Eli Murray Photography » Arkansas Photographer

Taylor + Melanie – Arkansas Engagement Portraits

Eli — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:00:46 +0000

Taylor and Melanie are a super sweet couple. This Wednesday they made the trip down from Duluth, Minnesota to visit with family and take their engagement photos with me here in Little Rock. We had a blast and I can easily see why these two are perfect for each other. When they first got here, I told them that we may have to jump a few fences to get into some good locations. Melanie seemed a little worried, but I promised not to get us thrown in jail for trespassing so she went along for the ride, haha. Turns out we only had to cross one fence and it was on a public park so it was a good day. However, we were almost attached by a friendly/excited wet dog who had more than likely just taken a swim in the river and was out for a run, haha.
Stay tuned for Taylor and Melanie’s wedding photos this August! Enjoy!

Krystina + Cullen – Marlsgate Plantation Wedding

Eli — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:16:56 +0000

At the beginning of this month I had the wonderful opportunity to photography Krystina and Cullen’s wedding. I feel really honored to have been a part of their big day! Krystina and Cullen are one of those couples that make you smile just watching them together! Congrats you guys! Here are just a few of my favorites from Saturday. Enjoy!

Kaylen + Patrick – Arkansas Engagement Photos

Eli — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:03 +0000

I’ve got three reasons why I’m pumped to be photographing Patrick and Kaylen’s wedding in July! First, they are one cool couple and have lots of love for each other. Second, they also booked one super cool wedding planner Jessica Kersey to help them with their wedding. Third, they’re reception is at the Clinton Library and I’ve never shot a wedding there! Here are just a few of my favorites from their engagement session! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Eli — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:06:14 +0000

Wow I’m sure doing a lot of personal blogs lately, I guess I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family recently. That’s not a bad thing right? I’m actually really happy that I can spend so much time with my family, after all, they do mean a whole lot to me. Today is my Mom’s Birthday. We celebrated this weekend with dinner and gifts, and while I was visiting we got a little bit of a flurry. Of course I had my camera and asked mom if she would let me take a few photos of her. At the time, I was just snapping away, quickly composing the frame, adjusting shutter speed and aperture, just doing what I do without thinking much about it. Today, now that I’m looking at these photos and posting them on my blog, I’m realizing how special these photos are to me. Honestly they’re priceless. Happy Birthday Mom!

Arkansas Portrait Photographer

Mom's Portrait

Jaycee Alice – Newborn Portraits Arkansas

Eli — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:46:36 +0000

Candice really has been with me from the beginning, she’s been a loyal client and friend for over the last two years. When I was first getting started in photography, Candice helped me build my portfolio by letting me photograph her bridal portraits. After Candice and Ray got married in 2008, it wasn’t long before their family began to grow. I was super excited that Candice still thought of me to do her maternity photos. That really is the biggest complement that I receive, when I take someone’s photo and they are so happy they come back. I hope that I will continue to be a part of Candice, Ray, and now baby Jaycee’s lives and I plan to continue to deliver photos that will make them smile. Thanks again Candice, for letting me be a part of your special moments, you certainly are a special part of my life.

New Parents

Baby Alphabet Blocks

Arkanasas Newborn Photographer

Baby Details

Newborn Portrait

Newborn Portrait Photographer

Tuesday's with Eli – Roadtrips

Eli — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:45:32 +0000

I have always loved road trips. For one thing I do some of my best thinking on the road. All the distractions of the “day to day life” are taken away when you only have one simple task to do…Drive. Because I had dated Leslie for 3 years long distance, I got pretty used to long drives. I really only need a couple things to make me happy on a road trip: Plain sunflower seeds, bottle water, possibly a Rockstar Energy drink, and if it’s a really long drive… an audio book. These simple things make all the difference to me if I’m driving by myself. However, if I have a driving partner, that is something else. This weekend Leslie and I took a roadtrip to Nashville, Tennessee, her hometown. We we going there for her sister’s birthday dinner at her grandparent’ house. The weather was really nice the whole weekend, just a bit chilly, but made for a super pretty drive most the way. I was major excited to listen to my new audiobook “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi, and the 11 hour drive was a perfect fit. I’m glad Leslie didn’t mind either. As long as the narrator has a non-annoying voice we’re good, haha. It was a good book, I definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to get a little better at networking, and not in an artificial way, but in a genuine making friends and lasting connections kinda way. My friend Geoff Duncan recommended it to me, and I’m sure glad he did. Now I say pay it forward!

Here’s a quick little photos Leslie grabbed on the drive. Have a great week!

Eli

Road Trip Sunset

Tuesdays with Eli – Fun in the Snow!

Eli — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:44 +0000

Yesterday I blogged about the engagement portraits I took of Danielle & Jordan on Saturday. I told you guys that if they didn’t want to get out because of the weather, I was gonna be stupid and get out anyways just to shoot some portraits of Leslie & I in the snow. But because Danielle & Jordan were such awesome sports, they wanted to shoot their engagements, plus shoot some of Leslie and I too. I have to say, I really liked the idea because shooting my own portraits with a tripod and remote is not the easiest thing to do. I was a little reluctant at first though, I didn’t want to make my clients work for me, haha, but Leslie didn’t mind. She always wants great shots of the two of us. She thinks that we don’t have enough photos together because I’m always behind the camera. So, after I did some photos of Danielle and Jordan, I showed them some of the basics on working my camera and they were ready to go! After I looked at a few of their photos, I was shocked. I better watch out, because Danielle & Jordan may be the next dream team photographers to take my job. Leslie was ecstatic, she couldn’t stop talking about how great the photos were. It was a lot of fun shooting in the snowy environment, but it sure was different letting my clients photograph me.
So there you go, my second “Tuesday’s with Eli” post and I’m already getting my clients to shoot for me, haha. Stick around, who knows what what craziness I’ll have next week.

These first few I shot of Leslie before we met up with Danielle & Jordan.

Arkansas Portrait Photographer

Arkansas snow portraits

Eli Murray

Couple Portraits

Snow Portraits

Happy couple

elimurray photography

Seriously aren’t these great. Leave Danielle & Jordan some love and let them know what you think of their skills.

Engagement Portraits in the Snow – Arkansas Photographer

Eli — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:00:57 +0000

I really do have some of the greatest clients. I’m always telling myself how thankful I am that I’ve been blessed with awesome clients that love my style of photography and match my easy going personality. Last Saturday I was scheduled to shoot Danielle & Jordan’s engagement photos, little did we know at the time of planning, that Arkansas weather would have other plans in mind. The snow, sleet, and icy roads didn’t stop us though. Jordan & Danielle may have needed just a little bit of convincing and I did have to pick them up because they couldn’t get out of there driveway. But I know that once we made it out, they were very happy that we stayed with our decision to shoot on Saturday. The snowy white scenery made for a super unique setting. It was very cold, don’t get me wrong, but we may not get another snow day like this here and I knew I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. My back-up plan if Danielle and Jordan wanted to re-schedule, was to brave the weather anyways and shoot some portraits of Leslie & I, but when I was telling Danielle this, she reminded me that she was no stranger to cameras. You see Danielle & Jordan both have backgrounds in production and photography, and they were more than happy to take a few photos of Les & I in the snow. More on that tomorrow – “Tuesday with Eli Post”
So here are Danielle & Jordan’s engagements. Enjoy!

Vintage Engagement Photographer

Arkansas Snow

Vintage Engagement Portraits

Pine Cone Snow

Arkansas Portrait Photography

Couples Kiss

E-Session Snow

Winter Portraits Little Rock

Tuesdays with Eli – My Goals for 2010

Eli — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:44:03 +0000

It’s a new year and I have some big things planned. First, I want to start blogging more. I hope you will all stick around and enjoy the ride with me. I’ve decided to start a “Tuesdays with Eli” blog. My plan is to release a new blog every Tuesday, that lets you get to know me a little better. Some with pretty pictures, some with just boring ol’ words. Most of the time I will probably talk about what I did that week, new movies I see, family stuff, planning for my wedding with Les, or whatever is on my heart. I want to encourage my readers to give me some feedback if you feel like it. I really enjoy when you guys leave me some love, offer suggestions, or ask any questions. : )

Okay so for the first “Tuesdays with Eli” blog post, you get a treat. I am laying out my goals for the new year. This list is actually not complete, but this is a good start.

1. Attend a Jose Vila Workshop
2. Book at least 25 weddings
3. Second shoot for at least 7 weddings
4. Teach Leslie to drive a standard transmission
5. Upgrade my camera body
6. Develop my wedding turn-around time to under two weeks
7. Do a bridal portrait session during busy Rivermarket (any takers?)
8. Make revisions to website and logo (small re-branding)
9. Teach Leslie how to shoot a DSLR like a Pro
10. Set up 2 small workshops for non-photographers (maybe next year I’ll be teaching other photogs)
11. Book wedding location (my wedding)
12. Book photographer (my wedding)
13. Book honeymoon (my wedding)
14. Blog at least once a week (Tuesdays with Eli)
15. Book keeping every month.
16. Make trip to see my brother Geoff in Arizona
17. Make a trip to Colorado just to visit and take photos
18. Try a new food I’ve never had
19. Help someone who is just getting started in photography
20. Volunteer at the Pulaski County Human Society
21. Take photos of the adoptible animals
22. Shoot a portrait session with my grandma
23. Find a bigger place to live
24. Give away all my old clothes
25. Get some new clothes
26. Call my parents once a week and tell them I love them
27. Sell some of my old gear (let me know if you are interested)
28. Book 6 senior sessions
29. Take photos of my products for the website
30. Audiobook- “Never Eat Alone” (Thanks Geodun)
31. Take weekend get-away trip with Leslie
32. Orginize monthly lunch meet-up for photographers
33. Attend an Autocross event
34. Buy food dehydrator
35. Develop my own brand of Beef Jerky
36. Audio book – “Fast Track Photographer”
37. Find a new location to shoot portraits every month
38. Photograph a total stranger (with permission)
39. Buy a new office chair
40. Attend a John Mayer concert

So there you go. Like I said it’s not complete, there are still a million other things I would like to do this year, but its a start. Also sorry about the strange order. I was brain storming, and it was just flowing that way. One more treat for you guys. I just shot some really great bridal portraits on Monday at Marlsgate Plantation, blog coming soon, but I wanted to share with you the sunset that evening. So Bang! First Tuesday with Eli and you get a pretty picture too. Haha

2010 Winter Sunset Photography

Lauren & Ryan Vintage Wedding- Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Eli — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:33:39 +0000

I’m very excited to say that I am blogging my first wedding of 2010. I have a really great feeling about this year! Lauren and Ryan picked the super great wedding planner Jessica Kersey to make sure that their wedding was something to remember. The reception and catering were at Next Level Events, and I can testify, the food was great! I was happy to have my good friend Geoff Duncan as a second shooter along side me. All in all this was an incredible wedding to start the new year with. I was honored to be a part of such an important event to begin with, but at the end of the day Lauren’s mom welcomed to be a part of her extended family. I had such a great time at Ryan & Lauren’s wedding. I hope you guys enjoy some of the photos! For more info on all the details of the wedding check out Finishing Touch’s Blog here.

Here the girls were getting ready at Studio XS Salon.

Studio XS Salon Bride

Bridesmaids Getting Ready

Arkansas Bride Flowers

Here’s a little teaser from the “First Look” You can see the rest of it here.

Classic Car Bride & Groom

Arkansas Wedding Photography

Groom throwing football

Groomsmen Sunset

Modern Wedding Photography

Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Bridesmaids

Father of the Bride

Ceremony

Little Rock Wedding Photography

Finishing Touch Event Design

Next Level Events

Wedding Cake

Chocolate Bar

This was my favorite part of the reception. The engagement photos that we took back in November had their own display!

Engagement Photos Display

Modern Wedding Photographers Arkansas

Bride & Groom Leaving

You can view all of the photos from the wedding and order prints here.