Laura

A late season grad session. Laura rocked this and handled the cold incredibly well and was rewarded with this first image for it. I love the light, the wind blowing her hair, etc.
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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.

Jordan's Studio Session

Jordan came back into the studio for some studio images to go with the rest of her images. Gosh she's fun to photograph.
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Ethan

Ethan had his graduate portrait session this week and we had some great light all evening. I think this is the time of year for the best light in SD. I love when my seniors are their own person. Here are some images from Ethan's session.
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Ashlee

Ashlee came all the way from MN to have me photographer her graduation portraits. So I spoiled her by taking her to this place I've been dying to shoot in and just needed the right subject. I do enjoy going to completly different locations with my subjects and work very hard to create images that are disctinct from each other with in the collection as well other other subjects and photographers. Here is some of the variety we found for Ashlee.

Thanks for making the trek. I had a great time.
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You know textures and overlays are all the rave right now and while I think they are cool. I do think they need to be done properly to create a feel in an image, rather than take it over. The image should still highlight the subject. And you don't need much texture in a location like this. It's full of it's own

Another fun lighting trick on this one. I'm really having fun exploring multiple forms of light this year.

The great headshot. Love how her eyes even pop in duotones.

I told her this was her GAP ad.

Lovely light filtered by what I thought was humidity, but in reality was those big forest fires.

And another indoor headshot.

O and the boss:

Jordan

Another Fab grad. We had so much fun talking about Oregon and life and wow Jordan is far more mature at her age than I ever was. She is going to have such a great time in college!

Here are a few images from her session.
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We've gotten a few more bookings, but still have some openings so pass on the word.

Amanda

It's that time of year. The couple of weeks prior to the start of school when all the graduating seniors book. Here is another beauty for you. Amanda is a Brookings grad and as we had a bit of fun around town. She was such a trooper and so darn cute!
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Prom dresses give us an opportunity to mix it up a little.

Beautiful headshot.

Some fun post processing.

We do still have openings and will photograph into the school year we have not met the max for any school yet so call to schedule. With AC Ellis your images will be distinctive and you will be in limited company!

Emily

It's funny, but I think I'm starting to get more out of state clients than locals. My thinking is that word has spread and since I don't do a lot of local adverstising they are finding me through past clients. This lovely graduating senior Emily came all the way from Omaha for her session. She found me as I have recently done two family weddings of her cousins. I remember the first one she wouldn't put her camera down and she kept watching me, she was wondering why I was using my flash the way I was.

I was excited to do her session. My gosh she photographs beautifully! The overcast sky and sprinkles might deter some, but it worked wonderfully for us. We had a wide variety of feels to her images - that's what it's about around her creativity and variety. Here are some images from her session.
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This is my favorite!

Fun and relaxed.

One formal for yearbook, any photogs know how it's lit?

Some fun with off camera flash

And with mom.

Lance

Last week Lance came into the studio for his graduating senior session. We had some fun as we went around town in search of the perfect places for his images. You were a great subject Lance!
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Here is our first AC Ellis Graduating of the year:

the formal

Look at those eyes.

Some sports images. I love to work with in the activities of each individual...

We do still have openings for graduating seniors, remember with AC Ellis you are in limited company as we only accept a total of 40 clients a year and 5 from each school. I spend enough time with each grad to be sure to get to know them and create images that they and their parents will love.
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Shieva 11.07.06

Today's graduate. All I need to say is... absolutely gorgeous!
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Nick 10.10.06

In the early morning cold we headed out for Nicks grad images.
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Lisa 09.20.06

So I've been a slacker blogger. Sorry it's that end of summer rush. I'm still trying to get caught up. I'm not too far off. Anway this is Lisa and last week we did her grad images. She was a good sport. I had fun with her prom dress.... just like every weekend with my brides.
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Kristin 09.01.06

Today was a special grad session. You see when I was starting out about 2 years ago I needed to practice for taking senior portraits. Well Krisitn was only a sophomore then, but she let me practice on her. I also coached her in soccer - she's a kick butt keeper! And to top it all off I photographed her sisters wedding last month. We had fun and she's just as beautiful as she was two years ago.
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Dani 08.28.06

Last night Dani came up to town for her grad portraits. It rained almost the whole time, but the light was still great and we got some very nice images. I got a little wet getting the v-ball one, but I can't stand the boring novelty (sports, hunting, etc) images so I always try to get something a little different.
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Lyndsey Phase Two 08.24.06

Last night we went out to do some of Lyndsey's graduation portraits. And while the weather toyed with us we still got some great images. Here are a couple, ready for Phase Three?
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Laurie 08.23.06

Another fun grad.. keep em coming! Laurie wanted to get wet and wet she did get. Can you tell pink is one of her favorite colors?
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Arianna 08.22.06

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing Arianna. We talked a little shop as she is a server at CJ Callaways and I had a reception there on Friday and a couple more coming up. Arianna I know you were a little nervous and don't think you photograph well. But you are beautiful girl! Hope you like these until the others are ready.
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Josh 08.19.06

This boy has some style! We had so much fun taking his graduation portraits. And no I did not tell him to climb the tree- he did it on it's own. But it was a good idea.
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LaShane 08.14.06

This evening I photographed LaShane. She is such a unique individual with a wonderful laugh and we had a good time capturing her.
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Adam 08.10.06

Another fabulous grad. Meet Adam, we have some tails to tell of the evening we had.
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Dustin 08.09.06

Meet Dustin, he's a character and not bad lookin either ladies. We had a great time doing his grad portraits this evening. Here are a few I like. Let's hope I don't have too many bruises after falling down and getting wacked by a ball. It was all worth it though.
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Alicia 07.11.06

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing another beautiful graduate. Here are two of my favorites.
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PS. I'm offering a couple of grad specials so be sure to call and ask.

Amanda 06.01.06

Talk about fun! Graduate season has kicked off with Amanda. And she was wonderful and did all the crazy stuff I asked her too. Here are a couple of my favs.

Lindsey 05.11.06

Thursday was a crazy day with a lot of things happening. One of which was phase one of Lindsey's graduation images. Lindsey is one of my models this year, clothed by Tuli. And looking as awesome as ever. Here are two from her shoot, more to come later.


ETA: The show.

Trifon 05.03.06

Yesterday I took the second half of Trifon's graduation images. We went to the golf course, a nice field and to his home. I think they all made for some nice backdrops. I had a good time with him and his dad and especially everyone of us not being capable of tieing a tie, even with instructions. The neighbor had to come over and help. But it got done.
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The slideshow.

Anti-Prom Session 04.22.06

Who wants the same ol' stuffy prom pictures? Not me. So since Lindsey's grandma made her awesome dress we of course had to document it. And we had to do it the AC Ellis way...

Here she is looking all beautiful prior to prom this evening, in something other than your normal prom pics. Look for the slideshow to follow later.
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ETA (edited to add): The slideshow.

Trifon 12.22.05

Yesterday Trifon came in for a headshot for the yearbook. When it gets nicer out we will finish up he session. I'm excited as he is a hunter and a golfer, so I hope to get creative outside and include his interests into the images.

Amanda 11.3.05

I'm a little slow getting these up. Yesterday I photographed Amanda's graduation portraits. It was a low key session and I think we were able to get some nice images.

David 10.14.05

Well I was a basket case in preparation for my upcoming bridal show with Andy (my hubby) in Japan and Ayden being sick and clingy. David was a great sport and I felt so much better once I started shooting. He had me cracking up most of the time. In general at my expense, but that's ok. Once again it reiterates why I love this job... I can forget about my trouble, get into a zone and just enjoy photographing my subjects. Just like when I played sports. Here are a couple that I liked.
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Jeff 10.11.05

For this evenings quick harmless session I got to shoot Jeff's graduation pictures. I think I want to shoot more boys. Two outfits is way easier than 10. Jeff builds his own bicycles, look for this one on the Jim's Tap ride through.

Alee 10.8.05

Alee came in for her second session as part of her senior shoot. The first one was all on-location and this one was all in studio. With a personality like hers I was constantly trying to change up the lighting and backdrops to keep the images as unique and expressive as she is. Here are two of my favorites.

Merissa (take two) 9.14.05

Merissa had the second part of her senior shoot. This time we were in Arlington and here are some of the fun pictures we got. You know what do you do when you have crazy girls like this to capture? Get up on the trampoline and join them.... they had fun laughing at me jumping "like a frog" while trying to get this second shot.

Brian 9.11.05

Just got back from shooting Brians senior portraits. Brian is creative and so I got a chance to be creative. He did not want something like everyone else and I think that we accomplished that. Art, music and skateboards were the theme. Brian brought the music and skateboards and I supplied the art ala Brian.

Fun time.

Emily 9.10.05

I just got back from the studio after a great shoot with Emily from Flandreau. The heat died down for us, but we did have to battle the wind when we stepped outside the studio. I'm sure Emily thinks I'm a little nuts. I had her sitting in the middle of the road, I climbed up on a roof, and I took out this crazy looking lens. Just a warning if you are considering booking your senior session with me... if you want boring and normal, don't.

This railroad shot is with the crazy lens. At first I hated the look of this thing, but well it's grown on me and I'm having fun playing with it. Just something a little different.

Merissa 9.9.05

Yesterday evening Merissa, with Ashton in tow came in for phase one of her senior portraits. She's a rather fun girl and had me cracking up for most of the session. We had a good time.

The black and white background is courtesy of a large fan that Merissa brought with her, so props can look good. Well I'm off to edit again.
Enjoy.
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Kelly 9.4.05

This evening I had the pleasure to photography Kelly an Arlington High School senior. We had some fun in and out of the studio accompanied by her twin sister Courtney rocking out to a little bit of Sublime along the way. Kelly did her homework and practiced her posing, I only needed to make minor adjustments and change angles to get tons of great stuff. She's a natural in front of the camera.

A peak at a couple of the pics and one fun one of the girls jumping on the setee that we carried downstairs to take pictures in the street on.

Cari 8.12.05

Cari drove all the way from Eureka, SD to have me do her graduation portraits. I was honored that she made the trip and had fun doing her shoot. She was fun to work with and Mike, a friend, was a good reflector holder.

Samantha 8.8.05

So after getting a little lost I found the wonderful home of the Cassutt family. Now talk about a lot of work, 6 kids, 3 horse, 3 dogs, chickens, motorcycles and I'm sure all kinds of stuff I didn't get to see. I didn't get to meet Samantha before hand or even talk to her so I didn't know what to expect. Deb, her mom, called me on the phone and scheduled the session. Said she had two outfits and wanted a shot with her horses and her dogs, o and she was simple.

Well I get there and low and behold she is simply stunning. Samantha photographed beautifully. And the farm had so much to offer for backdrops, this session was a blast!

Kelcey 8.3.05

Kelcey a Brandon senior drove up for her shoot and we managed to get a couple of outdoor shots in before heading inside after the rain started to come down. We had fun in the back alley and then in the studio, another with wonderful eyes who photographed beautifully.

Have I said lately I love my job?!

Ryan 7.27.05

Talk about some cool parents. Now I've known Ryan's mom a while. Back when I worked at the Brookings County Jail so did she. And then when Andy worked at the Citgo she was managing it. Well I went in to get some gas and guess who was there. You guessed it. So a quick catch up revealed that her son was a senior and I was a photog. So we went out to Oakwood and had a bit of fun. I loved how well Ryan got along with his parents, a fun, supportive family.

And yes I currently have a thing with lens flare and backlighting.... don't worry I got the shot with out the flare too, I just didn't think it was as cool.