cindy cieluch photography . blog

After the Studio ATG duo did a photo shoot for us, we took them out for some fun in the desert.  I love doing photo sessions for other photographers…but these two are BOTH photogs AND wonderful friends.  Talk about pressure!  Matt + I definitely wanted to do our best.  We also wanted to experiment with some of their lights.

Another huge THANK YOU to Trish + Jared for the most incredible week we’ve had in a long, long time.  We miss you guys already and look forward to our next adventure.

Outtakes from the desert…

I sat in a few cactus bushes.  OK, I’m acting like The Exorcist but STILL…those suckers HURT.

After meeting up with some high school friends, playing around with studio lights and then doing a teeny bit of shopping, I’m pooped!  But in Las Vegas, there is no rest for the weary.  Trish and I are now headed out to see The Phantom of the Opera. Matt and Jared decided to go indoor skydiving instead.  Go figure.

We’ll be back to Great Falls in 2 days!

Vegas is JUUUUST what we needed.  Friends.  Food.  Photography.

We’ve been hanging out with Jared + Trish of Studio ATG; tagging along with them on their sessions, hanging out in their studio, laying around with their dogs and eating tons of food.  I know, it’s kind of random to mention food but it seems like we’re always eating!!!

I can’t tell you enough how much I look up to this husband + wife duo.  After you check out their work, you’ll know what I mean.  Yeah, they’re insanely incredible.  But it’s not just their work that I love.  They are extremely sweet, helpful, real, funny…and real funny.  I could go on and on.  I’m so thankful for their friendship.

They are such rock stars that they even encouraged Matt + I to do a photo session, which they just posted on their blog. Thank you J + T for workin’ your magic on us!!!!!!! 

Here’s a look at Studio ATG behind-the-scenes.  Ahhh yeah!

My hubby showing off during an engagement shoot.  Does that street sign say Coolio???  HA!

Jared is not afraid to lay in the middle of streets for long periods of time.  Anything for the shot.

Speaking of coolio…

Matt makes a pretty handy lighting assistant, huh?

I guess he’s not always helpful.

I absolutely love this image of Trish.  It’s totally HER.

Here is the lighting assistant lighting himself.

Once again, Jared risking it for the shot.  He’s halfway hanging off of this open floor that’s 2 stories high.

Matt was not just the lighting assistant.  He was the props director.

I tried my best to hold the flash JUST like Jared.

THANK YOU J + T for everything.  You’ve made this week incredibly inspiring, relaxing and just plain ol’ fun.  And there’s still 3 more days left!  Trish - I’m looking forward to our hot date Wednesday night!!!!!

Stay tuned for more Vegas fun, a shoot I’m doing of J + T and whatever else comes our way…

Here’s a quick post from a SWEEEEET wedding that we shot on Valentine’s Day.  I love love love this couple!!! 

Sorry for being short on words.  I’ve been shooting like a mad woman and Matt + I take off tonight for LAS VEGAS!!!  We’re both going to be working down there, but trust me - we will definitely be sneaking in some quality husband + wife time (we are in need!).  We’ll actually be hanging out most of the week with some of our FAVE photography friends doing photo-nerd learning stuff.  Check back for blogging non-sense from our Vegas vacation…

Here’s a look at my sessions in just the past 10 days:

Maternity.  A birth.  Newborn.  Family.  Senior.  Engagement.  Wedding.  Day after session.

Talk about the circle of life!  Pretty crazy, huh?  It’s just the way my schedule ended up!  It dawned on me the other night as I told my husband about all of my latest adventures!

Needless to say, my *cutting down on coffee* kick came to an abrupt and happy end.  My latte card at Five Loaves Bakery is filling back up, my car is once again navigating towards the Starbucks drive-thru and my coffee pot’s back on its early morning automatic start mode.  Yea for coffee!  The late night glow of my home computer is also back in full gear as I crank out your orders, albums and galleries.  I’m cramming as much as I can in a day, so if you’ve left me a voicemail or email…please know that I’m not ignoring you!  I’m trying my hardest to reply to everyone as fast as I possibly can!

OK, back to work so I can share all of this fun with you.

Really quick…here’s a peek at where the circle of life all begins.  More from this beautiful maternity session some day soon.  After I get more coffee… 

A new life has changed the way I look at life.

I witnessed the birth of a baby boy on Thursday.  Just being there was amazing enough.  Being able to capture it with my camera is an indescribable feeling.

After a couple of years of shooting weddings, newborns, children, seniors, families and you-name-it…my heart was telling me that it was the right time for this journey.  So last week I got the guts to approach my wonderful friends Ben + Carolyn to see what they thought about the idea.  I was very sensitive to their privacy because this is their first child.  They thought it would be an incredible experience for all of us and promised to call me when she went into labor!

I’m not a mom yet and have never had the chance to experience a birth, so I didn’t know what to expect.  I knew it would be emotional.  I didn’t expect it to rock my world…

Dr. Henzel has this way about her.  She was extremely sweet, encouraging and smooth throughout the entire birth.  I was in absolute awe watching her do her thing!  And if she looks familiar, that’s because she’s also a mom who loves to get photos taken of HER FAMILY!

Dad’s reaction when he got the first glance of his son!

My favorite.  Welcome to the world, sweet baby Joseph.

Mom’s first touch to Joseph’s face.

This one is in color to show you how brand new he is!

Joseph’s nurse Lyla moved around so quickly and gently.  Professional and personal.  She rooted Carolyn on, updated Ben on the medical information and even helped me out!

He wasn’t into the “posed” pictures.    I love that they picked the photo where he’s screaming his head off!

Safe again in mommy’s arms.

Ben + Carolyn: How can I ever thank you enough?  This entire experience is going down as one of the most moving and emotional moments of my life.  All of my gratitude goes to you for trusting me during such a personal and intimate day.  Congratulations!!!  Love, Auntie Cindy

*If you’re interested in having me document your baby’s birth, email me at info@cindycieluch.com

When my friend/client Karen came over the other day to pick up her order, she noticed some photos from my trip to South Korea.  Then she said: “When I read your blog posting about this trip with your mom and sister, I cried.”  Then all of a sudden, we both got teary-eyed….and I got this sore feeling in my heart.  You know, that deep, down pain you experience when you truly miss somebody.  Somebody like your sister, mom and dad.  Your best friends.  All of the family and friends you haven’t seen in what seems like FOREVER.  It hit me just like that.  I MISS MY FAMILY.

Matt + I decided to make our home in Montana because we know it’s where God wants us.  People still ask me on a weekly basis, “Aren’t you moving soon?”  No, we’re not moving anytime in the near future.  Not even close.  Both of our families are far away and we miss them terribly, but that just means more trips!  Plane trips and, lately for me, trips down memory lane…

Here are some photos from South Korea I’ve never posted before.  They may not be the most artistic images and some are even blurry/grainy, but they’re totally Jessica.  I miss you little sis…

So many choices.  The born-shopoholic was in big trouble over there…

She even shopped for her little yorkies…

Is she telling me how to take a picture??? 

Praying to the Love Goddess for Mr. Right.

Mr. Right wasn’t in Korea.  The right food was though…everywhere!!!!!!

An old torture device.

Our mom enjoyed testing them out.  Yes, she really did spank her butt.

In our mom’s hometown, Namwon City.

Her absolute fave snack in South Korea.  Not sure what it’s called.  All I know is that it’s gooey dough filled with warm brown sugar.  I’m drooling just thinking about them…

The Korean statue that symbolizes the devil.  Scary!!!!

You could find whatever you needed at the rest stop bathrooms.

Yep, that’s me dressed as a Korean groom.  Why does Jess always get to be the cute one?!?!?

I love you Jess!

Remember this couple from the hay bale photo?  I’m working away and promise to post images from their wedding + day after session very, VERY soon!!!