I’m all about supporting local artists! Especially when they are some of the Tidewater’s finest young musicians as well. Check out WAVA! [Pronounced wave-ah] On any given weekend you can find these guys playing around town or even selling out the Norva in downtown Norfolk. Yes, in fact, I’ll probably line up for tickets next time, too, despite my way un-cool advanced age!

My daughter has them playing in heavy rotation on her Ipod and will even be lucky enough to have them playing at her school’s Formal this year. [School choice has its privileges as the some of the talented Wava hipsters go there, too.] Go, dawgs!

Hmmm…maybe I should offer to shoot the band’s next promotional photos. Boys, call me!

Well, it certainly was a joy to photograph Miss J at a park in Virginia Beach last weekend.  This girl has a great all-American look, tons of charm and what I would call “old soul” wit.  Love, love, LOVE her.  J also has the voice of a songbird.  Just ask her about her singing competitions! 

I think we both agreed that she is now an honorary member of the du Mont family.  We even have our own homie handshake…which FYI makes me a pretty cool pretend-Mom.

Here is your sneak peak, Miss Thang!

I’ve got a busy work week ahead of me including proofing two sessions and a local photographers’ get-together this am.  At least I can check blogging off my list today!

Bye for now.

Leslie

Okay, so now I’m getting a little Spring Fever - the good kind! The first day of April is tomorrow and it is far too pretty outside to do indoor studio sessions anymore.  Let’s take it outside with an exciting offer that is too good to pass up!

The first 3 people to contact Leslie du Mont Photography  and book a session in a local park by May 20th will get a free 11 x 14 portrait! 

If you don’t have a cool park close to you, email me/call me and I can recommend one in our consultation.  Don’t know what to wear?  I can help you with that, too. Remember that a major part of getting custom family photography is the fact that your session will be unlike any chain photography you’ve experienced in the past!  I’m here to guide you through every step of the process to make sure that you get exactly what you want. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Act now. 

                        …When the Spring Fling sessions are gone, they’re gone! 

Talk to you soon.

Leslie

*LDP special promotions cannot be combined. Spring Fling special applies only to the first three paid photographic on-location sessions booked on or before May 20th in the Virginia Beach - Norfolk, VA area.

I’m not the shopper I once was. For years now, I’d much prefer to have new camera equipment. …But every once in a while fate steps in and shows me something that I get excited over! 

 Over the past three months my business has changed a lot.  I hung up my sign to do business in a new state after the move and got everything official with state, federal and local governments.  I restructured my prices, my collections, my forms.  I’ve redesigned my logo and all of my promotional materials.  I’ve joined local professional organizations and attended seminars.  I’ve donated different things to various local charities.  You know… the kinds of things that business owners do!  All business.

 Then, I see this at Seejanework.com and my heart goes a-twitter!  Something still kind of business’ey, but something girlie, too!  I found these leather business card holders online and I fell in love.  Looooook!  They come in what my family calls “Leslie Blue.”  Call it colonial blue.  Call it wedgewood blue or robin egg blue even. Whatever it is, it has been my signature color since high school days and it has been part of my business since I started back three years ago!

 Yes, one is coming my way even as I type this!  Don’t you just know I’ll be whipping out my business cards all the time now.  My poor un-suspecting yard guy!  “Nice to see you again.  Thanks for the new mulch.  Do you have my card?” 

 You all have been warned!

Ahhh, the joys of small business ownership and still being girlie!

Leslie

PS: Next week look for photos of a rock star or two on the blog!  How exciting!

At the prompting of my friend Jessica Riehl (another great local photographer in the Tidewater area,) I recently joined the charitable organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) which provides bereavement images of children for families across the United States.  I’m so proud to be a part of this wonderful organization that helps grieving families through the agonizing pain of losing a child. 

NILMDTS was featured on the NBC Today show this morning in the 8:30 am portion of the show.  If you missed the broadcast, are interested in seeing what NILMDTS photographers do or would like to see just one of the hundreds of true stories like this that happen every day, here is the streaming video link to the story that helps illustrate how valuable these photos are.  NILMDTS- Today Show  Or if you would like to forward the website to a family in need or to make contributions, please visit the organization’s website at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org  .

Leslie

First off, I have to congratulate my good friend Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography!  After feeling called to action by a controversial article on photography in the New York Times, she has created an outstanding resource called “The Consumers FAQ Guide to All Things Child Photography.”   Anyone out there considering custom photography for themselves or their family should visit this website!  I’m going to recommend it to all of my clients from now on.  (Go, Mare! Go, Mare!)

I also have to take the time to say thank you to the Virginia Professional Photographers Association. That wonderful group of people put on an incredible convention last week in Portsmouth.  Personally, I learned so much from the excellent speakers they hosted.  Some favorites were Viki Taufer -the Marketing Goddess and Hanson Fong- the King of Group Posing!  Everyone was so nice and welcoming to the new members.  I can’t wait to attend the next regional meeting.

FYI, I’m currently tweaking my marketing material in preparation for an auction to be held by a local charity that is near and dear to my heart.  Look for more info to follow in the coming weeks.

On a personal note, my father Byron Yoder was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery.  Get well soon, Dad.  The fish miss you!

Take care.

Leslie

Big Change #2

 Remember me talking about big changes this year?  Well, I finally got my Big Change #2 and I’m in love!  My new camera is here and I’m taking it for a spin with a session this weekend!  No, I didn’t switch to Nikon.  I’m still a Canon girl at heart… and probably always will be!  The images are so crisp on this bad boy that I can’t wait to use it on two beautiful girls in Chesapeake!!  (The poor things don’t know what they’re in for.)  I’ll post the results asap as I’m dying to see them myself.

Look for my Canon 5D coming soon to a session near you!  ;)

TTFN,

Leslie

My doctor just emailed me the results of my latest PET/CT scan!  All is well.  Woo-hoo!  :-)  Can you tell I’m doing the happy “Buh-Bye Cancer” dance!?!  Now back to my regularly scheduled program of updating my website, putting the finishing tweaks on my new blog and answering client emails.  (All of which are only slightly less fun than a clean diagnosis!)

Tah-tah for now.

 Leslie 

the Cancer Patient    the Cancer Survivor and Photographer