Eli's Photography Blog

Just bought a Nikon SB-900 Speedlight

Last week my trusty old Nikon SB-600 stopped working on me. Thankfully I was just messing around the house and it didn’t do out when I needed it. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a backup for these types of things. I took my old Speedlight back to Bedfords Camera, I had it so long that it was not covered under the warranty anymore, but they packed it up and sent it off to Nikon for repair. It looks like it will get fixed, but it may be a few weeks. So today I went back to Bedfords and picked up the new SB-900. This is a beast of a flash. I would say it is about 3 times the size of the 600. It can really throw some light, but with the control of a highly electronic and sophisticated strobe. I have not had it very long, so I’ll have to give you more information after I get to use it a bit. I got a bit of a deal on it because Bedfords didn’t have the case for it. So I figured that wasn’t that big of a deal because I will keep it in my photo bag anyway. I will have to make another trip back to Bedfords though, they only gave me the Spanish user’s manual. It might be a good time to start learning Spanish. Haha. Enjoy the Unboxing.

Oh yeah, the last shot is just my kitchen knives, I thought I would give you guys a test shot of the new SB-900.

Kele & Jonathan E-Session at War Memorial

Kele found me at the Kiss the Brides Expo at the Verizon Arena. After Kele and Jonathan Luigs get married, they are moving to Cincinnati where Jonathan is going to play pro football for the Cincinnati Bengals.  You may have heard Jonathan’s name before, he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks and won a few awards. I wish I was a little more football savy I could probably tell you more, I’m just happy to take some pictures of a football celebrity.  Unfortunately I don’t know much about the sport, but I do know that it is pretty cool that he is going to play pro. They were a great couple and have great chemisty. It was beautiful weather when we shot these photos. We met up at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. I also had some great help help from my good friend Mark with Roxy Creative. You can see more of their photos there.  I am very excited to photograph their wedding in February.  Congratulations you guys, thanks for falling in love and giving me a call.

War Memorial Engagement Photos

Razorback Piggyback

Jonathan Luigs Engagment Photo

War Memorial Stadium Little Rock

Kissing with dog watching

Jonathan Luigs Future Wife

The Hunt Family Portraits

I try to stay away from over-using photographer “hot spots” like the Old Mill in North Little Rock. I think just about every portrait photographer in Arkansas has taken pictures at the Old Mill. The problem is that it’s just way too beautiful of a location not to shoot there. There are so many flowers and greenery, set in wonderful textured rocks. When we took these, it had just rained and it was still pretty overcast. The temperature was perfect, very unlike what an Arkansas summer should be. Lauren asked me what they should wear, I told them bright colors, anything colorful and happy. I think they did a great job. I love the contrast with the colors in these pictures. I hope to do many more Mother/Daughter portraits. I had a great time with Lauren and her Mom. Thanks for giving me a call you guys. I hope you like the photos.

Helen’s Bridal Portraits at Burns Park

Helen is one happy bride. She planned her wedding to happen on the beach in Costa Rica. She contacted me about 3 weeks before she left for the wedding about doing some Bridal Portraits here in Arkansas. Of course I begged her to take me along with here to Costa Rica too. Haha. Unfortunately she already had booked a photographer as part of the beach wedding package. We met up at the old covered bridge in Burns Park. As far as I know, this is one of the only covered bridges in Arkansas. I really loved this area, and I think that the style of Helen’s dress really complimented my style for this photo shoot. I love Arkansas old rustic areas. The one’s that can make a bridal portrait look timeless. Congrats Helen!

All Day Wedding Photography

What exactly do I mean with my all day wedding photography package?

Your wedding is one of the most important and memorable days of you life. Why would someone (who’s career is taking photos) want to stop early or show up late to such an important event? Why would a wedding photographer not be around for the entire wedding? Why would you want to rush your wedding reception in order NOT to get charged an extra fee? I believe that the wedding photography industry is changing. I think that more and more photographers will begin to adopt this trend. I do realize that not all weddings are the same and that there will be plenty of exceptions. Smaller weddings that don’t last for hours, won’t have a need for a photographer all day.

I do know that a good wedding photographer’s time is valuable, and just like anything else, you get what you pay for. I am not knocking other photographers if they do not offer this, but my thoughts about “No Time Limit” wedding photography are simple.

If a bride books me for their wedding day, what else will I be doing that day? I am not going to the movies later. I won’t change my oil in my motorcycle that morning. I am completely focused on that wedding. So even if I wasn’t shooting photos for you the entire day, I might as well be. Because your wedding is all I’ll be thinking about. Just like you.