This year has been a roller coaster for the du Mont family and for my business - Leslie du Mont Photography. Despite all of the setbacks, the year is ending on a positive note. After dealing with my cancer and related medical complications for the past 18 months, we’ve had some great news. My last PET CT scan was negative for cancer and some of my issues seem to finally be resolving themselves. While I’m not out of the woods yet, I’m closer! Just over the past two weeks I’ve felt better than I’ve felt in almost two years. I’m even walking without a cane - virtually limp free! I’m taking this positive turn of events as a sign that I’ll be able to get back to doing what I love /full time/ in the upcoming year.

With that said, I’m proud to announce that Leslie du Mont Photography will re-open after the holidays on January 8. Business hours are between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 757.803.6750

[Can you tell how big my smile is right now?]

Peace, Leslie

Well, let’s just say that there is nothing like staying in a hospital for six days to throw your schedule off! I’d like to apologize to my wonderful clients for being out of touch this week. Surprisingly enough I didn’t have a lot that we couldn’t reschedule, so hopefully I’ll be able to get in touch with everyone this week to tidy things up.

I would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses that took such fine care of me at the hospital…again! The men and women of 4J really do know how to treat their patients! I can’t say that I’m completely up to snuff yet, but thanks to all of their help, I’m looking forward to a speedy recovery.

Also, thanks to my friends and family that continue to take such good care of me now that I’m discharged, too. (Laura, Ann and Tashera, you were/are/continue to be incredible friends! I’m not sure I’m worthy!)

Keep your fingers crossed for lower fevers this week!

Leslie

Hurricane Katrina hit the LA/MS coast three years ago this week.

Yes, it is that time again - the end of August which is traditionally the most active time during hurricane season. For me, watching the Weather Channel becomes almost second nature this time of year. (Thanks for the years of conditioning, Mom.)

For those of you that don’t know, my husband and I are from the Gulf Coast and our families are sprinkled along the coastal areas most affected by the storm. I still regret that I have a lot of photos of the aftermath that were strictly for insurance purposes. When I rushed down to help my family armed with water, bleach, gas cans, rubber gloves and face masks, I took my camera with me as an afterthought. Out of habit, I guess. The pictures I took? Well, so many of them show things. Things that were owned. Things that were treasured. Things that hadn’t been washed away. Things that were destroyed.

Some of the things that we searched for underneath the mud and muck were old photos. Luckily, we were able to find and restore some of them. Others were not salvageable.

With Gustav forming in the Gulf, I guess this blog post is just a Leslie du Mont Public Service Announcement. This storm season, if you have to leave, don’t forget to take your family photos along with you when you go!

Keeping my fingers crossed that none of you will have to,

Leslie

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with two of the best -or should I say- the grandest Grandparents in Chesapeake, VA! They introduced me to their charming grandchildren that were visiting. We had an action packed session filled with running, skipping rocks on the lake, kartwheels and spectacular handstands. How cool was that?

Here is your sneak peak, R family! Thank you for letting me capture your memories!

Leslie

…Or should I say, that’s my girl!

Since I had my studio set up a couple of weeks ago in a valiant effort to beat the Virginia Beach heat, I was able to con [bribe] my daughter into getting in front of the camera for a bit. Usually she doesn’t last three minutes before she’s giving me the classic “Mommmmmmmmmmm! Are we done yet?” That is why I was so flabbergasted when she actually smiled and enjoyed letting her old Mom goof around and play a bit!

She’s at camp this week. Can you tell? (Insert long, pouting, lonely Mom face here) :-( This is her fifth year at the same camp on the James River. When we dropped her off she was instantly swept up in what I like to call “teen-age-girl-friend-reunion-squeal” mode! (I think I have permanent hearing loss!)

…And, while I love that she adores camp and has made lifelong friends from her experiences there, I still miss my girl.

I know I wasn’t this beautiful at 15!

Leslie

This morning I was lucky enough to meet a young gentleman at my favorite Virginia Beach grocery store -Harris Teeter- while I was shopping for items to make my Beef Bourguignonne. [Yum.] We started chatting as he helped me out to my car. He noticed my logo on my car and we started to discuss photography.

He said it was time for senior pictures and asked if I did those. [I do.] He mentioned that his Mom loved beach pictures of her children, but that he was looking for something a little different and edgier. I handed him my card and told him to think of what he’d like to do. [I can work in the client's back yard, at their church, at their favorite park, or downtown Norfolk.] Briefly we talked about my on-location urban sessions. He was sooo nice. What a great guy!

But, on my way home I started thinking that maybe explaining what “could” be done and how to explain it on my blog.

When photographing seniors, it really is important to capture who they are in the pictures. I can take pictures of them on their horse at their stables. I can take pictures of them with their surf boards at the beach. You name it. I’ve either done it or can do it. The sky is the limit. [Well, maybe not the sky. I'm deathly afraid of heights.] But, I always encourage people to think about what is important to them when we do our pre-session interview. Custom means customized to Y.O.U.

One of my favorite types of session is done wandering around downtown. Often urban settings provide the perfect edgy backdrop. Architectural elements set a different tone…hip, trendy, unique. Just like today’s teen!

If you’re a teen and you’re interested in hiring a custom photographer, give me a call. Let me help you decide what type of senior you are!!

Man, that Beef Bourguignonne smells good! I’ll go stir it once and then I need to get back to proofing!

Leslie

To this day Arleigh Burke is one of my favorite clients! He was just a young thing at our last session, but I remember that he was very prompt. Talk about being well-groomed. His hairstyle was impeccable. His outfit was devine. His face was clean. He was well behaved and much more eager to please than I’d expected. A photographer’s dream!

…He did lick his privates a couple of times, but I could see past that given his pedigree!

This week I got an email from an old client friend announcing that it was Arleigh Burke’s 5th birthday and requesting that his picture be placed on my blog in an effort to embarrass him! (Arleigh’s Daddy is the CO of a deployed ship right now so how could I say no?!)

So, Happy Birthday, Arleigh! I hope Mom gives you lots of treats this week!

Just a reminder….August, September and October are prime months for having portraits taken for Christmas. Call or email me and reserve your session today as space is limited and my calendar is filling up fast!

That’s all for now.
Leslie

Okay, so, I’m guilty of not updating my blog as often as I’d like, but I hope this makes up for it. Every once in a while you come across someone that makes your job SO easy you just have to blog about it!

Meet H!

This young lady from Norfolk has it all going on. She’s smart, down-to-earth, talented and beautiful beyond belief… inside and out! She was also so modest about setting multiple state track records that I had to pull it out of her. Her Italian is impeccable. This girl is the total package!

H is such a trooper that she even let me and another photographer practice some experimental lighting techniques…which is not for the faint hearted as she was contantly asked to perform tasks that would give most of us whiplash! ;-) What a joy to photograph/play with her.

Can I just adopt her? Would that be bad?

[Rats, I'll bet her proud parents would complain!]

Tah, tah for now.

Leslie