Pigmint Grand Opening!

August 16, 2013, 12:53 pm

≫ Next: St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Lauren and Trent

≪ Previous: Crown Plaza Wedding Reception of Trent and Lauren

Hey everybody!

My friend Jonathan has opened up a GORGEOUS storefront for Pigmint (formerly in Fayetteville's Yacht Club Airstream park), and we attended the grand opening last night. Seriously, y'all... this store is breathtaking!

It's located on Center Street right off the Fayetteville square (ahem... DREAM location!)

They don't just sell flowers, y'all! Though, their flowers are gorgeous and creative! Did you notice the Toffee? Lambrecht's Southern Pecan toffee is my absolute favorite - we have it every time we stay at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock (aka... our LR home!)

Here's me and Jonathan

Benny Bride Jennifer (Jonathan's sister!) was there to greet us... I love seeing our brides out and about!

Haha... one more of Jonathan and me trying to make our chins look skinny...

Pigmint and Benfield Photography have collaborated on a couple shoots lately; here are a few of our favorites:

Kady's Spring Southern Bridal Session (for more, click that link!)

Taylor's Wedding Styled Session (for more, click that link!)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Lauren and Trent

August 17, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: More St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Trent and Lauren

≪ Previous: Pigmint Grand Opening!

Hey everybody!

As a wedding photographer, Trent knows the value in scheduling time on the wedding day for portraits of the couple. He scheduled a lot of time for us, more than what we're used to! I was so happy! We got to relax and just do our thing!
Here's a portrait at the church taken one minute or so after they kissed and walked back up the aisle.

Then, Trent took us over to the Wash U campus for wedding portraits. It was so beautiful there, and the 80 degree, early August day was most welcome! I love this shot of the couple. I love when a couple is just themselves in front of our lenses... it allows us to capture their true selves as a couple.

Then we all hung out under her veil for a bit. Hahaha!

Gah! Isn't Lauren BEE-YOU-TI-FULL or what?!!

One a side note... I love that Trent had a little scruff on the wedding day! That was GREAT PLANNING on his part. Grooms: take note!!

Well, I'm having too much fun sharing these, so tomorrow... there will be more!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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More St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Trent and Lauren

August 18, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: {Riffraff} Fabulous Senior Portrait Ideas

≪ Previous: St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Lauren and Trent

Hey everybody!

You're not getting tired of seeing Lauren and Trent are you? Good, me either!! I stared at them all day, then the week following (in pictures), and now again as I write the blogs on their wedding, and I'm still in love with their pretty faces! :)

I love the composition here... pink flowers, her leaning in to him, just perfect!

Again at the Washington University (Wash U) campus... it's such a romantic location for wedding portraits!

This might be my favorite portrait from the entire day. Trent and Lauren got a "day after session" that they're going to cash in when wedding season calms down for both us and them, and after I shot this image, I made them promise that even though they were going to love these portraits, they'd still use their day after session. They promised! And now you're all witnesses! But seriously, look at this pretty portrait! I can find the "good light" even at 3 in the afternoon!

Oh wait... I wanted to throw this one in too... this was at their ceremony location. I love throwing the wide angle lens on every now and again during the portrait session.

So.Into.Each.Other.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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{Riffraff} Fabulous Senior Portrait Ideas

August 19, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Maddie's Fayetteville Senior Pictures

≪ Previous: More St. Louis Wedding Portraits of Trent and Lauren

Hey everybody!

I've been shooting a lot for Riffraff lately! My favorite part of shooting for them is when Kirsten needs some out-of-the-studio shots. Though it's a lot more work, I love being creative, and the Riffraff girls are down for anything, and are amazing at what they do! This latest shoot is perfect for some senior portrait ideas. If you're a senior and are looking for some fashion-minded senior portrait ideas, Riffraff has some great clothing and accessory options! {and they don't pay me a penny to say so!} Have a look at some pretty senior picture style portraits!

Gah... Caroline is SO fab! You might remember her from this amazing senior shoot or this senior announcement idea post

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Maddie's Fayetteville Senior Pictures

August 20, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Lauren's St. Louis Bridal Portraits

≪ Previous: {Riffraff} Fabulous Senior Portrait Ideas

Hey everybody!

It's senior season! {as if you couldn't tell from posts the last few weeks} Here's what I love about shooting seniors: sometimes the senior is amazing, like Maddie! She's fun and outgoing and fabulous and has great style. She wanted a vintage touch to her senior pictures (vintage senior pictures... yes please!), and picked out the BEST clothes for it! We matched her clothes with some coolness of our own! Have a peek!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Lauren's St. Louis Bridal Portraits

August 21, 2013, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Cece Turns 7 Months!

≪ Previous: Maddie's Fayetteville Senior Pictures

Hey everybody!
Here we go... I whipped up another from Lauren and Trent's wedding in St. Louis! I was able to shoot some portraits of just Lauren on the wedding day (I can do this for brides who live far away!), and geez louise... she's so fabulous!

Lauren is a dancer and a teacher, and a dance teacher, so I thought this last location was perfect for her! {on a side note... how cool is my little rainbow flair with my 85mm lens?? crazy, but cool!}

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Cece Turns 7 Months!

August 21, 2013, 11:12 pm

≫ Next: Why Pinterest is Bad for NWA Brides

≪ Previous: Lauren's St. Louis Bridal Portraits

Hey everybody!

It's a cliche I hear about ten times a day, "She grows up before you know it." Already going through this once, I know this for a fact. However, that doesn't mean I'm anymore prepared than I was 9 years ago with Cece's sister, Ellie. Cece turned 7 months old on the 6th of this month, and I already find myself saying, "where did the time go?" and "I remember holding you when you were this big {as I hold out my two hands close together}.

So, yeah. 7 Months. She's sitting and crawling and eating veggies (pureed, of course),

and still has that big ol gummy grin that she's become known for, which she will throw out at a moment's notice...

...she stares at her mom like she's the most beautiful woman in the world... which of course she is.

Oh, and she has a new friend! JennyKate is Cece's nanny and they get along like the animals in those email forward chains that are too cute for words.

And as cute as she is, there's still a little of this about 10 times a day. Hey, Cece, don't spit up on the Burberry... and that's obvious.

Thanks for following my blog, my kiddos, my work, and well, my life! I appreciate you!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Why Pinterest is Bad for NWA Brides

August 23, 2013, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: Olivia's Bridal Portraits at Fairlane Station

≪ Previous: Cece Turns 7 Months!

Hey everybody!

From time to time, I have something important to say (believe it or not)... now is one of those times.

Over the past two weeks I've had to turn away 10 Arkansas brides because we weren't available for their date. Double SADFACE! Here's the problem: with Pinterest, brides are planning their dream wedding more and more in advance, and they aren't afraid to ask us to come to them to photograph their wedding no matter where they live. Our wedding photography business, which used to primarily shoot NW Arkansas and Little Rock, has expanded to all over the country because we are ALL OVER PINTEREST! (yay!) Obviously, I can only be in one place a day, so it only takes one bride -- from anywhere in the U.S. -- to steal a date away from an Arkansas bride.

Spring/summer for Benfield Photography looks like this (in this order):
Los Angeles,
Hot Springs,
Louisiana,
NWA,
Texas,
Little Rock,
Texas,
Missouri,
Savannah GA,
NWA,
Kansas City,
NWA,
Cali,
Mexico,
Vermont,
Houston TX.

And we're already booked up for October 2014 for those Pinterest brides who are really planning ahead!

The moral of this story isn't to book us before you get engaged (though, it happens more than you think!), it's to book us AS SOON AS you get engaged... yes, maybe even before the venue! If you're like me, pictures are... like... the NUMBER ONE thing! I'd rather have amazing pictures and not have my number one choice of date (what's a date, anyway???), or location (good photography can elevate locations!), rather than a great place and a 2nd or 3rd rate photographer. Agree?

Okay... off my soapbox now. Love ya, mean it!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Olivia's Bridal Portraits at Fairlane Station

August 24, 2013, 8:53 pm

≫ Next: Senior Picture Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff

≪ Previous: Why Pinterest is Bad for NWA Brides

Hey everybody!

Today, Olivia and Matt tied the knot at Fairlane Station in Springdale, AR. Actually, this was the first wedding at Fairlane Station, and we're excited to share it with you soon! In the meantime, we also photographed bridal portraits at Fairlane Station, and we can finally show them! Yay!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Senior Picture Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff

August 25, 2013, 3:26 pm

≫ Next: Senior Portrait Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff... part 2!

≪ Previous: Olivia's Bridal Portraits at Fairlane Station

Hey everybody!

I don't know how many times I've posted about fashion trends for senior lately (a lot!), but it's because there are so many great things at Riffraff, and my sweet bff Kirsten (owner of Riffraff) keeps asking me to shoot pics for their website and blog. That being said, here are some more fabulous outfits that would be great for just about any senior I know! (and for those of you who have Benfield Senior sessions coming up, take note! These would be fab for you!)

My favorite senior in pretty much the entire world, Caroline, was once again one of our models (come back tomorrow for another fab shoot with Carli!).

Proof that I'm hilarious. ;)

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Senior Portrait Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff... part 2!

August 26, 2013, 3:27 pm

≫ Next: First Wedding at Fairlane Station!

≪ Previous: Senior Picture Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff

Hey everybody!

Once again, here are some more fabulous outfits that would be great for just about any senior I know! (and for those of you who have Benfield Senior sessions coming up, take note! These would be fab for you!)
As promised, my lovely shoot with Carli!

BTW, all these outfits (from today and yesterday) are up for sale on Riffraff's website! Be quick and snag some pretties!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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First Wedding at Fairlane Station!

August 26, 2013, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Wedding Portraits at Fairlane Station!

≪ Previous: Senior Portrait Clothing Ideas, via Riffraff... part 2!

Hey everybody!

Meredith and I had the honor of photographing the first ever wedding at Fairlane Station Saturday. Let me start by saying that I think the venue is PERFECT for a southern, rustic wedding! The staff (Dan and Dasha) are two of the kindest and creative people I've met. Ever. (for reals!) No wonder Olivia picked Fairlane Station for her wedding!

wedding at Fairlane Station in Springdale AR

Isn't Fairlane Station a rustic wedding dream location? Love!

Olivia embraced gold/copper chevron for her wedding. Such sweet details...

Olivia's mom is pretty fabulous! Look at her handiwork (yeah, she did the sign on the left)! This life-size program blew me away!

How cute is this Chik-Fil-A groom's cake?! I wouldn't mind if it tasted like chicken! (I didn't take a bite, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't chicken flavored.)

I mean, c'mon... how gorgeous is this bride? #myjobissoeasysometimes

I love this trend! Brides... keep doing this! It makes for a great picture!

Olivia and Matt were married outside at Fairlane Station. I love the emotion in the shot on the left. (the ring bearer asked why she was crying... how sweet is that?!)

Pretty Pretty Pretty! Weddings at Fairlane Station look dreamy under this big bulbs!

I'm SO loving this first dance shot! See? The big pretty bulbs stringing across Fairlane Station's outdoor patio are gorgeous!

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming tomorrow on the blog... wedding portraits at Fairlane Station! Yay!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Wedding Portraits at Fairlane Station!

August 27, 2013, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: More Fairlane Station Wedding Portraits

≪ Previous: First Wedding at Fairlane Station!

Hey everybody!

I hope you liked seeing the first ever wedding at Fairlane Station on the blog yesterday! Today and tomorrow I'm going to show some portraits we photographed of the couple around Fairlane Station. Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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More Fairlane Station Wedding Portraits

August 28, 2013, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Tulip Louise Opens Lola Boutique in downtown Fayetteville

≪ Previous: Wedding Portraits at Fairlane Station!

Hey everybody!

I'm wrapping up this Fairlane Station wedding series with a few more portraits. How fun are these?

If you're looking for a great rustic wedding venue in Northwest Arkansas, you really should look at Fairlane Station in Springdale!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Tulip Louise Opens Lola Boutique in downtown Fayetteville

August 30, 2013, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Fairlane Couture Bridal Portraits Behind the Scenes Video!

≪ Previous: More Fairlane Station Wedding Portraits

Hey everybody!

What are you doing this weekend? Wanna go shopping? :)
One of our sweet friends, Anna (of Tulip Louise), has recently moved back from New York and is officially the new owner of Lola Boutique in Fayetteville. She opened the shop doors yesterday, and will be throwing an awesome event before the first homegame tomorrow! If you are in town you should totally check it out. The boutique will be opening early [9am] tomorrow for tailgaters, mimosas will be flowing, luxe will be adding the perfect[razorback] red lip for shoppers and there will even be giveaways from mae's + shindig, etc! We are so proud of our friend... the space looks amazing! Anna texted to see if I could pop in before the opening to shoot some images of the store and I fell in love with the updated vibe, as well as the new designers they're carrying! There are so many little touches that make this Fayetteville clothing boutique a super fabulous place to shop! Take a peek!

Anna and me :)

Don't ya just love it? And that light is to die for! Make sure to stop in and see it for yourself!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Fairlane Couture Bridal Portraits Behind the Scenes Video!

August 30, 2013, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

≪ Previous: Tulip Louise Opens Lola Boutique in downtown Fayetteville

Hey everybody!

Man oh man... I'm so excited to share this couture bridal session at Fairlane Station with you all! The pictures might just knock your socks off! Want a little sneak peek? Click play below!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

September 1, 2013, 7:00 am

≫ Next: More Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

≪ Previous: Fairlane Couture Bridal Portraits Behind the Scenes Video!

Hey everybody!

After finding us through Pinterest, Kayla and Colby wanted us to come to Louisiana for their wedding... and we were thrilled! We love to travel for weddings, especially to the South, and especially for amazing couples! Kayla and Colby are an amazing couple! Gorgeous, great style, Christians, super-sweet, what's not to love about these two?!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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More Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

September 2, 2013, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Couture Bridal Session at Fairlane Station in Springdale

≪ Previous: Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

Hey everybody!

I just can't help it. This.Couple. Here we go... part two!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

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Couture Bridal Session at Fairlane Station in Springdale

September 3, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Bridal Portraits at Fairlane Station, pt 2!

≪ Previous: More Southern Engagement Portraits of Kayla and Colby

Hey All!!

So last week, I got the chance to help Mere style a bridal shoot at the new wedding venue Fairlane Station in Springdale! The space is so cool and rustic! It was the perfect place for our modern day Marie Antoinette bridal shoot!

Luka Wright, our stunning model, rocked this icy blue wedding gown, compliments of the wonderful girls over at She Said Yes in Rogers! Jules Design in Fayetteville created some awesome bouquets for us to use!

wedding bridal portraits at Fairlane Station in Springdale

I love the look that Bonnie, from Crown Beauty Bar in Fayetteville, gave Luka! We asked for something that was "perfectly messy," and she outdid herself on the hair and makeup!

Dasha and Dan (the owners of Fairlane Station) have an awesome old Mercedes, which Dale of course incorporated into the shoot! Definitely, a princess's modern day getaway carriage.

We wanted to push the bridal gown limits, and add as many accessories as possible. Luka is wearing five different belts around her waist, and even one in her hair! The girls at She Said Yes helped set us up with all the goods :)
By the way...isn't the chair Luka is sitting in gorgeous?! Dasha from Fairlane Station let us borrow her antique find. I couldn't help but swoon over it!

The lighting at Fairlane Station is absolutely perfect for bridal shoots!

Even Blake, Luka's husband, had to get in on the action! When Blake saw Luka, his first words were, "Don't you look gorgeous!" My heart melted...sigh...
Jules Design even made this awesome flower piece for Luka's hair, and we added a different belt to her hair for a new twist on the look.

Again, a big thanks to Dasha and Dan at Fairlane Station, Jules of Jules Design, She Said Yes, Bonnie from Crown Beauty Bar, and Luka and Blake for helping make this shoot happen! Dale, Mere, and I had such a great time!!

Stay Classy,
Stephanie

Photography - Benfield Photography
Venue - Fairlane Station
Dress and accessories - She Said Yes
Hair and Makeup - Bonnie of Crown Beauty Bar
Bouquet and Hair Piece - Jules Design

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Bridal Portraits at Fairlane Station, pt 2!

September 5, 2013, 12:35 pm

≫ Next: Photoshop World 2013: My Thoughts

≪ Previous: Couture Bridal Session at Fairlane Station in Springdale

Hey All!!

Here are some more pics from the awesome bridal shoot we styled last week at Fairlane Station in Springdale!

Mere and I knew that the venue was a little more rustic, with neutral colors (black, gray, white, etc.), so we wanted a dress that was not your typical wedding dress and would go well in the space. The girls at She Said Yes in Rogers, helped us pick out the perfect dress and accessories!

This dress photographs so well! I love that you can add multiple details to your wedding dress to make it your own...for example, the multiple belts that the girls at She Said Yes added to this look!

We didn't want the typical wedding hair, so we asked Bonnie, from Crown Beauty Bar, to do something a little different. With this look, she gave Luka high messy hair with a fish tail braid, and added some flowers to the side. It's more relaxed, but absolutely stunning!

Jules absolutely outdid herself on the flowers! I love how she incorporated dusty miller into the bouquets. This is not your typical bridal bouquet, but unique and beautiful, and that's what we wanted :)

Fairlane Station was the perfect backdrop for this bridal shoot! We love how the neutral color palette of the venue made everything else pop!

The color of this dress is just perfect! Future brides: when picking a wedding dress, don't be afraid to step out of the box...it will be worth it! If you are little worried, the girls at She Said Yes, will help you find your perfect fit, and put your mind at ease!

Luka looks like a modern day princess! She is beautiful inside and out!

Just can't get enough of this look!

Stay classy,
Stephanie

photographer - Benfield Photography
dress - She Said Yes
venue - Fairlane Station
bouquet and hair piece - Jules Design
hair and makeup - Bonnie at Crown Beauty Bar

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