Eli's Photography Blog

Tuesdays with Eli – Arkansas Mosquitoes

Hope it’s not too late for a Tuesdays with Eli blog post…Today was a very busy day for me. Lots of running around and craziness, but it ended on an awesome note. I finally got to shoot an engagement session similar to the “boat scene” in The Notebook. More on that later. Can’t wait to blog those. Well after we survived the alligators in the swamp, we decided to let the sun drop down and take on the deadly Arkansas Mosquitoes. I’m pretty brave when it comes to most environments, but it only took about two minutes in the misquotes for me to say “That’s a wrap!” Here is one shot I got. Those are NOT stars, they’re deadly Arkansas Mosquitos. Enjoy!

Tuesdays with Eli – 2005 Nissan Xterra

Well, I finally did it. Months before my wedding, I bought my first big vehicle. I’m pretty excited about it because now I don’t have to borrow my sister’s car anymore when I need more space for a big shoot or a bridal fair. Plus it’s got extra space for my future with my new bride. Now I can find all those cool locations that we unreachable with my low ground clearance Acura. Here’s a shot a grabbed today before getting kicked of property. Not sure why the property owner had a problem with my using his junk as a backdrop, haha.

2005 Nissan Xterra

Tuesdays with Eli – Light Writing & Family Vacations

Last week I joined my family in our annual Murray family vacation. We rent out some cabins on Table Rock lake and spend our days relaxing in the sun. Lots of wakeboarding, swimming, tubing, boating, cookouts, and volleyball. Those events are definitely my favorite. I pretty much live all winter waiting for those family vacation volleyball games, but I decided to share with you guys on this Tuesdays with Eli what the nights look like at the lake. After the sun went down we decided to do a little light writing just for kicks. You don’t see stars like this in Little Rock. We used our iPhones and the golf cart for the crazy light effects lights and of course God’s amazing star filled sky as a backdrop. Enjoy!

Tuesdays with Eli – Wedding Season Is On Now!

Well, I’m definitely busy now. I’m booked every Saturday in June. I just wanted to once again thank all of my past and future brides for letting me be a part of their big day. I love my job, and I know that I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of family and friends and of course my couples who book me! Thanks so much. This week I am on a little mini vacation with my family at the lake. We take the same week every year and the whole family gets together. Tons of wakeboarding during the day, intense volleyball tournaments in the evening, and Cookouts every night. We are on Table Rock Lake in MO. I have lots of wonderful childhood memories there. I’ve set this blog up last week to release today, because I am disconnected for a few days. Got to get away from the computer for a bit. Sorry for the hairy legs, just thought you guys might enjoy my view, haha.

Tuesdays with Eli – Wedding Details For My Big Day!

Les + Eli – St. Thomas Virgin Islands October 5th 2010!

Okay, so I’m guessing some of you who read my blog are just a little bit curious about my personal wedding plans ever since I proposed to Leslie in December. I know we’ve definitely had our fair share of questions about when, where, and who is gonna be our photographer. Leslie and I have given a lot of thought into our wedding. I’m sure I’ve probably been a little more vocal with some of the planning than other grooms, but I have seen my fair share of weddings, haha. Leslie and I are so excited to be getting married! She has had her heart set on a destination wedding from day one, and that was just fine with me! I really love the idea of doing a wedding/honeymoon all in one. The only downside is not being able to share the day with much of our friends and family. We gave some serious thought about it, and have decided to have a very small, immediate family only ceremony in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. We want to keep the wedding very simple and come back after our honeymoon and throw a big party for friends and extended family. Oh and of course we’re gonna bring some photos back to share. We’re not sure on the details for the reception yet, stay tuned…but here is some info on our wedding in St. Thomas!
The ceremony will be Tuesday October 5th at Sugar Bay Wyndham!

Here is where we will be staying. It’s got some character huh? It’s called Bluebeards Castle. The original section was first built in the 1600’s. Sweeeeeet!

I sure do hope that we can find some beaches just like this one!!!

Okay and now to introduce our team of photographers. Haha, I say team because we may have went a little overkill on the amount of coverage for such a small wedding, but you know me. I love wedding photos! All I needed was an okay from Leslie. Leslie and I looked at a lot of really great photographers. There are so many talented photographers out there, the decision was a challenge. My grandmother did suggest that I just take my own wedding photos, haha.
Leslie and I are so excited to have booked Collin Hughes and Spencer Combs as our wedding photographers! Not only are these guys incredibly talented photographers, they are also two of the coolest dudes ever. Super nice guys and way fun! After my first phone conversation with Spencer and our video chat with Collin, we knew we had selected the perfect photographers for us!
The complete icing on the cake to this whole package though, is that we are also getting one of the most talented wedding filmmaker’s we’ve ever seen. Matt Brue with Capture Studios!! Before we booked him, Leslie and I would sit together and watch his past videos with tears(Leslie) for couple’s we didn’t even know. There is no doubt that Matt has some serious talent.
So there you go! Please check these guys out. They are all based out of Minnesota.

Leslie and I are so excited to get married! Our initial date discussed was Jan 2011, we just couldn’t wait that long! So now the madness begins! Stay tuned for more updates!
P.S. I want to apologize to whomever I stole the St. Thomas photos from. I just did a google image search for St. Thomas Virgin Islands. I’ll have some of my own to show soon enough.