Nikki and Tyler have been clients of mine for quite some time now.  I’ve photographed Nikki’s senior portraits, I’ve had a couple of fun shoots with them, including maternity photos and baby portraits… along with some great shots in the snow last winter.

Here are a few photos from their wedding that took place at Lydia’s Weddings on Lake Norfork,,, on the ONLY rainy day of July.  It had been so amazingly hot,,, right up to the day they were planning their outdoor wedding.  We were thrilled for the slight dip in temperatures, but the rain wasn’t something that anybody had really planned on.  Luckily, a member of the wedding party ran into town and purchased the coolest clear umbrellas.

jb

Okay it’s December and we’re clearing out some room on our hard drives and before I archive all the portrait sessions from the past two years, I’m putting them on clearance.

Normally the digital files from your portrait session are $45.00 each, or $800 for the entire collection. When you purchase a digital file, or collection, you receive a print authorization release that allows you to print for personal use with the lab of your choice. Have cards made. Use them on Facebook. Your choices are nearly limitless.

Through December you can purchase your digital file collection for $199.00 (plus tax). Once January arrives, it’s back to full price. So if you didn’t get all the professional prints that you wanted, now’s your chance to take advantage of the best offer we’ve ever made.
To order your copy, call the office at 870-404-9241.
jb

I’ll be posting their wedding soon,  so I better get their engagement photos up!  Here’s Nikki and Tyler’s early summer engagement photos.  Such a gorgeous couple.  Can’t wait to show you their wedding.

jb

Okay, the summer months really kicked my butt with a LOT of shooting to do and I got WAY behind on blogging. So, let’s start getting caught up with Joe and Amy! I’m ashamed to say that it was way back in June when they were married and it was sweltering hot,,, and to be honest, I thought we were going to lose Joe at one point outside. He made it through though and we ended up with a beautiful wedding and reception.

These guys are serious Beer Pong players and brought out their Beer Pong table late in the evening.

Enjoy!
jb

August has arrived and it is still horribly hot outside. Since we’re all stuck inside let’s take some time to send out wedding contracts. All weddings booked by August 10th will receive a special gift. A complimentary signing book of your engagement photographs will be included in your package. Your contract must be back to my studio by August 10th to receive the book. Give me a call and let’s get moving! 870-404-9241

jb

In the summer of 1976 I was 4 years old…. well, 4 and 3/4.   It was my last summer before I started Kindergarten, and to be honest, I have very few actual memories of that time period, so most likely my love of 76 has been created from a longing for a simpler time and general love of my childhood.  In my mind, 1976 represents a lot of things…. the bicentennial birthday of our country’s freedom… lightning bugs and jar flies… cold watermelon with the juice dripping from my chin as I try to spit the seeds as far as possible… grandparents’ yards filled with cousins, all running around while we wait for homemade peach ice cream to finish.  All things that make me smile.  It was a time before we were all connected 24 hours a day.  A time when you could leave the house without worrying whether or not you have your cell phone in your pocket.  A time when it required a dime to call home from town.

As an adult I wonder if my children will have a time period that they remember with such fondness.  I wonder if I do my job as “dad” and allow them to have the childhood that will make them smile as they approach 40?

Last Saturday we joined several other families in a yard.  A yard with a slip-n-slide that seemingly went on for miles.  Kids ran around in their bathing suits getting wet… with grass clinging to their bare feet.  The adults stood around in small groups, talking about everything, and at the same time, talking about nothing.  Mostly, just enjoying the company of one another.  The air was filled with the haze and smell of burned fireworks.  A smell that always makes me happy.

A speaker hidden somewhere behind a curtain played a continual loop of patriotic music that served as a perfect auditory backdrop for the evening.

A concession area kept the kids well hydrated with sugary sodas and kept their stomachs full with fresh, cold watermelon.

All in all, it was a perfect evening.

Now, I own more photography equipment than I care to describe, but this evening I left it all at home.  I wasn’t a photographer, I was a dad…. I was a friend…. and for a few moments I was 4 years old and it was 1976 all over again.  The only images I took were with my cell phone (as ironic as that is) and most of them are just for me.  I’m only posting two of them…. and the rest are a special gift to myself.  A gift that serves to remind me that a simpler life is right here…. just aching for each of us to participate.  To not answer that phone call…. to just enjoy the company of our families and friends… face to face.

The fireworks were truly spectacular.  The show was beyond anything I had anticipated to see while sitting in a lawn chair in a friend’s yard.  What made it even more special, was that I got to share it with my wife and all of my kids.

This weekend as we celebrate our country’s independence, I hope each of you take the time to search for your 1976… or at least for that particular year that means so much to you.  Have fun, stay safe and take the time to keep a few photos just for yourself.

jb

So it may be summer and graduation has come and gone, but that is another story.  This story is about Richard.  We’ve been trying to get Richard in for quite some time for his senior portraits, but his schedule, combined with waiting for just the right conditions on the golf course.  We finally had everything align and we were able to get together and do his session…. and he suited up.  I believe he may have a little Barney Stinson deep inside.

jb

Richard from Mtn. Home

One thing you should know about Anna,,, is that her smile is magically attached to my lens.  I’d ask her to give me a serious look, and she’d have it down perfect.  Then, I’d raise my lens and as my lens would come up her smile would appear.  Anna may be one of the happiest, biggest smile, easy to work with young ladies that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing in quite a while.  I had more fun than I can adequately convey in words.  I hope the photos show how much fun we had.

jb

Okay, this bride has the coolest name ever…. but I may be a bit biased.   When you get past her amazing name, you’ll find an amazing couple that are incredibly in love with one another.  Chad, while seemingly laid back, lights up when Blair is around.  His smile gets a bit wider and you can tell that he is totally taken with her.  I don’t blame him.  She is beautiful,,, inside and out.  I genuinely adored my afternoon with these guys.

It may have been REALLY warm, but we took our time, shot a few awesome shots, went back in to let them cool off and then went back to shoot some more.  Luckily, by the time the ceremony arrived the sun had gone down enough to allow us to remain outside without melting.

Here are a few of my personal favorites from their wedding day.

jb

A few months ago I received a phone call from Lindsay at Arkansas Bride Magazine who said she was interested in one of my weddings that she’d seen on the blog.  I sent in a DVD of photos and…. here we go.  It has been great each and every time to see my clients in print.  Such a cool way for them to extend the celebration of their wedding day.

jb

Dylan and Sarah : October 2, 2010