Weston's One-Year Portrait Session

September 13, 2012, 2:41 pm

≫ Next: Old Main Suite at Chancellor Hotel Features Benfield Photography Art!

≪ Previous: More Family Portraits from the Ritchie Family

Hey everybody!

Janelle, Aaron, and Weston are no strangers to the Benfield Blog. In fact, they are one of the most frequent (aka: loyal and regular) clients we have! I recognize (and love) that about my clients!

So, Weston has turned one, which proves how fast time flies! Janelle had a couple ideas for his session, and I had the perfect location! Check out the results...

First up, some more of that Benny Backlight...

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. Parents: Also, we have room in the schedule for 1 or 2 more families this year. If you're from Fayetteville or Rogers, and are looking for a family photographer, the time to give us a shout (dale@benfieldphotography.com) is now! :)

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Old Main Suite at Chancellor Hotel Features Benfield Photography Art!

September 14, 2012, 5:12 pm

≫ Next: New Vista Ranch Photoshop ACTIONS Set

≪ Previous: Weston's One-Year Portrait Session

Hey everybody!

My lips have been sealed, painfully so, for weeks now... and I can finally spill the beans! Benfield Photography was asked to be the photographer for the amazingly fabulous Old Main Suite at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville, Arkansas! Woop woop!!

Here's more of a close up:

They also featured this image somewhere, but I couldn't find it online. Maybe I can pop in the room soon and snap a quick pic - or, you could check in to the 16th floor suite and have a look yourself!

We're so honored! And how cool will it be to be photographing brides (or grooms) getting ready on the wedding day in the room that has my images?! Yay!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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New Vista Ranch Photoshop ACTIONS Set

September 14, 2012, 10:30 pm

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts: Every Artist...

≪ Previous: Old Main Suite at Chancellor Hotel Features Benfield Photography Art!

Hey everybody!

I've been using these new actions I created recently and am loving them! It's a 3 action set that offers three unique vintage feels. Put this in your workflow and create creative, consistent looks for your clients!
The actions are simple to install in Photoshop CS (I also give the easy instructions after you checkout). The 3 action set is only 12 dollars! Yay for low prices! I hope it helps y'all to keep stepping up your game!
Get the Vista Ranch Action Set Here

Buy the Vista Ranch Action Set Here for $12

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sunday Superthoughts: Every Artist...

September 16, 2012, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: Red and Yellow Wedding Details for Nicole and Aaron

≪ Previous: New Vista Ranch Photoshop ACTIONS Set

Hey everybody!

This week's Sunday Superthought is a little more uplifting than the previous: Every artist was first an amateur. There are two important thoughts about this quote:

1) Don't be discouraged when in the presence of great art: every artist was once an amateur. I remember when I was little, I took piano lessons. As a matter of fact, I was the only person in my family who ever took piano lessons, and the fact that I could do something at such a young age that nobody else (including my parents) could. I loved thinking that I was special in some way.
Then, one day a friend of my older brother came over and sat down at my piano (yeah. MY piano.) and played the crap out of it. I remember acting like nothing was wrong as a turned and walked to my room where I laid in my bed and cried, completely crushed and totally discouraged. It's hard to see how to get from Point A to Point B when you're surrounded by people at Point B. My advice (and Emerson's... and Wilson Philips') is to hold on. Keep going, keep pushing, keep growing... don't give up.

2) On the other hand, this should also be a reminder for artists who have "made it." There seems to be a tendency with artists to have a very short memory, forgetting how difficult it was to get where they are. I hope I never forget my first wedding, back in 1998, because I had by no means "made it" and my art was nothing close to what it is now. Photographers: stop thinking that your S#@t doesn't stink. Please... remember where you came from, and more importantly... be available to help other photographers who are at Point A get to Point B.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Red and Yellow Wedding Details for Nicole and Aaron

September 17, 2012, 7:10 pm

≫ Next: Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding Portraits

≪ Previous: Sunday Superthoughts: Every Artist...

Hey everybody!

Every now and again, I have a client that from the very first time we meet... I know her wedding is going to be beyond fab! Ahem... NICOLE. Not only is she (and her family) gifted with amazing taste and fashion, but she's as SWEET as apple pie! Over the next few days I'll be sharing her wedding with you, and today I want to set the scene as I share her details.

Super spesh!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding Portraits

September 18, 2012, 12:36 pm

≫ Next: Fayetteville Wedding and Town Center Reception for Nicole and Aaron

≪ Previous: Red and Yellow Wedding Details for Nicole and Aaron

Hey everybody!

So, normally we have the story of the wedding day after I set the scene with details. Allow me to breach etiquette... I just can't wait to show you their pretty pretty portraits! Clean, simple, and beautiful... the color and composition of their portraits make my heart go a little a-flutter; you don't need extraordinary backgrounds when you have an extraordinary couple; simple and perfect will do. It's sincere (and gorgeous) couples like Nicole and Aaron that keep me inspired and excited for each and every wedding, even after 14 years of shooting wedding days!

Okay, story tomorrow... I promise. :)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Fayetteville Wedding and Town Center Reception for Nicole and Aaron

September 19, 2012, 12:07 pm

≫ Next: More Portraits from Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding

≪ Previous: Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding Portraits

Hey everybody!

Weddings can be beautiful for many different reason. Literally, two people are promising to love each other forever - that is very beautiful. Symbolically, there are gorgeous details like beautiful flowers and precious cake toppers. And... if you're lucky, you have two beautiful people who make a gorgeous couple.

Amazingly, I had all three, which obviously makes for a really beautiful wedding.
Oh, and a beautiful wedding party!

I love these moments with Nicole's sweet dog, Winston.

Look! We got Benny Backlight INSIDE the church! :)

Sweet mother/daughter moment!

The wedding party was equal parts hotness and silliness (a perfect combination!).

The first dance kicked off a great party!

I thought I'd end with this... it might be too artsy for some people, but I thought there was no better way to capture the color story that Nicole wanted to create for her wedding (have you noticed all the red and yellow details?) than by shooting THROUGH her red drapes that adorned the perimeter of the dance floor at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Come back to the blog tomorrow... I might just have some more

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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More Portraits from Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding

September 20, 2012, 12:44 pm

≫ Next: Benny Photo Booth Fun from Nicole and Aaron's Wedding

≪ Previous: Fayetteville Wedding and Town Center Reception for Nicole and Aaron

Hey everybody!

Yep, I've got more! It's hard to help it when the couple is so photogenic! Enjoy another set of fab wedding portraits from the presh couple! :)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Benny Photo Booth Fun from Nicole and Aaron's Wedding

September 21, 2012, 1:47 pm

≫ Next: Iris' 1-yr Portrait Session Sneak Peek

≪ Previous: More Portraits from Aaron and Nicole's Fayetteville Wedding

Hey everybody!

We have so much fun doing Benny Booths at weddings (and other events!). Nicole and Aaron's guests cracked us up all night! Look at some of the "tame" ones - haha!

and now... this awesomeness:

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. If you want a Benny Booth for a wedding - or even a party or other event - we do these even if you're not able to have us at your wedding! Email lauren@benfieldphotography.com for info!

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Iris' 1-yr Portrait Session Sneak Peek

September 22, 2012, 11:11 am

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts: Greatest Accomplishment

≪ Previous: Benny Photo Booth Fun from Nicole and Aaron's Wedding

Hey everybody!

We recently had the honor of photography little Iris, the amazing little sweetheart who is nothing but smiles whenever a camera is pointed her way. I'll have more from this shoot coming up, but I wanted to bless your Saturday with this super sweetness! Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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Sunday Superthoughts: Greatest Accomplishment

September 23, 2012, 9:16 pm

≫ Next: Kayla's Outdoor Wedding in Harrison

≪ Previous: Iris' 1-yr Portrait Session Sneak Peek

Hey everybody!

I've written this blog post three different times. Each time I get near the end, a new idea pops into my brain about what I should share. Finally, I've decided to share something pretty personal with you. Read on...

In high school, I had about 10 people in my closest circle of friends. It didn't take long before some of them started making bad choices about what they were doing with their after-school time (you don't need specifics, but you can use your imagination). It was this time in my life that I was truly tested via peer pressure to do some things that would have changed my life in a big way.

By saying no, I forged a new path for myself. I truly believe that when I didn't give in to peer pressure to do things that I know weren't right, I set in motion a chain of events that would take me to a place better than I could ever imagine.

I write today's post as encouragement to anybody who is being pressured by outside forces to be a certain way. Don't forget that you have the option to be yourself. And most often, that is the best option.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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Kayla's Outdoor Wedding in Harrison

September 24, 2012, 7:21 pm

≫ Next: Kayla's Harrison Wedding Portraits

≪ Previous: Sunday Superthoughts: Greatest Accomplishment

Hey everybody,

I have a super charming outdoor wedding to share with you today. Lauren and Jessica did an amazing job capturing the rustic details and story of Kayla and Austin's Harrison, Arkansas, wedding.

How sweet is the pup? And the bride's hair piece if fabulous!

Cutest kids! I love this picture so much!

I love the repeated pattern here!

Is this not the cutest ring bearer you've ever seen! And so well trained!

Come back tomorrow for some fabulous portraits!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Kayla's Harrison Wedding Portraits

September 25, 2012, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Kayla's Silly Benny Photo Boooth Pics...

≪ Previous: Kayla's Outdoor Wedding in Harrison

Hey everybody,

More from the Harrison Arkansas wedding today... here are some of my favorite wedding portraits, captured by Lauren and Jessica:

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Kayla's Silly Benny Photo Boooth Pics...

September 26, 2012, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Carl and Charles' 30th Birthday Party

≪ Previous: Kayla's Harrison Wedding Portraits

Hey everybody!

Chelsey also attended Kayla's wedding and ran the Benny Booth, our super-fun take on the photo booth. She got some great shots, and the guests looked like they had a blast!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Carl and Charles' 30th Birthday Party

September 27, 2012, 9:33 pm

≫ Next: Tarrah and Justin's Destin, Florida Engagement at Emerald Grande

≪ Previous: Kayla's Silly Benny Photo Boooth Pics...

Hey everybody!

These kids know how to throw a party! It was as nice as many of our wedding receptions, where every detail is executed perfectly and everything fits together flawlessly, and Lauren was on hand to photograph it. Check out some details, party pics, and Benny Booth pics...

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Tarrah and Justin's Destin, Florida Engagement at Emerald Grande

September 28, 2012, 1:18 pm

≫ Next: Featured on Lowcountry Wedding Blog!

≪ Previous: Carl and Charles' 30th Birthday Party

Hey everybody!

Lauren and I recently flew to Destin, FL, to photography the super glam wedding of Tarrah and Justin. The night before, during the rehearsal dinner, we pulled them away for a few minutes to shoot some engagement portraits of the couple (I mean... they looked gorgeous, the light was amazing, and I had my camera... so why not?!) Here's a sneak peek of the beautiful couple in the amazing Florida sunshine! They even had a little Benny Backlight! :)

More from this wedding coming soon!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Featured on Lowcountry Wedding Blog!

September 29, 2012, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts: Leap...

≪ Previous: Tarrah and Justin's Destin, Florida Engagement at Emerald Grande

Hey everybody!

We've been featured again! This feature is from A Lowcountry Wedding Blog, a great blog featuring Southern weddings and engagements. They chose Maeve and Taylor's super fabulous engagement session - still one of my faves!

(click above image to see the feature)

Here are a few of my favorite engagement images from her Fayetteville session:

Maeve was a cheerleader for the Hogs, so this shot was so appropriate! :)

This couple has such style! :)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sunday Superthoughts: Leap...

September 30, 2012, 11:41 am

≫ Next: Tarrah & Justin's Destin, Florida Wedding Details

≪ Previous: Featured on Lowcountry Wedding Blog!

Hey everybody!

Leaving a career to set out on a new career can be really scary. I know... I've done it.

Six years ago, after teaching for the previous five (and trying to grow my photography business on the side), I was thrown into the opportunity to be a full-time photographer.

I went from one of the most secure jobs in the world (being a teacher, where I'm guaranteed a salary and could likely keep my job forever), to the exact opposite: moving my business to a new state, a new market with a new clientele, with no guarantee of ever being paid again.

Which brings us to our quote of the week... our sunday superthought... "Leap and the net will appear" first spoken by John Borroughs...

I'm going to be honest... I'm constantly paranoid that the next wedding I book could be my last. Seriously! That might sound weird to you all who have followed us for years, but it's a real fear that I have and a source of constant motivation (especially with another sweet girl on the way)!

Having faith is very hard, but the reward is so great. THAT is what this quote is about... having faith. I always knew I could succeed as a photographer because I could offer something that no other photographer could offer, but that didn't make taking the leap much easier.

Thankfully, I had a secret weapon: Meredith. I'm very thankful for the one who gave me the push I needed to make the leap.

Not only did she motivate me to jump, she has held my hand on the journey. Everybody needs someone like her.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Tarrah & Justin's Destin, Florida Wedding Details

October 1, 2012, 12:08 pm

≫ Next: Tarrah and Justin's Emerald Grande Wedding Story

≪ Previous: Sunday Superthoughts: Leap...

Hey Friends!

Dale and I recently traveled to Destin, Florida to photograph Tarrah and Justin's wedding at the Emerald Grande. I spent most of the day hanging with Tarrah and the girls and loved getting a chance to meet all of them. Check out some of the details from the day!

Is this not the perfect wedding location?

Tarrah is all about the bling...

Check out the hottie bridal party!

These girls were all so sweet and so fun throughout the entire weekend!

~Lauren

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Tarrah and Justin's Emerald Grande Wedding Story

October 2, 2012, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: Tarrah & Justins Destin Florida Portrait Session

≪ Previous: Tarrah & Justin's Destin, Florida Wedding Details

Hey Friends!

I loved getting the chance to work with such a fun couple. Tarrah and Justin laughed and joked throughout their entire wedding day! They had a small intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest friends and family that had come from all over the country to see them get married. It was followed by a few happy tears and a rockin celebration at the Emerald Grande.

Here's some of my favorite moments that I captured from their day...

The vows...

Check out that scenery!

The newlyweds...

Their first dance...

and a final super sweet moment from Tarrah and Justin...

~Lauren

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