You might wanna read this. {If you like free money}

***UPDATE*** My buddy John from Mpix saw this and emailed me... if you don't win (no one has emailed me yet), he gave me a code for you! Here's his message:
"As an added bonus... if they don't win....they can enter promo code daleb and receive 10% off the order. The code is only good for the next 48 hours."


Hey everybody!

Let me be very clear... this is NOT the first person who emails me. It is NOT the first to call me. It is NOT the first person to leave a comment.

It IS the first person to place an order with MPIX and enter the code and pin included in this blog!

Out of the KINDNESS of my own heart, and with the money of my own pocket, I am giving this 20 dollar gift card to whomever reads this first and places an order with mpix.com. They are a great, no wait... GREAT lab, and I recommend them to every beginning photographer I know! (for an expanded product line and pro services, I recommend MpixPro)

So, here it is! If you didn't win the code, you should go ahead and finish the order to see how FrEaKy FAST and sUpEr QUALITY they are.

Gift Code Pin Amount
2012588568157313 7742 $20.00

If you are the LUCKY WINNER, come back here and leave me a comment!
If you are not the lucky winner, leave a comment and tell me I'm a jerk for only offering one.

Good luck!

Also, check back tomorrow for an INSANE engagement session - can you say VINTAGE?!?!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Call for help!

Hey everybody,

My good photog friend Melinda sent this to me and I thought you all could help! Read on!



Talk to you soon,
Dale

It's Proposal Season... are you prepared?!

Hey everybody!

I got a call from a guy yesterday while I was in Target doing a little Christmas shopping. He told me he was preparing to propose to his girlfriend this Christmas season. By the way, I LOVE Christmastime proposals! Is there a better way to maximize the awesomeness of Christmas than with a ring? I think not! And then he took the entire proposal to a higher level when he asked:

Will you photograph my proposal?

Um, YES! How thoughtful of this guy to think that she's going to want a great shot of this life-changing moment! Well done, sir.

If you're a guy in a similar situation, email me or call me (479-871-2479)! You can even just fill out the "wedding date form" in the right column over there (just put in your proposal date instead). I assure you, she will thank you later!

If you're a girl hoping to get a ring, leave this blog post up on your computer screen (ever so subtly) so he can read it.

I can't wait to share those images with you sometime between Christmas and New Year's, but to whet your appetite, here are a some shots from Mitch's surprise proposal to Maggie in Paris.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

This is the sweetest proposal story! Mitch didn't let Maggie have any clue about what was going on. They were in Paris visiting family. He popped the question on Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge in Paris. Quelle Romantique!





Here's me pretenting to be a tourist until the proposal was happening right in front of me...


This is my very favorite shot - we shot by the Eiffel tower the next day for some Paris engagement shots. It's very Henri Cartier-Bresson


Talk to you soon,
Dale

Wedding Website for the "Mayor of the University of Arkansas"

Hey everybody!

After Seth single-handedly referred his 5th couple to us I finally asked, does Seth know EVERYBODY?! She replied that Seth was like the Mayor on campus (of University of Arkansas). I totally believe her. I've come to know Seth pretty well over the past couple months working on his website. He's very personable, maybe the nicest guy I know!

I love reading about how he met Chelsea. It's a very sweet story. I think he knew he wanted to marry her the minute he saw her.
Check out the story here, on their wedding website. The Save the Date design was created by my good friend Amy of Sincerely Yours (if you have never been to her blog, you're honestly missing out!)

Here's the link to their engagement website: sethandchelsea.com

And because posts are better with pictures, here's one of my favorites from their engagement session.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Black Friday Special? Why not!

Hey everybody!

My inbox EXPLODED today with specials for Black Friday deals. 20 percent off here, 20 dollars off there... deals deals deals everywhere.

In related news, I got an email today from a groom wanting to give his fiancee a Christmas present from us: a gift certificate for a big ol' canvas! Sorry, ladies, I'm not saying which of my grooms it was.

So here we go... I thought I'd offer a special for those of you checking my blog this Thanksgiving weekend. From right now until Monday at noon, I'm running TWO specials.

1) Gift certificates are on sale! Get a $100 for $90. Get a $200 for $175. Get a $300 for $250. And the best deal of all, get a $500 for $400! Say whaaaaat?!?!! If you know you're going to spend that anyway, save yourself some moolah and get these - even if you're treating yourself.

2) Give a session! If you buy a portrait session NOT for yourself, I'm taking $50 dollars off (your new total would be $299, and still has the $100 credit included). When they receive your thoughtful gift, they just talk with us to get the session on the schedule when it's convenient for them. Then, you are the hero when they love their pictures! Plus, you're the one that gets to say you turned them on to Benfield Photography.

So, there you have it! We'd love for you to surprise someone you love with the gift of images! Everyone loves images - it's the perfect gift!

To buy either of these, just click the link and send a payment in the amount listed above and you're good to go - we'll send out a darling little gift certificate to you for delivery.

http://www.benfieldphoto.com/pickpic/shop/addpayment.php

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. Gift certificates are not applicable to weddings already booked. Sorry!

I Am Thankful.

I am so thankful.

When considering today's post I first considered a picture post that had some sweet pictures of me with awesome wedding couples, my family, my friends, my fiancee, etc. and realized that it would take the entire front page of the blog.

The thing is, I love my life. I've surrounded myself with family who love me, friends who enjoy me, photographers who respect me, and pets who follow me. Everywhere I go. Also, I have a job that I love so much I never want a day off (hence today's blog post).

I am so thankful, because I am so blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Dale

Posh Kids: Caroline and Jack shake up Dickson

Hey everybody!

The very most favorite aspect of my job is that I get to know my clients so well. I first met Jack and Caroline two years ago and even then I adored this adorable brother and sister. Jack has such a fun and lively personality and Caroline is such a sweet sister to her fun-loving brother. I look forward to our "adventures" as I like to call them (because they are much more than photo shoots).

This shoot was definitely an adventure. Dickson has rarely seen a more fun time than we had (and Dickson has seen some fun times!) - we cruised up and down the street on foot stopping many times for some fun photos. There was lots of action, lots of motion, and lots of personality in our shots, and I just love what we got.

Without further adieu, I present the latest installment in the Jack and Caroline saga: Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Beautiful Belly Bump!

Hey everybody!

Kara is one of our favorite 2008 brides and now she's having a baby!! Baby Jude is coming any day now, so Mere and I headed over to Tulsa a couple weeks ago to do an Urban Belly Session before Kara popped! Jude is about to be born into one of our favorite families! He's already so lucky!
If you don't know what an Urban Belly session is, you're about to see a GREAT example! We created Urban Bellies as an awesome alternative to the weirdo-nudie-maternity shoots. They're fun and fashionable and fabulous - just like everything we do!

Check out some of our favorites below!









Congratulations and good luck to Kara and Jared Hale! We can't wait to meet Jude!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Making a list... checking it twice...

This post will remain at the top of the blog for the next week or so - I'll still be updating it everyday, but they will show up UNDER this post, so don't think I'm slacking!

Hey everybody!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Seriously. I adore Christmas time and everything that goes with it: yummy food, family time, and Christmas cards, to name but a few.

If you're a Christmas card giver like I am, you're going to love this next part: Meredith has whipped up some incredible Christmas card designs that we get to offer for 2009! YAY!!! Check them out below, and you can buy them with paypal so it's super easy. Once you order them, you'll receive them just a week later which should give you plenty of time to get them addressed and out the door! The cards are folded and you will be able to customize your message on the inside after you purchase them. Easy and awesome!

Lastly, if you want to get MY Christmas card, aka from my sweet family, send me your address using the "wedding date" contact form to the right - just put Christmas as the date and your address as the "about your wedding" box. I'd love to have you on my Christmas card list!!

Here's to the upcoming season! SO excited!
Dale


design #1

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

design #2

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

design #3

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

design #4

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

design #5

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

design #6

#sets of 25

1 sets $55.00 2 sets $100.00 3 sets $140.00 4 sets $165.00

My Upsetting Lunch (a warning to photographers)

Hey everybody,

I had a really UPSETTING lunch with a fellow photographer Friday. This particular photographer was a friend of my dad from when he had The Photo Place, the lab I worked at throughout college. She's a very sweet lady with a great sense of humor. However, she hasn't fully made the jump to digital.

About a month ago she emailed me, told me who she was (she didn't realize I was me) and asked if I had any advice for her. Now, for those of you who read my blog daily, you know I'm CRAZY BUSY; however, I invited her to lunch to talk about her questions and concerns. That's not breaking news, I have plenty of these every month.

During our lunch, she explained that she had tried to approach a couple photographers who had recently led a "Shoot-out" she attended. These two photographers (I know both of them - they're both within 2 hours of my house) encouraged the attendees to ask follow up questions in the coming weeks if they came up. Unfortunately, when she tried to follow up with these photographers she didn't receive help. Because I know these photographers, and know that they have benefited from others, it really disappoints me that they were not willing to share when it didn't benefit themselves. In my opinion, they just wanted to be "famous" when they led the shoot-out, and didn't want the responsibility that comes with being a leader.

Photographers... are you afraid that you're "training competition"? I don't get this... I only take on 25 weddings a year; there are plenty of weddings for everybody. Instead of the cold shoulder, I would rather make friends and create a referral system between photographers. Besides, it just feels good to help. Do you not enjoy helping people?

Lastly, here's my warning: if you don't change your frame of mind, two things are going to happen to you: 1) everyone is going to think you're an ass. Assuredly, you don't want this. Wouldn't you rather be respected? and 2) everybody else is going to build each other up with support and referrals, and when you want help, you won't find it. So, stop being jerks.

Sorry that I had to waste a day of blogging on this matter, but hopefully it will create some change and do some good.

As always, if you're a photographer and need help, feel free to contact me!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer: Mollie's Bridal Portraits

Hey everybody!

Today, Stephen is a very lucky man! Today, he marries Molly.

Molly met us in Tulsa a couple months ago to photograph her gorgeous dress (with her in it, of course) at the unbelievable Philbrook museum in Tulsa, OK. For those who have been there, you know how breathtaking it is. Now, imaging a stunning bride in a stunning dress at this stunning location. It definitely makes my job not seem like work ;)

See what I mean?! Check out my favorites below!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Quite a great birthday present, IMHO

Hey everybody!

First off, I want to with my brother a super fantastic 28th birthday!!
Secondly, I am going to tell you what I got him for his birthday, as well as what I got my friend Regan, as well as my photo buddy Becker, all in the past handful of weeks: photo lab gift cards!

Everybody can use these! Obviously, if you're reading my blog you like pictures and photography, you know what I'm talking about. Wouldn't you love to get one of these?

Well, wouldn't you?

I tell you what... I'm going to post a gift code and PIN number to an mpix.com giftcard on my blog sometime in the next 14 days. Be the first to check and use it and it's yours! Once the code and PIN are used, however, it will not be valid, so be sure to check the blog early and often each day! Oh, how fun!

Happy birthday Brother!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. They make good Christmas presents too!

Graves kiddos = P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S!!!

Hey everybody!

Wanna meet some super cuties?! Madeline and Tucker are the kind of cute that just make you want to explode! I first met them way back during the Monday's Child photo shoots that I used to do. This time, Madeline and Tucker's parents purchased a donated session through CASA and really wanted to shoot the photographs in the gorgeous leaves at Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus. Check out some faves and leave a comment!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Taryn and Rodney's just because session

Hey everybody!

Two weeks ago Taryn and her husband Rodney came up from Pine Bluff, AR for an engagement style shoot. Earlier this spring Mere shot a Secret Session with Taryn, and she kept going on and on about how sweet Taryn was, so I was excited to meet her! Their session happened to be scheduled the day after we got engaged, and in super-sweet fashion, Taryn showed up to the shoot with an engagement gift for Mere! How adorable is that? When we got into the car after the shoot was over, Mere said "I just love her!" We seriously have the best clients!
Taryn and Rodney were so easy and laid-back, which made for a great shoot! Here are a few of our favorites!









Thanks to Taryn and Rodney for making the trip up from Pine Bluff just for us! AND thanks for the sweet gift! Mere LOVES it!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Dale: the pre-school teacher

Hey everybody!

Today was a proud daddy moment for me: I had the privilege of teaching Ellie's pre-k class all about photography.

I'll admit, I was way more nervous teaching 5 years old than I am teaching college students; however, their sweet little kid eyes melted away my nerves so I could rock out the photo lesson.

I brought some old school cameras, medium format and 35mm, film, negatives, Polaroid, and digital, and loved seeing there little faces light up when I started passing it all around.

Then I talked about how photographers are actually storytellers! I told them that I love my job of telling the story of a bride's wedding. This led in to looking at a wedding album I brought, going through and telling the story of the wedding. It was really cool!

After my book, I showed a few other books pertaining to photography: "Zoom" and "Flotsam" are two of my very favorites! You should look at them next time you're in Barnes-a-Million (I hope I just made that up).

We ended our time with a craft and a group photo, and I could tell the kids had a great time. They were laughing with me the entire time. Too fun.

And, the cherry on top was I could see that Ellie was proud of her daddy.

Talk to you soon,
Dale


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone----yes, I typed this all on my iPhone. My thumb is tired.

Kickin' it old skool.

Hey everybody!

I'm not one who longs for the old, glory days. I will say, however, that I have had a pretty rad couple weeks filled with Nintendos, skateboards, saxophones, and 80s band t-shirts. Doesn't that just sound gnarly? :)

My all-time best friend, Tom, came down from Joplin last weekend to spend some time revisiting our childhood. We started off normal, having dinner and chatting. From there it got old skool fast: first up we went to the skatepark in Bentonville. Check out a few action shots below. I was surprised how quickly it all came back to me!


Then, we played our all-time favorite game, Tecmo Super Bowl, on SNES. I'm not joking when I tell you we used to play full seasons and keep detailed stats. We were, and still are, ridiculous.

Oh, and the saxophone... my old band from high school, The Rowskabouts, are having a reunion show to help raise money for a friend (sorry, can't share details) close to Christmas - I gotta get my lips back in shape.

Well, I know this is quite different from the normal posts, I just thought I would throw up a few things that I bet you didn't know about me. Surprised? That's okay, it surprises me too.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Alzheimer's Association Gala

Hey everybody!

Friday night Mere and I had a great time at the Alzheimer's Association Gala. Our friends Chris and Joshua, owners of Junkerman & Jones Wedding and Event Design, were the designers for the event and they invited us to come take pictures of their fabulous work as well as sit at their table for the night. The gala was held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Mere and I have been to the convention center several times, but we'd never seen it look this fabulous!! Chris and Joshua really outdid themselves!
Here are a few of the detail shots from last night, including the gorgeous floral arrangements (designed on-site by the Junkerman and Jones event team), the adorable signature drinks (the Cherished Cocktail), and the fancy chandeliers peppered throughout the room!

This detail collage isn't of the design, but showed some of the designed Christmas Trees up for auction. We bid on one, but didn't win. :(








Ultra Suede rocked the party...







Chris and Joshua, we had SUCH a great night!! Thanks so much for having us! Looking forward to working with you in the future!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Fayetteville engagement photography: Natalie and Michael's e-session

Hey everybody!

Remember the adorable couple who let us photograph them at the fair? Well, they booked us for their wedding and wanted some "official" engagement portraits - I think they just couldn't get enough of Lauren and me... ha ha!

We had fun roaming campus and driving around town shooting. Check out just a few of our favorites below.

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Arkansas engagement photography: Allison and Pate's e-session

Hey everybody!

I just love that we have the best looking couples asking us to photograph their weddings and engagements! Allison, who booked us at a recent bridal fair, is super sweet and so is her fiance, Pate. You can tell just from looking at them how fun and how cute they are!

Lauren and I were laughing throughout the shoot at Pate's silly antics and Allison's reactions to her goofball. Check out our favorites below.

Talk to you soon,

Dale

Thoughtful Thursday!

Hey everybody!

Okay, I made up "Thoughtful Thursday" but it's cute, right?

There are 2 main things I wanna talk about today.

First, our "13 months of giving" is on its 24th month! If you remember, two Decembers ago I made a pledge to give to a charity every month for the next 13 months. Well, I'm happy to say that I have not only succeeded in this goal, but I've given 2 or 3 times most months for the past 24 months! Yay!!!

For you photographers out there, it's a great way to get to know people, get your name out there, and get experience (if you're new to the bizzz). Actually, I met Shea (see yesterday's blog post) because she works at CASA, where I donated last month.

Tonight, we did our Angel Tree thing at Walmart. This always gets me choked up because as you might remember, or know, I was a tad less fortunate growing up (which is totally fine - it turned me into the man I am!) and I want to help out kids any chance I get. Tonight, I picked a 5-year-old girl named Cecilia (it's no coincidence that I picked a 5 yr old girl like Ellie) - she wanted a "trike" which I hope is a bike with training wheels, because that's what she got (ha ha!) along with some Dora stuff and some clothes and shoes. I'll probably do it again this year with Ellie (she wasn't there tonight) - she love that kind of stuff (remember when we filled the bus? here's a pic, and here's another)

Secondly, if you follow me on twitter you know that I recently ran out of gmail space and had to buy more (I get a LOT of emails, folks!) Well, here is just one small reason of why I L-O-V-E Google:
Hi,

We wanted to let you know about some exciting changes to your Google paid storage plan. While storage costs have dropped naturally in the past few years, we've also been working hard to improve our infrastructure to reduce your costs even further. On Tuesday, November 10th, we increased the size of each of our tiers to make storage even more affordable and accessible. For the same $20.00 per year, you’ll now get 80 GB, 8 times as much storage as before. Your current plan will be automatically upgraded and your new quota will automatically show up in your account in the next 24 hours.

Thanks,
The Google storage team


Giving back feels so good, as does being on the receiving end of a good deed.

Let's pass it on, everybody!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

P.S. Looking for something to donate to? Here's a link to my friend Nic's Jingle Bell Run/Walk for arthritis. Way to go Nic!