It's a Group Thing....

12.31.09

If you have always had a love for photography or just recently discovered that passion, then I have some helpful advice for you. Whenever someone comes into my studio and starts asking questions about how I got started, I always hear them say, "I always wanted to get into photography, but I just never did." My heart goes out to you. I was in the same place for years then I discovered, the only person who was stopping me..... was myself.

It was summer 2009...I met Niki who is a fellow photographer and she informed me of her photography group she was involved with. I was so excited to hear that other photographers get together and talk about what they struggle with, what they are good at, and what they want to improve. Not only that, but they also have photography assignments and photography shoots. Because of the group...I can step away from the portrait side of things and indulge in the photography goodness I sometimes overlook.

If you are thinking about photography or want to learn more, I highly suggest getting involved with a group. It never amazes me the power of great minds when they are functioning together. I am leaving you with two of the images I am submitting for my group assignment. The purpose was to capture two of your best images pertaining to Christmas or winter.

Who knows.....maybe joining a group can be one of your New Year's resolutions!

Enjoy!

~Leilani

Christmas Recall

12.29.09

You know....it's almost like what just happened. I almost can't remember....that's how fast everything happened. Christmas was here and poof it's all over and done with and I was the least prepared I have ever been. I forced myself to listen to Christmas music everyday, I watched my all time favorite classics on tv and even had Santa at the studio....still nothing. I hate to admit it, but there was just too much going on that I let Christmas suffer. I didn't even start my Christmas shopping until the day before Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve's Eve!

I promised myself that I will never let that happen again and next year I will be so prepared that Santa will be wanting the secret to my mad organizational skills. So here's to wrapping up the holidays (especially Christmas). I can't wait for New Years but that is a whole different blog post.

Here's a beautiful picture that I took in the stuido while I was playing around with my new lights. Dozer always brings a smile to my face....hopefully you will get a smile out of this too!

~Leilani

The Perfect Gift Idea: { Gift Certificates!! }

12.21.09

Wow....this is it, this is Christmas week! For all the people out there who still have some last minute shopping to do or perhaps still don't know what to get someone, try giving them a Leilani Tucker Photography Gift Certificate. To quote my absolute favorite Christmas movie all time from none other than Uncle Eddie, "It's the gift that keeps on giving, Clark!"

These gift certificates are good for either a photo session or for prints. And just because it's the season for giving, for every $30 spent, I will include an additional $5 bonus to the lucky recipient!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

~Leilani

Friendship Lights the Way

12.18.09


Birthdays are so much fun....well at least to some people. For my friends, I always treat them to their favorite restaurant and there we spend quality time catching up on life. Yes gifts are always nice, but spending time together is priceless.

I took my "phello" photographer, Sharla out to lunch recently to celebrate her birthday and she showed up bearing gifts. I mean really... who shows up to their own birthday lunch with a gift for someone else?? That's the way Sharla works. We discussed school, life, and business and there is such a great joy in talking with someone who shares the same passion as I do. I am somewhat of a talker....but get me talking about photography and I can go for hours and hours.

With 2009 coming to a close, I have been doing a ton of reflecting. I have a great life all because of the wonderful people I have to share it with. So with my new gift, it not only lights my home, but my heart. Thank you Sharla!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~Leilani

Ella, Gavin, & Carter's Portrait Session

12.16.09

One of my New Year's resolutions will be attempting to work out more...and this session definitely gave me a head start. There is something about photographing children that makes it so much fun! Catching their expression can sometimes be a challenge, but if you catch it just right...it is priceless.

This session was a little more in depth. We needed to capture candids, portraits , Christmas, and to top it off....birthday shots! So let's being shall we.....

I absolutely loooovvvee the birthday images!

Isn't she such a cutie pie?

Very handsome Carter...

Look at his cute teeth!

Yours truly….A Northwood Alumni

12.14.06

So it’s official….I am a graduate from Northwood University. Based on the length of time it took me to graduate, you would think I was a doctor! It took me six long years to earn my degree. Those six years of my life was the hardest I have ever worked for something and I am so proud of my accomplishment.

It truly goes to show that if you are willing to put forth the effort and never give up, you can accomplish anything. I have worked my little fingers to the bone, sacrificed very sacred family time, and put tons of miles on my car to get where I am today. I can proudly admit that I not only graduated, I graduated at the top of my class. I’m not all up in the Latin language, but I graduated Summa Cum Laude and that means it took a 3.9 or higher GPA to achieve it. Out of 207 graduates, only 14 of us graduated with top honors.

I normally wouldn’t be so bold and post such a long entry, but six years is a long time not to celebrate and to say how good it feels to be finished. I can sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and reflect on my life’s path and think nothing but good things.

Here’s to the future!

~Leilani

As Seen in Print

12.10.09

Well I would like to say this was the first official newspaper clipping hot off the press, but unfortunately my luck wouldn't have it that way. The article was printed toward the tail end of November and a section of the article (the most important part) was omitted :(

So now that this is the second time around, the article is correct and I'm posting it to share with you. Like I have stated many times before, I am so glad I have moved my studio to Edmore. It really is a cute little city with quite a lot to offer. Thank you Lakeview Area News and Edmore Area Chamber of Commerce.

~Leilani

Snap Shots = Success!!

12.06.09

It was early Saturday and I was feeling sick to my stomach. It was nothing but a case of bad nerves considering I have never done anything like this before. I was strategically placing each cookie on the platter to make it perfect. Then I grabbed my camera and hit the streets to photograph all the festivities Edmore's Hometown Holiday had to offer (blog post coming soon!)

The pet competition was adorable and the weather was perfect. It looked absolutely beautiful when the horse-drawn carriage was coming down the road, and the potato cook off never tasted so good!

All-in-all, the day was wonderful and I'm so glad Santa graced his presence in the studio. So I will leave you with a few images! Enjoy!!



This image is priceless.

Me and Sharla living it up with Santa!!

and of course....my baby boy Dozer

Santa was incredible and not to mention the tree....I am Christmas tree decorating challenged, so I had Sharla help put the tree out of its misery.....she did an absolute fabulous job.

I can't wait to see what next year will have in store! Thank you to all who came out.
~Leilani

Steven's Family Session

12.5.09

Family sessions are always a blast and I loved this family. After the end of this shoot, I had some new nursery rhymes stuck in my head. So for hours after their session ended, I was busted humming and singing and of course I forgot the words...I had to make up my own :) I knew that if I did book this family session, it was going to be fun because the tone of the email was very friendly and relaxed. And that is how the session was....fun and relaxed. Thank you sooooooo much for coming to the studio. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Marcia's Maternity Session

12.02.09

It was Thanksgiving weekend and Marcia and Phil were very thankful for their soon-to-be daughter to enter the world. This is their first child and I'm so excited to meet her (not to mention photograph her). Her name is Meghan and she must have been so anxious to have her newborn session, she came a few weeks early!! I am so incredibly happy and proud of you two. Marcia, you are one of my dearest friends and I'm so glad to be involved in such an incredible time in your life! Here's your sneak peek....Enjoy!

Garrett & Lucas Portrait Session

12.01.09

Wow….I can’t believe that we are already in December. I’m sad to see 2009 on its way out but I’m excited to see what the new year will bring. I will start the new month off with a bond of brothers! These two handsome guys graced the studio and we had such a fun time goofing around, making funny noises and silly faces.

It’s so much fun photographing children. Their faces are so full of expression. Thanks Jennifer for making the trip up to the big town of Edmore. Enjoy your sneak peek!