South Dakota Boudoir on Wedding Chicks

My intimates of Maria have been featured on the popular Wedding Chicks wedding blog. Boudoir photography is becoming more and more popular and it's great to see the wedding sites showcasing the images since many of my clients are brides-to-be creating a wedding gift for their groom.

Now you know you want to see more of these fab images shown for others to be inspired so be sure to click the link above and leave a comment.

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PS Maria, you rocked it!

South Dakota Intimate / Boudoir Photography, Boudoir Workshops

Nelson Criss Cross Bubble Lamp

Further my quest to have a home full of inspiring art on the walls in integrated in came forward in the installation of this lamp. This is a George Nelson Criss Cross Bubble Lamp.. Designed in 1947 of wire and Polymer. It is simple and beautiful and now hangs above our dining room table.

My Model

Testing the set up for the Night on the Town Ayden was my stand in.
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Cali randoms

This is Ayden and my Papa. I used to spend summers with him in Mad River and Fort Dick. yep a little town called Fort Dick. I remember there was a bee farmer nearby and Papa was allergic to bees. Such an odd thing. I also remember how he used to softly pinch the skin on my neck. Ayden used to do that too me when he was little and I held him. So odd since Papa never really did it to Ayden.

This is Uncle Jose. It was a strange time when we were in Cali. My cousin died just before my mom did and then like the day before I was home a childhood friend committed suicide. Lots of sad times. But Uncle Jose found time to hang with us and Ayden is great at making people smile. Here they are outside Capt'n Flints.

Ayden on the rocks at Glass Beach

My friend Joye's kids Riley and Taylor (Joye was ever so kind to let us stay with her) and Ayden checking out this huge tree. I can't remember how old the tree is, but each of those little diamonds represents major things in history happening. It's crazy to think that that tree stood there while so many events in history took place. And then someone cut it down.

We went out to visit my cousin Tammy and her husband Ted and they had some four-wheelers for dad and Ayden to play on. They had so much fun!

And at last Oly beer. I don't know if you can find it here in SD. It's just one of those staples that you know your home. Although I have never had any to drink, no thanks.

And on our way home.

The night that we left Ayden fell asleep in in my lap and my dad and sister left him a little message to read later.

Some family snaps

Had to get some "official" images with the fam. My other sister had to head home, but here are Dad, Magnum, Ayden and I.
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I love this image. Ayden having fun and Dad in the background looking on.

Ayden at Hare Creek

Another evening at the beach. Loving the soft Cali light. Of course my monster takes after his dad and prefers to make faces or ignore me when I have the camera on him.
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The Skunk Train w/ Papa

My dad, aka Papa Bill, wanted to take Ayden on the Skunk Train. I posted images of it earlier. Anyway we had a good time. This is the same train we took my senior year in high school. It's tradition to have a senior skip day. I imagine it started as actually skipping, but the admin finally got around to organizing it. We took the train to the Boys and Girls Club. In the off season you can rent it. It's the same place Andy and I rented for our wedding reception.

Here are some images of the trip.
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Ayden and Papa

Dad and I

I love that Ayden is looking at Papa and laughing.

Since the train goes so slow. There are some open platforms that you can hang out on, that's were Ayden wanted to be.

Then when we stopped in North Spur (the turn around spot) Ayden got to go into the Engineers area with Mr. Ball.

Just a bit of popcorn.

Hanging his head out the window.

And Papa showing Ayden his favorite fishing holes.

And all three of us.

And my daddy.

The Great Greats

When Ayden and I went back to California we made sure to visit the grandparents. While he won't ever really know his Grandma he is very fortunate to have many other Grandparents, among them my mom's grandparents are still alive. This is Bud and Nikki they are my Great Grandparents and Ayden's Great Great Grandparents. Yep that's five generations, just missing one in the middle.

This is grandpa, I drove by one day and he was out working on the flowers. By flowers I mean the huge rhododenderon trees that are all over his property. He used to run Richards Rhododenderons then Richards Diciduous Azeleas before retiring. But retirement for him never meant sitting around. I don't know how he is, I just know that I'm amazed that he's still up and kickin'. I imagine he taught my mom how to care for them. She in turn taught me. When I was home I was sure to pick the sticky old blooms off the trees (maybe bushes they aren't as big as grandpas).

This is grandma, as we came in the house she was in her normal spot on the corner of the couch. All happy and smiles and ready to distribute big hugs to her grandkids. I wonder how many total she has. Either way she's still strong and gives good hugs.

And some of us with them and them together. Ayden took some too.

This one is proof that sometimes it's the content and not the quality of the image.

Guinness: take 5; 10.5 weeks old

He's much older now and I have new pictures of how big he is but I figured like the rest of the fam I need to catch you up on our summer.

Guinness has decided that the love sacs are the most comfortable place in the house.

Robin + Steph

I love that these two girlfriends did this together. They rocked it! I may add some more for you all later.
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Ayden at Pudding Creek

Well I had a big scare and hopefully it is remedied. This week in the process of office organization and such I accidentally deleted all of my personal and random images. My client folders are backed up extensively on mirrored drives and discs, but you know the shoe makers children. Well yeah the photographers images, not so much. I did manage to have many many of them backed up and that was a huge relief, but some were gone and my computer was out of commission for two days while running recovery software. I think all the images are there, I've skimmed through the recovered files, but I had a lot to go through. Weddings from 5 years ago managed to get recovered. These computers are amazing things. Now back up your files!

Anyway her are some images from Ayden's first memorable visit to the beach. Pudding Creek beach from our July trip to Cali.

I wonder how many times I've passed under this bridge.

Kaylla

Yes I'm still alive. I've been spending the week doing some stuff. Yep stuff. Anyway. I know some of you are missing me and my posts. This is Kaylla, you may remember her, she used to assist for me. Well guess what she's a senior this year. I cannot believe it! She has grown into a beautiful young woman and yesterday I got to spend some time photographing her senior portraits (which kick arse by the way).

Here she is, this is straight out of the camera. Lovely light and lovely young woman.

I still have a lot to catch you all up on and don't you worry I will. Stay tuned.
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Where were you?

I was in the HPER building in Greencastle, Indiana at DePauw University working on the computer. I thought it was all fake or something and didn't really stop everything, but I remember it all still. They had it on a tv in the main office.

Andy was in South Dakota downtown getting a coffee and heard it on Bob and Tom.

There are only a couple of events that didn't directly happen to me that I can tell you exactly where I was. This is one of them.
Where were you?
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Sabrina + Nabeel: 07.12.08

In July I flew out to Washington D.C. to photograph Sabrina and Nabeel's wedding. It was my first time in our nation's capitol, and I was extremely excited because theirs was the first Indian wedding that I had attended. It was such a great experience!

Thanks for making me feel right at home, and I hope to visit again sometime soon!

Maria L



Sabrina's wedding attire included a sari that has been handed down in the family for many generations. It was such a beautiful shade of green, and was spun gold! (You can image the weight of it!) There were so many intricate stitches and different designs that made it such a unique piece.

Isn't she gorgeous?!

A couple portraits.

What beautiful detail!

White - South Dakota Wedding Ideas

There is something about white and weddings that go hand in hand. And how many different shades of white are there? Lots? Just like the other colors feel free to pull variations together to create a beautifully colored theme.

Chair covers can dress up a room like you would not believe. These silk covers also add a beautiful texture. Think about textures when designing your wedding space as well as other materials. The eye and the camera both pick them up. The clear water filled cylinders that Leah chose for the center do an excellent job of filling the space with out being too overbearing. The beads Sarah found to place in them worked perfect to let the candles sparkle off of.
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South Dakota Wedding Vendors
Photography: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.
Menus, Name Cards, Table Number, Design, Favors, etc.: Envision Wedding Studio
Beads in the center tubes: House of Green, Sarah Green: 605.690.8654
Location, Linens, Chairs: CJ Callaways
China and Silverware: Beckman Rentals

I'm not sure if you brides know this, but Leah has added day of decorating and break down to her services offered. She does a fabulous job and in SD there are really very few (2 that I know of) that do this and do it well! If you ever want some vendor referrals feel free to give me a call. I've photographed over 100 wedding (I really should count sometime), most of them in SD and MN and am happy to tell you of the venues and vendors that have worked will for my past brides.

Working Hard

Every once in a while I get sent some prints or digital images that make me laugh. I have to laugh at myself and the way I look while working. For Kristina and Damien's wedding I had to get a little wet to get a few of the images and someone managed to capture them. Kristina sent these to me and said they should make the blog. I think she's right.

Thank you for sending these on Kristina.
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Red Seating Cards - South Dakota Wedding Ideas

This set up was a bit less elaborate, but you can easily adapt some of the things on it to a regular table. This red themed seating card table is a simple yet stylish way to carry your theme through to other areas of your wedding. No need to stop at the guest tables. There are card, gift, guest book, cake and other tables through out that need a little TLC too.
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South Dakota Wedding Vendors
Photography: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.
Name Cards, Design, Decor: Envision Wedding Studio
Florals: House of Green, Sarah Green: 605.690.8654
Location: CJ Callaways

Beach - South Dakota Wedding Ideas

Another wonderful table scape for you to enjoy and get some ideas from. More and more people in SD are starting to think outside the box and outside the church and normal reception hall. This is a wonderful beach themed concept. Complete with shells, seafood on the menu and salt water taffy for a favor.

It doesn't have to take place on a beach, how about a beach house, or maybe a big tent. There are a number of places to rent tents in the area and you can erect them all over, including your backyard. They have fans, heaters and dance floors that they can bring in.

South Dakota Wedding Vendors
Photography: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.
Menus, Name Cards, Table Number, Design, Linens, Decor: Envision Wedding Studio
Chairs, China, Silverware: Beckman Events and Tent Rental
Location: South Dakota State Park
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Fall - South Dakota Wedding Ideas

Don't be afraid to put some attention into your details. This is what happens when vendors get together to let you lovely brides in on some decorating ideas.

Leah at Envision Wedding Studio and I have gotten together to show you all what can be done. We managed to talk some other vendors into helping the project. Leah was in charge of the layout, me in helping and photography.

We have a few more to show you and more up our sleeves. If any of you venues or vendors out there are interested on getting in on this fun then give Leah or myself a call.

South Dakota Wedding Vendors
Photography: Cory Ann Ellis, AC Ellis Inc.
Menus, Table Number, Design, Linens, Decor: Envision Wedding Studio
Chairs, China, Silverware: Beckman Events and Tent Rental
Florals: House of Green, Sarah Green: 605.690.8654
Location: The Ellis Home
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Emily + Kevin: 6.28.08

What a great wedding!
Even though I hadn't met Emily and Kevin before their wedding, it felt as though we were old friends. They are such a great couple! Their families were just as awesome and accepted me in as another family member.

Emily is such a crafty person, and it was reflected in every aspect of their wedding - every detail was taken care of! I was especially excited about the vibrant shades of pink and green she used...

Maria L


Getting ready in some beautiful light!

Yes, they secured EVERY ONE of those buttons!

One of my favorite first dances yet...

The one request they made the entire day was "the guys want a bad a** picture!", so of course we had to create it!! I think they did splendidly!

I almost think the women beat the guys for the look!

Just a little treasure that has been handed down in the family and worn inside (or underneath) the bride's shoe at her wedding.

Everything was beautiful, down to the hundreds of details that surrounded their reception.

Yummy Chocolate!