Happy 4th of July!!

Hey everybody!

Happy Independence Day! Two things have really shocked me about Mexico so far this trip: 1) the weather has NOT been crazy hot - actually, the high has been 90 each day with a lovely ocean breeze. 2) They love Independence Day. I'm no history major, but I'm pretty sure that holiday is merely for the USA. I think, maybe, they just look for any reason to PARTAYYY!!! :)
I happen to love 4th of July because of the many memories that have happened on this date during my life. Hopefully you're with the people you love on this fun-filled day!

Two people who are crazy in love and get to spend this weekend together are Chelsea and Seth, whose blog I posted yesterday. I told you there would be more images to come, and here they are!

PHOTOGRAPHERS: The first three images have the super-popular Beth texture applied. I've been getting a lot of emails about whether we're going to sell Beth, and after much thought and discussion, we've decided that we will sell Beth, BUT ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT! Stay tuned for details in the next week about how you can make Beth yours!

Okay, on with the show.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

The first three images have Beth overlayed...



These next two are SOOC (straight out of the camera = no photoshop needed!)

Seth and Chelsea's engagement session

Hey everybody!

If I was leaving my fiance for 6 weeks, this would be a fun way to end it. Seth is heading to Little Rock to a law firm while Chelsea is in Fayetteville. In my opinion, there was no sweeter time to celebrate Chelsea and Seth by shooting their engagement session.

We met later in the day, starting the shoot at 6:30, for two reason: 1) It wouldn't be insanely hot and 2) the lighting is a gorgeous color this time of day. We shot a ton, though it didn't really seem like it, and got a sweet moments. So many so that we're going to split this into two days of posts! I know we did this with Hailey and Matt's e-session, and I don't anticipate this setting a precedent, but I just had to put more images from Seth and Chelsea's session.

I happen to know that Seth and Chelsea get to be together this weekend, so I wanted to give them something incredibly fun to do: enjoy their engagement images!

Below is day one of our favorites...

Talk to you soon,
Dale



If you follow me on twitter, www.twitter.com/dalebenfield, you got this sneaky teaser already. Isn't this a GREAT moment?!!!

Hello from Cancun!

Hey everybody!

After traveling yesterday on a really small plane, and then a really big plane, Meredith and I are here at the Dreams Cancun Resort where Lindsey and Bryan will be getting married!

Though we are here for work, we have had a chance to walk around, relax, and spend some time on the beach! My white Arkansas skin will surely turn a violent pink within hours, but the scenery is quite worth it! And everybody here is so sweet to us.

Enjoy images we took yesterday from around the room and resort.

Here's the view from the room - we have a corner room with balcony, so we can see forever in different directions.



And our room:

Mere's view from dinner last night:

And my view:

And a shot for my dad, who loves lighthouses:


Despite the shotty internet connection, I'll still be posting everyday - so check back everyday!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Kelli and Wes' album

Hey everybody!

Meredith and I are off to Cancun to shoot Bryan and Lindsey's wedding at the Dreams resort! We're super excited, except for the actual traveling part - could do without that. I thought I'd give you a little eye candy to fill the void in your soul. :)

Take a look at Kelli and Wes' album - they had such a gorgeous wedding day!
Head to the following link and turn the pages like a book (or, if you're feeling less adventurous, use the arrows on your keyboard).

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Phoenix Kai Benfield: Shoot #3

Hey everybody!

Yesterday was Maddox's day... today is his brother's day. Phoenix Kai and I got to hang out in the front yard around the time the sun was going down. He's such a sweet, quiet little guy, who spends most of the time I'm around soaking up the world. Check out a few pics below. By the way, photographers, these images are sooc - which just proves if you get it right in camera, the post is easy-peasy.

Okay, it's late and I have to pack!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Favorite little photographer

Hey everybody!

Here's my ADORABLE nephew, Maddox! According to him, Uncle Dale is his favorite uncle. He also likes pirates, reading books, and reading books about pirates. His favorite thing to do with me, though, is kung-fu panda fight.

I came over the other day and let him mess around with the Canon 5D mark II with a 50mm 1.2L lens on it. He liked it, but thought the video function was too complicated. Ha ha ha! If you're not a photographer, just ignore that last part.

What I love about Maddox is the way he laughs - it's more like a crazy giggle. And his hair. Both his dad and I are Jealous (yes, that's with a capital "J"). And of course, his love for me. :)

Enjoy some pics of my best little buddy.

Talk to you soon,
Dale


This is what we in the photo business call "chimping" - no need to look at the back of the camera if you no know you've got it. ;)


Okay, so how sweet is he here?! And how gorgeous is that light?!!! No Photoshop needed!


And one last one from my silly angle:

Samae "just because" portrait session

Hey everybody!

Meredith and Samae remind me so much of each other: they love art, cats, and sushi (not to mention they are both so adorable and sweet). Any of these three things could send them into a 30 minute conversation (without taking breaths). That's probably why the three of us were INSTANTLY such good friends!

While we were in Columbia, MO a few weeks back we got to spend time with her! Samae is one of the most creative and artistically driven people I know... so I was excited that she asked us to take some photos of her! Samae works as the Art Director at Miller's Professional Lab, a sister company of the one and only Mpix (which, you already KNOW we love!!).

We were happy to help her surprise her husband, Wade, with some fun fresh photo love!
Below are a few of our favorites! Doesn't she just look so fun?!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Chelsea's bridal session

Hey everybody!

Meredith, Lauren, and I are in Little Rock this weekend for Chelsea and Jonathan's super classy wedding. You know what that means! I can finally post a couple of Chelsea's bridal portraits! We look forward to sharing their wedding with you soon, but enjoy these in the meantime.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Here are my favorite three things about Chelsea: she's beautiful, has the best laugh, and can be goofy!

Flashy Blog Header

Hey everybody! This one's for photographers!

I got an email from Ft. Smith photographer Ray Peoples about me new blog header. You know, the one that is like a mini-slideshow and totally sweet?! Yeah, that one. ;)

Hey Dale & Meredith,

I really enjoy checking out your stuff!
My question I had for you was actually about your blog and how you got the slideshow header working for ya. Any help would be great... thanks guys...
Ray Peoples

Here's my answer: there are two ways you can do it. The first is through flash. Slideshows have become simpler in flash since I began using it 3 or 4 versions ago. The problem is having blogger host it as a title. So, the smart way around it, and what I did, was to create an animated gif in Photoshop. That way, blogger could handle it. If you don't know what an animated gif is, or have no idea how to create one that flips through images, let me know and I'll send you a really nerdy email. Also, make sure you have a fair chunk of time to dedicate to the project that is distractionless.

Hope that helps!
Dale

Janelle and Aaron Tie the Knot!

Hey everybody!

Janelle and Aaron have been waiting for this day for a very long time! The couple booked us about 18 months ago, and had already been engaged for a while before that. Now that they've both finished school (and have jobs in NWA! YAY!!) the day finally got here!

They must have spent time figuring out the details, because check out their detail board!


And here's a shot of the sweet couple:


Now, just Janelle. This was a shot Meredith got just after she finished getting ready. It's quite stunning.


Janelle and Aaron's first meeting. They were both so emotional!


The wedding was at her father's house, and was gorgeous. Here's Daddy walking her down the aisle.


Then it was official; sealed with a kiss.


I just love the sun as they are leaving the ceremony


Yay! Portrait time!!






They did a great job of incorporating their colors into everything!


Yes, I know, I've said it before... Daddy dances get me choked up!


I love the expression.


I love these expressions more.


I love these expressions MOST of all!


Congratulations Janelle and Aaron! We're so happy you're moving out northwest Arkansas!

Talk to you soon,
Dale