Photography Afriel: tips for brides

New Caterer in NWA: Ruth's Chris! Mmmmm...

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Today's post is for all the brides out there...<br /><br />Before we left for Paris a few weeks ago, we had the chance to sit down with our new friends at Ruth's Chris in Rogers, who had some exciting news for us (and for our brides!): they are now catering special events!  <br /><br />As you know, I LOVE good food - is there a better restaurant in NWA?  I'm not sure!  Their steaks are to-die-for!  So, just imagine my excitement when I pictured myself eating delicious steaks at weddings!  Does life get better?  Nope!<br /><br />Here's some info...<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/ruths_chris_catering_nwa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/ruths_chris_catering_nwa.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 632px;" /></a><br />And you can download a sample menu pdf <a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/RC_cater.pdf">here</a><br /><br />Make sure to tell them that I sent you - I wanna feel like I'm doing my little part in the world!  Oh, and if you book them, tell me!  Maybe I can give you something free for feeding me yummy food at your reception! :)<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

tips for brides New Caterer in NWA: Ruth's Chris! Mmmmm...

Hey everybody! Today's post is for all the brides out there... Before we left for Paris a few weeks ago, we had the chance to sit down w...

Benny Awards Recap!

9:59 PM 0

Hey everybody! If you don't follow me on instagram , you missed my super exciting news about the Benny Awards: we had a food truck cater...

To See or Not To See??

12:23 AM 0

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Over the next few days, I get to share a truly great day with y'all! David and Emily's Dallas wedding had amazing details and super sweet moments that I can't wait to share, but first I want to discuss their first meeting.<br /><br />99 percent of our couples ask us whether they should see each other before the wedding and have a special first meeting moment.  I could almost answer this one in my sleep.  But I'll let Emily and David's faces to the talking for me.<br />Sure, they were no longer a ball of nerves... Sure, they got all the pictures out of the way before the wedding... Sure, they got to just go hang out with their friends and family after the wedding instead of dragging them all back inside for more... But look at how special this moment is!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting001.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting002.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br />Even more than her reaction, I love his...<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/first_meeting/wedding_first_meeting003.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br />We'd never make a bride and groom see each other before if they didn't want to. We totally respect our clients' wishes, but if you're a bride struggling with this, check out other benefits of seeing each other before the wedding ceremony. You might just find that it's the perfect solution for you and your special day!<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

Arkansas wedding photographer tips for brides To See or Not To See??

Hey everybody! Over the next few days, I get to share a truly great day with y'all! David and Emily's Dallas wedding had amazing det...

It's ALL About Lighting!!

9:03 PM 0

Hey everybody!  Today is my 826th straight day of blogging (and boy are my arms tired).<br /><br />You've likely heard me preach this before, but to all the bride and grooms out there... invest in lighting for your reception!  It makes SO much difference! <br /><br />At the Benny Awards this year (and every year) we made sure to have great lighting.  A big ol' shout out to our friends at <a href="http://eventprodgroup.com/">Event Production Group</a> for bringing the lights, setting them up, and then coming back and taking them all down when we finished for the evening (they're a dream!).<br /><br />Okay, check out this before and after: yucky ol' blank canvas + awesome lighting = dreamy awesomeness for all to enjoy!<br /><br />:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/lightingExample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="1120" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/lightingExample.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

Event Production Group tips for brides Vendors It's ALL About Lighting!!

Hey everybody! Today is my 826th straight day of blogging (and boy are my arms tired). You've likely heard me preach this before, but t...

Location location location! For engagement shoots, it's all about location

7:59 PM 0

Hey everybody!  Today is my 790th straight day of blogging!<br /><br />The title says it all, but let me explain...<br />If you're one of my 2010 or 2011 couples, I probably asked you to send me iPhone pics of what you wanna wear to your engagement session.  Sometimes I feel a little bit like a stylist, which is a super fun (albeit unknown) part of my job.  After working with our couples on guiding them to the perfect outfits, my lovely team and I get to work on pairing locations that work perfectly with those outfits.<br /><br />Cool right??!!<br /><br />Yeah, I know.  :)<br /><br />Here are some examples of what I'm talking about.  Notice how well the background goes with the couple's outfits.<br /><br />(by the way, don't we have the most GORGEOUS brides?!?!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1028_katy/arkansas_wedding_photographer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1028_katy/arkansas_wedding_photographer_1.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1109_jennifer/fall-engagement-benfield-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1109_jennifer/fall-engagement-benfield-4.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1102_lauren/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1102_lauren/2.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br />The whole FEEL of this works perfectly.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1205_mallory/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1205_mallory/003.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/120109_brooke/vintage-engagement-photos-016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="639" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/120109_brooke/vintage-engagement-photos-016.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/111009_ashley/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/111009_ashley/03.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br />Color perfect!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/110409_lavy/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="639" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/110409_lavy/6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1113_hillary/fayetteville_engagement_portraits_Benfield_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/1113_hillary/fayetteville_engagement_portraits_Benfield_1.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/0630_abby/005" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/0630_abby/005" width="600" /></a></div><br />If you're one of our upcoming couples, use this post as inspiration in picking your outfits! <br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

engagement tips for brides Location location location! For engagement shoots, it's all about location

Hey everybody! Today is my 790th straight day of blogging! The title says it all, but let me explain... If you're one of my 2010 or 201...