Eli's Photography Blog

Chris + Nancy – Newport Beach, California Wedding

Eli and I planned a trip to the West Coast for some sight seeing, networking, and learning at WPPI ( convention in Vegas for Wedding and Portrait Photographers) We knew we were going to have our friends Chris and Nancy accompany us on this journey. What we didn’t know, was that these two were planning a surprise wedding for friends and family. They knew they wanted something beachy and what better place to do it than Southern California in Newport Beach. We had to keep it on the down low, which was a little tough at times, but we made it happen. Chris and Nancy are awesome wedding photographers themselves, and we felt so honored that they asked us to be the ones to document their special day! What a compliment! They got married at Little Corona Beach and it was breathtaking! Shelby Nolan of Green Leaf Designs created the most beautiful bouquet and boutonniere for Chris and Nancy. If you ever need flowers for your wedding/event, be sure to check her out- she is wonderful!! Green Leaf Designs is located in Huntington Beach, California. It was a perfect wedding all around, I don’t think we could have asked for better weather that day. Chris and Nancy are a beautiful couple and we wish them many years of happiness together. Cheers to the happy couple!
- Leslie

Sweet Love Bakery – Little Rock, AR

Kelli Marks is the owner and lead baker for Sweet Love, one of the newest and fastest growing bakeries here in Central Arkansas. I was so impressed with Kelli’s wonderful personality, how she runs her bake shop, and her crazy good baking skills, that I wanted to dedicate a blog to Sweet Love and share some photos with you guys. If you are bride-to-be in Arkansas and you are looking for a really unique, beautiful, or classic wedding cake, check out Sweet Love.

It’s pretty easy to see that Kelli loves her job. Making people happy baking sweet goodies.

I was super excited when I heard that Sweet Love was opening up a storefront on Cantrell. It’s wonderful to have another really great bakery  in Little Rock for brides to create custom wedding cakes. You can also sit down inside and enjoy a fun little cupcake date.



I may have just had a couple of these cookies when I was shooting the bakery, and yes, they’re even better than they look.

This is the Sweet Love mascot, “Wisk”. Make sure you say hi when you stop in.






With so many unique and creative ideas for wedding cakes, I’m really glad to know Kelli and can’t wait to see what she has in store for the 2012 wedding season.

Sweet Love is located at 8210 Cantrell Road in the Cantrell Heights shopping center. http://sweetlovebakes.com/

2012 Wedding Photography Giveaway

We are super excited to be giving away a free wedding package worth $3,450 to one lucky bride and groom getting married in 2012 or 2013.

The wedding package includes the following:
-Complete wedding day coverage
-Personal online proofing gallery
-Engagement portrait session with Eli Murray
-All images on disc with personal copyright release
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS:
- STOP BY THE BOOTH AND LET US TAKE YOUR PHOTO
- LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
- TAG YOURSELF IN THE FACEBOOK ALBUM
- LEAVE A COMMENT ON OUR BLOG (right here)

OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. INTERNET ACCESS AND A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROMOTION
HOW TO ENTER: Beginning 12:29:01 p.m. CT on January 15, 2012 through 11:59:59 p.m. CT on January 31, 2012 (“Promotion Period”), enter the ELIMURRAY WEDDINGS “Wedding Giveaway”, by completing the following rules:
1. Attend the 2012 Arkansas Democrat Gazette Bridal Fair.
2. Stop by the ELI MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY vendor booth # 117,100 and take a photo of yourself inside the ELI MURRAY PHOTOBOOTH.
3. Go to the ELI MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY Page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/elimurrayphotography). You must “Like” the ELI MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY Page on Facebook for a chance to win. This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
4. “Tag” yourself in the Facebook photo of the “2012 Arkansas Democrat Gazette ELI MURRAY PHOTOBOOTH”.
5. Visit ELI MURRAY’s BLOG (www.elimurray.com/blog/2012-wedding-photography-giveaway) and leave a comment on the blog.
ELIGIBILITY: The Promotion is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age or older who have attended the 2012 Arkansas Democrat Gazette Bridal Fair in Little Rock, AR and who have completed the contest rules.
PRIZES/ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning the wedding package depend on the total number of eligible entries received for the wedding give-a-way. The winner will be chosen at random and their wedding date must not conflict with any current bookings of ELI MURRAY WEDDINGS. No prize substitutions permitted, except by Eli Murray, who may substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Prize is non-transferable.
REGULATIONS: The winner of the Wedding Givaway must cover the cost of travel to any wedding location outside of Central Arkansas.
ALL GIVEAWAY RULES MUST BE COMPLETED BY FEB 1st 2012 IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN.

Ashley + Alfredo – Riverside California Wedding Teaser

I know it’s been a while since my last blog post. Between shooting weddings, traveling to shoot weddings, engagements, family sessions, spending time with my family, editing, delivering albums and prints to brides, I’ve let some blogs slip past me. 2011 was a really great year. Leslie and I are super blessed to have such wonderful clients and to be a part of so many lovely weddings. We’re already looking forward to 2012. We’re flying back to Little Rock right now from Los Angeles as I’m writing this blog. I just couldn’t wait to show off a few images from Ashley and Alfredo’s wedding in Riverside, California. These are just a few of my favorites. Stay tuned for more images from their Southern California wedding. Enjoy!

The Wedding Post – Arkansas Wedding Blog

If you haven’t yet discovered or if you’re not already following the brand new Arkansas Wedding Blog – The Wedding Post, then you should be.
They blog daily, all things wedding. Primarily focused on Southern and Arkansas Weddings. Perfect resource for all you Arkansas brides. They recently featured some engagement photos that I took of one of my super awesome couples getting married this year. I’m really excited about their wedding, I’ll be working along side some of the Arkansas’ wedding industry greats like Finishing Touch Event Design, Wedding Videography Services, and Designs by Tanarah. Make sure you guys swing by and check out The Wedding Post for the latest in Arkansas Weddings.

Jason + Marissa – Southern California Wedding Part 1

Last Saturday was my birthday, I turned 25 and spent the day in Southern California photographing a gorgeous wedding. I’m so thankful and blessed to have been a part of Marissa and Jason’s wedding day. I can’t imagine doing anything else better on my birthday than photographing two people in love, in the beautiful rolling hills of the California wine country of Temecula. Because this wedding was bigger than most, I not only had my wonderful wife assisting me, but I also had the awesome help of my good friend and native California photographer Daniel Cruz.  I met Daniel at WPPI this year and connected with him through The Becker’s [b]School. If your a wedding photographer and you haven’t heard of the [b] School, you need to check it out! This is just a quick teaser from the wedding, part one if you like. I will have lots more photos to share from their wedding soon. I just wanted to give everyone a quick peak first. Congrats Jason + Marissa! Enjoy!

This was taken from the greens of the Temecula Creek Country Club. Unbelievably beautiful views.

This flower girl was a 10 on the cute scale and future radiant bride.


Look at how happy they are! Aren’t they just awesome?

The ceremony and reception were both outdoors, in a valley of rolling hills and lanterns hanging from overgrown trees. The Dance floor was laid beside a 130 year old Stone House.

It’s not California wine country without a little wine.

Such a beautiful bride.


These guys rock! So happy!

One of my favorite images from the day.

There are so many more I can’t wait to share with you guys! Stay tuned for part 2…

Sarah + Chris – Teaser Arkansas Wedding Photography

With the storm clouds rolling in and umbrellas in hand, Sarah and Chris were more than ready to risk getting rain on and trudging through an open muddy field. Sarah was ready to do what it takes to get the great shots, and from my experiences, the reward is always greater than the risk. Don’t they look great! More to come, here’s a quick teaser from their wedding day in Altus, AR. Enjoy!

Brad + Evin – Little Rock Wedding Photography

Evin and Brad tied the knot April 15th on the balcony of Brave New Restaurant. I’ve always heard good things about this place, but now I can tell you for sure, Brave New is the bomb. All the beautiful floral arraignments were done by Tipton & Hurst. The ceremony was on the balcony on the back side of Brave New with an awesome view of the Little Rock skyline and Arkansas River as the backdrop. I had help from my good friend and fellow photographer Justin James. Check him out, he’s a rock solid photographer. Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day. Aren’t Evin and Brad such a great couple together? Enjoy and leave them some love!

Lauren + Michael – Jonesboro Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Last weekend my wife and I had the wonderful privilege of spending a couple days with Lauren and Michael, their families, and closest friends. I’m so thankful that they chose us to be a part of their wedding day. The ceremony was beautiful, Lauren’s dad’s speech made us all cry, and these people know how to throw a party! I had so many photos that I wanted to share. I tried to narrow them down, but it was way too difficult.
The Ceremony and Reception were both at the Church Street Station in downtown Jonesboro.




All the beautiful flowers were brought to you by Posey Peddler in Jonesboro. Gorgeous flowers and a cool name, check them out.


This was my favorite set of images from the day. Something about vintage wallpaper, a grandfather clock, amazing light, and a beautiful bride make for a great set in my eyes. It’s very southern bride.



This room was so full of love it was crazy. Happy tears are always good for the soul.

One of my absolute favorite images of the day, taken by none other than my beautiful wife and awesome second photographer.







I love wedding receptions with live bands. This band was amazing The Vikki McGee Band, check them out!




All the images from the wedding day can be viewed and purchased here.

2011 Bride's Choice Awards from Wedding Wire

I know it’s been a while since my last blog. I’ve been very busy with the start of the new year and have lots of exciting things happening in 2011. I just wanted to take a few minutes and thank all of my brides from last year. I’m so very thankful that I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful couples and to be a part of their wedding day. I woke up this morning with some exciting news! Here is the press release:

Little Rock, AR – January 25, 2011 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Eli Murray Photography has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for wedding photography! Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Eli Murray Photography stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Eli Murray for his professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We are happy to announce that Eli Murray is among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.

I sure do appreciate Wedding Wire for the award, but I’m really thankful for all my awesome clients! Here’s to another great year! Stay tuned for more bloggin’.
Please feel free to leave your own review at our WeddingWire Storefront.