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Sweet Surprise from Ellie

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Hey everybody!

It takes a lot to surprise me. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love being surprised it's just a hard thing to do. But running through the images on my personal sd card recently resulted in the sweetest surprise. Ellie had taken my camera after a little mini session I did of her and Cece and took this perfectly precious picture of me and baby girl. I love real moments so much and it looks like Ellie is developing a real skill for capturing beautiful moments! Well done Ellie girl!





Talk to you soon,
Dale


Congratulations on Miss America Savvy!

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Hey everybody!

I feel like I know someone famous tonight... haha! Watching the announcement of Miss America, I am without words.  I'm so happy for Savvy and her family and support team!  I can't imagine what she's feeling, but I'm so proud of her, and for Arkansas! Here's a shot of her and Nate I took a few months back: (what a cute couple!)






Talk to you soon,
Dale

County Fair Engagement Pictures for Tori and Andrew

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Hey everybody!

I shared a little teaser from the session recently but y'all... I kept hidden the coolest part: we also shot some at the county fair! Tori had the idea months ago and of course I was all about the concept of shooting engagements at the fair! Here are my favorites from the session...





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Malibu CA Family Portraits for Sarah

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Hey everybody!

I teased this shoot recently and now I've got the rest ready for you to view. I photographed Sarah's family in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, CA. This area is rich with wineries and amazing sunlight. I hiked a bit to find the perfect locations for our photo shoot - a little secluded but with an abundance of Benny Backlight! If you're in California and are looking for a photographer, I'd love to schedule you for my next California openings! Email me here: dalebenfield@gmail.com




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Malibu CA Family Portraits for Sarah, part 2

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Hey everybody!

I've got more Malibu family portraits from Sarah's sweet shoot recently. We found amazing light in the Santa Monica Mountains and with a smiling baby, the rest of the shoot fell into place! Enjoy more from this session!

If you're in SoCal and want to book a session with me, email me at dalebenfield@gmail.com - I've been coming out to California pretty regularly!




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Wilhelmina Model Shoot: Chanel, part 3 with Benny Backlight

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Hey everybody!

Hey guess what... California has that Benny Backlight! And a lot of it! You saw some with Mercedes' shoot recently (and more coming), but I also got some with Chanel's model fashion shoot. She's so talented and great to work with! Check these out...






Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hello San Francisco

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Hey everybody!

I've been on the road a lot lately, which I love. I learn so much when I travel, and experience new places, tastes, smells, and cultures. I'd been to SF before, but this time I seemed to be much more aware and spongelike. I also brought my camera this time to SF (I posted a picture on the blog recently talking about the importance of bridges), and this is maybe my favorite shot from the trip. I had driven across the Golden Gate Bridge, pulled over to the side of the road and shot this shot. Again, I'm a photographer who after all these years is feeling inspired to CREATE.

On travel, this month I'll be in Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Fayetteville, and next month more of the same with the addition of San Antonio... if you're looking for a photographer and live in one of those areas, email me to see what I have available! dalebenfield@gmail.com



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Happy 5 Year Anniversary Tara and John

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Hey everybody!

When I look back at the calendar, I'm always so amazed at how fast time flies. This morning, I checked it out and could not BELIEVE it has already been 5 years since Tara and John's wedding at Downstream in Joplin. I'm so proud of this couple, which I've know since my YoungLife leader days in Joplin, on their marriage and growing family. Congrats Tara and John!

Check out this shot from 5 years ago... still one of my favorites!

`



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Let Your Dreams...

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Hey everybody!

I'm sitting at the Starbucks on Wedington in Fayetteville right now working on images from yesterday's wedding. I just looked over above the baristas and saw a sign that says:

"let your dreams take you places"

I've said this so much over my career as a wedding photographer who is fortunate enough to travel for work:  I'm so blessed to be able to photograph love all over the world. Just think about the words in that sentence:

"photograph love all over the world"  <<< That truly is a blessing.

Finding something I have a passion for and putting out art that couples respect enough to say, "We want YOU with US on OUR WEDDING DAY" --- it's humbling and wonderful.

10 years ago, I was a school teacher. I loved impacting students lives, but I knew in my heart that I would never be happy until I was able to create, travel, and be an artist full time.  It was SCARY leaving the comfort of a guaranteed paycheck, moving states, and diving in to the unknown.  But I wanted my dreams to take me places MORE than the level of my fear.  I think that made the difference in my life.











Talk to you soon,
Dale

Stone Chapel Wedding Teaser

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Hey everybody!

I'm about to share a gorgeous wedding with lovely gold details and sequins... Haley and Steven threw a great party too!
Let's check out this darling couple with one of my favorite portraits of them from the wedding day...





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Stone Chapel Wedding Details for Haley and Steven

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Hey everybody!
I love when wedding design is done well. It's not incredibly obvious... it just FEELS right.  That's the perfect amount of design that went in to Haley and Steven's wedding at Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm. The gold accents and black sequins were eye catching but perfectly (not overly) done. Take a look...




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Stone Chapel Wedding Story of Haley and Steven

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Hey everybody!

It has been a while since I had photographed a wedding at Stone Chapel, but it's beauty and prestige hasn't lessened a bit. If anything, it's been refined and is even more beautiful than I remember.  It was the location for the both the wedding and reception for Haley and Steven.

We chose to hold their first look out front of the stone chapel...what great reactions!

I love this moment Courtney caught of the flower girls helping the bride walk with her dress...

My friend Brandon from Retrotender was there... I always make him pose for a picture or two.



This picture is the epitome of happiness...



Haley wanted a fun, dancy reception... and she got it!






Talk to you soon,
Dale

Stone Chapel Wedding Portraits of Haley and Steven

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Hey everybody!
I absolutely LOVE these wedding portraits at Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm. This first one, though not technically a portrait, is just perfect and sums up the fun this couple has together.  SO sweet.




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Change the Inner Voice

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Hey everybody!

Driving isn't my favorite.  Especially if it's just me in the car.  However, it makes it so much more bearable when I'm listening to something entertaining.  Maybe that's a current spotify playlist, but today it has been the audiobook Start, by Jon Acuff. I've now finished the book (it was a long drive!) and have a couple takeaways.  I don't want to give a summary of it because I think you should go read it for yourself if you're interested in the premise, but these things jumped out at me as great life mantras, regardless of where you are in life:

Change the inner voice: We all have that voice inside our heads that constantly talks to us, right?  Most of the time... for me, it's ALL the time... it's a negative voice.  You can't do this... people won't sign up/buy in... you don't look the part... or whatever.  We need to work hard on overpowering that voice. Speak out loud that we CAN do it, we ARE smart enough, we DO have what it takes.  Change the inner voice.

It's never too late to start: If you're not happy in your current job, or your current situation (boyfriend, parent, club, whatever), it's never too late to make that change!  Even though there may have been a thousand little things that led you down the road to where you are... if you're not happy or not being fulfilled, START. Make the change that gets you onto the path you want to be on. I love that! So inspiring!



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Shaw Family Portraits

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Hey everybody!

I love seeing my couples grow their families! Lindsay and Jeff now have a beautiful baby girl, Norah, and we recently got together for a fun family session. This girl was all smiles and fun; I couldn't believe it! Check out a few of my favorites:





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Give It Away

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Hey everybody!

Today's super thought is once again lifted from the message at church but I am putting my own real life application to it.

Today the guest pastor discussed the differences between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. While both are fed by the same river (the Jordan River), one flourishes while the other doesn't. Can you guess which one doesn't flourish? Yeah, the Dead Sea... It is so rich in minerals (has a lot more salt content than the oceans) that life can't really flourish there, while the Sea of Galilee gives off much life.

The main reason, according to the pastor, is that there is not outgoing stream from the Dead Sea. It just sits there collecting and collecting and never gives anything off.

We as people are meant for relationships and sharing and interacting and giving. Whether that means as spouses, as Christians, as leaders in our profession, as parents, as friends, etc. we are out here to give to others, not to collect for ourselves. The result of living a life merely focused on collecting (collecting is good and sustains, don't get me wrong... It's the keeping) can be destructive.

What are ways we can give? That's the easy part... Obviously giving money is one way, but so is giving time. Giving service. Sharing knowledge (this is my favorite way, which led to my book, 5 Minute Fix, where I gave away information every day for a year). Let's give it away this week friends!


On a side note, I'm traveling this week again... Currently in Chicago, but I'm so thankful that my church broadcasts live! I get to watch and be a part of my church family even when I'm not able to physically be there.




Talk to you soon,

Dale




Happy Anniversary Rebecca and Reid

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Hey everybody!

Somebody's celebrating a year of marriage today! Congrats to Rebecca and Reid who were married in Benton/LR this day last year. I remember driving up on the Clinton Library for the reception and seeing fall leaves already. I knew that we needed to use them, and that incredible sunset light that ALWAYS happens when I shoot at the Clinton Library, for their portraits. R and R... I wish y'all the happiest of days today!





Talk to you soon,
Dale

LA Headshots for Nicki

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Hey everybody!

I've got another headshot/model shoot for your today. It started as a headshot shoot, but Nicki was such a great model we just went with it! Hahaha! Like the other one I did recently, I asked her a few questions so you could get to know her a little bit. So fun!



1.tell me about you in 140 characters or less:

I’m a caffeine addict who loves rock music and travelling the world. I come froma tiny town with a very big reputation and I never set myself limits I know for sure I can reach!

2.what’s your dream job:

My dream job would be to have a job that feels like I’m living a dream. A job that I wake up excited to go to every morning and never makes me feel like I’m working for the sake of a paycheck.  

3.who are your inspirations (music/film/tv):

Musical inspirations for me personally have been people like Prince, so full of talent and charisma and so genuinely committed to his life’s work. As well as bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers who’s songs are derived from poetry and created as a unit. 

4.what has been your favorite LA memory:

My favourite LA memory was the day I handed out matching necklaces to all of my girls and we became the Dandelions; All petals of a single flower flying away from our nests to fulfill our wishes.

6. what is your advice for someone coming to LA to pursue their dreams:

Get a Visa!!! Haha

7.what’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in LA (or your career):
The biggest challenge in LA was leaving the people I now consider my family behind. In the airport when I was in tears a lady at the counter asked me if I was ok and I said no. When she asked me why I told her: “I miss my family and I don’t know when I will see them again”. I wasn’t talking about the family I left behind in Europe, I was talking about the family I was leaving in LA.

8.tell me something fun about you:

I love to dance like an absolute lunatic whenever the feeling pops up inside of me whether I am in private or public, in a car or on the street and I have no shame when I suddenly burst into a spasm dance-like state.

9.what would be your dream day:
My dream day happened so many times whilst living in LA. Every time I got to spend the day with all these people that I love so much all together. Going to Universal studios for example or driving to Palm Springs or San Fran, just good fun all together.

10.what song must I stop everything and go listen to (or book to read, or movie to watch):

BOOK TO READ!! John Steinbeck’s East of Eden is an amazing book and worth a read if you have not yet graced it’s pages.

11.what’s your mantra (phrase/saying/quote) by which you live your life, or your favorite quote

I often say one specific thing to remind myself not to take life too seriously and to remember not to let the bad things in this world get me down, I say: Live Life Laughing. In most situations you can find the funny and the best things in life are the funny things that make us laugh so much we can’t breath and tears stream from our eyes. The best thing in life is to be happy so if you’re feeling sad, find a way to make yourself laugh again and you will pull through.

Rustic Engagement Portraits

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Hey everybody!

When my engagement couples email me before the shoot and ask for a good nature or rustic location, I have a so many great ones to choose from, but this location has been one of my favorites for a long time. It has a huge white barn and lots of tall grass, making it easy for a lot of different poses and possibilities in a small space. Cassie's engagements were so easy to shoot - they were quite the couple! Here are a few favorites:




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Chanel Wilhelmina Model Shoot

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Hey everybody!

I'm finishing out my recent shoot with Chanel today on the blog. She's such a talented model for Wilhelmina, and I had a really easy and wonderful time photographing her. This last series is simple with a little edge to them. Take a look:




Talk to you soon,
Dale
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