A + K

A and K came in for some engagement images. They braved the cold for a few outside images. Anyone else ready for spring?
CA

K + A

K and A came in for a creative license e-shoot. They aren't having us do their wedding, but that's ok we still enjoyed shooting them! It's been a bit cold out so I'm having to try things in the studio. K dabbles in photography also, poor girl had to do what I did for our engagement images - timer. Not nearly as fun as the real thing.
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A bit of painting.

B Family

Another cute family

We went out in the fresh fallen snow.

Hmmm what could this be?

Guess what is coming very very soon?

From Britta

A note from fab photog Britta. The wine was because she keeps tearing it up in the WPJA competitions. Your welcome girl. It was great to see you.
CA

The note:
Cory Ann-
Thanks so much for the tasty bottle of wine! I've been sipping away at it while watching the third season of Project Runway (my guilty pleasure!)

It was also very nice to see you last Friday - it's fun getting a new perspective from such a talented photographer and savvy business woman!

Cheers!
Britta

Kristi

Kristi a good friend who owns Tuli here in town came in for some prego images. I'm glad she did. She looks so darn cute!
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Now isn't this one hot mamma.

From Pennie + Jacob

A note from Pennie and Jacob who's wedding I photographed this summer. Your welcome Pennie and Jacob.
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Cory Ann,
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift. We've had them rotating on our screen saver and enjoy them everyday.

We were so blessed to have such a talented photographer and the pictures will be forever enjoyed.
God Bless,
Pennie and Jacob

The Hunt

Sunday we headed down to the in-laws to eat an immense amount of food and to let the kids have fun hunting for eggs. Joni tried to get some images of Bailey in her dress and like most kids she ignored mom, so I snuck her away and got a couple. It's a good thing I didn't have a girl or my bank account would have nothing in it as I'd be buying so many outfits for her. So here is my girl fix in a group of 5 boys.
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Bailey.

I loved her little bloomers.

The Hunt:

The older boys had a separate set of eggs hidden extra well. This one took them forever to find. Hidden by yours truely. Can you find it?

And Andy hid this one, can you find it?

Photo Safari

Maria and I headed out to shoot whatever today, here is a rainbow of my favorites.
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From Tom

Thank you for the gift certificate Tom, and thanks for sending the book back.
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Cory Ann-

Thanks for loaning we this book for sooooo long@ I'm sorry it took we so long to return it.

I hope everything is going great with your family and business!
Thanks again,
Tom

Justin

Justin came in for some updated images, he's a realtor at Best Choice here in town. Here are two headshots that I like. A bit more modern than some of the other choices and they look like him. Relaxed and professional at the same time.
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B Family

Another family of B's headed in to the studio. These boys gave me a work out. But I like a challenge.
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Love this image, so natural

A couple of family images. I like that this one is fun.

And this one I like that spidey made an apperance.

H Girls

Loved these girls and their energy! Such beauty and innocence.
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B Family

Finally got to see the whole fam and I liked the light spring colors.
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H Family

A cute young family. Loved this smiley guy.
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Little A

A was a blast. I loved her princess dress.
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an abstract one.

P Family

Another great family. Loved these three.
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My Fam

I told Andy to bring the boys over for a portrait after my session last week as the light was beautiful and I wanted the sky reflected in the water. Unfortunately Andy is a ninny and could only stay in the water for two images. But the boys and I went back for more. And then we did a few in the studio also.
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All of us.

Love this image of the boys.

Ayden and mom by Kaleb. I must teach him the no tilty tilty rule, but I still like it.

Andy instigated it.

My boys.

Darwin + Adrienne: 02.29.08

On February 29th. The leap year I headed to Sioux Falls to photograph a portrait session/elopement. This was by far the smallest wedding I've ever photographed. So small in fact that I was one of the witnesses.

Darwin and Adrienne and their kids were great subjects as we shot in their home and around their property. After some portraits they all dressed up and took a few more before heading to the Butterfly House for the ceremony.

Dennis Thum from USF (our wedding officiant) did the service by the little bridge. Afterwards we took a few more portraits before Adrienne and Darwin headed out to dinner and to make a couple of phone calls to family and friends to tell them they finally tied the knot.

It was a fun day! Thanks for having me along guys.
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The Kids.

The insects.

N-G Family

Another fun family session
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Flying.

All the kids are loving this little chair. The girls are so drawn to the pink one and I must tear them away. Love the attitude shown in the arms in this one.

G Family

Two soon to be three who came in for a creative license session.
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R

R came in for a creative license session to mark a change in her life and I enjoyed trying to capture that and work in the direct sun light. R it was great to catch up with you again!
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B-R Family

So cute! And so much fun!
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Trying to get my camera.

smooches

K

K came in for a creative license session. Each session I'm looking for different things. Some things work and some don't but it's about exploration. This one I wanted to play with lines and form and try some backlighting as well.

Thanks for being such a great sport K. Can't wait to see the babe!
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E

E came in for a creative license session. I was hoping she'd wear pink. I tore up the part of my pink paper that was to be thrown away. E helped a bit. It was great to see her be creative with the paper and the chair. The paper became the water and the chair the slide.

It was great to see her having so much fun at a photoshoot. That's the way it should be!
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We still have a few openings left for the creative license sessions so be sure to call or e-mail if you are interested. Spread the word.

The evening sky

Just a random image I took of the sky last night. Love the stormy sky look.
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Becky + Justin: 01.05.08

Our last winter wedding to post. Becky and Justin got married right here in Brookings. Fortunately is was rather warm out considering the previous days.

We started out the day at the homes where the bride and groom were getting ready. Maria was with the guys and me with the girls. I love when we are in the homes of our clients as they are surrounded by friends and family. After the getting ready we headed out for the couple to see each other. We decided to do that outside instead of in the church and I think it was such a better idea. O and I got stuck in a snow pile.

After the meeting we headed to the church for some more portraits and did the formals in front of the church. I was impressed with everyones strength to weather the cold. I think it paid off. The ceremony was lovely, I always enjoy the increased decorations during the holiday season and Becky who didn't think she was going to cry was all teary eyed on the altar.

After that off to the Old Sanctuary for the reception. Decorated in simple black and white with lots of candles created a wonderful atmosphere. It was hilarious during the prayer when a friend said Justin was marrying some other women. I think he inserted his wifes name. Becky with her head down could not stop cracking up. It was a good time!
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Here is Becky getting into her flowers. I liked the bridesmaids shuffling in the mirror in the background along with the light.

The flowers.

Some individual portraits.

And the couple outside.

Rings and Shoe.

For a guestbook the guest wrote messages on little cards and tied them to the tree

This was on the pastors desk.

I'm always looking for different ways to shoot the light in this room. Loved the flare in this one..

The fisheye of the church, again, I like the extra decorations during the holidays.

And the first dance on the nice hardwood stage of the Old Sanctuary.

Check Marias blog in the upcoming days for more.

Jill + Dustin: 01.12.08

Jill and Dustin eloped and got married someplace not cold - Jamaica. They hired me to photograph their engagement and their reception back here in SD. They are a fun group and the reception was fun with good food and the first time I've seen karaoke. Dustin was a darn good singer, I was impressed.

Here are a few images.
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There weren't many images of the couple as they were mostly family images, but they did have a first dance.

And a bunch of details to carry with the jamaican theme.

Ashley + Jonathan 1.12.08

Even though there was freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, Ashley and Jonathan's wedding was packed full of fun and warmth.
I was very excited that these two were not afraid to schedule their day during one of our coldest and snow-packed months; it made for some unique images (not ALL people get the opportunity to see snow in their lifetime) and who doesn't just want to cuddle with the one they love when the wind's blowing? Needless to say, it didn't take much to see the love between Ashley and Jonathan while shivering during some portraits.
After the ceremony, we traveled about 30 miles to where the reception took place in Marshall, MN. Eveything was decorated with beautiful snowflakes and lights, along with the scrumptious looking cake and a full candy "bar". I had such a fabulous time, and enjoyed the energy and fun that Ashley and Jonathan's friends and family brought to their day. Thanks you two!
Maria


Before the ceremony, I had a chance to steal Ashley's shoes and capture this.

Some alone time right before heading down the isle.

What spunk Ashley had the entire night!!

SDPPA

Sunday my posse and I headed out to the SDPPA Winter Convention to learn from some other pros. While we were there some labs had booths and samples set up. While I went over to the ACI booth I found all kinds of my work being used. Below you can see the B Family in a canvas. Then in the other image you can see the ABC Book, Amanda's Senior Signature Book and the G kids on a sample linen postcard.

So humbling to see my work out on all these samples.
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From Heidi and Lisa

I got this lovely little package from Lisa and Heidi. As if the pretty packaging weren't enough waiting inside were two cute coach boxes. I didn't know they made them that small. And inside those a nice little present for me. I love them guys. Thank you so much.
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Cory Ann,
We wanted to thank you for sharing your precious time to photograph our children. You have an amazing eye ad a true gift behind the camera. As a token of our appreciation we wanted to share with you something that we love... all things Coach! Enjoy these stackable charms and wear them on your handbag with style!
Heidi and Lisa

Fargo Photog GTG

Friday after my session and meeting I headed north to West Fargo for a GTG at North Dakota Wedding Photographer: Milestones Photography studio. I have known Dave and Britta now for about 3 years and while I shot with Britta this summer I hadn't gotten to meet Dave in person. It was good to finally meet him. These two are great photogs and great peeps!

There were many other photogs there and it was great to see them all out socializing together. I got to meet North Dakota Wedding Photographer: Katie Lewis a new up and coming and finally met North Dakota Wedding Photographer: Shawna and Kory in person. We've been trading referrals for a while and Shawna has been stepping up her business, I love her custom blog and her new letterpress cards.

So what do photogs do when they gtg? They drink, talk shop and bust out the cameras to be goofy. Here are some of the may hilarious images. It's so good to have friends in the business.

Thanks Dave, Britta, Sara and Mo for hosting us.
Enjoy,
CA

The beautiful Britta

Look who made an apperance... The Traveling Shovel

Kory, Me and Shawna - I'm told this is the blue steel face.

Meg Spielman Peldo and Kris

Britta and Katie

See big kids can do the airplane too. Me and Shawna

And Dave and Shawna.

Ashley + Jonathan: 01.12.08

Another wonderful winter wedding. Maria was commissioned to photograph this wedding, but I was there at the beginning before heading out to photograph a reception. This was the largest bridal party we have ever seen - ever! But we handled it with ease and still completed all formals in about 20 minutes.

I think we get the most beautiful clients. Over and over again they make the best decisions on the dress, their hair, the flowers, all of it. I was happy Ashley kept some of her long hair down and the dress, omg another great one. Ok so enough from the second shooter. I'll let Maria tell you more since she was the boss at this one.

Here are a few of my images. Check Maria's blog later for more.

I'm into doing details of the dress while it is on the bride.

This image is a current fav of mine. I managed to catch Ashley's eye uncovered for a split second while the veil was being flipped over. I saw it in camera and was hoping I hit the shutter at the right time. Talk about timing.

And a classic black and white. Loved it the moment I took it. Sometimes you just know.

Minnesota Wedding Photographer: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.

Kelly + Heath: 12.31.07

Time for a little wedding blogging catch up. We had some absolutely beautiful weddings this winter. Starting with this one on New Year's Eve - I know long time no blog.

Kelly was a stunning bride. She has this classic beauty and I love the way she carries herself. You saw her dress in a post some time ago and it was almost as beautiful as her. She got ready at her parents home, let me just say this is so much better than the church basement. The light was wonderful and I loved that the bridesmaid were just hanging out on the bed and around the room comfy and perfect for images. Anyway it as a great start to the day.

Like the troopers they are we weathered the freezing cold for some outside winter images. After all they did schedule a winter wedding. It was lovely outside. The decor was simple, yet well thought out with trees packed with matching ornaments, garland, wreaths, candles and ribbons that made for a wonderful ambiance.

It was a lovely wedding and I'm so happy you chose me to photograph it.
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Some of those getting ready images.

And some outside portraits

Waiting with dad to walk down the aisle

the rings, they used different colored ornaments as a way to show the staff who had what for dinner. Great idea! and cute wedding favor as well.

Some dancing. I loved that Kelly switched from a long veil to a short one for the reception.

And a random detail of the dress on the dance floor.

Minnesota Wedding Photographer: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.

Intimate of N

N has released this image to show the viewers. I love the light and lines.
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South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa Boudoir / Intimate Photographer

Intimates of CA

That's right you read the heading correctly. I figured since my lovely clients not only trust me to take these images of them, but often to share them, that it was only fair that I do some as well. I was sitting in my chair at my desk and the light coming in was wonderful and I had to photograph it. Here is what we came up with. I personally think the Herman Miller and the Mac are the sexy part.
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sometimes blur is on purpose, sometimes not, but when it adds to the image I like it. As in this one here.

South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa Boudoir / Intimate Photographer

From Brookings Humane Society

We try to contribute where we can. Recently we donated a gift certificate for the fundraiser for the Brookings Regional Humane Society.

A note from them:

Dear Cory Ann,

THank you so much for your generous donation to our Silent Auction. Our event was a great success and we have wonderful members of the community like you to thank for it. We greatly appreciate your support!

Thanks again,
Jessica Driver
President Brookings Regional Humane Society

Steve's Party

Through the eyes of a 5 year old. AKA Ayden had the camera and was having a great time shooting everyone. I tell you I need to bring him to weddings everyone will pose for a kid.

Here is the slideshow. All the beginning images are Ayden's and after the image of Ayden, those are mine. Unedited and not retouched. Straight out of camera, except black and white and a bit of vingette.

slideshow