Eli's Photography Blog

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…

Happy Mother's Day!

Ashley + Stephen – Southern Engagement Portraits

Ashley and Stephen are two of the sweetest people I have ever photographed. I absolutely cannot wait for their wedding in September! Leslie and I had such a good time taking their engagement photos around the southern backroads of Arkansas. Ashley has lived in this area her whole life and so she was very comfortable in this environment. Stephen being from Louisiana, I thought the swamps were pretty fitting for their backdrop. Congrats you guys! Enjoy!

Tuesdays with Eli – Laguna Beach, CA

Okay, so I know that I’ve missed a few Tuesdays with Eli’s, but I’m trying to get back on track and I’ve got some catching up to do. Here’s a couple of my favorite photos from Leslie and I’s “Epic West Coast Road Trip” we took back in February. Laguna Beach is probably one of our favorite places to visit. We loved it here. The beaches here are amazing, the weather is fantastic (even in February), and the whole town in filled with art and creatives. Definitely a location I wouldn’t mind working in… Let me know if any of you Arkansas Brides want to plan a destination wedding and need a photographer who knows the area, haha. Enjoy!

Just an old couple that I saw walking the beach together. I thought it was cool the way they walking in unison. I hope this is what Leslie and I will someday resemble.


Just us, doing our thing.




I love this woman.

Leslie snapped this photo of some kid running on the beach. There was actually a playground right across the beach, what a cool area for a kid!


This is probably one of my favorite images. Not sure why, but I love this frame. From the looks of it, you may think that Laguna is retirement community, but there were lots of young professionals there. I guess this beach was just favored by the older crowd, haha.

Cara Cox – Arkansas Bridal Portraits Marlsgate

These are a few of my favorites from Cara’s Bridal Portraits that we shot at Marlsgate Plantation. Stay tuned for more photos from her beautiful rain filled wedding day! Enjoy!

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!

Haley + Chris – Little Rock Engagement Portraits

Leslie and I met up with Haley and Chris in the Argenta District of Downtown North Little Rock for their engagement portraits. Like most photographers, I’ve done a few photos in the Argenta area before. It’s a great location to shoot portraits, plus it has that super cool, old school Coca-Cola wall. However, this engagement session was a little different… Haley and Chris actually first met each other in the Argenta District and then later Chris asked Haley if she would marry him here in this same spot. I always love hearing the proposal stories of couples in love, I also really like photographing in locations that have special memories or meanings. They’re getting married the first of August and I’m so thankful to be a part of their big day! Here’s a couple images from their engagement session, enjoy and leave them some love or wish them congrats!

Aren’t they just awesome together!

Haley has such a wonderfully contagious smile.


There’s that cool Coca-Cola wall I told you about.

Austin + Cara – Arkansas Engagement Portraits

I met up with Austin and Cara in the Hillcrest area to shoot their engagements, the weather was perfect. We shot around Hillcrest for a little bit and then borrowed somebody’s flowers that were in bloom beside their home, haha. I’m super excited about their wedding this Sunday at Marlsgate Plantation in Scott, AR. Enjoy! Stay tuned for Cara’s Bridal Portraits and their wedding photos soon!

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!

Tuesdays with Eli – Somewhere Near Palm Springs

So I know it’s cutting pretty close to the end of Tuesday, but with all these crazy weather warnings, my productivity has been interrupted. So with the last few minutes before Tuesday is over, I wanted to share a couple photos from Leslie and I’s “Epic West Coast Roadtrip”.
These were taken somewhere near Palm Springs California. It was really windy here. Enjoy!