IOWA TOUR DATE RELEASED....COME OUT!

Final plans have been made and Ben Dodds Photography will be making their last stop in the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) on December 31st. Check out the flyer for more information. To REGISTER email us at ben@bendodds.com. It's going to be a blast so come out and get your little ones photos taken so you can treasure them for the rest of your life. You will be thrilled you took advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Hope to see you at the end of the month!

A FEW OF MY OWN...MINNEAPOLIS PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

Yesterday morning we headed to downtown Minneapolis for brunch with Santa at theHilton Hotel. For the past 4 years we started a tradition with our family and my mother-in-law to go to "Brunch with Santa." Our Jolly Saint Nick journey started at the Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska. Oak Ridge is special to Shannon and I because it is the location of where we stated our vows together. It's a dreamy place for Shannon and I. Heck, we can even see our faces in the marketing material on the billboards as one of their featured weddings. Unfortunately this year, Santa's "flight got cancelled" from the North Pole. Shannon and are concerned that "He" is no longer with us. So, off to the Hilton we went. As I pulled up to the hotel, I noticed an alley way that would be perfect for a little portrait session. So, after we stuffed our faces with pancakes, eggs, hash, donuts, fruit...etc we headed across the street for a little family fun. It was freezing cold outside and my boys were troopers. I am the proudest father in the world! My boys are SO special and I'm blessed to be able to treasure these photos forever.

Shaef with just a classic look...It's not to often we catch him being serious! He's a clown most of the time

This was the first photo I took of Sutton. I'm thrilled that even as their dad, I can "direct" them during a photo session. Not to mention, he listened....

"Hey kids, I'm all business....you don't want to cross me in an alley"

BBBbbbbuuuuuuRRRRRRRR Daddy....I'm fuweezing out here....

Somebody ate to much "ham" at the brunch this morning...

Lillian Claire

My first niece came over from across the St. Croix to visit the fam. After a morning of conversation and oversized omelets we took some photos of lil' Lilly. She worked the crowd as she got passed from aunt to aunt and my boys even helped entertain her by shaking toys and juggling. The true showmen that they are! Lilly did a great job during her session. Excited to get some of these blown up. Have a safe trip home!!!

Peace,
BD

Salt Lake visits Minnesoooota... / Edina Children's Photography

To view K & E's slideshow, visit Ben Dodds Photography online, click "client," and then enter "tulsian" in the password....You will be able to view all of K & E's Sibling Portraits. Thanks for viewing....

Click on image to VIEW larger.....Slideshow coming soon!

This morning Shan and the boys and I had our friends from Salt Lake stop by for a little visit. You all know me to well that a little visit means a quick portrait session as well. Actually, Kirsten booked this session like 2 months ago but she knew her kiddos are SO stinking cute that I wouldn't be able to resist taking their photos. We went on the hunt for a park and some other fun spots to capture these precious faces. These are photos to treasure for a lifetime! E and K were so easy to work with despite their adjustment to the 2 hr time change. I can't wait for their next visit in 2010! Thanks again for the visit....

Peace,
BD

Sneak Peak for Mom... / Chanhassen Children's Photographer

To view T's slideshow, visit Ben Dodds Photography online, click "client," and then enter "fritsch" in the password....You will be able to view all of T's Portraits. Thanks for viewing....

It's time for me to go to bed. Why you ask...cause it's after 9:30pm. However, I wanted to post a few photos of my little buddy T. We spent a MN evening last week hanging out at Centennial Lakes. Have a wonderful vacation and we'll see you when you return. Hope you enjoy the photos of your little model!! So cute!!!

Peace,
BD

Lakes, Planes & Lots O' fun!

Sunday morning was an awesome morning runing around downtown Wayzata with E & L. We had a spectacular morning to spend some time taking pictures of these little guys. The weather has just been stinkin' awesome in these parts lately. I had a lot of fun chasing the boys around the train depot, running in a field (overflow parking lot that had a shaded area) and spending some time down by the lake. The boys did a great job letting me capture the little things that make them tick. Thanks again for a wonderful Sunday morning. Enjoy your photos!!

Peace,
BD

A Date At The Library....ssshhhhh!!!

Yesterday I met little Miss M at the Chanhassen Library. Many of you know I'm not much of a reader which means I hardly step foot inside a library. You can only imagine my anxiety as I approached the library early in the morning. My heart was pumping and the blood was rushing through my veins. I was consumed by the thought of rows of books staring at me as I entered. I can hear the books now...."chuckle, chuckle....look at this hot shot, wearing his glasses and all. Who does he think he is? Alert, Alert....(on the loud speaker), please beware of the poser entering the library. None of us have ever seen this character before!"
As the books stared at me as I made my way to the childrens corner to take photos of Miss M, without warning my Nikon camera erupted out of my bag and in a loud, demanding voice it stated," back off book bullies. Don't make him (that's me, Ben) shoot you." WHAT!! I immediately stuffed Nikon back into my camera bag, lowered my head and proceeded back to where all the little kiddos were hanging out. Embarrassed by all of the commotion, I retreated to a corner, put down my bag and scolded my camera for the outrageous outburst and pour choice of words. After this teachable moment, little Miss M arrived and the fun began..... I hope you had a great weekend!

Peace,
BD

Minnesota Tea Party...

Last weekend I got to spend some time with Miss A. We jumped in the jumper, we jumped on our bed, we read some books but the most fun of all was when we had a Minnesota Tea Party. We had several friends join us around the table for this special time. She was so cute as she poured tea for herself and for her friends. Thanks again for letting me come hang out with you guys for a morning. Don't you just love Miss A's eyes? Have a great day!

Peace,
BD

Sneak Peek!!! / Edina Family Photographer

TO VIEW YOUR SLIDESHOW CLICK HERE, ENJOY!

I'm not sure if many of you know but I'm an IOWA boy. I spent 21 years being raised on corn, beef and frozen grapes (not really an IA thing but it's true). Now that I live in Minnesota it's somewhat rare to run across another fellow Iowan. Even more rare in the land of 10k lakes is to meet someone that also attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). This morning I had a killer breakfast, had some time with my boys and what...met another proud Iowan and UNI'er. I say Bender, you say Dancer...I say Hudson, you say University (dorms and roads surrounding UNI-land). After our short time traveling down reminiscing lane we got to business and started taking some photos. Thanks K family for allowing me to share in taking some portraits of your precious little boys. Here is a sneak peek of our time together this morning. Have a great night!

Peace,
BD

Little Maggie...

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR SLIDESHOW, ENJOY!

I ran over to Maggie's house the other morning...if I remember correctly, it was before the sun was up, ha ha. We did an early morning shoot and she did awesome. Maggie dresses super cute (thanks to her mom) and has these beautiful blue eyes. We were even able to be blessed by her little brother presence so we could take a family photo. Alex was glued to the tube and we had to do a little bribing to get him to work with us. Chocolate works every time!! Thanks again for the shoot and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Peace,
BD

Wild at Heart

TO VIEW SLIDESHOW CLICK HERE, ENJOY!

I recently got to spend some time with some good friends and take photos of their two boys. Our paths crossed back in 2000 when they moved back to Minnesota from out east. Our family has been so blessed to call them our friends and we have shared many laughs over the years. As many of you might know, I'm not a big fan of mexican food. Well needless to say that after numerous homemade mexican dishes at their home that I graciously devoured they finally realized that I'm an all-american food boy. Just one of our many stories together! Thanks again for believing in me and asking me to photograph the boys. Enjoy your photos!

Peace,
BD