Custom Holiday card special!

Hey everybody!
I've been getting lots of emails the past couple days about family portraits. After all, it is that time: holiday season! Christmas is, by far, my favorite time of year! One of my favorite things about the season is that we all remember what is important, and so much is focused on family.

It is the perfect time for your holiday portrait session. The leaves have begun to turn. It hasn't turned too cold yet. It's still light later in the day (though, that will go soon, so the quicker you book... the better).

Right now, if you book your holiday portraits before November 7th at 5pm, you can exchange your set of prints for a set of holiday cards (20) for no charge (a $40 value).

Oh, by the way, your cards will be custom designed for you. That means no other set of Christmas cards in the world will be like yours! You can customize backgrounds and text, or I can design one for you at no charge!

Get in touch asap. I'm only taking a limited number this year. Email: dalebenfield@gmail.com or call 417-437-9414.

Happy Halloween!
Dale

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

I dare you...

... to find a nicer thank you note. Seriously. I doubt you could.
Meredith and I photographed a really sweet wedding Saturday on the lawn of Old Main on the U of A campus. Here's what Heather and Christopher sent us today (Monday):

Hello Dale & Meredith,

Thank you so, so much for all that you both did to make mine and Christopher's wedding day special. We never knew that when we decided to have you guys be our photographers for our wedding that Christopher and I were getting so much more. Not only did you both take the most amazing pictures, but you both also helped make our wedding reception that much more beautiful.

Both you and Meredith helped save the day. I didn't know anything about getting married, and really appreciate all the helpful answers to all the questions I had about what to do. Not only did you both take great photos, but you guys also were great friends that day, helping out with advice and the slide show. When Christopher and I danced while watching pictures of us getting married on the screen, I knew that it would be a moment that neither one of us would ever forget, and we want to thank you and Meredith for that.

As well, our friends and family were amazed and we have gotten so many compliments on your behalf, and are very interested both in pictures and in future pictures, so hopefully we sent some more clients your way, not that you guys need any help I am sure :)

Thank you again, and we look forward to taking more pictures with you in the future.
-Heather & Christopher
p.s. Do you happen to take family photo sessions?

It was an honor to get to know you, Hunter, and Christopher, and wish you a lifetime of happiness!

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

A Blog A Day!

This could be the busiest I've ever been in my entire life. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good thing... I'm very excited about all the shoots I've recently done, all the shoots I've have scheduled in the near future, and all the weddings we've booked for next year.

Despite all this... it is VERY IMPORTANT for me to not forget to talk to you all. So, I'm making a hearty commitment: every day from now until Thanksgiving, I will post a new blog. I want you to hold me to it. I want to know that you're reading. Leave me comments!

Starting now! ;)

Enjoying life,
Dale

P.S. Thanks to all of you who forward this blog to friends, link it on your sites/blogs, and spread the word of Benfield Photography. I would not be able to do this if it were not for your support... seriously! Meredith and I appreciate it so much!

The Funniest Engaged Couple I Know!

Ted and Rachael cracked me up the whole shoot! This shoot was what an engagement shoot should be: laughing, relaxing, and having a fun, romantic time. Their pictures show how fun and sweet they were. Stay tuned, a custom website will up soon!

Congratulations Kylee and Chris!

Meredith and I have come to know Chris and Kylee very well since meeting them last year. We've followed Chris as he pitched his final year at the U of A (he even got us great seats for one of the games we attended) and I've met Kylee at Starbucks about 100 times this past year ;) They're a really fun couple who support each other so much! It's a wonderful thing to see!

Kylee started Saturday by taking her bridesmaids to Beauty World in Fayetteville so they she could get them pedicures while Shelly fixed her hair. The pampering didn't stop there. Later, she and some of the girls stopped the foot traffic at Dillard's when Kory applied Chanel make-up to Kylee. One could easily overhear "She looks so beautiful" over and over as passers-by stared at the bride.

The wedding was just as beautiful. After the sun went down at Mount Whitney Chapel, the glass behind the wedding party served as a mirror and made for some really beautiful pictures.



She got really emotional the first time they saw each other... it was really sweet!

Toddler Time!

Hey everybody!
I did something so fun today: I gave a short presentation to a big group of small kids at the Fayetteville Public Library. Normally, Ellie and I go to the toddler time on Mondays and some Thursdays, but they have something everyday for children, and Lolly (the Children's Director) is so sweet!

Today, we had a big photo day! I gave all the 3 through 5 year-olds some tips on taking better pictures and they had a blast! We also promoted my upcoming evening presentation "How to Photograph Children" that I'll give at the same place on a Wednesday evening. More details about that to follow.

Anyway, I love kids and I had such a wonderful time with them today. Hopefully, Lolly can send me the group pic we took at the end and I can post it.

Have a great night!
Dale

New Blog from a friend of mine...

Hey everybody!
My wedding and event planner friend, Jenessa Bailey, has started a new blog. Make sure to add it to your reading list. She's super smart and has a lot of invaluable advice for anybody planning a wedding. Check it out here: http://www.jbaileyoccasions.blogspot.com
Take care!
Dale

Engaged in Paris?!?!

You guys won't believe this, but I'm serious! Meredith and I, along with a wedding couple we've befriended, are traveling to Paris, France for New Years. Wait! That's not the exciting part! They want us to photograph them in Paris in their wedding dress and suit.
So, Meredith and I were talking and she thought, "yeah, let's go! (HERE'S THE EXCITING PART) And let's put out the word for other couples to get their engagement shoot done there when we go!"
I thought it was a really great idea. So, I had my friend Valerie Searcy, who is the Marketing Director at United Way, draft this press release, which I've sent to the area newspapers.
If you know anyone who might want their engagement shoot in Paris, please forward them my blog, email, website, or phone number... I'd be happy to talk with them!




Monday, October 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Engagement Photo Shoot in Paris!

Fayetteville, AR – Benfield Photograpy is scheduling engagement photo shoots in Paris, France from December 28, 2007 to December 30th, 2007 and five spots are still available.

Benfield Photography will be in Paris photographing a wedding couple and will use the opportunity to provide a romantic get-a-way for you and someone special. Orientation sessions will be available for couples and will focus on how to get around in Paris, making accommodations, etc.

“Paris is the most romantic city in the world. For that reason alone, it makes an amazing place to photograph engaged couples. I also thought it would be a great surprise and/or Christmas gift for a special someone" said owner Dale Benfield.

Engagement photo shoots do not end with the pictures. A custom web site is designed and serves as a great source of wedding information for your guests. Custom designed albums and guest books are also prepared for the couple. These one of a kind books will be something the couple will show off the rest of their lives.

Benfield Photography has been in the business of preserving your special moments for eight years. The business has mainly focused on wedding photography in the portrait journalism style. This story-telling style helps capture the moments to treasure a lifetime.

To sign up for an engagement spot in Paris, or for more information, please email Dale at dalebenfield@gmail.com or call (417) 437-9414. To see samples of Benfield Photography, please visit: www.benfieldphotography.net.


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Sweet words from Sarah and James...

I got this from Sarah, whose images you can see below. She's so sweet!

"I knew as soon as I got engaged that you were the photographer to hire, and boy was I right. You took my guest book idea and made it come to life. I thought then that you were great, but after seeing the wedding pictures I realize that you and Meredith are amazing. You caught all the moments that made our wedding day so special. Now we will be able to enjoy then over and over again for years to come. I could never say thank you enough!!

A special thank you to your brother too!!!

Can't wait to trash the dress

Sincerely,

Sarah Alumbaugh"

Sarah and James, married in Eureka Springs

The top floor of the Basin Park Hotel proved to be a really amazing backdrop for Sarah and James' wedding during the infamous Bikes, Blues, and Barbeque weekend in Eureka Springs. In addition to BB&B, there was a Corvette convention and a Race for the Cure, which made for some interesting parking situations! But nothing could have taken away from the beauty of the day! Enjoy the pictures below!

Also! I've just put up a video slideshow on my website... check it out!

D+M

Wedding dates...

We've been so fortunate to be booking up next year's wedding dates so quickly. This week, we booked three more dates:
May 3rd (Dale and Meredith), May 31st (Dale and Meredith), and August 9th (single shooter, so this date can still be booked).
I hope to have the rest of next year's dates taken by the end of the wedding fair next Sunday. If you are getting married and want us to photograph your wedding, please let us know as soon as possible!
Thanks!!
D + M

Updated website...

Hey everybody!
You know how I love doing everything artistically, and time-consumingly. Well, today, I did away with my older senior and children websites. I love the new version, and hope you will too. It's much easier to use and a lot cleaner. I think it'll be up for good the first of next week, but here's a preview

Let me know what you think!