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Cheek Family Portraits

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Hey everybody!

When Carla's shoot was coming up she sent me a quick little email that admitted she jumped the gun on booking without thinking about what the leaves would look like... thankfully, I was able to spot a few fall feeling leaves and took her sweet family there for some portraits. I absolutely love these, and Jesse and Caleb were perfect models for me!





Talk to you soon,
Dale

My New Headshots

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Hey everybody!

From time to time, it's important to have your picture taken as a photographer. Putting yourself in the shoes of your clients keeps you in tune with what a grueling and nerve-wracking experience having your photograph made can be. I recently sat down for some new headshots (I haven't had any pics of me taken since I've grown my beard last October or so!) and honestly, that's too long! I feel like people should have new photographs made every time their look has changed! So, I'm practicing what I preach, and the results are below. I don't hate them. :)









Talk to you soon,
Dale

Actor Headshots for Paola

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Hey everybody!

I've got another actor headshot post for you today... Which turned into a little fashion shoot with Paola who was seriously fun to shoot! Like the last few, I sent her questions to answer for her blog post.




1. Tell me about you in 140 characters or less.
Puerto Rican girl with a big laugh. Lives in the 7th cloud of her mind palace. Over thinker, perfectionist, and scatterbrain.

2. What’s your dream job?
Uff, tough one, I would say my dream job would be something that changes constantly--a new challenge every day. Routine is necessary in our lives but I don’t want to be encapsulated in a job routine; sometimes we become so automated that we act and live by default. I want to be passionate, excited and challenged by it.

3. Who are your inspirations (music/film/tv)
In film, my absolute inspiration is Meryl Streep; she is a chameleon.

4. What has been your favorite LA memory?
I enrolled in a course this past June and it was the first time in my entire life that I would be living with roommates. I was FREAKING OUT – for obvious reasons – but as an honorable mention lets say: I want things to be done when I want them, I like my alone time, I like occasional silence, I like cleanliness and tidiness and to finish it I CAN’T deal with dirty kitchens and bathrooms – just some of my concerns haha. To make the long story short, I ended up living with 5 other girls, and to this day I cherish whoever put us all together. I can’t imagine myself living alone anymore. We literally fell in love with each other. I love and treasure every memory in apartment 209 with my dandelions.

5. What is your advice for someone coming to LA to pursue their dreams?
Don’t take anything personal... rejection is extremely common here. If you come here you have to believe in yourself 1,000%; if not, master it and then come. Also be prepared: Traffic and NO parking are the order of the day, everyday.

6. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in LA (or your career)?
My biggest challenge in LA – don’t laugh – was to sign a lease haha. When I came here that was not my original plan and for some reason I made a huge deal out of it, but here I am. The lease is signed and I wish I would have done it earlier.

7. Tell me something fun about you.
If rhythm reaches my feet, climbs through my veins, touches my hips, and if it dares talk to my heart, and they understand each other, etiquette is lost; this girl WILL dance. That combined with my loud laugh is the reason my mother says she lost too much money in etiquette classes. HA!

8. What would be your dream day?
In a normal scenario I would have said that my dream day would be walking around the streets of a new country of interest, visiting museums and learning about its history. But right now, I think I already had my dream day. The girl that loves to travel could only ask for one thing for her birthday and it was to go back home and go do whatever she wanted in the places that she wanted with the people that she wanted at the time that she wanted.

9. What song must I stop everything and go listen to (or book to read, or movie to watch)?
It depends on my mood and state of mind so: Salted Wound by Sia, One Dance by Drake, Aria & Nightingale by Yanni and Lauren Jelencovich, El wanabí & Boricua en la luna by Fiel a La Vega, Con Te Partiro by Andrea Bocelli… well, the list could go on forever.



10. What’s your mantra (phrase/saying/quote) by which you live your life, or your favorite quote?

Words that I live by:

The more you tell me I can’t do it, the more I want to do it, so, keep telling me.

Life is not black and white; it’s all the shades of gray.

There are two things that you should NEVER do: assume and generalize.

What everybody else says or thinks about you is just their opinion.



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Michael and Megan's Chicago Engagement Portraits

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Hey everybody!

Traveling is one of my favorite things, especially if I can find time on the road to shoot portraits. My recent trip to Chicago resulted in some very cool, very urban engagement portraits for Megan and Michael. I met them at Trump tower, where their wedding will be held next year (excited for that!) and we shot around that area and then went down to Bryan Park for more. Here are my favorites from their engagements:





Talk to you soon,
Dale

More Headshots for... ME

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Hey everybody!

Yesterday was my 3200th blog post!  That's nuts!


I don't love having my picture made. I never know what faces to make, and I constantly wonder if I look stupid or awkward or uncomfortable. That is, unless I have a good, relaxing photographer shooting me. That is what happened recently for my new headshots, and that's the type of photographer I think of myself as. When I do a shoot, regardless of what type it is, my main objective is to make my subject feel comfortable. If my subject is comfy, the pictures turn out great!




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Happy Anniversary Dorothy and Jon!

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Hey everybody!

Three years ago today I was in New Jersey photographing the coolest wedding at the coolest venue at BonnetnIsland Estate! Oh, and of the coolest couple! Dorothy and Jon have style and their wedding showed it. From the Louboutins that would still melt the heart of any bride today, to her incredible Maggie Sottoro gown.  Let's walk down memory lane!












Talk to you soon,
Dale

Happy Birthday TOM!

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Hey everybody!

Longtime followers of this blog will already know who Tom is: not only is he my lifelong best friend, but also a bit of a hero. Tom and I met in the 2nd grade when he rode to my house on his skateboard. I didn't skate, but my older brother did. I rode a bike. I remember the first day I met him, I rode my bike the five blocks from my house to his, while he held on to my bike seat to pull him on his board. Not the most conventional of meetings, but the best things rarely are.

Since then, he taught me to skateboard, we had about 4 thousand sleepovers, I stole most of his girlfriends (sorry, Tom!), and he's made me laugh about 17 million times. I've watched him grow into a remarkable father and husband (and y'all have watched as his family has grown).

Happy birthday best buddy!





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Actor Headshot Photographer: Los Angeles: Mark

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Hey everybody!

I've been photographing lots and lots of LA actor headshots lately, yeah? They're so fun to shoot, and I find it in my wheelhouse since I love shooting portraits and finding good light. This is of my new friend Mark, who shares mutual friend with me in Los Angeles. He's hilarious, a write and actor, who has a bright future!




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Beautiful Stone Chapel Bridal Portrait

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Hey everybody!

I photographed the most beautiful and sentimental wedding yesterday; I can't wait to share! The bride is Ashley, who has a heart of gold. I am in love with this bridal portrait we photographed outside the Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm. Isn't she precious?





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Little Rock Mini Sessions Announced!

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Hey everybody!

It's that wonderful time of year again where I make a day trip to Little Rock and open up the schedule for mini sessions - perfect timing for Christmas Cards!

When: OCTOBER 18 between noon and 3:30pm
Where: Little Rock (I'll be choosing the location when I'm there this weekend for a wedding)
How much: $200
What's included: 30 minute session (one outfit), 5 retouched images, and all the digital files
How to book: email me dalebenfield@gmail.com and the first 5 families/couples get the spots!



Here are a few of my favorite family shots to help entice you. Haha!






Talk to you soon,
Dale

Sunset Silhouette

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Hey everybody!

When I was in high school, I entered my first photography competition. I ended up winning first place, which is so crazy to me even now, and I remember that I submitted an entry I named "Sunset Silhouette" (always a fan of alliteration I guess). I've always been fascinated by light, by the sun, by sunsets and I think it has greatly influenced my style. When I see a great sunset on my travels around the country - even if I'm in the middle of shooting a client - I have to make sure to capture that sun light. God is the most gifted artist and I'm thankful to witness his collection.





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Napa Valley Wedding at Meadowood: Morgan and Hunter

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Hey everybody!

It's October 11, which means two years ago I was shooting an incredible wedding at Meadowood Napa Valley - one of my all time favorite weddings and one of the most incredible wedding venues I've photographed.





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hollywood Actor Headshots for Pia

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Hey everybody!

One of the amazing people I've met lately during my recent trips to Los Angeles is Paola (she's been on the blog recently, so she might look familiar). She's a feisty and fun young lady with a huge laugh. I recently photographed her hollywood headshots with a more edgy look (as opposed to that fun floral look we did last time). Take a peek at my favorites in this look. Killer >>>





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Ashley and Billy's Wedding Details

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Hey everybody!

I don't even know where to begin with this wonderful, emotional wedding. Y'all are in for such a treat because Ashley and Billy treated their guests to a heartfelt ceremony and reception with plenty of gorgeous details. The details are on the blog today - she had such a succinct and well-planned color palette, as you'll see below...



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Tearjerker Wedding Day for Ashley and Billy

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Hey everybody!

I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't shed a tear or two at this wedding.  Ashley let me know that due to her father's health they were going to move her wedding date earlier to assure his presence on her most special day.  Not only was dad there... he performed the ceremony! I was so honored to be a part of such a special day for Ashley and her husband, Billy.

Instead of doing a first look with Billy (which was okay because we had extra time to do portraits of the couple), she did one with her father.  You'll also see that this was not the only time she shed a tear (that first dance shot is so special!).  Take a look at Ashley and Billy's wedding day through images...




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Stone Chapel Wedding Portraits of Ashley and Billy

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Hey everybody!

Shooting at the same location for back to back weddings could have its challenges for portrait locations. However, not at Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm... so many great locations to shoot! I absolutely adore these, and I'm thankful Ashley and Billy were so easy to work with.





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hollywood Headshots for Bonnie

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Hey everybody!

I've been so fortunate to have so many shoots in California recently - of course I love my home in Fayetteville but it's nice to spend time on the west coast as well. Y'all surely know Bonnie (she's been on the blog plenty!)... well, I've been shooting headshots for her while she's out in L.A. working on her acting and modeling and we always have the best time shooting! Here are some recent favorites:




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Double Anniversary 🎉

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Hey everybody!

I love looking back to see what I was doing this day last year, two years, five years ago. I blame Timehop for this current obsession but also my respect for marriage and anniversaries. This day last year I caught a 5am flight from Brooke and Ryan's incredible Florida wedding to Jonesboro for Sabrina and Neal's darling nuptials. It was for sure my busiest weekend of the year but I thrive in working hard, being productive, and being on the go-go-go.

Sabrina sent me an email on her 6 month anniversary telling me how much she loves looking at her wedding images and how much it meant to her for me to be there (so sweet)! And Brooke and Ryan have become two of my closest friends over the past 12 months and have been there for me when I've needed friends over this past year. I couldn't be more thankful for my job and the relationships it has helped me form.

And now, let's look at some of my favorite portraits from these two weddings...




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Featured on CA Swim Website/Blog

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Hey everybody!

In my recent trips to the west coast, I've been able to shoot some really fun things and recently some of my images were featured on Los Angeles Swimwear company CA Swim from Bonnie's swimwear session! It's such an honor to have my work featured... to be honored for doing work that I love doing. Congratulations to Bonnie, too! She's a rockstar (read her interview on the CA SWIM blog).





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hannah's Senior Portraits (she's kind of a model!)

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Hey everybody!

I don't know if it's all the fashion and headshot shoots I've been doing in California recently, or if it's Hannah (pretty sure it's Hannah!) but this senior session just blew me away. Hannah was a legit model, and I was impressed! She knew how to pose with just minimal guidance and has a great style. I have a ton of favorites from her session so I think I'm going to break this up into two posts... Here's the first...





Talk to you soon,
Dale
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