New Sample Book

One of our new sample books. This one contains many many images. With all of our other books the layouts are all custom and all images are retouched. We decided to make a new option. This book will hold up to 150 images in it's standard size, but none of the images are retouched and the layouts are all templates. The book is a clean nice design with a few customizations, but basically we are able to offer it at a much lower cost because of the template layout and the lack of post production on the images. It still looks great, but is another option to have twice as many images preserved in one nice book, great for parents and easy viewing of many images in addition to you your disk or your main album. Look in your cart for our products.

We used Elizabeth and John for this sample. Here are some images and the full layout. This is a good example also of full wedding day coverage. I think they ended up with about 8-9 hours of coverage by me. There was no second photographer at this wedding. You can see that while a second can be a great addition I am able to cover the wedding in it's entirety. Look close at the ceremony this Father did not want me to be seen, but I was still able to be sneeky and get an image variety with the proper skills and tools. The large number of portraits is do to Elizabeth and John scheduling plenty of time for us to get creative with them and the bridal party.

Can you recognize three AC Ellis brides in this book?
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AC Ellis Halloween Open House

Open to all:
AC Ellis Inc. Photography Studio
Halloween Open House
October 31
5-7pm
at the studio

No appointment necessary
No session fee
Images posted on-line for ordering
Goddies for the kids

In addition to the Halloween Open House we have some other events coming up. They will be blogged in the future, but you can now easily find upcoming ac ellis events by viewing the events section on the right of the blog. You can click on each event to see a digital invite with details.

Dad and Sis

I'm ashamed I got no images of my fam for the most part. They were here for days and only come every two years. But Andy got a few. This is why I didn't blog much last week. I took a break from work as I visited with my Dad and Sister who flew in from Cali.

At Ayden's school family fun night. Ayden got to show off his locker and stuff.

Reading with papa.

Wedding Editing

Well I have been plugging away at editing weddings. Hence the lack of wedding blog posts. I always blog in order, but with weddings and so many images to look through it takes to much away from other tasks.

While I'm in the editing process I sometimes come across images that include us. Here is one with Maria and I. I sure was glad to have her at this wedding. We took so many images that it is taking me extra long to edit. In fact almost all of my wedding this year included a second photog (free of charge) and they are benefiting with some extra perspectives and images, but boy does that increase the time it takes me to edit. That's ok. I know Maria is going out there for her first solo wedding with more weddings under her belt than some part-time pros who have been doing this for years.

Here we are with Laura.
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Hunting with Andy

Last Saturday I didn't have a wedding or a bridal show. First Saturday since July I think that I had off. So what does my crazy butt do? Got up at 5am to go duck hunting (for the first time) with my hubby. Now I knew it wasn't going to be the same as shopping for lovely shoes, but I had no idea I'd think I was going to die walking through a slough. I am so out of shape.

While the slough walking was very trying and tiresome it was enjoyable to spend some time with Andy and the sunrise on the water was reason enough to go again. Here are some images I took with the little point and shoot camera. Didn't dare take a big one out there.
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None of the blurring on the edges is done in PS. It's fog on the lens.

On the way there.

Some of the view after the hunt.

Winter in October: Back by Popular Demand

Back by popular demand.

AC Ellis Inc. Photography Studio
Winter in October
extended to include October 24-30
$100 Package Special Includes:
- Studio Session (20 minutes, one outfit)
- 24 Standard Holiday Cards
- 24 Wallets
- On-line Ordering

Individual and immediate family groupings and breakdowns only.
Limited Openings.
Call 605.212.1617 to schedule your appointment.

In addition to the Winter in October we have some other events coming up. They will be blogged in the future, but you can now easily find upcoming ac ellis events by viewing the events section on the right of the blog. You can click on each event to see a digital invite with details.

Thank You Grand Opening

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the studio for the Grand Opening. It was a success and it was great to see so many familiar as well as new faces. It was so busy that I didn't take a single image until we were cleaned up already. I hope that I will see many of you back many more times through out the years.
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A special thanks to those that brought gifts:

A beautiful arrangement from Den-Wil (my landlord) by Calista at Bloomingvilla. Bloomingvilla (when given creative reign) comes up with some very unique designs that even impress my hubby.

A cute little prop from Calista.

And a flower arrangement from Steve my fab lab rep from American Color Imaging. He drove in all the way from IA. I tell you photogs out there if you want to be with a lab that cares, this is one you want to look into.

Intimate Book

This pretty little book came in last week. It is a replica of the one Amanda gave Jed for his wedding gift. Amanda has been so gracious as to allow us to use her images. In case anyone has been wondering we only show images from our intimate sessions by permission of our girls. Amanda has given us full permission and she has become our poster gal for intimates. She is your everyday gal and incredibly beautiful. She rocked her session.
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South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota Boudoir Photographer

From Brian + Mary

Cory Ann-
How do we begin to thank you? You have provided us with so many wonderful images to help us remember the most wonderful day of our lives thus far. The energy you posess really comes back in the image you take. We'll forever be grateful to you for our most prized wedding memory, without you we wouldn't be able to share the stories of our day with the guests that couldn't make it!
Love Brian and Mary

From Jen + Bo

Cory Ann and Maria,
Wow, wow, wow! Bo and I are so pleased with our wedding pictures! We love them! They are absolutely the best pictures we have ever seen! You have so much talent - very creative! This is what is so great is your creativity and originality.
We truely enjoyed having you as our photographer! I know the motel wasn't the best! The wedding schnapps was good! Everyone loves the pictures! Thank you for having your contest and us winning! We are very honored! Bo and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You didn't miss a thing! Pictures are everything - capture the moment! Maria - you did a great job! You have a great teacher! Good luck! Thanks for everything! You two are VERY talented!
Love,
Bo, Jen, Alexus and Katie Beck

AC Ellis T-Shirts

Two sets of AC Ellis shirts just came in. Come to the Grand Opening tonight for your chance to get one of these limited edition super cool and comfy shirts. I searched high and low for the right fabric, cut and feel. They are just perfect. Great for layering and o so soft.

If you would like to purchase one they are on the shopping cart. Each shirt is only available while supplies last. After we run out we will be coming up with a new design. Get them while you can.
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cowboy:

grunge:

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who sent e-mails, gifts, wrote on my facebook wall, called and so forth for my 31st b-day (yesterday). Man I feel like this is worse than 30. No turning back. Not like you ever can, but darn I'm 31. Still have a lot to do on my list. I had better get to work. I think I'll post it on here at some point and see if you all can help me check of some of my items. In case you don't know what the list is, it's things I wanted to do/accomlish before 30 and in my lifetime. So much to do, so little time.

You know everyone says I'm hard to buy for. I always tell them no I'm not think of the little things.... Godiva chocolate from Maria, a massage from Erin, Bath stuff from Jody, dinner and a cool ceramic bowl from Roxie and Rog, Starbucks gift card and mug from Nikki, an e-mail from my longest friend Joye. Yep it's the little things, like just knowing someone cares.

Darn it now I need a new license. Why do they make it expire on your b-day anyway?

Thank you to Andy who planned a great evening last Saturday and took me to dinner at Minerva's which is always yummy and to the South Dakota Symphony at the Washington Pavilion. It was a good night. And I never did post on our Anniversary (too busy, Oct. 5), but hey babe it's been a great 6 years.
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My first b-day gift arrived on Saturday afternoon from a good fellow photog friend in KC, Kim Gorombey. Can't wait to go see her next month for some R&R. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I had ordered, turns out it was a beautiful wrapped picture frame vase. I'll show you all the vase once I get an image and some flowers in it.
Thanks Kim.

The Silver Box

Want to know what's in the box? Come to the Open House tomorrow night. This is one of the many super cool door prizes.
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PS. This beautiful gift wrapping is also available in many sizes in your shopping cart to make your gift giving even easier. Inside your items are wrapped in tissue sealed with a sticker and we include a notecard with your message. Mailed to you for delivery or directly to the recipient. The silver and white while showing of the AC Ellis colors also works for any occasion.

Spencer

What happens when there is a split second of good light in the studio and a cute son in the neighboring office....

From Bonnie

A note from a fellow photog. Thank you Bonnie.
Always happy to help.
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The B Family

These guys are great and end up being my muses on a regular basis. Since I didn't know how long the leaves would last so they raced over to my place for a quick session (about 15-20 minutes). There weren't enough leaves for what I was thinking, but there are now and it was good practice. I ended up with much to evaluate and learn for future sessions. Love to learn.

Keep checking the blog cause if I wake up and the weather is right, the leaves are right and I don't have sessions already all day I may just spend the day at the park with my camera and photograph any of you who drop by to keep me company. Keep watching cause it will be on a short notice. Pick some clothes and have them ready just in case. Fall colors and blacks work best.
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My favorites are the crazy leave throwing ones. Love the kids interacting and having fun together. T-bone getting cut off is so him doing his own thing and non-stop.

And some posed images...

Lynsay + Brent

For a little more Winter in October

Betsy and Mike's Book

Betsy and Mike's book came in a while ago, finally sharing with you.
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The whole thing.

Katelyn

A little bit of winter in October.
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Jill + Dustin

This one started it off right. As Jill was changing Dustin informed me that he hates pictures. I don't think you can tell. It was a great session and we had a blast comparing our family. We so need to go out and have a drink and chat together.
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Eva

I love when my couples make beautiful babies and bring them back for me to photograph. Her is Eva, the lovely daughter of Evan and Elizabeth. So precious, they are going to be wonderful parents.
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This is my favorite, look how small she is in her daddies hand.

And a sneak peak at what we got into the office last week...

Katie + Matt

Another wonderful couple and lovely evening in Brookings. I had a great time with Katie and Matt, they are so cute together and fun to photograph.
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Becky and her boys

Some of you may remember Becky, she assisted me at many weddings last season. Well she wasn't doing that this year becuase she was prego and now she finally got her butt into the studio and I get to show you some images of her and her boys.

Brandon

After photographing his sisters grad images last year and his other sisters wedding I of course jumped at the chance to photograph one more family member. Here is Brandon.
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The parents. Love these two.

Emily + Nate

Emily and Nate ended up with the PERFECT day for their engagment session here in Brookings. Look at these fall colors.
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Kelly + Heath

Kelly and Heath drove up from Omaha and met me in Sioux Falls for their engagement session. We ended up with a beautiful fall day. I'm looking forward to their Monday New Year's Eve wedding. That's right a Monday wedding, not everyone gets married on Saturday and Sunday.
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Sheena + Billy

Sheena and Billy came in for their engagment session with Maria and I also took some images.
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Beyond Busy

It has been beyond busy around here so something needed to be put aside for just a little while and that was the blog. Delivering images on-time and keeping me at the top of my game during weddings is far more important, but finally I've got a chance to blog. I'm going to start with many portrait sessions and then move on to the weddings. Keep checking back through out the day as there are going to be a lot. Enough to make up for each day that I didn't post.

Sorry for those of you getting blog withdrawls. I hope you understand why I took a break. I have a busy few more weeks ahead of me so please stick with me if I slack off again. Enjoy all the posts to come. And as soon as I have things caught up on my side we will be updating Maria's blog. She's been shooting a lot of wedddings with me and I will be prepping all her images as soon as possible.
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Fall evening light peeking in a window.

Studio Grand Opening

Well it's been open for a while and it's time for the Grand Opening.
Open to all:
AC Ellis Inc. Photography Studio
Thursday October 18 5-8pm
1215 Trail Ridge Road Suite C
Brookings, SD

See our new products, enjoy refreshments (including chocolate fountain mmmm.), goodie bags, door prizes and meet the staff including Maria and Erin.

In addition to the Grand Opening we have some other events coming up. They will be blogged in the future, but you can now easily find upcoming ac ellis events by viewing the events section on the right of the blog. You can click on each event to see a digital invite with details.

Canvas Prints

Canvas Print samples are in. They are a great way to have your images printed. The canvas is wrapped around a wood stretcher so from the side you see part of the image. I can also prepare a color to line the side of images. With the canvas you can hang your images right on the wall as soon as you receive them. No need to frame. They are a bit more than the standard and deluxe prints, but take it from me and my framing bill this is far cheaper than paying for framing. So if this fits your home decor consider this option. Schedule a time come in and see the samples or come to the Grand Opening. I'll try to post some more images of the canvas prints I recently got, they are beautiful.
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M Card

It's crazy busy around here and not a lot of time for extra stuff like blogging, but I'll be catching you all up this coming week. In the meantime think about your holiday cards. If you can't get in for a session this winter think new year or spring cards, it is fun to give and get them all year long. We should have some new stuff to share soon and as always we love to do custom cards. Here is one that is way ahead of the game.

Molly + Tyson

Molly and Tyson came in last week for some portraits. They were good sports and let me put them in the dry cleaners - Thanks JD. Here are some images.
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Country

After the wedding this weekend Maria and I had a little time to play. Here are some personal images I created with the assistance of Maria.
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Winter in October

AC Ellis Inc. Photography Studio
Winter in October
October 11-17
$100 Package Special Includes:
- Studio Session (20 minutes, one outfit)
- 24 Standard Holiday Cards
- 24 Wallets
- On-line Ordering

Individual and immediate family groupings and breakdowns only.
Limited Openings.
Call 605.212.1617 to schedule your appointment.

In addition to the Winter in October we have some other events coming up. They will be blogged in the future, but you can now easily find upcoming ac ellis events by viewing the events section on the right of the blog. You can click on each event to see a digital invite with details.

Deena + Isabella

As a birthday gift for herself Deena got a session with her daughter Isabella. Here are a few images to share.
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Kirby

And I thought children grew fast. Kirby has grow so much from her first session. Here is her most recent session. Still a little lover.
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Kirby's first session.