Wilmington, Hampstead, Jacksonville, NC | Family, Newborn, Senior, Beach, Lifestyle Photography | Leslie Densford Photography

van, dani, and family | wilmington nc family photographer

admin — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:12:45 +0000

Talking to Dani prior to their session, she told me that she loved the unplanned moments captured in an image. I feel the same. I read a quote once by William Albert Allard in “The Photographic Essay” – “I think the best pictures are often on the edges of any situation, I don’t find photographing the situation nearly as interesting as photographing the edges.” Those moments on the “edge” are exactly what I find compelling and genuine. They come together breathing life, personality, laughter, love, and tenderness into a session.

I adore this session in part because Van, Dani and family are pretty amazing inside and out, but also because of the “edges of the situation.” They shine through so sweetly and display so beautifully in the images.

Of Light, Love, and Film: Details | Wilmington NC Lifestyle Photographer

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:46:13 +0000

The beauty of film is that it forces you to slow down. With a digital camera, you can take 100 pictures of your kids at the park without thinking twice. Film is different. Every time you release that shutter, you are using one of your limited number of frames. Shooting film encourages me to anticipate the moment. To think about composition carefully. To take a breath. In those moments that I peer through my viewfinder, an outsider looking in at the scene sometimes, I see the details. The little details of the moments AND the moments that are the details to our day. Film is really a beautiful thing. Here are a few of our details… and when you are done taking a peek, I hope that you will spend some time with a fellow photographer in the film circle, Caroline, her camera, and her details.

My Pretty Little Baby | Wilmington NC newborn photographer

admin — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:46:59 +0000

You may have heard me say a time or two (or three or four) that I love to create images capturing your family’s love and connection with one another. Every single session, every single time – this is my goal, this is what makes my heart sing as a photographer and is part of the reason I fell in love with photography. I wanted more than the perfect portrait. I wanted real life and joy and honesty – and there is something in a newborn session that is all that and more.

There are a few similarities between the family featured in this post today and my own and as I sat down to edit the images of John + Kristy’s two boys, I remembered the song I used to sing to my own boys when they were this size. This is the best version of Elizabeth Mitchell’s “Who’s My Pretty Baby” I could find online – and I couldn’t love it more. Feel free to turn it on and come back here!

These are just a few images from the session. The family ordered a gorgeous set of 5 x 5 linen print custom birth announcements featuring 5 images from their session and I don’t want to spoil any surprises! I will be back soon, though, with details on the stunning image box they received – filled with 4 x 6 color prints for each image in their gallery!

a simply mini-session at topsail beach is a’comin | topsail island beach photographer

admin — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:26:00 +0000

If you follow me HERE then you may have read THIS interview in which I talk about my favorite time of day for sessions. I am extremely picky about finding good light in my sessions because I wholeheartedly believe that two things make a session – that sweet little family of yours just being themselves + pretty light. The prettiest light – in my opinion – is the soft, slightly pink, slightly yellow light that makes its appearance in the hour to half hour before sunset. It really is something else. Now, combine that light with a setting as amazing as the beach on Topsail Island? Woo-wee… to quote my kids, “Now you’re talking!

Before I share with you the sweetest little family session taken at Topsail Beach on an evening in March, here is a little reminder that you + yours can get in on the action too. I have a couple of sessions open still, but once they are gone… they’re gone!

The details are here…

And the recent session is here…

Now this girl is off to bed because it is 9:21 p.m. at night. (Somewhere inside me, my 21 year old self is throwing up her hands in exasperation!)

Of Light, Love, and Film : Explore | Wilmington, NC Photographer

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:00:07 +0000

Each month I participate in a blog circle, Of Light, Love, and Film, with a group of amazing film photographers – with whom, I am honored to share my personal film work. I currently shoot digital professionally and an example of my work can be seen HERE.

…

I picked up a film camera for the first time less than 6 months ago. The timing could not have been more right. My attempt to cut back on technology in our home – television, video games, computer games, iPhone games, etc. – was ongoing and the nature of film fit right in. With digital, I would take over 100 images of my kids playing outside. Do you know what I wasn’t doing during that time? Playing with them. I was too busy being the mom behind the camera, hitting the shutter release on my camera hundreds of times because… well… I could. When I shoot film, I am more purposeful with my shooting. I think about every aspect of the shot, take the picture (hear that amazing “click” sound that you only get from a film camera), and I am done, free to be back IN the moment instead of on the outskirts documenting it. I believe 110% that shooting in film will make me a better digital photographer for this reason.

This isn’t to say that film is easy. Goodness me… I find it to be the opposite. Every time I shoot, it is an exploration with exposure, light, film stock, shutter speed… things I am comfortable with in digital, leave me confused and frustrated with film. I keep trying though. Keep exploring to see what works and what doesn’t. Here are some of the good… and the not so good… of my explorations.

And there is more… please continue on to Caroline’s neck of the (blog) woods !

Simply Snuggles, Limited Edition Mini Sessions | Wilmington NC child photographer

admin — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:59:36 +0000

My favorite subject to shoot is connection – yes, connection. It is not tangible, but it is very much real. Children are brilliant at displaying connection because for the most part, who they are in real life is who they are at a photo session. I will go a step further and say one of my favorite connections is that between a mother and her children. It is beautiful and honest and pure. Moms, in my opinion, get the short end of the photo stick. Why? Because rarely are we IN the picture and it is so important that we are. This April, let me capture the connection between you and your children. Allow me to capture those snuggles, those looks, those giggles, those kisses, those sly grins, those fierce bear hugs with my camera. They are only this age for a such a short time. Simply Snuggles, limited edition mini sessions. It is for you… and for them…

of love, light, and film: red | wilmington nc photographer

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:22:47 +0000

I read in Parenting magazine that the age in which kids can tie their shoes is getting older and older, but the age in which they can navigate technology is getting younger. Sounds about right for our house. I am also guilty of buying velcro shoes for my 6 year old to make the whole event of taking shoes on and off easier. When he had outgrown his last pair of velcro sneakers in December, I decided it was time to go “all in” on shoes with laces – and I bought my kiddo a pair of red converse sneakers. I model how to tie his shoes constantly, “Criss, cross applesauce, pull it through the hole. One bunny ear, another bunny ear, bunny pops through the hole and close the hole up tight!” I encourage him to practice – despite his lack of desire.

The verdict? I’m still tying his shoes… but we practice and practice .

Now head on over to Tara Stallings Photography to see more film goodness!

For those interested, these were taken with a Nikon f100 + 50mm f/1.4 lens. I used Kodak Portra 800 film – I don’t remember if I rated it at box speed or not… I should really write these things down! The images are slightly imperfect (especially compared to my digital work), but I think that is what I love about them. If you are interested in seeing my digital work, please check out my portfolio galleries at the top of the page!

Of Love, Light, and Film: Cold | Wilmington NC Child Photography

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:01:53 +0000

I am back this month with another For the Love of Film post! Each month I join in a blog post circle with a group of photographers – each using film to share a theme. January’s theme of cold seemed like it would be so easy at first. As you read this it is in fact cold in southeastern NC. It was not – however – cold last month, when I shot this roll of film (Fuji Pro 400 for those interested). I would call it more of a brisk morning… one suitable for long sleeves and a winter hat, but not necessarily a coat. So even though I join a group of fabulous photographers this month in sharing our “cold” images, please keep in mind that the theme is relative to my neck of the woods in December.

Oh and remember – the circle doesn’t stop here! Click HERE to see how Mandy Haber kept cold on the gulf coast of AL this month!

SNOW! | Wilmington NC photographer

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:17:03 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook (ahem, www.facebook.com/lesliedensfordphotography) then you already know I packed up the car and the kids on a whim last Thursday and headed north so that we could all see a little of the white stuff. After living on the gulf coast of Florida for 3 years, we were officially deprived of snow. In fact, my youngest child had never seen snow at all. So when my folks called to say they were forecasted for 1 – 3 inches, the trip seemed like a no brainer. Of course, as usual, the forecast began to change as the night went on (read: no snow) but we had faith the “flakes” would arrive and at 10:00 p.m. my 6 year old shouted – “It’s here!” and it was. 1 inch of heavy, wet snow. The kind that makes lethal snowballs (little brother may have pelted big brother with one in the neck). The kind that melts quickly when the sun peeks out the next morning. The kids didn’t care though. They snowballed and snowangeled and stomped and ran for an hour that night (until 11 p.m.!!!) and were up again at 6:30 a.m. the next morning ready for 2 hours of the same.

These are a few of my personal images.

i spy with my little eye | wilmington nc family photography

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:19:24 +0000

Peeking in for a moment to share the gorgeousness that is the CMPro Winter Gallery 2013! I feel beyond fortunate to have a couple of my (!) images included in the gallery and am incredibly inspired by all of the included work!

Want to take a moment and enjoy all the goodness for yourself? Click HERE.

And because a post isn’t a post without a picture… my littlest fell asleep on the couch after strongly protesting, “I NOT NEED A NAP MOMMY!”