So while this isn’t my normal type of image, I LOVE IT! Why, cause it’s odd, and it’s him. We went out the other day to get photos finally of my three boys together and in the middle of it all my oldest decided to pick up a big stick, be his silly self and act like an angry deer or something. I normally have to hassle him about all his silly odd ball faces when I try to capture the three of them but this time it was just him, being him with a stick behind his head.

Tags: kiddos, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (1 total)

Wow to think summer is at its end and the kiddos are headed back to school next week. While it’s still hot as can be the kids decided to squeeze in some more water fun before the week is up. Now that summer is coming to an end too, it’s time to start thinking about those holiday cards and sessions you want to do. THese sessions fill up quick as soon as it cools down so make sure to email me or call soon to get yourself a spot saved!

Tags: fun outings, kiddos, my life, silly ones by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (0 total)

Oh my goodness the fun we have been having in Florida. Ok, so honestly, not just Florida, but Niceville, Florida. Yep you heard right, always makes me chuckle when I get to tell people where we are going exactly. So vacation aways makes for a fun time to capture memories but can you imagine how broken hearted I was to get here and realize my favorite and only lens I decided to bring with me decided to go capoot on me?!!! Oh, yep, it sure did. So I cied inside for a minute or two and then decided it was going to be vacation captured by iphone! ( I did manage to order a lens to rent while here that I should be getting today, halleluyah! In the meantime though, here are a few sneak peeks of our vacation so far and why my kids might not want to head back home:

Reasons why they might not want to come back:
playing in the creek/swamp in back of grandma’s and Pa’s house – making chocolate chp cookies with grandma and getting to munch on the chocolate while doing so – getting to go fully dressed into the ocean – being able to play in the puring rain and not worry about lightening – playing soccer in the front yard with no cars flying by – having snack breaks with Trinny the dog – visiting and riding grandma’s horse at the barn – fireworks in a small town, over the water, music blaring, whole town together, perfect – throwing sand balls out at the ocean – playing and being silly on the beach – goofy golf where their daddy played when little and still $1 a kid and $2.50 an adult – light night Jenga games – finding Five Guys burgers and fries out here – playing at the neighborhood pool everyday and meeting lots of other kids – taking the walk across the fun bridge to get to the pool – and staying up every night way past bedtime giggling until our bellys hurt!
. . . Now on the 4th of July we simply were going to stop in a parking lot so I could get a picture of the big beautiful American Flag flying high but who knew it would also lead to my kids being in a mondo beach ball looking like little hamsters. We saw it and I just had to let them play!

.

Tags: favorite things, fun outings, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (0 total)

Summertime summertime, sum sum summertime! Oh yeah!! The office of Leah Simmers Photography will be closed until August 1st, I’m taking my kids and soaking in the summer with them. I will still be responding to emails it just might take an extra day. Feel free to email and plan ahead for sessions after August. Oh yes, the holidays are right around the corner before we know it.

Tags: favorite things, fun outings, kiddos, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (0 total)

Sending out thanks to all those that served and have served for our country and keeping those in our thoughts who have passed, fighting for our country. I am so thankful for all of you and your families who have stood by you. You don’t get enough thanks for all you do. Please take teh time to stop and explain this day to your children for what it really means and not just a day of for a BBQ. My kids seriously crack me up on a daily basis with the things they say and do. They truly amaze me all the time. They are all very much all about America! Sure, that sounds like an odd statement but my oldest is the one that will make sure that the pledge is always being said when he is around and if something has an American flag on it, he wants it! Out where we live there is a car dealership that has a huge flag flying outside the dealership, desert Toyota, my kids LOVE this flag. I’m sure they probably just thought to put a flag up but when my kids see it, the flag brings them so much joy. Heck, I love it too. The kids and I love nothing more than to drive by on a windy day to see the flag blowing in the wind ( I can honestly say I drive that way home on purpose on those days because I know how giddy it makes them and I love to hear their happiness ) Here is a quick snap shot below from my phone that I took of it while we passed the other day. Now if you could have heard my kids as we passed, my 7 year old simply says from the backseat as we near the flag, ” it’s gorgeous!”, then my 5 year old quickly replies, ” It’s more better than chocolate.” You know I was thinking, he’s right!

Tags: around town, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (0 total)

Spring is in the air and it’s time for planting! Hubby has been wanting to plant a tree for awhile in the back and we finally decided to give it a try again this weekend ( we have failed a few times in the past, although we came to realize that was because we never dug a big enough hole ). So after much thought we finally ended up bringing home a grapefruit tree. Now if only I knew how much joy this tree would bring already. It started when the people working at the nursery told us to dig a hole 3-4ft x 3-4ft big. So the hole was dug and filled with some fresh soil and water of course. Now what goes with water and dirt? Boys of course! Well ,y two little ones at least. Who am I kidding, my oldest wouldn’t dare get near the dirt, too messy for him. He actually spent an hour or so being mad with me cause I informed his two younger brothers that they could try and toss him in the hole too. Lucky for him, he is fast as lightening! Here are a few captures from my two youngest having the time of their life playing in the mud happy as can be.

.

.

“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. ” V. Shoffstall

Tags: around town, kiddos, my life, silly ones by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (0 total)

I guess my kids have decided it’s summer already. Here are some quick captures with my iphone:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Tags: fun outings, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (1 total)

So proud to live in America. God Bless those that fight for our freedom everyday I am so thankful for all of them and their families! I truly mean this. So often people just walk past people in the military but how often do you stop and say thanks. Heck, even keep walking and say thanks as you pass. They’ll know what you mean and I”m sure it would mean a lot and it takes what, 2 seconds to say it. This is a big thing I try and instill in my kids. We finally had the chance to go to the air show put on at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base after three years of having no air show and five years since the Thunderbirds flew for the show here. WOW! Such an amazing demonstration of what they can do and truly moving to watch them fly high in the sky. That’s freedom right there and I LOVE IT and I’m thankful for it.

everyone there to help with the show was so great letting the boys look around all the jets, helicopters, etc and answer their millions of questions.

.

.

Dillon was a hoot. He wanted so badly to take pictures but his ears are so sensitive he was having trouble. He convinced dad to plug his ears so he could get some shots. Later when looking at my pictures he informed me that “this” was the shot he was trying to get but that the planes were too fast for him and the sun got in his eyes:

May you always soar high. Thank You

Tags: around town, fun outings, my life by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (1 total)

When it comes to water that is. Ok, so it’s the little things that make us happy. We can find a puddle and as long as we can jump our feet right in and make a splash, well, why not. On this weekend we were in for way more than a foot sized puddle. We had recently had a lot of rain which isn’t too common for Tucson. In the past we have gone out hiking to Sabino Canyon and the kids have loved this little area where we would walk over a bridge kinda thing and jump down and play in the little bit of water that there was. Usually it involved skipping rocks and water that would cover our five year olds feet just to his ankles. Like I said though, it had been raining a lot any we had heard thru the grapevine that there was LOTS of water at Sabino and too just make sure to hang onto the little ones. Holy Moly we had heard right! As we were getting closer to the spot we love we could hear the water rushing. Couldn’t see the water yet, but we heard it. Then suddenly there it was. Oh no, not just the little area under the bridge, that area was filled, so high that it went over the bridge to the other side. If my little man was in their now he’d almost be covered. So we heard the water would go up to our knees and be numbingly cold. You’d think knowing might be enough, but no way, we wanted to feel the burn. Ok maybe not everyone but I did. I stepped one foot in and quickly jumped out, it was freezing!! I envisioned the polar swim in Canada for a moment. My husband then told me I’d never make it across this bridge to the other side. What, is he kidding, is he really telling me I can’t do it. That’s it, game on! In my head I tell myself, ” this is the amazing race, you must do it ” and you know what, I DID! Sure I couldn’t feel my feet for a minute but hey I did it. Then I did it again and again and again. Somehow going back and forth thru the numbing cold and pull of the water became amusing to me. I know, probably not a good thing. The kids would go a few feet in on their own but to go across they had to be held by us or hold our hands. Here we have Cal beating his feet to bring back the feeling:

We were going to try for a family picture with the kiddos grandma and pa who came to visit but one of my rugrats got “cold feet” while waiting for everyone to get in position:

And I must say, just as fun as going thru was watching other people going thru the water. Of course we were not really out there just watching people we just “happened” to be eating our lunch at that very spot. We were not obvious at all! It was a riot though, you had a few types of people: those that walk up and do an about face right away, those that stand there and ponder it with those they came with, those that walk up take their shoes off and go thru to continue on their hike and then those who don’t flench don’t skip a step and just go thru shoes and all ( oh and I mean even in their sneakers ) Granted the current pulled a bit and there were little uneven spots so not everyone made it thru without getting more than they bargained for wet. Here are my kids as they are super stealth like sly as they watch people cross:

Tags: around town, kiddos, my life, silly ones by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (1 total)

I have returned! I know you’re probably thinking, oh she finally returned to her blog. Well, that too, but I just arrived back from WPPI in Vegas, aka: big ‘ol photography convention and trade show. I’m so happy I decided to go once again this year. I have to say for some odd reason I was on the fence about going at first but in the end I realize I jumped on the right side of the fence in going! I went in hopes of gaining inspiration, vision, new ideas, new products, new friends, seeing old friends, and a darn good time ( it is Vegas ). Well, I came back a happy girl, I got that and a whole lot more. Typically I’m happy if I go to a convention or a workshop and come back with one ” ah ha ” moment. Lucky Me, I had lots of these moments! It started out on Sunday when I arrived into the fabulous Las Vegas in the early morning strictly so I could be in time to see the fabulous Audrey Woulard. Now Audrey, yes, she’s a rockstar and a sweetheart all in one. I won’t forget getting to see her last last year and when I went up to say hi after she spoke she said she knew who I was and called me by name. I was in complete shock when she had said this. Me, how could she know who I was I thought. Well she made my week and I had run up to my room to call my husband to tell him that, “thee” Audrey Woulard said she knew who I was. ( I still wonder how she had any clue who I was, I think she might have gotten a peek at my name badge, I don’t know, but I was excited! ) Then this year I come back to hear her speak again. She was the main one on my list, the must see for me and anyone else would just be a bonus I had told myself. LIstening to her again I was inspired, again! I waited again after her class to say hi ( sadly for us photographers, this happens to be our once a year opportunity to see each other when we come to Vegas ). So like I said, I waited, and well, I waited some more, and some more. Yes, she’s a popular little lady and her line was long. I was close there was one more group ahead of me. They chit chatted awhile and the group of very excited happy go lucky ladies looked back and saw me waiting, ” oh no sorry, you’ve been waiting, you can come talk to her”, they let me know. Audrey quickly replied as she threw her hand out, ” oh she can wait she’s fine, we’re friends, we’ll chat awhile” Oh my, I was all giddy again. ( I know, I’m a dork ) But guess what . . . this time I don’t doubt, she knew who I was This time I also don’t doubt that I can call her my friend. Heck she lets me bother her when I don’t know what do with my little Ollie’s unruly hair! * * * *
Monday came and I had some tough decisions to make. I have to say, the amount of talented people that speak at the convention and the amount of them that all speak at the same time make it hard in choosing which class you will go to. After going back and forth between many wonderful speakers I finally decided on hearing the fabulous Gerry Ghionis. Ah-Mazing! I had heard he was inspiring and thought, ” who can’t use some inspiration ” well I think everyone was thinking the same thing. The room for 1800 people very quickly filled up while many still waited outside the door hoping to get in. After listening to Gerry speak on how he photographs what he looks for, his album development, and his humor he added to his talk, I understood why so many left his classes with such high praise of him. * * * * At this point I was pretty excited. I knew I could leave the convention satisfied because I didn’t just have 1 great class but I had 2. Remember if I leave with one “ah ha” moment I’m good to go but I now had two full classes of ” ah ha” moments, I was feeling set! * * * * I was happy, I was satisfied with what I had gotten out of the convention. I have to say I had no idea what I was still in for though. To think there was a class that evening that I didn’t even think I was going to go to at first. I went back and forth on if I would or not and frankly I locked my key in my room earlier so I wasn’t going back to the room so I figured I might as well hit up another class. I have to tell you. I’m a very strong believer that things happen for a reason. On this night I believe I was meant to lock my key in my room. The class I am speaking of was given by the beautiful, and when I say beautiful I really whole heartedly mean beautiful inside and out, Jasmine Star. When I go to these classes I expect to get photography related help. This class gave me more than I was expecting. I have to start by telling you it has been a bit of a rough year for me. See, this is the year I hit 30. Once I hit 30 I couldn’t help but wonder where I’m headed exactly. Also in hitting 30 I’ve realized how much I haven’t been enough of “me” cause I’m too shy to bring that out to most people in the beginning. I know, I know, those that know me are thing, shy, yah right. But, if I don’t know you I typically get that way to start, granted if you come up and say hi to me first or after I get to know you, you won’t be able to keep me quiet. Anyhow, I end up in Jasmine’s class and while she speaks she tells us a lot about herself, but not in a bragging or this is how I do it kind of way. She talks to let us in to know about her. She explains to us that it’s good to let people know a bit about you and not just “business” you. Many times you can go to a class, hear advice and think, ” well maybe it works for you but not sure it’s true.” THis time is different. I’m sitting there listening to her and while she talks I truly find I’m connecting with her. She speaks about herself and she becomes real and not afraid to tell us about herself. All too often I know I hide from the real me, or from letting people know how I feel. I guess it’s the fear of what people will think or say but as she talks I connect with her and realize there are so many similarities. She explains how we should really just be ourselves, be different by being you cause we are all unique. Too often we all try to fit into a mold. It’s true though, you are special because you are YOU and not like everyone else. Each one of us is unique. Whether we let people see how we are unique is up to us. Jasmine stood on her stage ( I call it her stage because she owned it, she stood there proud and true to herself ) she had no problem telling us she is afraid of the dark, ( hey wait I thought, that’s me too! I guess I assumed I was always the only one, yes I bring night lights to hotels) She explained a story of her first convention and her first night there which I very easily related to. It made her real, this made me connect with her and realize first hand she was right on what she was speaking about. Oddly at the same time I realized I was getting life lesson. I was learning that while I just turned 30 I needed to get out there and live and BE ME, not a mold. I needed to stop hiding and that if I want to succeed in something I have to reach out for it, it won’t come to me. To succeed I must fail and still move on from that. I can sit there and do nothing because I’m afraid of failing or I can take life head on and learn from whatever failures come my way. All I can say to that now, is, ” Bring It! ” * * * * You will slowly start to notice some changes coming to. I’m going to try and blog more often, some business, some life, and some goodies I find along the way. I’m also hoping to get my blog and website more “me” soon. Now to figure out how I turn it all into a happy, go lucky picture taking cupcakes eating look of goodness, ha ha! Anyhow if you made it this far thru my post, you rock! Here is a sneak peek into a blog post coming later this week. Make sure to leave comments, I love them!

Tags: fun outings, kiddos, my life, news, sneek peaks by Leah
| Show/Add Comments (2 total)