Shooting dates announced...

Hey Everybody,
Meredith and I have decided on our dates for the Lights of the Ozarks shoots we've been planning. This Friday, November 30th and this Sunday, December 2nd, from 6pm-7:30pm we will be at the square in Fayetteville photographing families, couples, and children. If you'd like to sign up, please email me (and include your phone number) and we'll get you scheduled.
The lights are really beautiful and make for a wonderful background. The image is perfect for Christmas cards too! Below, I've included Meredith and my Christmas Card from last year (which shows the lights somewhat) so you can get a small idea about what it looks like.
The packages are really simple:
Basic shoot - $25 includes 3 poses and images online for 30 days.
Christmas Card package - $50 includes basic shoot with 20 4x6 size custom-designed Christmas cards (for samples, see the Christmas Card post)

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!
Dale

Twin Trashing! (2 of 2)

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Here are more pics from the double dress trashing. I hope you're all enjoying time with your family and friends today!
Enjoy the pics!
Dale

P.S. Isn't the lighting awesome?!






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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment. Actually, this fulfills it. Maybe we'll keep it going.

Twin Trashing! (1 of 2)

Here it is. The much-anticipated double dress trashing for Sarah and Candace. We've all been so excited for this and the pictures turned out amazing. The shoot was so much fun! Let me know what you think about the pictures!
I'll post more tomorrow,
Dale







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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment

Happy Birthday, Brother!

Today, my baby bro turns 26. That's old. Especially for him (though, we're only 1 year and 9 months apart). I thought I'd put up a couple pictures of him.

My favorite memories of my brother and me revolve around our movie making. Whether it is a Radiohead music video, a hole-in-one highlight, or a superman parody, we found interesting ways to enjoy ourselves.

Though we were there to enjoy each other's company, my brother also helped me through the single hardest time in my life. When dealing with some hard personal stuff a while back, I crashed at his apartment, leaving my house empty, with him and his new wife to deal with me. I know it wasn't easy for either of them, but I honestly don't know how I would have made it through without his support.

I have thousands of stories about him, and if you know me at all, you've probably heard them all more than twice. Traveling to see Michael Jordan (and being within a few feet of him), photographing my first wedding (8 or 9 years ago), getting in a very physical fight with him the day before our yearbook photos were taken... to name a few.

Lately, I've been more proud of him than ever. Marrying a wonderful girl who makes him a better person, having an adorable little boy, remodeling his home, and working hard earning a huge promotion are only a few reasons.

While I was labeled "The Good Son" growing up, we now share the crown.

I love you, brother.

Dale

The two of us in action at a recent wedding...



One of our album covers or something...

Pretty sure he wasn't winking at me.

Ellie... my associate-in-training

I love that Ellie has seen me with a camera so much, it is just a natural thing to her. Lately, she has taken an interest in taking pictures too. Now, I know she's only three, but you can't start too young, right? Check out these cute pics!

With one of my backup cameras (and a lens she can handle... ;)


That's right, already turning the camera for vertical shots! It's all about composition, kid.


I guess this is what kids take pictures of when Daddy's not looking. I have an entire card filled with these "moment" shots... that's my girl!

Beautiful Belly...

As long as it stays warm like this... we're going to keep shooting outside! Below are some images I made of Holly a few days ago with her big, cute, pregnant belly!
Enjoy!
Dale





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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Family Fun...

Hey everybody,
So, I've been shooting like crazy this past week. I'm trying to get everybody their own day on the blog, which means I'm both shooting, processing, and posting everyday. That, as you can tell, doesn't give me a day off. But, that's what Thanksgiving and Christmas is for... ha ha.
So, here are a couple family pics I took a week ago today. Enjoy!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Dale




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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Jennifer and Ryan were married a week ago today at a church two blocks from their home in Purcell, MO. They wanted to incorporate their home, which they flipped and remodeled (while planning the wedding!), so many of the pictures below are from their home. After their wedding, they held a reception at the Briarbrook Country Club and then honeymoon in Jamaica.
Enjoy the pics!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Dale










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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Seniors... 3 of 3

I've known Lindsey for so so so long. During our long history, I've lost things of hers, made her so mad she wouldn't speak to me for about 2 weeks, received countless meals from her (I think she sustained my life for about an entire year), gone to camp with her, and watched her change and grow a thousand percent. She is so unique and so special, and I'm happy to call her a friend.
How about that, Lindsey?! ;)
Enjoy her pics!

Talk to you tomorrow,
Dale







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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Seniors weekend... part 2 of 3

Here's the second installment of senior weekend: Abby. In my mind, I've always called her sassy Abby. I don't know why. Well, yes I do. It goes back to the days of yearbook class. Those were fun times. Anyway, I can't believe that she's all grown up! Check out her pics...

Talk to you tomorrow,
Dale







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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Seniors weekend... part 1 of 3

For the next few days, I'm going to post some senior portraits I've been working on. Back in the day, I used to photograph seniors galore. It is such a fun type of shoot for me.

The first one is Michelle. Though I've never been her teacher, she used to always hang out in my classroom. Her dad was one of my college professors when I was getting my undergrad degree... I always told him he talked and laughed like Jerry Seinfeld. I don't know what that has to do with this shoot, so I'm shutting up now... ;)
Enjoy the pics!

Talk to you tomorrow,
Dale







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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

New engagement website for Lauren and Dusty

Hey everybody! Check out this custom designed website I did for Lauren and Dusty. I love the design.

You MUST read the stories... they're so sweet!
Here's the link:

http://www.benfieldphotography.net/engagements/laurendusty/home.html

(image is not a link to site)



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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

A Double Dress Trashing...

Looking over my schedule, I have a busy weekend coming up. However, Sunday will provide something a little bit separated from the norm: A double dress trashing! Sarah and Candace, sisters and recent brides, have asked me if they could do their trash the dress (TTD) sessions together. From the first moment I heard it, I was on board! What a cool idea, and a great bonding experience! Stay tuned for pictures.
Below is a shot of me from a recent TTD session. All for the glory of the image... ha ha!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Dale



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This post is part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Whoops, an hour late. ;)

Hey everybody!
So, I've been slaving away processing pictures, backing up the wedding I photographed yesterday and the family shoot I did today, creating a save-the-date design for magnets, and working on an engagement website... and it's now 1 am and I missed my deadline. Whoops! I guess it still counts as long as I put in up on here before I go to bed. So, here we go...

When I was younger, I played tee-ball. Well, anything baseball I guess. Looking back, I wish I could have played everything: soccer, golf, football, etc. I think that's the reason Ellie does that. I realize she's only three, and has pretty much zero idea of what's going on once the whistle blows, but it's too cute to not have her play. See if you agree...

Enjoy the pics!
Dale




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This entry is our part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Birthday Workday

A few months ago, I got an email from Jennifer, a bride-to-be. After being referred to me by TJFormal owner Roanna Rose (thanks Roanna!!), she wanted to meet with Meredith and me about photographing her wedding. Unfortunately, her wedding was November 10: Meredith's birthday.

Before responding to the email, I called Meredith at work and asked her if she wanted to shoot it. After she agreed, we met with her and hit it off well. She liked our style and wanted us for her wedding day.

Let me just say, Meredith is a wonderful girl. She worked so hard today and made it flow so well and stick to schedule. All the while wearing her high heels and not a single word of complaint. At one point I was sad, however, when I told her happy birthday for the 10th time of the day and she said, "Oh yeah, I forgot it was my birthday!" Poor, sweet girl! I hope your birthday present makes you forget all about the hard work you gave today!

I want you to know that I love you and appreciate you more than you know!

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Here is an INCREDIBLE shot that Meredith got on her Birthday Workday:





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This entry is our part of our blog-a-day commitment.

Remember the thank you note I got last week? Here are her wedding pictures. They had a really beautiful wedding on the lawn in front of Old Main on the U of A campus. Heather and Christopher are both really unique! And their wedding and engagement was anything but ordinary. If I learned one thing from this couple it would be this: make your wedding your own.
Enjoy the pics!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Dale







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This entry is our part of our blog-a-day commitment.