April + Travis: 05.23.08

Some more wedding goodness coming your way as I edit away.

I think all photogs say they have the best brides, maybe it's because we all attract couples who mesh with us. Well this couple was awesome, good looking (yeah I know I'm not that good lookin'), great style and just plain fun. I was in a bit of a vintage mood this morning processing these images so they have a different look. This is what allows me to mix things up and not do the same thing all the time. They are added to the gallery in an extra section, just in case you like it too.

April got ready at the Club House in and Suites in one of their big rooms. It has a bunch of great light and a balcony to look over.

Travis watching his bride walk down the aisle, they didn't see each other beforehand.

The Cathedral

Big exit. These stairs are great for this.

And the first dance. So cute together!

And some details for you.
Programs from Envision, love the color on the black, and the light printing on the black, ok I just love them.

The dress

Shoes

Hankerchief

And the flowers.

St. Joseph Cathedral
Washington Pavillion
AC Ellis Photography
Envision Wedding Studio
Club House Inn and Suites

Intimate of A

Another lovely lady sharing her intimate images. If you come into the studio you can see her whole book. Thank you for sharing your images!
CA

South Dakota Intimate / Boudoir Photographer

Ian + Elena: 05.10.08

In May I started off the wedding season with a trip to New York to photograph Ian and Elena's wedding. I didn't know what to expect as I hadn't ever been to NY, but Albany was beautiful and the wedding was wonderful.

I started off the day at the salon with Elena. We got to chat and get to know each other a bit more. Then after a while I headed out and had breakfast with Ian and his brother. This isn't normal, but Ian is an ol' friend. We got to catch up and hang. I love the outside eating in Albany.

After I gathered my things, ran a few errands and headed to the Appel Inn where Elena was getting ready.

The ceremony was out on the lawn with the guests overlooking a creek, sitting in wooden chairs and on benches. I loved the outdoor setting. And the Deacon did a fabulous job on the ceremony. It was a pleasure to listen to him speak.

After portraits out on the grass. I love outdoor formals and portraits so much better than the church!!! hint hint. We headed over the gather place for the reception. It was great having both the ceremony and reception at the same location.

Ian and Elena went right into their first dance. Just the way I like it. With guest standing around attentive. The sun was setting and created a great opportunity for back light as well as a lovely light on them.

Then of course there is the daddy and mommy dances. Both parents were wonderful smiling the whole time and enjoying their children's day. Elena dancing with her dad was touching.

Later in the night Elena switched into a HOT little salsa dress and her and Ian danced a choreographed salsa for the guests. It was great

And because this seems to be the year of the details (we LOVE details) here are a bunch for your viewing pleasure.

A wonderful wedding. Thank you guys for bringing me out for it. I had a great time!
CA


A special thank you to Joe Ciarcia, who drove in and shot the wedding with me. It was a pleasure meeting you in person and shooting with you Joe!

And this is Ian and I, by Joe

Wedding Tip #?: DJ

Haven't I covered this before, why yes I think I have. But apparently they just don't get it.

Beings how I go to a lot of wedding a year I get to see a lot of venues and vendors. I hate to say it, but around here there is only one DJ that I will recommend. Most of them do not dress appropriately, hang hung horrible banners (like 12' in hot pink, yes it is true), use funky lights for the first dances, recommend that people swarm the cake to take pictures for the cutting (isnt' that what I'm hired for, why make my job difficult), they have huge set-ups (one took up at least 40' on the back wall and not nicely either), they sell things like glow necklaces (yes this really happened), and worst of all they think they need to talk and force the bride and groom into doing things that they didn't plan.

I can never understand why they choose to act and present themselves in the manner they do. Other vendors don't hang banners and wear tuxedos. While I have many many examples of what not to do, I have few of what to do. However, while in NY I came across this set up. Clean, simple, takes up about 6', doesn't intrude on the space of the wedding, the decor of the wedding and look a nice simple suit for the DJ to wear. How classy!

Did you know that I often ask the DJ to turn their banner around or take it down. Some will, some will not. Some turn it back just in time for the first dance so I have an ugly background if I try to shoot from that angle. Think about all that time you spend creating an atmosphere and all those details. Your vendors should be able to work with you, not against you. One DJ in our area has caught on to the idea of no banner and guess what they charge an extra $100 to not advertise at your wedding. How ridiculous is that? I wonder if they don't get it if you could rent a DJ system and hook up your iPod. I hate to say it, but if they aren't going to deliver a product more professional and superior why waste your money. Ok off my rant. Just an idea for you DJ's and brides out there.

Yes he has no lights, really who needs lights, bubbles and a disco ball. Every danced at this wedding more so than many others I've been at. The music, not the props get you on the floor.
CA

Stop and ...

I had grand plans to sit at home by myself and plug away at work while Andy and Ayden spent the weekend at the lake. They left on Friday and after a very productive day, a great session with a fab client and a trip to the mail box my plans changed.

I received a couple of bills, a few cards (thank you everyone) and a special letter from a special client. While I was going to put family on hold this last weekend that we all have free for the rest of the summer (8 August weddings for the studio) I quickly rethought that idea. I got a phone call to help out for CASA golf fore kids and accepted and then came home and packed to spend time with the fam. And it was time well spent. So now I'm back home getting ready for bed and leaving you with a short note and an image.

Thank you Dan for the letter and for the check to put those priorities in check. Family First! I had a great time with my boys this weekend and I wouldn't have if it weren't for you.

Remember to stop and smell the roses, or in my case Friday night on the way to the lake.... photograph the moon rise coming through the clouds.

Have a great week everyone and I'll try to post more on the blog this week as I plug away.
CA

1001 Contest Results

Ok I know this is a loooong time coming, but with so many entries I just couldn't decide and then it just got put on the back burner with all the stuff happening. There is no method to my winner selections. Mostly I liked stuff that was different and I liked when things weren't forced into the image. I liked all elements fitting equally. So here are some of the entries and the winners at the top.

Send me your info: address if you didn't already do that so I can mail the prizes. Those that didn't win, make sure you send me yours too cause I'm feeling generous and will send a little ac ellis something to you too.

Have a great weekend!
CA

First Prize: Nano
I just liked it, it made me smile. I think this is the best place I saw ac ellis in an image. And the rock was in the background rather than being forced into the image.

Second Prize: Red Shuffle
I like that toast was included and in the air. I liked how ac ellis was put on the toast.

Intimate of A

I've been having a lot of fun with different stuff in my intimate sessions. I love the opportunity to play. While in Fargo at the HoDo I was waiting for the light to come through the blinds just right. And it finally did. A was amazing and relaxed and I love how these turned out.
CA

I would love these in my home, shoot I may blow this one up onto a canvas. Love it!

S Family

A couple of cute kids who came in a few weeks ago

The Waig Family

A impromptu family session that Joe and I did while visiting the lovely Zofia on Nantucket. It was a challenge in the high noon sun, but found some good light.
CA

Annie + Chris:

Trying to catch up on some wedding blogging. While on the Vineyard I photographed Annie and Chris' wedding with Joe Mikos. It was a fabulous wedding in their home and then reception on the lawn in a big tent. I loved it and wish we could have more wedding like this out here in SD.

Here are some images, mostly details. One of Annie and Chris while Joe was directing them. It was so fun to shoot with Joe and Kelly.
CA

I love that everyone got up and danced so much!

Kristina + Damien: e-session

A fun engagement session I did before I left. Another great wedding to look forward to.
CA

Guinness: take 3

We brought Guinness home in midst of the chaos. Here are a few images from his first day with us. He is so much bigger now and everyone loves him.
CA

The Sullivans who are the owners of lady and his first humans

It got quiet all of the sudden and I looked around to find this. Ayden had tucked Guinness in to sleep in his kennel, they are becoming buds.

I'm not back in full force, as I'm still editing away around here, but thought I'd try to start blogging a few images.

Hello

Hello,
Yes I am back in the office today. We arrived last night around 10:30pm. I will be spending the rest of the next couple of days answering e-mails, sending out orders, proofing images, and the like. Please do not continue to send e-mails asking on the status of your order. The more time I take to answer those is that much longer that it takes me to prepare, package and ship them. If you get a status update of "at lab" this is merely a courtesy so that you know your order is progressing, depending on your order it may take anywhere for 2-10 weeks after this e-mail for your order to be ready. Please refer to your Agreements for a timeline of delivery. If you would like your proofs or your products rushed you may request this at an additional fee upon availability. Remember there is no such thing as a photography emergency.

It has been a crazy few weeks here with lots happening beyond our control (basement flooding and death of family). For all of you who have been patient and understanding thank you very much! I hope that in times of unforseen circumstances you will be granted the same.

The office was completely closed as Ayden and I traveled to my hometown of Fort Bragg, CA to be with family after the unexpected death of my mother. Our primary concern while there was to spend time with my dad and other family to help get through tough times. Family first. Once caught up I'll post lots of blog posts for customers as well as some of the stuff we did, until then the blog will be still.

Here is Ayden and my dad. Ayden was a great distraction for him.
CA

Flying

Some flying images, big planes and little planes. This concludes the images from the trip (minus portraits to come)...

Flying over an island full of seals on the way to Nantucket

Flying into Nantucket.

The controls on the little plane

Sunrise on Oak Bluffs

I seldom wake up that early when I'm at home. But somehow with out an alarm I managed to wake up to the sunrise multiple times on the Vineyard. This morning I was greated to some lovely skies.
CA

I want to blow this one up big on metallic paper. So much depth that is hard to see small.

and some shells for Ayden, he likes to collect them, as well as rocks.

Amanda + Jed: The Album

It's finally in Amanda and Jed's Couture Album. This thing is beautiful, made by the same wonderful people as our fine art album. These are a favorite for us as well as our clients. This is however our first album of this kind to go out. We are mailing this out to them asap, but will be ordering another one just like this for the studio sample.

Silk, Ribbon, full pano page spreads, flush mounted, custom designed, elegant, classic, modern and absolute georgousness!
CA

The Sky

You would think one would get tired of shooting the clouds and the sky, but lately I've become engrossed with the different shades of blue, the cloud formations, how the sun or moon can create a rim light on the clouds and so on. These three are from the Vineyard.
CA

Ava +

One of the days Joe and I flew over to Nantucket to see Zofia, another fab photog. Her are a couple of random images. Don't worry Zofia I'll post some from your shoot soon. Thank you for showing us around!
CA

The three of us.

Aquinnah Lighthouse

Are you all sick of travel photography yet? No worries I'm almost caught up on those and then it's back to our regularly scheduled program.

I spent most of my stay on one side of the rock. But one evening I headed over to the opposite side so that I could watch the sun rise and set on the water in the same day. While the sunset wasn't amazing I did have fun shooting the cliffs and the lighthouse.
CA

Fisherman

The Atlantic Ocean and particularly around the islands drops off very slowly. So you can walk a ways out into the water. On this lovely morning there were some fisherman out taking advantage of the great weather. I hadn't come prepared to photograph them I was looking at the sunrise, but they were a pleasant surprise and nice to talk with.
CA

My boys

I sure did miss my boys. Finally after not seeing Andy for about a month I got to see him this week. Why a month you may ask, well I was on the Vineyard and a couple of days before I got back he headed out for his Army Reserve annual training.
CA

Sunsets

Anyone having blog withdrawls yet? I'm about to, I like to share my images, but you know the time of year...

Here are a couple of sunsets from good ol' SD to hold you over.
CA

Cory Ann shirt

I am very fortunate to not only have a job that I love, but to have a network of friends who also have the same job that they also love. One of these such people is Joe Mikos. Joe is a photographer on Martha's Vineyard who is wonderful. Not only as a photog, but as a businessman and most importantly as a husband and father. I've gotten to meet and hang out with the whole family and I love them all.

Joe is the one who brought me out here. Such an incredible compliment to be commissioned by another photographer. To be not only trusted but to have your work respected enough that they want to pay you for your time, talent and travel to fly half way around the country for you to create for them. I was humbled and nervous. Wow what a tall order to live up to.

More to come on the fam and you'll see more of Joe too, but here are some images of Lila and Clara wearing their "Cory Ann shirts" that I brought them, 3 nights in a row. They are so cute! I even got to get in on bedtime.

Hey Joe tell the girls I said hi and read the Clara Pete's a Pizza for me.
CA

Heart

A little something I picked up on the Vineyard. A lovely hand blown heart.

Guinness: take 2

Yesterday we went and saw Guinness and guess who is coming home with us this evening. That's right he's coming home with us. We are so excited. He's getting so big. ok false announcement. It will hopefully be next week.
CA

No new family clients and e-mail

Hello all,

Just a minor announcement.

We have a full summer schedule and in an effort to better serve our current clients we will not be accepting any new family or portrait clients for some time. The timeline is not definite, but I am thinking 2009 we will open this up again to a select few. We are still accepting intimate, wedding and graduate clients. Although for graduates there is a very limited number of openings left.

If you are looking for a fabulous portrait artist in the Eastern South Dakota area I recommend Rod Evans out of Sioux Falls and Heather Kallhoff in Watertown.

Current/Previous clients of AC Ellis are of course still welcome to schedule sessions we love to have you back.

Also I tried something new with my e-mail and phone and seem to have encountered many technical difficulties. So if you have called or e-mailed in the last couple of weeks and you don't here back from me by the end of today please get ahold of me again. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Have a great day!
Cory Ann

Hiatus

I apologize for the blogging hiatus, but I'm busy working on client images and products. Upon returning home from the vineyard last wednesday I just missed Andy before he headed out for Army training. Thursday I cuddled with Ayden and prepared for the weekend weddings. Friday I woke up to a flooded basement and called in the team of Total Maintenance. Lucky for me they know what they are doing and I was able to stay on track and focus on a fab wedding.

So anyway, that's why I'm not blogging. It will resume probably next week with more images from travels, clients and stuff. In the meantime here are a couple of images of what the office now looks like relocated to the kitchen table. I like the light much better, but am having trouble focusing in chaos.

This is what it normally looks like, clean and with out the ball (remember I got a new chair).

Tulle

There is some amazing talent on the Vineyard and on one late morning I got to spend it with two of the best. Joe Mikos a great friend and the reason I came to the Vineyard took me over to meet Lisa Pyden.

Lisa Pyden is the owner of Tulle Bridal Boutique, prior to moving to the Vineyard and opening her shop she was a photographer. And an amazing one at that. She is one of those photogs that has a completely different way of looking at things and can just blow you away. Now her shop does the same thing as you walk up and see designers like Carolina Herrera and Monique Lhuillier.

While there I was drooling over the lovely gowns and saying I needed to get married again so I could have a reason to buy one when Lisa suggested I try one on. It was so pretty and felt so nice. Joe started shooting away while Lisa accessorized. Wish I had done my hair for the occasion.

Thank you Lisa for sharing your shop with us and for letting me play dress up. I guess we like to do that no matter what age. Your boutique is lovely and I wish you all the best.
CA

Joe and I

The shop and the dresses.

Me in Monique

Katama (South Beach)

On another outing I traveled to Katama aka South Beach. There is a lot of public access to the beach here, but when you are driving up all you really see is the dune so I didn't know what I was in for until I parked and walked in. To my surprise I saw breaking waves. Such a vastly different view than I was getting on the North side in Oak Bluffs. Not really knowing my directions in relationship to the rest of the world on the Vineyard I quickly realized this is the side that faces the Atlantic Ocean rather than Nantucket or Vineyard Sound. This is more of what I remember from growing up in Cali.
CA

Oak Bluffs

I spent most of my time in Oak Bluffs, mostly relaxing and not with the camera in hand so much. But I did stop to take some images of the wisteria a fabulous hanging tree/vinelike flower. And also of the gingerbread houses. These little cottages are built incredibly close together in crazy colors. There must be hundreds of them. There is a story and history to them and you can read about it at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association.

Edgartown in brown

Just an outing on the vineyard.

Morning on the Vineyard

Written before the post went live because I had to process the images...

This morning I woke up early to my alarm. It was 5:30am. I wanted to see the sunrise on the ocean. Growing up in California I only got to see sunsets. I looked out the window and the sun was peeking through some clouds just above the horizon line. By the time I grabbed my camera it was hidden. I didn't even make it downstairs. But there was this fisherman on the end of the jetty and I thought I catch him, but as I came down the stairs he was walking back to his car. So with camera in hand I set out to take some images.

As I stepped on the sandy beach I realized how long it had been since I'd been in sand, particularly on a beach, on an ocean. Yes there are beaches elsewhere, or so I've learned now that I live in South Dakota. There are beaches on lakes. I know it's just not the same. Then I walked to the wet sand a different consistency beneath my feet and then over to the rocks. I found a couple of tide pools full of life. Gosh how I've been away from the water a LONG time.

Now I'm sitting on the porch of this lovely beach house listening to the hum of my typing clash with the sound of the waves on the beach. Technology meets nature. The sun is higher now and the warm oranges and pink of the sunrise are barely visable, but I'm waiting for it to peek through again. A bit higher this time, but still I'm sure it will be lovely.

Here are some images I took while on the beach this cloudy morning.
CA

Isabelle's Beach House

For my stay on the Vineyard I am at Isabelle's Beach House. I lovely B&B on the water. I love B&B's and this was no exception. Here are some images of my room the House and the View. I highly recommend a stay here. Isabelle and the others that run the place are very pleasant and friendly and aim to make your stay fabulous. So far so great!
CA


Isabelle's Beach House

My room.

And the view, this is from the hallway right outside my door as there was a screen on my window.

I'll try to add some more of the common areas and such after these images at a later time.

Flying to the Vineyard

Wednesday afternoon I caught my flight over to the vineyard Not a veyard like in California, THE Vineyard, as in Martha's Vineyard. An island off the coast of the commonwealth of Mass. (aka state of mass.) It was a short 30 minute flight on a little 9 seater plane from Boston. It was a beautiful clear day and I was able to see all around the area. I've never flown over the ocean before.

It started out simple enough with a subway ride. I don't remember ever taking a subway before. I was so afraid I was going to not get off at the right stop, not get on the right train, not know the proper etiquette on the subway and get me face smashed in, or even worse get my camera bag stolen.

But I made it safe and easy and people were pleasant.

After getting to the airport and having to disclouse my exact real weight. Not a big deal, just caught me off guard I headed toward my gate and on the way decided to get a smoothie at Dunkin Donuts. I tell you this place is popular out here. When I was walking in Boston everywhere there were cups in hand and there were lines out the door of the place. Where were on every other corner.

Aboard the plane we proceeded to the runway following the path of a big plane. It really made me realize how little our plane was.

And here is our pilot and all, yes all of the other passengers on the plane with me.

The view flying over the Cape I think.

And the view flying into The Vineyard.

Boston, MA

On Tuesday I flew into Boston, MA and spent the evening before flying over to Martha's VIneyard. I stayed in a hotel downtown so that I was in walking distance of lots of stuff.

Tuesday evening I went to sushi at Oishi and it was amazing. I sat at the sushi bar and indulged in some wonderful food and watched the chef's at work. My favorite there was their Maki, amazing!

The next morning I woke up and set out on the town. I traversed to Boston Common, the State Capitol, South Station, China Town and lots of stops in between.

Another Capitol building. They take the Celtics pretty seriously in Boston.

I enjoyed walking down the side streets with the private residences. This is where I would want to live in the city. I really liked this city.

And some found images along my walk.

The view from South Station. I looks almost fake.

And I was infatuated with this older gentleman playing a game of which I do not know.

The B Family

Another one with images I prepared before I left. This is my second time in the B family home. I love when I get to photograph the growth of the family. At these ages it's crazy to get them all in the same image, eyes open, smiling looking at the camera, so I always focus on lots of individuals to be sure and get excellent images of each child.

Here they are...
CA

Look at the lovely use of the sweet image from my last visit. I loved seeing it above the bed!

He was the size of his little sis during my last visit, my how he's grown.

And the newest addition. So cute!

PS... the vineyard is awesome!

Allison + Charlie: 05.03.08

I prepared these images before I headed out here to Martha's Vineyard, just didn't get a chance to finish the text. But as I lie here in my nice room I'm going to tell you about this fab wedding.

Allison and Charlie wedding was in Sioux City, IA on a nice sunny day. Maria and I had a blast photographing it. Allison was a lovely bride full of energy and always smiling. Such a pleasure to photograph!

We started at the church for the getting ready, formals and some details prior to the ceremony. Allison and Charlie decided not to see each other prior to the wedding so it was fun to keep them apart while moving about in the church. The ceremony was very nice followed by a few more formals and then off to downtown for some fun and well fun. I saw many bare butts that day.

After downtown was went to the reception which was decorated with white chair covers and bows in Allison's signature pink. We managed to sneak them away for some sunset lit images before the first dances.

Thank you for choosing us to be part of you day. We had a great time!
CA

Just a bit of flare.

The lovely Allison.

Handsome Charlie.

Some details...

The "B" was implemented on all kinds of stuff.

Loved this cake!

Guinness

Today after an all too brief weekend with the family we headed over to Lori and Sully to see our new puppy. We've been waiting for lady to get prego for about a year and she finally had her litter. The poor gal has 13 pups to care for now. Andy and I went and picked out Guinness about a week and a half ago, but this time his eyes were open and we got to bring Ayden along.

Guinness is a brindle great dane pup from Lady and we are happy to welcome him into our family. I'm sure you'll see lots of him on here just like Ayden, but just a few updates until he comes home, he has to stay under mommies care for a bit longer.
CA

Ayden gave him lots and lots of kisses.

He wanted to bring him home now so he could sleep with him.

How long till he stands as tall as Andy?

And Lady taking care of her babies. She is a great dog and mommy! Ayden is petting Guinness in the back.

I'm out for a while until I have some down time on the vineyard. I will try to post on the road and do have some images ready for at least one post. Then when I come back it will be time to buckle down. Have a great week.

April + Travis: 05.23.08

Just a sneak peek from Fridays fab wedding before I head out. Three different treatments, just cause I was playing.
CA

Marquis and April: 05.24.08

This is a record. A guest at two weddings in one year. Marquis a soldier in Andy's unit got married on Saturday so of course I brought along my camera. I shot these from my seat, being sure to stay out of the way of the photographer.
Congratulations April and Marquis.
CA

Marquis

April and her dad walking down the aisle.

First Sergeant Ronnie and Sheri. Haven't seen them in a while. It was good to see you two.

And Tanika (sorry if I spelt that wrong) another soldier that I met and she was great to talk with.