cindy cieluch photography . blog

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!!!