cindy cieluch photography . blog

Do you know a student who deserves to be in the spotlight?  Do you know someone who volunteers without tooting their own horn?  Do you know a young person who studies, works, excels in sports, shines in the arts and/or always has time for others?

In other words, do you know an upcoming senior in the class of 2011 who should win a photography package worth $1,000?

For the second straight year, I’m holding my Senior Giveaway.

Last year, it went to Briann of Great Falls High.  This year, it will go to _________________.  This is where YOU come into the picture…

THE RULES

* You cannot nominate yourself.

* The nominee must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services.

* The nominee must be graduating in the Class of 2011.

*The nominee must live in the Great Falls-area.

* Email me the details at cindy@cindycieluch.com.  I want to know all about the senior you’re nominating.  I want to know who they are, what they’re experiencing and why they deserve a custom photography experience worth $1,000!

THE DEADLINE IS MAY 1.

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 1.

My senior sessions are already filled until late October, so this deserving senior will actually be the final senior session of the fall.  I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the year!

Please spread the word and send in those nominations!

My husband gave me a new call sign.  Yep, I gave it away with the title: Ditch.

I earned it on Thursday, after spending a morning out n’ about taking photos for work and for fun.  My day actually started out on a bright note.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m., headed to a commercial site to take some photos for a new project, grabbed a latte at Starbucks and drove around town blaring Lady Gaga on my radio.  I felt super productive and was ready to head home…..

That’s when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the sunrise.  I’ve never really been that into sunrises and sunsets, but there was something extra special about the sunrise that morning.  I became obsessed with getting a shot of it.

I drove down 10th Avenue South and took off towards Belt.  As soon as I got out of town, I knew the timing was perfect.  I cautiously pulled over onto the side of the highway and quickly realized how far I was from the best vantage point.  So, I did what any sensible person would do: I drove my trusty SUV into the field.  Ummmm…..yeah.  WRONG decision.  My poor Tahoe sunk like the Titanic….and I didn’t have my cell phone on me.

After sweating for a few minutes and unsuccessfully trying to rock my vehicle out of this mess, I walked out to the side of the highway and waved the most pathetic wave.  Cars just whipped by me, but each and every person did do a double take at my vehicle.  It was downright hilarious.  Then the sweetest woman drove by with her jaw dropped and did a U-turn to rescue me.  This angel looked at me and the first thing out of her mouth was, “Aren’t you the picture lady?”  No joke.  I replied, “Yes, I am.  I’m also a moron.  Can you please let me borrow your cell and drive me into town?”

Long story, longer….Matt met me in town and drove me back to this comical scene.  When he asked how far I drove into the field, I told him about 5 or 10 feet.  When he saw my car, he busted out laughing (because it was about 30 feet away) and told me I better call a tow company.  While I was on hold for a tow truck, Matt ventured out into the mucky mess and somehow by the grace of God - Matt drove my car out of the field.

Thank you Matt for always getting me out of sticky situations!  And for not ever getting mad at me when I do stupid, harmless things like this.

Oh yeah…and I didn’t get the sunrise photo.  But I did take these for your entertainment.

P.S. Thank you Bob for the car wash coupon!!!!!

P.P.S. I’m in Vegas for WPPI!  I’ll keep ya posted on my adventures.  Hopefully, I don’t get stuck anywhere!

Some brand spankin’ new senior images I’m workin’ on…

OH - and I titled this ‘Senioritis’ because these cool kids have the exact opposite and positive meaning of it.  They aren’t slacking.  They’re making moves and excited about their future.  One going to MSU and the other going to UM.  They’ve made the most of their high school experience and can’t wait for what’s in store!

I’ve had an absolute blast over the last few weeks getting together with several seniors.  Some for photo sessions…others for mentoring sessions.  I’m so proud of all of them that I can’t even imagine how proud their parents are!

Her book Saving Gracie is featured in the current People’s book review section AND it received FOUR stars!  You can buy Saving Gracie now by clicking here.

Saving Gracie will be in bookstores on March 1.  You can meet Carol and get your book signed at the Barnes & Noble in Great Falls on Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m.  If you can’t make it, you can also support Carol on her blog: www.carolbradley.com

Congratulations Carol!  You’ve worked tirelessly for our animals.  We’re all proud of you and thank you!

Edited to add: Here’s the cover of the People magazine with the book review.  It hit newsstands today!  (Sorry for the weird small image.  It’s the only thing I could find online and I was too lazy to take a photo of the magazine when I bought it today!)

Confession: I never wanted to shoot weddings.

About 3 years ago, a friend asked me if I was going to photograph weddings.  I replied, “No way.  Never.”

Back then, just the thought of shooting weddings scared me to death.  Crazy thoughts went through my head.  What if I slept in?  What if I missed the first kiss?  What if, what if?

Then somehow, some way, I found myself shooting a wedding and I was instantly hooked.  I quickly learned that there’s nothing to be scared of.  After all, a wedding is not some sort of mystical day when I must try to capture angels and rainbows with my camera (although a rainbow did appear at Amber + Chris’ wedding).  It’s just like any another other day that I bust out my camera…..but better.  Much, MUCH better.  Emotions are at an ultimate high, kisses are given out freely, laughs are heard constantly and tears flow from the toughest men.

Now, 27 weddings later…I am proud to say that I’m a wedding photographer.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s the people in the photos who create the images.  Yeah, I’m there to snap the shutter…but I give all of the credit to these amazing, hilarious, talented, creative, trusting, thoughtful and crazy-in-love couples.

JULIE + DANNY . JANUARY 3 . GREAT FALLS

COURTNEY + TAYLOR . FEBRUARY 14 . GREAT FALLS

JOEY + PATRICK . MAY 23 . WASHINGTON DC

STEPHANIE + ADAM . JUNE 13 . ANCHORAGE

AMBER + CHRIS . JUNE 19 . GREAT FALLS

AMY + CHUCK . JUNE 27 . CASCADE

KATIE + JEREMIAH . JULY 4 . BIGFORK

*This is the first half of weddings from last year.  The second half is coming soon!

I’ll be the first to admit it: I’ve been the worst blogger ever.  But I will also tell you that I’ve been busy doing these things:

1. A shoot almost every day
2. Finalizing plans/shopping for our downtown studio
3. Wrapping up 2009 wedding albums (If you’re a bride/groom reading this, you KNOW I’m stalking you!) 
4. Backing up all of our photos on a brand new ginormous hard drive
5. Preparing to be in Las Vegas for an entire week for WPPI

Get ready for a slew of blog posts.  Not sure where to begin, so I’ll start with a photo that I came across while organizing my files…

This is a scene I saw right after Mary + Aaron’s wedding on July 18 in Lakeside, Montana.  It was definitely worth my lost contact lens and 500 mosquito bites.

Remember my friend and animal crusader Carol Bradley?  The Great Falls author’s new book is for sale on amazon.com and now there is a video featuring Carol.

In the video, Carol talks about why it’s crucial to raise awareness about puppy mills and shares photos of Gracie and those who helped save her.  Please take a couple of minutes to listen to her story by clicking here.

I’m so proud of you, Carol!!!

I could give Ali several titles: “assistant,” “second shooter,” “album designer extraordinaire.”  But my favorite is: friend.

Last year was a crazy year to say the least….and she joined our team in the nick of time!  Ali starting working with us in the midst of 14 weddings (with 4 out of town and 2 out of state), my husband Matt leaving for 5 months, album orders up the ying yang, a huge commercial project and making final plans for our downtown studio space.  For the first time since I launched this business nearly 3 years ago, I am caught up!!!!!!!  And that’s due to Ali and her excellent work ethic.  She is prompt…so prompt that sometimes she needs to wake me up!  Ha!  She is fast…so fast that she finishes album designs, orders and special projects before I even ask about them.  She is friendly…so friendly that she dropped off all of our last-minute Christmas orders at clients’ homes!  She is thoughtful…so thoughtful that she knows my latte drink by heart and randomly brings me homemade scones (I DO NOT ASK HER TO DO THIS!).  And last but not least, Ali is a talented photographer.  She shoots all weddings with me and her style complements mine perfectly and naturally.  Ali studied commercial and food photography, so her candid and detail shots are stunning.

SOMEONE PINCH ME!!!!!  Honestly Ali - you’re a dream come true.  Matt and I are blessed to have you on our team.

The next set was taken with my brand new tilt-shift lens.

This may be my fave!  Ali was workin’ it!!!

There was still a bed frame in this incredible old, abandoned home.

There’s the bed frame…see it???

You’re beautiful, Ali!  Thank you for asking me to take new portraits of you and for EVERYTHING else!