Focus 5 Minutes

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Focus 5 Minutes Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Focus 5 Minutes, Photographer, Fayetteville, AR.

A collection of moments while out and about with my camera in the communities around Northwest ArkansasFollow to keep up...
09/12/2026

A collection of moments while out and about with my camera in the communities around Northwest Arkansas

Follow to keep up with the latest from Northwest Arkansas photographer, Maleak Flemings

Available for headshots, engagements, and family shoots in the area.


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09/11/2026

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09/10/2026

A brand-new bakery has officially joined the Fayetteville food scene, so of course I had to stop in.

I stopped by Saltine Bakery & Kitchen, one of the newest additions to South Fayetteville. The story behind it is pretty cool too—James and Aubrey Isom moved here from Nebraska to open Saltine, bringing their love for baking and coffee with them. James has been a baker for over two decades, and their idea is simple: take the familiar things people already love and do them at a level people might not expect.

The vibes were good from the moment I walked in. Coffee going, fresh baked goods on display, and of course I had to see what the cinnamon rolls were talking about.

Safe to say, the cinnamon rolls did not disappoint. Definitely worth grabbing one.

Saltine is baking sourdough in-house and serving everything from muffins and toast to breakfast items and coffee, with a rotating menu built around seasonal ingredients. They only officially opened their doors in August, so it was pretty cool getting to stop in and document a Fayetteville business this early in its story.

Another quick stop, another good conversation, and another reminder that there are always new stories popping up around Northwest Arkansas.

Who next?

09/09/2026

Some places just make you want to pull the camera out. 📸

I walked into Ice House Tattoo and immediately got a warm welcome from the team. After a quick introduction, I got the chance to hang around for a little while, catch everyone in their element, and capture some portraits while the shop was in motion.

There’s something about photographing a tattoo shop that I’ve always loved—the artwork on the walls, the personalities behind each station, the little details everywhere you look, and people completely locked into their craft. Ice House has easily become one of my favorite places to bring a camera.

Good conversations, a great atmosphere, and some really cool people doing what they do best.

Appreciate the Ice House team for welcoming me in and letting me document a little piece of their world.

Another Focus Five Minutes in the books. 🎞️

Who next?

09/09/2026

Some places have a way of making you feel like you stepped into a different time the second you walk through the door.

Arkadia Retrocade is one of those places. Rows of old-school arcade machines, familiar sounds coming from every direction, and games that have been entertaining people long before some of us were even around. From classics like Pac-Man and Galaga to fighting games, racing games and plenty of hidden gems, there’s something cool about seeing people still genuinely excited to pick up a joystick and play.

But like most Focus Five Minutes episodes, the people ended up being just as interesting as the place.

I met Sora, who told me he’s been coming to Arkadia since he was around 10 years old. We talked about some of his favorite games in the building and what keeps bringing him back.

I also met Devin, a fellow photographer, and we got a chance to chop it up about photography, creativity and everything in between. 📸

That’s what I enjoyed most about this stop. You walk in thinking about video games, but you leave thinking about how something as simple as an arcade can become part of somebody’s childhood, their memories, and eventually a place they continue coming back to years later.

Different generations. Different favorite games. Same love for playing.

Another five minutes. Another story. 🎮📸

09/08/2026

Some places you walk into and immediately know there’s going to be a story somewhere inside.

This time, Focus Five Minutes took me into Cheap Thrills in Fayetteville — a spot packed with personality, vintage finds, bold style, and the kind of pieces you probably won’t see everybody else wearing.

I came in with the camera, had a good conversation, learned a little more about the shop and the people behind it, and of course had to grab a few portraits along the way.

That’s one of my favorite things about doing this series. I can walk through a door I’ve passed before and five minutes later leave knowing a little more about the people and places that give Fayetteville its character.

Another conversation. Another set of portraits. Another piece of the city documented.

📍 Cheap Thrills — Fayetteville, Arkansas
🎥 Focus Five Minutes

Who should I meet next? 👀

09/08/2026

Met Emmett at Wilson Park while he was getting some shots up. 🏀 What started with me walking over and asking for a few portraits turned into one of those conversations that reminds me why I enjoy doing this series so much.

We talked about life, staying focused, and how easy it can be to get caught up in the everyday grind. Working, chasing goals, handling responsibilities — all of it matters. But so does actually living, enjoying the moment, and having something that keeps you grounded when you start feeling a little off track.

For Emmett, a big part of that is his faith. We talked about putting trust in God, going to Him first, and remembering that you don’t have to have every answer figured out on your own. Sometimes you just need a moment to reset, reflect, and get your mind back where it needs to be.

And whether that grounding comes through faith, family, community, or simply taking a second to slow down and reflect, I think there’s something in that conversation a lot of us can relate to.

Got some really good portraits, but an even better conversation. 📸

Watching Focus Five Minutes continue to grow has been incredible, and interactions like this are exactly why I keep approaching strangers. You never really know what somebody might share with you until you take the time to ask.

Appreciate you, Emmett. 🤝

Five minutes can turn into a conversation you remember a lot longer.

09/07/2026

Sometimes the best conversations happen between the shelves. 📚

I stopped by Once Upon a Time Books and More in Fayetteville and got the chance to talk with Emmi, grab a few portraits, and—of course—talk books.

She shared some of her personal favorites and recommendations, and introduced me to their Blind Date with a Book selection—because sometimes judging a book by its cover is exactly what you shouldn’t do. 😂📖

There’s a lot more to this place than shelves of books, though. Once Upon a Time Books started all the way back in 1999 as a family-run business operating out of a garage, eventually growing into what it is today. Their Fayetteville location has a whimsical, family-focused feel with cozy reading spaces, artwork, a storytime stage, and plenty of new and used books to get lost in.

And Fayetteville is only one chapter of the story. 📍 They also have locations in Tontitown and downtown Bentonville, with Bentonville even featuring a Book Vault filled with rare and collectible books. Behind the scenes, their Siloam Springs warehouse holds more than 300,000 books supporting their stores and online inventory.

What started as a quick visit turned into another reminder that every local spot has a story—and usually some pretty interesting people behind it.

Appreciate Emmi for the conversation, the recommendations, and letting me capture a few portraits along the way. 📸📚

Now I just need to know… what book are you recommending to somebody every single time? 👀

08/20/2026

There’s something peaceful about finding a good book and letting the rest of the world slow down for a little while.

While walking through downtown Fayetteville, I met someone doing exactly that—enjoying the weather with a book in hand. We grabbed a quick photo and ended up talking about books, some of our favorite things to do around Northwest Arkansas, and simply enjoying a good day outside.

A simple moment, a good conversation, and another story from downtown. 📚📸

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Fayetteville, AR
72701–72704

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