaming.
Keira reminds me that there is a super hero in all of us. Most of the time my cape is put in the closest underneath the mountain of clothes I have but on occasion she comes out. Cape, shades, knee high boots and a whole leather ensemble. That yeah, I don’t have the awesome corporate job anymore but my job as a mommy is pretty awesome. I occasionally have to go on covert missions for a missing sock or sit down with the CEO of the house for our weekly budget meetings. But the cape really comes out when I finish a project without losing a kid, a melt down, or going crazy.
See the misconception is that you have to do it all to be a super mom. Have a spotless house, be part of every mommy group, have dinner ready by 6, etc but that’s not the case. You are a super hero for just being a mom and surviving the day. There is so much pressure on moms today to be perfect and the blogging world does not help.
So I’am here to tell you that no matter what, you are a super hero! That you don’t need a spotless house or dinner ready at 6 to be SUPER! you just need to be present, love your kids, and love yourself to be SUPER! That we need to give ourselves more credit then we do and to stop comparing ourselves. Trust me there are days were I feel like the worst mom in the whole world and that I can’t do it all. So I decided to stop being so hard on myself and start giving my self more high-fives.
So today, put your cape on and be SUPER!!
listening to: Stars by Xx
