Rustic Southern Wedding Details for Maura and Mark

October 23, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Sweet Wedding Moments from Maura's Rustic Outdoor Wedding

≪ Previous: Maura's Beautiful Outdoor Southern Bridals

Hey everybody!

Maura is a wedding photographer, and she has great style. These two pair perfectly to make my task of photographing her wedding not only easy, but a dream come true. While we did have the pressure of being at the mercy of the weather (which was so kind to hold off for an extra 30 seconds after we made it inside the reception barn), we had no problem making our bride--or any of her details--look amazing.

Here's a fun collage of some of her great florals and rustic wedding details. Just a side note... I have to give Meredith major props - she has a great eye for photographing these details and a special way of lighting them that makes them look over-the-top awesome. Take a look...

Pretty dresses! I love that Maura had her bridesmaids personalize their look!

This was super cool - Mark and Maura had guests fill out little notes for them to open later. What a great idea!

Their cakes were perfect. Hers was simple and beautiful, minimally displayed; His was a collection of great looking and great tasting cakes displayed in a fun way that carried out the rustic theme of the wedding.

The ceremony setup was really unique! Beautiful rustic details set the scene for the couple's first kiss (more on that tomorrow!).

Maura and Mark both LOVE breakfast for dinner (don't we all?!) - I love that they served breakfast for dinner at their reception!

More pretties (and some really special wedding moments) coming tomorrow, friends!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sweet Wedding Moments from Maura's Rustic Outdoor Wedding

October 24, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Mark and Maura's Wedding Portraits

≪ Previous: Rustic Southern Wedding Details for Maura and Mark

Hey everybody!

Today is all about the sweet little moments that made up Maura and Mark's beautiful rusting outdoor Southern wedding.

I love two things about this shot of Maura being helped by her mother: 1) Maura is touching her mom, feeling her presence and her love; and 2) Mom was getting emotional. It was a very sweet moment, and Meredith captured it perfectly. I'm glad she included the touching - to me, it makes the shot!

Maura's mom wasn't the only one to shed tears of joy on this wedding day. The bride let her emotions flow. I love that because it showed that she was taking in and being a part of these moments as they happened to her (this can be hard, especially for wedding photographers, but Maura savored every moment.

As I was waiting for the wedding to begin, I saw this little dude staring at me like this. I couldn't NOT take a picture of his super-cuteness.

Maura had many special moments with her father, who was as sweet as they come. Here they are about to head down the aisle.

I love proud papa looking at his beautiful daughter as he escorts her down the aisle.

I love this wide shot that showcases the entire scene of the wedding!

I know this looks like a portrait, but I swear it was during their ceremony! They took a moment away from the crowd so they could be together and pray. Aren't they pretty?

Here it is, friends. The moment they have been waiting for for a long time: their first ever kiss as a couple!

Yay for the newly married couple!!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Mark and Maura's Wedding Portraits

October 25, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Sweet Wedding Reception Moments from Maura's Southern Wedding

≪ Previous: Sweet Wedding Moments from Maura's Rustic Outdoor Wedding

Hey everybody!

We interrupt the regular scheduled programming so I can show y'all some pretty wedding portraits! Mark and Maura are a beautiful couple, and they are so photogenic! We had a little bit of time after the ceremony to spend with the newlyweds - always my favorite part of the day.

Since Maura's wedding colors included yellow, I knew this location was going to be a perfect fit...

And then I remembered... it was now okay to ask them to kiss!

Okay... is this the most beautiful couple ever, or what?! Geez...

Okay... I have to show you something kind of awesome. Mere has been wanting to do a shot where the wedding party lights up the couple at night with their iPhones for awhile now. When the sun went down, the rain came down with it, which if you know me... is NO deterrence :)

Spotlights...

Rain...

Beautiful couple...
Yes, please!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sweet Wedding Reception Moments from Maura's Southern Wedding

October 26, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Maura and Mark's Wedding Portraits, part 2

≪ Previous: Mark and Maura's Wedding Portraits

Hey everybody,

Okay, back to the story and sweet moments from Mark and Maura's wedding. Last we left off, Mark and Maura just had their first kiss not only as husband and wife, but as a couple. Let us continue...

Immediately following the ceremony, Maura's sweet little brother shed a few tears as he congratulated his big sis. I love this moment so much!

We normally don't do off-the-wall wedding party shots unless the bride tells us in advance that she wants one; however, seeing how cool Maura and Mark's wedding party was, we knew they'd be up for anything we suggested! I'm glad I had my quilt with me that day...

If you're wondering what the background is, it's an amazing display created from what looks like register tape. It was a perfect backdrop for these sweet mom and dad dances.

The dance floor was packed all night with Maura's discipleship girls - they were a party!

Don't you just love Maura's reception jewelry?! LOVE!

She and Mark had the best time! I love the string lights and the many, many chandeliers in the background.

Another great thing about photographing a wedding photographer's wedding is that she wanted to do things that she hadn't photographed before - such a FUN idea to throw paper airplanes as they made their exit!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Maura and Mark's Wedding Portraits, part 2

October 27, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts - and Ellie's Katniss Everdeen Costume

≪ Previous: Sweet Wedding Reception Moments from Maura's Southern Wedding

Hey everybody!

I couldn't stop! Here are some more portraits of our lovely couple!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sunday Superthoughts - and Ellie's Katniss Everdeen Costume

October 28, 2012, 6:10 pm

≫ Next: Riffraff Website Launch: And Pretty Pictures!

≪ Previous: Maura and Mark's Wedding Portraits, part 2

Hey everybody!

It's Halloween week! I love Halloween more than most, and always look forward to the fall weather, scary movies, and yummy candy (especially Almond Joys, my favorite). Also, since Ellie enjoys dressing in costumes as all sorts of cool things, I love it even more. This year, Ellie wanted to go as Katniss Everdeen. She's read the first two Hunger Games books and could win Hunger Games trivia. As a strong female character, Katniss Everdeen is a great literary role model, so I'm all about Ellie's costume this year.

And since it's Sunday, I feel I need to tie this into a Sunday Superthought. One of my very favorites from Suzanne Collins' entire Hunger Games trilogy is in Catching Fire,
"A spark that, left unattended, may grow to an inferno." I love the thought that to make a big change, it just starts from one little change.

Do you have a change you want to make, either in yourself or in the world? Isn't it encouraging to know that with one little action you can set your plans into motion? It kind of makes the whole thing less daunting. And from a motivation standpoint, I'm more likely to achieve something if I can chip at it one little step at a time.

Okay, enough superthoughtness... back to supercuteness... Oh how I love this girl.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Riffraff Website Launch: And Pretty Pictures!

October 29, 2012, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Fayetteville Fall Engagement Portraits of Lydia and Caul

≪ Previous: Sunday Superthoughts - and Ellie's Katniss Everdeen Costume

Hey everybody!

I've been working with Riffraff on their new website, which launched this morning at 9am, and I'm super excited for my friends over there and all the awesomeness they've accomplished. I was honored to be the photographer not only for their website images (not their product shots - that's Chelsey, who works both for Benfield Photography and Riffraff - lucky girl), as well as with their new lookbook, which is also out soon! I'm not going to show those images until it's out, but I will show a few from the shoot that I'm really proud of.

Of course, the Benny Backlight is in full effect...

Yeah... socks.knocked.off. They are such an amazing couple!

Can't handle it!

Make sure to head to the Riffraff website and get acquainted with your new addiction! :)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Fayetteville Fall Engagement Portraits of Lydia and Caul

October 30, 2012, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Bekah and Rob's Tulsa Post Oak Lodge Wedding Moments

≪ Previous: Riffraff Website Launch: And Pretty Pictures!

Hey everybody!

We're so lucky to have the-most-amazing couples! Lydia and Caul are the perfect blend of sweet, funny, and gorgeous, and our time spent photographing them in and around the fall leaves in Fayetteville just proved it even more.

Some pretty yellow Benny Backlight... doesn't this just melt you? I happen to LOOOOVE this shot. Too much.

Light, not location, dictates how we shoot... Look at this! Maybe in my top 5 ALL-TIME FAVORITE engagement shots!! COLOR, LIGHT, and MOMENT!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Bekah and Rob's Tulsa Post Oak Lodge Wedding Moments

October 31, 2012, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Rob and Bekah's Fall Tulsa Wedding Portraits

≪ Previous: Fayetteville Fall Engagement Portraits of Lydia and Caul

Hey everybody!

Rob and Bekah had a wonderful outdoor wedding, surrounded by falling leaves and family and friends. Post Oak Lodge in Tulsa was a great setting with a great staff, and Christina Leigh Events did a FABULOUS job coordinating! They are our new favorite Tulsa coordinators, so if you're a Tulsa bride looking for an outstanding wedding planner, call Christina up ((918) 810-8765)!

This is my favorite moment from the ceremony... Bekah and Rob spending time praying together after taking communion...

First dance sweetness...

OMG... she and her dad did the coolest dad/daughter dance. Ever.

I love this moment right before the couple left. The guests were outside and they had a last special moment...

I love this!

Oh yeah... check out the awesome details too!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. Come back tomorrow to see their pretty outdoor wedding portraits!!

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Rob and Bekah's Fall Tulsa Wedding Portraits

November 1, 2012, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Amy and Cody's Fayetteville Engagement Portraits

≪ Previous: Bekah and Rob's Tulsa Post Oak Lodge Wedding Moments

Hey everybody!

Don't you love all the color on the blog lately? It's no wonder why fall is my favorite season! Today I have some more pretty color, as Bekah and Rob had an outdoor wedding in Tulsa at the Post Oak Lodge.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Amy and Cody's Fayetteville Engagement Portraits

November 2, 2012, 10:30 am

≫ Next: Claire Monroe's Cute Kid Pics!

≪ Previous: Rob and Bekah's Fall Tulsa Wedding Portraits

Hi friends! Lauren here...

Last week I photographed Amy and Cody's engagement and they were super fun and laughy the whole time. These two are so sweet and clearly so in love. That helped make my job that much more fun! We also got some awesome light which made the shots even more romantic! Check this cute couple out!

Gorgeous light...

Gorgeous couple...

This one is my absolute favorite... they are both just too cute!

Can't wait for their wedding day!

~ Lauren

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Claire Monroe's Cute Kid Pics!

November 3, 2012, 3:30 pm

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts: Patience

≪ Previous: Amy and Cody's Fayetteville Engagement Portraits

Hey everybody!

I know I've said it before, but I adore our regular family clients so much! It's literally like I get to watch them grow up in front of my camera! Claire is one of those sweet kiddos! Here are a few of her most recent portraits - isn't she precious?

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Sunday Superthoughts: Patience

November 4, 2012, 9:49 pm

≫ Next: Amy's Family Night Portrait Session

≪ Previous: Claire Monroe's Cute Kid Pics!

Hey everybody,

One of my biggest flaws is that I'm, by nature, very impatient. I'm not sure what in my childhood (or otherwise) has made me so, but it's something I've prayed that God help me with for more than 10 years.

Seriously.

If you know me personally, you'll know that 1) I'm always on time (or more likely, early), and 2) I don't wait long to answer emails/texts/etc. Anyway, it stems from my obsession with time/punctuality. Thankfully, Mere is a run-on-time kind of gal, which I LOVE, and I'm not driven BATTY by being made to wait.

By the way, THAT'S why I don't wear a watch - I turn freak-out crazy if I'm waiting to be somewhere.

I have noticed, however, that God has helped me with my punctuality-obsession, and even better... he paired me with Meredith so I don't have to live a life waiting on a wife. Thank you, Jesus! :)

I'm constantly remembering, especially during the busiest seasons for photographers, that we are supposed to stop from time to time, and adopt the pace of nature, who blooms at its own rate, is not dependent on others, and is perfectly happy going its own speed. The leaves in Fayetteville are absolutely gorgeous right now, and instead of go-go-go, shoot-shoot-shoot, I'm also trying to remember to look-look-look, and love-love-love.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Amy's Family Night Portrait Session

November 5, 2012, 8:42 pm

≫ Next: Jessica and Chris' Outdoor Arkansas Wedding

≪ Previous: Sunday Superthoughts: Patience

Hey everybody!

When my instagram friend Amy contacted me about doing a family night shoot that was a little different from the norm, I was all ears! I love stepping out of my comfort zone and doing different things, so when I hear she wanted to shoot her family session at night, I thought it was a fabulous idea! We brought along some light sets that you'd find on a movie set so we could get some really neat lighting. Cool right?

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Jessica and Chris' Outdoor Arkansas Wedding

November 6, 2012, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Arkansas Wedding Portraits at Sunset of Jessica and Chris

≪ Previous: Amy's Family Night Portrait Session

Hey everybody,

Jessica has such a classic and timeless beauty about her, it made photographing her wedding super exciting. I'd take a shot, look at the back of my camera (yeah, I do that sometimes...), and just fall in love with Jessica's grace and classic beauty. You'll see what I mean here...

Another great thing about Jessica is that she's on top of fashion... I mean, she works at Jimmy Choo in NYC! Um, hello!

The wedding was on Chris' parents' land, and was such a gorgeous location to get married. Amy Bates (Bates Marketing and Events) helped the day run smoothly and look amazing.

Aw... first kiss. And first clean-up.

Some gorgeous details from the wedding and reception...

To the lovely bride and groom...

I love the lighting here that Lauren captured as the bride and groom left to sparklers.

Portraits that have the MOST AMAZING LIGHT are hitting the blog tomorrow!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Arkansas Wedding Portraits at Sunset of Jessica and Chris

November 7, 2012, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Pratt Place Barn Wedding of Paige and Ryan: Details and Sweet Moments

≪ Previous: Jessica and Chris' Outdoor Arkansas Wedding

Hey everybody!

The lighting during Jessica and Chris' outdoor wedding portraits could not have been more perfect. The sun was setting in the background and cast the most amazing beautiful orange light on us. It was to die for! Of course, we had to use it for a little Benny Backlight! :)

I love how the trees (and pretty fall leaves) frame them in the background. Yummm!

Okay... totally already showed you this shot... but it looked amazing in b/w too! What a stunning couple!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Pratt Place Barn Wedding of Paige and Ryan: Details and Sweet Moments

November 8, 2012, 4:47 pm

≫ Next: Pratt Place Fall Wedding Portraits of Paige and Ryan

≪ Previous: Arkansas Wedding Portraits at Sunset of Jessica and Chris

Hey everybody!

Benfield Photography's own superstar employee, Paige, is married! Meredith, Jessica, and Ashley were on-hand to photograph the event, which was beautiful and rustic and charming... all the things I personally knew it would be! I mean, c'mon... it's Paige we're talking about! (She's kind of awesome!)

It's fall, y'all! I love her fall details

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

I love it when my team is creative with lighting! Here they are shooting through the twinkle lights! Adore!!

Precious couple!

Fabulous portraits are hitting the blog tomorrow!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Pratt Place Fall Wedding Portraits of Paige and Ryan

November 9, 2012, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Paige's Pretty Bridal Pictures

≪ Previous: Pratt Place Barn Wedding of Paige and Ryan: Details and Sweet Moments

Hey everybody!

More from the super fabulous Paige and her handsome groom, Ryan. Mere, Jess, and Ashley rocked out some beautiful Benny Backlight images outside Pratt Place Inn and Barn, and the fall leaves sure helped make the pictures that much prettier

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Paige's Pretty Bridal Pictures

November 10, 2012, 10:36 am

≫ Next: Sunday Superthoughts: Best Days...

≪ Previous: Pratt Place Fall Wedding Portraits of Paige and Ryan

Hey everybody,

Happy Saturday! We're finishing off Paige's wedding sequence with a few of her beautiful bridal portraits, which we photographed in and around Fayetteville. Paige, being super creative, had her own ideas and while we don't normally go multiple places for bridals, I couldn't say no to her fun ideas! Have a peek!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. Happy Birthday Mere! {friends, fans, followers, and fam: you'll wanna read the blog tomorrow for my Sunday Superthoughts about missing birthdays}

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Sunday Superthoughts: Best Days...

November 11, 2012, 8:27 pm

≫ Next: Michelle's Pumpkin Patch Family Portraits

≪ Previous: Paige's Pretty Bridal Pictures

Hey everybody,

Yesterday was Meredith's birthday. For her birthday, she had to photograph a wedding, didn't make it home by midnight to open her presents, and didn't have a birthday cake. All in all, not the ideal birthday.

However, I've worked extremely hard to make today a special day for Meredith. Presents... check. Day off for her... check. Birthday cake... check. Making her feel special... check. But the thing is, you don't need for it to be a birthday to have a special day.

I love this Emerson quote:

Whether it's your birthday or not, you are in charge of the kind of day you have. If you write it on your heart that it's the best day of the year, then you're off to a good start to have a great day!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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