The littlest houseguest...

Hey everybody!

Meredith and I have been entertaining some friends this weekend. Natalie (Mere's lifelong friend) and her husband Dave made the trip down to Arkansas this weekend with their little son, Giovanni. He is a precious little boy! Meredith and I obviously had to set up studio in our home so we could photography little "Papi" (Seriously, who could photograph outside on a day like this?!).

I love the images we made... check 'em out!

Talk to you soon,
Dale



I called this pose, "The George Costanza"

Stephani and Andrew - e-session

Hey everybody!

I had the wonderful pleasure Saturday to spend some time with Stephani and Andrew, who made the trip down for Easter weekend. They're so fun and cute, and the pictures show it! They let Meredith and me take them all over in the chilly Fayetteville air. We started at Mount Sequoia, a very cool place that overlooks Fayetteville, and then we took them to a new old barn (ha ha). These are my favorite! They were definitely getting into the swing of things by this point. After that, we had them change clothes and took them around downtown for some urban shots.

And last night, Stephani sent over her website info, so we'll be getting right on top of that! So for now, here are your teasers...

Enjoy!
Dale

Better than cAndy

One of the very best things about living in Fayetteville is that there are some pretty rockin' things going on. Today I figured out that one of my favorite soon-to-be-a-household-name musicians will be coming to Fayetteville with Dave Barnes (as you know, I'm a DB fan!). Anyway, Andy Davis will be making the trip from N'ville with him. A good time is guaranteed by me. Hope to see you there!
Dale

Here's one of his silly commercials:


And here's a link to his cd for sale now:

The Big Announcement...

Let's get right to the point because this is too exciting to beat around the bush! So, here's the big announcement:

After a year at the Wal-Mart home office Meredith has decided to leave "the corporate world" and work full-time for Benfield Photography! Business is booming, and to keep up with everything and maintain the great customer service I'm striving for, I knew I was going to need help soon; Meredith is the perfect fix! With a degree in Communication emphasizing in film studies, she has such an eye for storytelling, which translates exceptionally into our portrait journalism approach.

And now a word from Meredith…
Hi everyone! I'm truly thrilled
to have this opportunity before me! I can't wait to have the time that I've
always wanted to work with our beautiful brides, our loyal vendors, and most of
all…Dale! I have so many exciting ideas I can't wait to get started! YAY! Stay
tuned!

So, keep us in your prayers and continue your great support! We thank you all for making this possible and look forward to building on our relationships with you all!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Brides for the Cure deadline extended!

Deadline extended! 9 more days to sign up for Brides for the Cure!

Due to a wonderful response, we have decided to extend the deadline so you can build up your wedding party! Now is the time to recruit, recruit, recruit!!

We're already listed on the "Top Teams" (we've raised more than 1000 dollars!!) and we want to keep building and keep raising money for Susan G. Komen. We promise to do our part in finding a cure, and we would love your help!

Click here to register!

Talk to you soon!
Dale

Spring in my step...

Hey everybody!
Isn't today wonderful?! 'Tis the first day of spring! That means there is no more dreary winter (I hope)! If you've been out and about today, you know exactly what I mean... bees buzzing around, flowers beginning to bloom, and a bluest of blue skies!
Can't you tell I love this season?!

I've put a couple images below that happen to make GREAT wallpaper backgrounds. Just right-click (ctrl+click on a mac) on either image and go to set as background save it to your hard drive and set it in your properties.

Thanks as always for checking in on me and enjoy the day!
Dale

Broadcasting myself... on YouTube!

Hey everybody!
My buddies over at Animoto have made a partnership with YouTube and I've put some of my videos there! Cool, yeah?!

See one here:

Kimie's myspace shoot... and some upcomings...

Hey everybody! I thought I'd share a fun shoot we did this past weekend for Kimie. She wanted some edgy new myspace/facebook pics, so we set up a cool shoot for her. She's so hilarious, though she looks tough in the pics, and it made the shoot that much better! Enjoy!

On the horizon
:: Mere did a bridal portrait session yesterday at the beautiful Botanical Gardens in NW Arkansas, but you'll have to wait until August 3rd to see 'em.

:: The big announcement that times they are a-changin' is coming up this weekend! Stay tuned!

:: Our new book is nearing completion. It's 100+ pages and features all our wedding+engagement work, from ceremonies, to destination engagements. If you're a vendor or wedding planner in the area who would like one of these to show newly-engaged couples, email me very soon so I can get you on the list. We won't have many give-away copies, so it's first-come, first-serve!

Tata for now!
Dale

Cool Kitty from Rose City

Elizabeth, winner of the cutest grandparents contest held on Valentine's Day, was so grateful to Mere and me for choosing her grandparents for the free portrait session. Even more so, though, I think she was grateful that I made her write her grandparents' love story:

"I want you and Meredith to know how much I appreciate you guys doing the shoot. Because of y'all now I have my grandparents love story (never would have gotten it otherwise) and wonderful pictures to go with it."

I'm pasting the love story below. They were such a fun shoot and inspiration in lasting love! Enjoy!

Dale

P.S. The title of this blog is how Bobo referred to Momo; Cute, huh?!

Momo and Bobo's story, told by Momo:
In February 1957 my sister-in-law's sister, Edna called me at home and asked if I would meet her friend Bob Schmidt. She continued by saying that Bob was such a nice guy and she didn't like his girlfriend Denna who he had been dating for the past 22 months. We were both reluctant, but since Edna was a relative and a good friend of Bob's we both decided to go along with this blind date.

We were to meet at a place where Edna had gone to square-dance. Bob was there on time, but seemed nervous at meeting me. The meeting was cordial, and we had a good time at the dance. When the dance was over Bob took me home. I liked what I saw, and Bob said he was pleased with what he saw. The thing I liked about Bob was that he was very handsome. He was a perfect gentleman with great manners.

Soon after the first meeting Bob called me for a date, and the love story began. The first time I met Bob I felt in my heart that he was the man for me. The more we were with each other the more we were falling in love.

July 15, 1957, Bob asked me to marry him. Of course I accepted. He then gave me an engagement ring. I was so excited I called him the next morning by mistake. I was calling my mother to tell her about the engagement.

Bob was in the insurance business, and I was a high school business teacher. We had to make our nuptial plans around our schedules. We decided on November 29, 1957 since this was the Thanksgiving holiday.

We were married at Baring Cross Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m. The minister was a distant relative of mine, Rev. Arnold Teal. My sister Becky sang the love song.

After the reception we spent the night in Little Rock, and left the next morning to drive to New Orleans, LA, to complete the honeymoon.

Bob and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary November 29, 2007.

We have experienced a lot of happiness, and some sadness. It takes a lot of patience and understanding to be happy in love together for over 50 years.

American Idol :: Almost Famous

Hey everybody!
I've known this for awhile, but I just decided to make a blog about it. Kenny Foster, a friend of mine from back in the day, made it through some of the American Idol rounds. He's (obviously) not on the show, but I thought I'd state how close I came to being a celebrity photographer. No, I didn't take the picture below, but I have photographed Kenny before. For my own benefit, try again Kenny! ;) To hear Kenny's music, go to his myspace

Talk soon!
Dale

New MRAZ video!

I love, love, love Jason Mraz! I was checking his site today and saw he posted a new video. It just so happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time!

Click here to be sent to his site for yourself. But rememeber to come back!

::Got lots of stuff coming up here
::And we have that big announcement coming soon too!

I'm yours,
Dale

Weekend in Joplin...

Hey everybody!

Mere and I had quite a fun weekend in Joplin. We stayed with friends Meridith and Bradley (whose wedding we photographed, and photographed in Paris). Meridith (notice the spelling to keep things clear) was in Blast from the Past, so we definitely wanted to go to the show. It was so fun watching the skits and then we danced the night away. Yep, even me.

I photographed a sweet little 2-year-old boy (I'll blog about it later) and met with Heather and Nathan, the couple who won the dream wedding, and then decided to stay another night in J-town. Sushi from Ichiban, the board game Blokus, and Cheese dip from Del Rio made for a really fun second night.

Today, Mere and I drove back after an hour less of sleep and had an amazing bridal portrait session with Lauren. It is torturing me to know that I won't be able to post pictures from today's shoot until May 4th, the day after her wedding to Dusty. No doubt, it'll be worth the wait!

I've put up a few pictures from the weekend...
Talk to you soon!
Dale

I love this image (I can't remember this girl's name) at Blast from the Past...


Our friend Drew Hartley doing a little NKOTB...


Meridith performing one of her skits...


Two puppy portraits of Decker, Meridith and Bradley's cute little dog...

Children Fashion Shoot dates for May announced!

Hey everybody!
I've opened up 12 spots in May for children's portraits at the gorgeous Bell Gable's chapel in Fayetteville. 3 have just been taken! If you'd like one of the spots, please email me right away (or call)!
For all the info, click the images below!

Thanks so much!
Dale

Info...


More info...

Keely... senior fashion!

Hey everybody!
I have some sweet images from Keely's senior fashion portrait shoot this weekend that I wanted to share. Mere and I made the trip from Fayetteville to Joplin so we could photograph Keely in some really unique places. Meredith and Lauren both came to the shoot to help, so the images you see below were definitely a team effort!
Happy lookin',
Dale

P.S. If you're a senior who's looking for some killer senior portraits, and live in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, etc.), or Southwest Missouri - give us a call: 4174379414 or 4798712479

Good things brewing...

I'm a big believer in the "nice" principle. I love working with people and I truly believe that if you're good to people, they will be good to you. That being said...

I have such exciting news! I've been working up a little partnership with Mpix - a great online printing lab - and it's coming to fruition! They'll be using my images for some promos and web stuff, and they're also working up some sponsorship options! How great is that?!

I have loved this company since its inception, and have been around from the beginning. I've recommended this lab to many of my students, workshop listeners, and even wedding couples. They have great service, great quality, and great prices. Check 'em out! Tell them I sent you!
Have a great day!
Dale

Urban Bellies feedback...

Hey everybody!
I got a very sweet note in my inbox tonight from Laura about her Urban Belly shoot:

Dale & Meredith,

Thank you so much for the awesome pictures you took for our Urban Bellies photo shoot. If there ever is a time in a woman’s life where they need to be made feel beautiful, it is definitely when they are in their ninth month of pregnancy! Not only did you both take the most incredible pictures, but you have so many amazing ideas we still cannot decide which pictures are our favorites, we love them all!!

How remarkable of an idea, to make a maternity photo session something we can feel comfortable sharing with not only our friends and family, but also with the soon-to-be addition to our family for a lifetime of remembering pregnancy as a beautiful moment in time. This is such a blessed time in our lives and I truly feel you both were able to capture that fun and excitement.

Thanks again, this really meant so much to us both!! Next stop, baby pictures!!! I can’t wait!

Chris & Laura Woods

Here are some images from the shoot! Enjoy!
Dale

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep... on NBC

Hey everybody!
NILMDTS is an organization I volunteer for, and is having a story/profile done on a Minnesota family and photographer tomorrow morning on the Today show. I'm glad that the news is spreading about this organization.

For more info about the organization, particularly if you work at a hospital and want to know how to offer these services to your patients, go to nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Or, of course, email me!

Talk to you soon!
Dale

Christy and Gary's e-session :: website

Hey everybody!
Check out the latest custom website; This one is for Christy and Gary, who we photographed recently in and around Fayetteville. The shoot just kept getting more and more fun as we went on!

Also, here's the animoto:


Talk to you soon!
Dale

P.S. That big thing coming up in a couple weeks... well, it's right on schedule! And we're very excited!

Also coming up :: some album designs and a senior fashion shoot