Sleeman Photography

My Family

2011-12-02T14:39:00.008-06:00

Well, I've been MIA on the for a while. I always seem to get behind on blogging during the holiday season. Obviously adding family visiting every month and trying to pack up for our move across the country to this already crazy time of year didn't do much for my goal to update the blog regularly. We're moving in a little less than two weeks, so although I'd love to promise that I'll get caught up on all the sessions that I need to blog, I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen ;) Please be patient with me! I promise I'll get back to regular updates soon.

For now enjoy some of our own family pictures that a great friend took for us. I'm SO happy with these pictures. She did such a great job and got exactly what I wanted! I have to admit we almost didn't do family pictures this year. I'm pretty picky about pictures of myself (who isn't, right?) and I was worried that having family pictures taken while I was pregnant was just setting myself up to hate them. But honestly I'm in LOVE with all of them. It was so hard to narrow them down. Thanks so much Kalli!

Photos taken by Kalli, edited by me

Graduation is Coming! ~ Las Colinas Texas Portrait Photographer

2011-10-24T12:37:00.003-05:00

My husband left last Sunday for a week to go to Guadalajara, Mexico and treat athletes at the Pan American Games. What an exciting experience. He had such a great time and learned so much from the doctors that were down there. Needless to say, we missed him quite a bit here at home. It was especially hard because his phone wouldn't work and we only got to talk to him once (for a total of 3 minutes). Aside from our coveted phone call we relied on 1 to 2 line emails sent as he was heading out the door for the day or after a long day working at the sporting venues.

One night as I was missing him I decided to edit a few of the graduation pictures that I took for him the day before he left for Mexico. When I say I took them for him, it sounds like I did him a favor and took some graduation pictures for him. It was more like he was a REALLY good sport and put up with me dressing him up and dragging him out in the middle of him trying to pack so that I could take some pictures of him.

Matt is graduating in 8 weeks and I can't believe that we're to the point that we're taking graduation pictures! These last 3 years have FLOWN by. I'm so proud of Matt and all his hard work and everything that he's accomplished and sacrificed to get to this point.

Here are a few pictures of my very handsome husband :)

Surprise! ~ Irving Texas Family Photographer

2011-10-10T14:05:00.003-05:00

We're so excited to announce that we'll be adding another little one to our family in March! And before you ask, no the pink writing doesn't mean that we're having a girl...I was just trying to match the color of the chalk in photoshop :)

My Sweet Boy ~ Grapevine Texas Child Photographer

2011-09-20T10:37:00.002-05:00

Well the weather FINALLY cooled down so we headed out on Labor Day to take Beckett's one year old pictures. He's at such a fun age and I feel like I really captured "him" in these pictures. Isn't he just the cutest thing ever? I just love those chubby cheeks, big lips, and toothy grin :)

Holiday Mini Sessions ~ Coppell Texas Child & Family Photographer

2011-09-15T14:50:00.003-05:00

Holiday Mini Sessions are back and better than ever! These are perfect for an updated picture for your Christmas card and I have LOTS of Holiday cards to choose from this year. I'm so excited for them all. I'll be posting some next week. So check back :)

This year there are two package options to choose from so there's something for everyone. Check out the details below, choose your date and your package and call or email me to schedule your appointment today.

If a mini session isn't what you're looking for I would love to discuss a full session with you. I've revamped my sessions and I'm so excited to now offer Session Premiers to my clients! The Session Premiers are amazing. One to two weeks after your session I'll come to your home with the dessert of your choice and together we'll view a custom slideshow of images from your session. I'm very excited to offer this new feature for my clients!

I'm moving at the beginning of December so make sure you schedule your session soon so you can get your images and order before I leave. Call of email me for session availability.

Memories ~ Dallas Fort Worth Child and Family Photographer

2011-09-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

This post was actually supposed to go up on Friday, but with both boys and I waking up with colds I had a really hard time getting anything done. So I'm sorry for not posting last week.

I hate to admit this, but I'm really bad at taking pictures of my own kids. Not like the yearly birthday pictures or anything, but just the day to day pictures of stuff we do. Part of my problem is that I have the hardest time taking my big bulky camera anywhere when I have a huge diaper bag and my one year old to carry plus trying to keep track of my three year old. It just never sounds that appealing to carry my camera bag too. Luckily Matt's parents gave us a small point and shoot at the beginning of the year. It has been SO nice to be able to keep it in the little side pocket of the diaper bag and have it with me where ever I go. I'm still not the best at remembering to pull it out all the time but I'm working on getting better. And although they may not be the same quality pictures as my big camera takes, at least I have those memories. Because the memories are priceless. So pull your camera out and capture those little everyday memories. They may not seem like much now but you won't regret having them.

These are just a few pictures I took of my Grandma's house when we went to Idaho for her funeral in February. Her house is one of my favorite places in the world and I have so many wonderful memories there. I wanted to remember it exactly as it was. I know these pictures don't mean anything to most of you, but I am so glad I have them.

It's That Time of Year Again! ~ Dallas Fort Worth Child and Family Photographer

2011-08-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

Yep, that's right! It's time to start thinking about family pictures once again :) I know it's hard to think about scheduling family pictures when it doesn't feel like fall will EVER get here (seriously, can't we please at least dip down into the 90's sometime soon?) but if you're anything like me the holidays always come WAY too fast and then I'm scrambling to get my Christmas cards out in addition to all the other stuff I have to do.

So book now and save yourself from the headache of last minute family pictures and Christmas cards. I promise you'll thank me when December comes and you don't have to worry about family pictures or Christmas cards because you had your session early!

As an added incentive, if you book a full session during the month of September, you'll receive a set of 15 custom designed folded press printed gift tags with your Christmas card order!

The Great Cookie Experiment ~ Coppell Texas Child and Family Photographer

2011-08-19T16:02:00.002-05:00

With all this heat I've been spending a lot of time inside avoiding some sessions that I need to do, like taking one year old pictures of my 14 month old! So since I'm avoiding my motherly/photographer related duties and don't have much exciting to post about I thought I would do a fun little experiment. I decided to try baking cookies on the dash of my car.

I had my husband get some refrigerated cookie dough at the grocery store when he went grocery shopping for me last week. I didn't want to do too much work in case they didn't turn out ;)

Here they are straight from the fridge ready to be put in the car. I waited until late afternoon since that's the hottest part of the day. It was 105 outside at 4:30 when I put them in the car. And really, who wants to turn the oven on and heat up the house just to bake cookies when it's 105 outside? Not me, that's for sure.

I checked them about an hour later. You can't really tell from the picture, but they're just barely to the melty stage and definitely NOT ready.

Three hours later, at 7:30, I took them out and brought them inside to put on the cooling rack. They look a little flat and weird, but other than that they seemed normal. They were a little soft in the middle still, but these cookies have a caramel center, so I think that was a big part of the reason.

People kept asking me if I was actually going to eat them...OF COURSE! They may look a little different, but they still taste great. Add a little bit of Blue Bell ice cream and they're perfect. Although I don't know what isn't perfect with Blue Bell.

Mmm, I think Blue Bell ice cream is one of the main things I'm going to miss about living in Texas!

And now I can say I baked cookies on the dash of my car. Am I the only one who does things just so I can later say that I've done it?

Although, I think next time I want cookies I'll just stick to the oven. Three hours is kind of a long wait for me :)

Things I Love Utah Edition ~ Dallas Fort Worth Child and Family Photographer

2011-08-11T13:36:00.003-05:00

Since I did a post a couple months ago all about the things I love about Texas, I figured it's only fair to do a post with all the things I love about Utah. And this record breaking heat wave has definitely made me remember the things I love about Utah. So here it goes:

The fact that they're NOT going through a record breaking heat wave right now ;)

4 Seasons - Although I'm not the biggest fan of a super long, super cold winter I really have missed fall. It seems to just last a week here in Texas!

The mountains - I have such an easier time knowing which direction I'm going when I just have to look and see where the mountains are.

Only 3 freeways - If I lived in Texas for the rest of my life I would NEVER be able to keep all the freeways straight. Seriously, I-635, I-35, 161, 121, 114, 183, US 75, Dallas North Tollway and, I kid you not, 20 more. I don't know how anyone can keep them straight. Give me I-15, I-215 and Legacy Highway any day. That I can handle!

Family - This is definitely the best thing about Utah. I especially love being able to see my boys playing with their Grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles. I just wish all of my family lived there :)

Sneak Peek ~ Northern Utah Portrait Photographer

2011-08-03T13:54:00.004-05:00

I took a break from editing wedding pictures to give my gorgeous sister a little sneak peek. Usually I edit my sessions in the same order that I shoot them, but Stephanie was nice enough to let me work on Jonathan & Holli's wedding before I edited hers.

So here's one for Stephanie. I love taking pictures of her. She is the BEST model! She poses herself, takes direction well and we always have such a fun time :)

Perfection ~ Northern Utah Portrait Photographer

2011-07-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

My little brother got married almost two weeks ago. I wasn't supposed to be their wedding photographer but due to some unforeseen circumstances they asked me to help out with pictures and I was more than happy to!

Although I'm not a wedding photographer I absolutely LOVE weddings. There is so much emotion to capture and it's such a fun, happy time for the couple and their families. It made it even better that the couple was my little brother and his beautiful new bride. I am so glad that Jonathan & Holli found each other. They are so perfect together and we are absolutely thrilled to have Holli in our family. She is one of the sweetest people that I know and my boys completely ADORE her.

Jonathan and Holli, your day was amazing! I'm so happy for you. I can't imagine two people more perfect for each other. Thanks for allowing me to document the beginning of your journey as husband and wife. I love you guys :)

Featured ~ Dallas Fort Worth Newborn and Family Photographer

2011-07-27T09:12:00.004-05:00

When I was little I heard my aunt say that unless you go somewhere without your kids it's a trip and not a vacation. I remember being more than a little offended by that statement. Now... I completely agree! So here I am, back from my trip ;) I wasn't very good at keeping up on things like this blog, but it was a nice break from technology.

While I was away I was featured in an article on the Fort Worth edition of Examiner.com! Check it out here!

I'll leave you with a picture from my brother's wedding. Aren't they a gorgeous couple?

Welcome Home ~ Dallas Fort Worth Portrait Photographer

2011-07-12T10:03:00.002-05:00

Ten hours from now we get to welcome my baby brother home! He's been living in New Zealand for 2 years serving a mission for our church.

I'm so excited to see him and for him to meet my youngest. This will be the first time in 3 1/2 years that my whole family has been together! So crazy & exciting :) I tried to be on top of things and schedule a lot of blog posts, but that just didn't happen ;) So I may be posting a bit less for the next couple weeks. Just know that I'm still here and I'm enjoying a lot of family time.

Just For You ~ Irving Texas Portrait Photographer

2011-07-07T08:33:00.004-05:00

My friend Kalli was nice enough to help me out last month and be a model for one of my workshop assignments. It was HEAVEN not having to use my 3 year old as my model. I almost didn't know what to do when I didn't have to ask her to look in my camera every 20 seconds!

I firmly believe that every woman should have pictures taken of themselves. Everyone deserves to get dressed up and feel beautiful once in a while. I know that I get caught up in all the mommy stuff and sometimes feel like "Elise" gets lost in the shuffle or I forget that there's more to me than just being the mommy.

Looking at these makes me wish my mom had pictures like this taken when I was younger. Yes I'd probably laugh at them a little, I mean it was the 80's :) But they would be priceless to me.

So whatever your excuse is for not getting pictures taken, let go of it. Go get dressed up and feel beautiful even just for an evening. Do something for yourself. I promise it will be worth it. And you'll always have those pictures to remind you that you are more than your job, or your kids.

Happy 4th! ~ Coppell Texas Child and Family Photographer

2011-07-05T13:48:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! We all know how long weekends confuse me to no end :) But I'll be back on Thursday with a session I did last month.

Right Now ~ Irving Texas Child and Family Photographer

2011-06-21T08:29:00.001-05:00

I took these pictures for another one of my workshop assignments. We were supposed to interact more with our subjects and not worry so much about technical perfection.

A lot of these I took while holding the camera at about my waist and not looking through the viewfinder at all. I love the pictures I got. They're obviously not perfect, but they show my boys as they are right now. And that, to me, is priceless!

Booking Update ~ Northern Utah Child and Family Photographer

2011-06-17T08:13:00.001-05:00

Hey all! I just wanted to let everyone know that I only have 2 sessions remaining while I'm in Utah next month. I've had a few people contact me about information or mention pictures in passing and I just want to make sure everyone that wants a session gets scheduled. So if you are interested in one of the sessions PLEASE email, text or call me to book ASAP.

We have a lot going on with a wedding, missionary homecoming and trying to squeeze in all the family activities. In order to make the most of our time, as keep things as stress free as possible, I will not be taking any sessions that haven't been scheduled prior to our trip. Even family, if you want a session while I'm there, please let me know now.

And if you just want to get together and hang out while we're in town let me know! I'm so excited to see everyone :)

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

The Man of My Dreams

2011-06-16T07:25:00.001-05:00

Six years ago today I married the man of my dreams.

I had no idea how wonderful my life would be. And honestly, it gets better every day.

Matt

Thanks for loving me and all my quirks. You're everything I never knew I always wanted.

Happy Anniversary! I love you :)

Packaging ~ Dallas Fort Worth Texas Newborn and Family Photographer

2011-06-09T13:41:00.003-05:00

I delivered an order to a client the other day and thought I would snap a few pictures of my packaging. There are a few things that I'm still going to tweak, but I always love seeing pictures of what others are doing for packaging so I thought I would post these pictures.

Who wouldn't love to receive pictures and freshly baked cookies? I know I would!

Wow! ~ Irving Texas Portrait Photographer

2011-06-03T09:22:00.002-05:00

I realized the other day that I totally skipped my usual Tuesday post! Oops :) Holidays just throw me off a little. After having a Monday "off" I can never really get a grasp on what day it is for the rest of the week. So it was Thursday before I realized I had totally missed Tuesday...since it was kind of Monday. See? Confusing! Now you know how things are processed (or not processed) in this head of mine :)

Since Friday came so fast and I didn't really have anything else planned I'll just leave you with a picture from my session last night. It was such a fun session! We just talked and laughed and took some pictures :) You're gorgeous Kalli! Thanks so much for helping me out :)

One More Year ~ Dallas Fort Worth Texas Newborn and Family Photographer

2011-05-27T09:05:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow's my birthday. I'll be the big 29. This is my last year in my 20's. Wow! That just sounds so old. I was going to do a post all about birthdays and stuff, but I think maybe I'll just take the day off. So have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I'm off to get a massage, maybe treat myself to a cupcake :) I like to get a jump start on my birthday!

Rain ~ Dallas Fort Worth Texas Child and Family Photographer

2011-05-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

I'm taking an online lighting workshop and one of our assignments was to take some pictures right before or after the rain. I was really happy with how mine turned out and Cohen had the best time jumping in the puddles! He was so surprised that I was actually letting him jump in them. It took him a couple minutes but he really got into it :) I love his facial expression in the first one.

Things I Love Texas Edition ~ Dallas Fort Worth Newborn & Family Photographer

2011-05-20T15:30:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been noticing a lot more all the things I love about Texas. Even though my husband's graduation is still 7 months away, I just can't help thinking about how fast it's going to come. We're not 100% sure where we will end up after that, but most likely it will not be in Texas. I don't know if I've really mentioned it on this blog before, but I LOVE Texas. I couldn't have even imagined when we moved here how quickly I would fall in love with everything, but I did. Hook, line and sinker. I'm not going to lie, there are things about Texas I don't love, like the hot humid summers, the fire ants, & all the bugs. But for the most part I have really enjoyed our time here. Now with the prospect of leaving on the horizon I find myself noticing and appreciating all the little things that I love about Texas a lot more.

Here are just a few...

Texas thunder storms - AMAZING...what more can I say?

Wild flowers - I love how they just bloom on the side of freeways and random roads. They make my drive so happy and scenic.

The Big sky - Don't get me wrong, I love the mountains but the sky here just seems so massive.

Sunsets - It seems like every sunset here is just breathtaking.

Gorgeous light - I think Texas has some of the most beautiful golden light I have even seen.

A Fun Evening ~ Irving Texas Child and Family Photographer

2011-05-17T07:41:00.003-05:00

I love, love, LOVE this family! I know I say this every time, but seriously aren't they just gorgeous?

We had a hard time choosing a location. They had so many great ideas, but none of them really worked out for one reason or another. These canals are just a block or so away from where they live and they go for family walks there all the time. I love that they were able to incorporate a little part of their daily life into our session. I think it makes these pictures so much more special.

I had such a great time with these guys. Lindsey is the nicest, most friendly person ever. She's one of those people who is friends with everyone. She also has amazing style. I was seriously in awe over her living room. If I weren't moving at the end of the year I would hire her to decorate my apartment. Dan is hilarious. I honestly felt like I laughed our entire session. He also writes for SideDish Magazine and a great food blog all while attending medical school. Talk about busy! But if you want to know where to eat in Dallas, he's your man.

And don't they just have the cutest little man ever? Those eyes just make me melt!

Relay for Life ~ Coppell Texas Photographer

2011-05-13T12:43:00.002-05:00

A couple weeks ago I was able to photograph the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Coppell. It was an amazing event and it was so inspiring to see all of the people that came together to raise money for such a great charity that gives so many hope for the future.

On the Relay for Life website it says "Our goal is to create a world where more people survive cancer – so they can celebrate another birthday." I love that. My Grandpa lost his battle with cancer years before I was born and my amazing mother is a breast cancer survivor. So this is close to my heart as I know it is for many of you.

Here are a few pictures.

If you were a participant in the Relay in Coppell this year and are interested in seeing the rest of the pictures, there is a link on the left side of my blog to the gallery that they will be posted in at the beginning of next week.