benramos.com - The BLOG!

Check Out J&J's Wedding on the NEW Blog!!!

2010-08-05T21:00:00.001-05:00

Just finished putting the finishing touches on the new blog and on J&J's Wedding photos. Check the both out HERE (or click the photo below).

Heather & Tyrrell: Wed! | Shot with Sloan Images

2010-01-02T04:55:00.001-06:00

A huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Heather and Tyrrell and a few photos from their day :)

God Bless,

Ben

PS - Check out Christina's blog HERE to see more of Heather & Tyrrell's wedding!

Kelsey & Cliff: Wed!

2009-12-24T04:24:00.001-06:00

After battling through the storms that socked the East Coast with several feet of snow just to get Omaha for their wedding and holiday celebrations, yesterday's rain had little effect on Kelsey and Cliff's big day.

Taking advantage of the fabulously, beautiful Lauritzen Gardens Christmas Decor, Kelsey & Cliff's ceremony was simple and joyful and touching. Both Kelsey and Cliff wrote their own vows - sharing handwritten, heartfelt words of love, thanks and promises for the future.

Kelsey & Cliff - Congratulations once again on your marriage and best wishes for a long, joyful journey together as man and wife. Thank you very much for allowing me to be witness to your union and the love you share between you!

God Bless,

Ben

Bilinda & Brian: Wed!

2009-09-13T18:47:00.004-05:00

Erin & I had a great time photographing Bilinda & Brian's wedding in Council Bluffs yesterday. Although the day started out rainy, by evening, the sun had come out and allowed us to make some amazing photos!

Bilinda & Brian, thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day! Congratulations and best wishes for a long & happy marriage. Have a wonderful honeymoon and I'll see you when you get back!

God Bless,

Ben

Meghan & Scott: Wed! | Shot with Sloan Images

2009-09-07T18:58:00.004-05:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot Meghan & Scott's wedding this weekend with the always fabulous Christina from Sloan Images! Their wedding was held at the Slattery Vintage Estates Vineyard in Southeast Nebraska on what has to have been one of the most beautiful Saturday's this year.

The vineyards grounds with the rows of grapes, open fields and are absolutely stunning and definitely bring to mind a "vintage," old world feel, which Meghan & Scott fully took advantage of - Scott looked super sharp in a pinstriped brown tuxedo and Meghan was absolutely radiant in a stunning, vintage inspired gown complete with custom matching ostrich feather hair piece. The two of them together looked very much the sophisticated, out on the town couple from the early 20th century.

Special thanks to Meghan and Scott for allowing me to be a part of your day, you're a very fun couple and were wonderful to work with - Congratulations and Best Wishes for your marriage!

Thanks as well to Christina for having me along and for Nicole for being a tremendous help as well.

God Bless,

Ben

Some of my favorites -

Christina's Images of Meghan & Scott's day can be found here.

Bilinda & Brian: Engaged!

2009-07-25T02:55:00.007-05:00

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Bilinda & Brian's engagement photos tonight at the always beautiful Heartland of America Park. It was a wee bit hot, and the clouds that rolled in had the sun disappearing faster than I would have liked, but I changed a few things up and we made some rockin' (really need to find a new word to describe...well, rockin'....hmm, will definitely think on it) images.

Bilinda & Brian, thank you much for toughing out the heat and humidity and for being such a fun couple! Bilinda, I'm working on the voices in my head as I type this up... that sounds bit odd doesn't it...oh well, inside joke then :).

And now for the photos!

God Bless,

Ben

Samantha & Jacob: Wed!

2009-06-19T03:07:00.007-05:00

I once again had the opportunity to second with the spectacular Christina of Sloan Images this past weekend and got to be a part of Samantha and Jacob's absolutely breathtaking wedding!

Samantha and Jacob were married in Pioneer's Park in Lincoln underneath the Pillar's (which have a very interesting history, having once been a part of the U.S. Treasury building and "present" during one of Lincoln's speeches). Pioneer's Park in general is a very beautiful, but the added presence of the Pillar's really takes the beauty of the site up several notches.

So it was with the sun shining, family and friends looking on and the pillars adding a sense of permanence, timelessness and majesty, that Samantha and Jacob exchanged hand written vows and joined themselves together in holy matrimony.

Following the ceremony, Samantha and Jacob forwent a limo and arrived at the reception hall in style via Harley Davidson! Their arrival was followed by much fun, food and dancing (I don't think Sam ever truly left the dance floor once she stepped foot on it!)

Samantha & Jacob, thanks for the opportunity to share and be a part of your day - Congratulations again and best wishes for your marriage and for the future!

Thanks as well to Christina for having me along!

Ben

Tara & Oliver: Wed!

2009-06-07T02:08:00.006-05:00

Spent a wonderful day in Valentine, NE today, where although the weather didn't play quite as nice as I would have liked, the atmosphere was fantastic! Tara, Oliver and their friends and family bravely faced the elements (it was cold and drizzly with temperatures in the 50s and solid cloud cover) for their family formals, then remained outside for couple's and wedding party photos as well. All told about an hour and a half in the cold! I wish I had had some hot chocolate to pass around, but as I said, they were absolute troopers!

Tara & Oliver, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day! I wish you and Oliver the very best for your marriage - may everyday be filled with love, laughter and wonderment! See you soon!

Ben

P.S. Meant to get these up sooner, but had some technical difficulties, so I do apologize to anyone who visited right after the wedding. Everything was resolved positively and amicably, however, and we are moving full speed ahead at this point :)

Here are some of my favorites-

Tristan & Joe: Wed!

2009-05-30T22:34:00.004-05:00

Awesome Couple + Great Weather + Beautiful Locations = one FANTABULOUS time shooting Tristan & Joe's wedding!

Tristan & Joe, you guys are fabulous! Much congratulations and my best wishes to to you as you celebrate your newly minted union - Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Thanks as well to my wife and assistant, Erin and to Christina of Sloan Images (who I seconded just a few weeks ago at Liz & Mike's wedding)!

God Bless,

Ben

Liz & Mike's Wedding - Shooting with Sloan Images

2009-05-13T19:18:00.005-05:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, Liz, Mike and Christina were kind enough to invite me along to Liz & Mike's wedding in Dunlap, IA.

Liz & Mike's wedding was held at Mike's family home just a few miles outside of Dunlap, IA (left turn at the sand pile, second non-demolished house on the right ;) ) followed by a reception held at the Dunlap Golf Course, which was were they first met.

Thanks again to Liz, Mike & Christina for allowing me to tag along and be a part of such a special occasion!

Liz & Mike's Bridals - Bridal Shoot with Sloan Images

2009-05-12T02:02:00.005-05:00

A little over a month ago, Christina of Sloan Images asked if I would be interested in doing a bridal/couples shoot with her. Since Christina is not only an fabulous photographer, but a an absolute riot to hang out with, I immediately jumped at the chance to do shoot with her.

With perfect weather courtesy of Mother Nature, a very cool location picked by Christina (the Heritage, whose entrance is beautifully landscaped with large rocks, trees, a windmill, an old farm wagon and a very cool fountain), 2 happenin' photographers (Christina for sure and me...well, I think therefore I am right ;) ), and the very wonderful Liz and Mike, our fun and engaging affianced twosome, we were locked and loaded to make some great photography Thursday night and we did.

A big thanks to Christina for inviting me out and to Liz and Mike for having great senses of humor, oodles of love and affection for one another and for being so darn cute. Another very big thanks to all three of you for inviting me/letting me tag along for your wedding on Saturday (more on the wedding in my next blog post)!

Here are some of my favorites from shoot.

Maternity - Rachel

2009-03-15T00:06:00.004-06:00

Last Monday, I had the pleasure of visiting with and photographing Rachel's maternity photos.

Rachel & Jeff, her husband, along with their son are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new addition. Rachel was more than happy to share that they are delighted to be having a girl, but when I asked her if they had chosen a name yet, she and Jeff shared a little smile, then said that they had chosen a very special name for their daughter, but that they weren't telling.

Rachel & Jeff,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to photography your family. Congratulations and best wishes to the both of you (and to all of your family and friends) on the upcoming birth of your new little one.

Take care and God bless.

Ben

Tara & Oliver: Engaged!

2008-10-21T21:05:00.004-05:00

Headed down to Lincoln yesterday to photograph Tara & Oliver's engagement portraits. In addition to loving one another, both Tara & Oliver's love the Fall season.

To showcase both, we decided to shoot the first part of their portrait session at Pioneers Park, which was absolutely stunning yesterday with the abundant Fall colors and bright sunshine.

After finishing at Pioneers Park, we then headed down to the Haymarket to finish out their portraits. In the Haymarket, I fell in love with the iron fire escape/staircase outside of Lazlo's and ended up moving Tara & Oliver up, down and all around it for the majority of the Haymarket session.

Tara & Oliver, congratulations again on your engagement! I had an excellent time hanging out with both of you! I can't wait to see you both again!

Ben

Some favorites from the session -

K&J - The Next Day!

2008-10-21T20:31:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, Lani & John from Allure Photographic graciously allowed myself and Laura from Laurelle Photography to tag along on for K&J's Day After Session in Sioux Falls, SD. Although it was a little bit rainy, we had a great time touring around Sioux Falls to several different locations including an apple orchard, parking garage and the apparent wedding photo hot spot, Sioux Falls itself.

Thanks again to Lani & John for inviting me up! As always, I had a blast hanging out and shooting with you both. Thanks to Laura as well for car pooling up there with me and helping me to figure out how to work my GPS unit (Just a quick note to everyone, GPS units work best when they are actually communicating with satellites... go figure huh? :) )

K&J, congratulations and best wishes for your marriage! Thanks for letting me play paparazzo!

Ben

Some of my favorites -

Jenny & Ralph: Wed!

2008-10-06T00:10:00.005-05:00

Had a great time Saturday photographing Jenny & Ralph's wedding! They had their ceremony at the Franklin street location of St. James Methodist Church in Bellevue, NE followed by their reception at Eagle Hills Golf Course in Papillion, NE.

Jenny & Ralph, thanks again for allowing me to be a part of your very special day! Have a great time on your honeymoon and I'll see you when you get back (I can't wait to see some of your photos)!

Ben

Here are some of my favorites from the day!

Tina & Jacob: Wed!

2008-09-23T23:24:00.000-05:00

Bathed in the Saturday afternoon sunshine, they held hands and repeated their vows with loving glances and (mostly) steady voices, confidently taking the latest step in the relational journey that started years ago when they worked at Prairie Life Fitness together.

Tina and Jacob were married this past Saturday in a 2pm ceremony that was held at the skylight lit altar of the very beautiful St. Robert's Bellarmine Parish in Omaha. Following the ceremony, they boarded Buttercup (part of the Ollie the Trolley fleet) for a quick trip to The Prestige Lounge for some pre-reception celebration before returning to St. Robert's for their reception.

Tina & Jacob, Congratulations! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day! Enjoy your honeymoon!

Ben

Here are a few of my favorites from the day -

Sarah: Senior Portraits!

2008-09-21T16:23:00.004-05:00

Headed down to Heartland of America Park with Sarah and her crew for her senior portraits. I've shot weddings and engagements at Heartland before and always try to do a little something different each time I'm there, so we stuck to the outskirts of the park for the most part (although I did take an obligatory fountain shot... I just love that thing :) ) and found some pretty cool things to shoot. We also found about 10,000 spiderwebs... only about 2,000 spiders though (5 webs a piece!.... apparently things are going good in the Arachnid Economy :) ).

Sarah, thanks for playing along and being so much fun to work with! Congratulations and best wishes for your Senior year!

Ben

Some favorites from the shoot! -

Hagan Family

2008-09-15T05:45:00.004-05:00

I headed down to the Old Market on Saturday with the beautiful Hagan family for a fun, little photo shoot! I'll add a bit more about our trip later, but here are some of my favorites for now!

Ben

A Lot of Fun (and a little narcissism) in a Field

2008-09-10T23:41:00.007-05:00

I was sitting around the house feeling a little bored tonight, so I decided I needed to head out and do a little shooting for fun. With no one else around that I could cajole into modeling for me (my cats ad dogs hide when I break the camera out and the wife was conveniently absent), I decided to go ahead dust off the old modeling moves and shoot myself. So a quick shower, some spiffy clothing and a glob of hair gel later, I grabbed up the camera gear, threw it in the car and headed down to Walnut Creek Recreation area.

After a few awkward glances from the joggers and bicyclers utilizing the awesome trails at Walnut Creek as the well dressed guy hauling large back bags into a field, I set up shop in the middle of said field. After about 30 minutes of fiddling around (and realizing that shooting oneself is actually a bit harder than shooting other people) and several frames where I was cut in half and/or out of focus, I finally got a good system down pat and proceeded to have quite a bit of fun pretending I was the next Tyson Gibson.

A word to those in the modeling world, you'd all better watch your backs, cause there's a new face in town and I'm gunning for the top :)

Ben

ETA - Yeah, I know I only have one look and one pose, but I'm working on a few more... perfection takes time though :)

Here are a few of my favorites.

Talking to my Grandma at the time, but true professional that I am I was able to multitask and still work it for the camera!

Nathan & Susan: Wed!

2008-09-07T01:46:00.002-05:00

Had a fun time photographing Nathan and Susan's wedding yesterday at Heartland of America Park. This was the second time that I have photographed a wedding down at Heartland of America Park and every time I visit I continue to be amazed at what a beautiful place it is. As beautiful as it is, though, it paled in comparison to the wedding that took place there today. The ceremony was full of emotion and the love with which the vows were spoken and undertaken was very evident.

Nathan & Susan, Congratulations and Best Wishes! Thank you so much for having me be a part of your day, I had a wonderful time! Talk to you soon!

Ben

A few of my favorites from the day -

Vanessa & Dan: Wed!

2008-09-01T01:59:00.004-05:00

Vanessa and Dan were married today at the beautiful Bayliss Park Hall in Council Bluffs, IA. In the presence of God, their family and their friends, Vanessa and Dan recited their vows before taking part in a traditional hand-fasting ceremony, where they joined hands to form an infinity circle and having bound themselves to each other in spirit, were now bound physically by three bindings (tied snuggly (but not too tightly :) ) by Dan's brother Paul, who officiated the ceremony).

Following the very moving ceremony, Vanessa and Dan, being excellent hosts, provided drinks and snacks accompanied by trivia for their guests while I stole the wedding party away for photos. After dinner, some very energetic and impressive dances and a slice (or two) of quite tasty cake, I stole Vanessa and Dan away again for some quick photos at the lighted fountain and gazebo in Bayliss Park.

Vanessa and Dan, thank you so much for letting Erin and I be a part of your very special day; we had a great time. Best wishes as you embark on your journey together.

Ben

Here are a few of my favorites from the day -

Offutt Air Show

2008-08-18T16:26:00.004-05:00

Erin & I headed down to the Offutt Air Show, the culmination of Air Force Week across America. It was the first time I had ever been to the air show and it was a lot of fun, although I wish I had brought a longer lens (those planes get really tiny at 3 miles above ground.) Here are a few of my favorite photos from the show!

Jenny & Ralph: Engaged!

2008-08-12T01:54:00.002-05:00

Jenny & Ralph's engagement session was literally the coolest engagement session that I have done all year. Not only are Jenny & Ralph a totally cool couple, but with temperatures soaring into the triple digits (101 in Omaha, without the heat index), Jenny, Ralph and I beat the heat by shooting their session indoors in my air conditioned mini-studio.

I don't shoot in studio much, so it was kind of different to not be hauling around all of my equipment on location, but I had a lot of fun and when the temperatures get this high, it definitely beats being outside and baking in the sun!

Jenny & Ralph, thank you so much for chillin' with me in studio, I had marvelous time!

Ben

Here are a some of my favorites from their session. Click HERE to see more photos of Jenny & Ralph!

"WingDing" at Triba Chiropractic Clinic

2008-08-11T15:47:00.007-05:00

Just returned home from Triba Chiropractic Clinic, where I had a great time photographing the Monday Morning WingDing party that Dr. Triba won in a contest on KGOR.

Dave Wingert, host of the KGOR morning show, officiated the event which included a live demonstration of a Chiropractic neck adjustment (videotaped by KGOR and featuring your's truly as the "adjustee," Click HERE to view the video!! (It' a Windows media file, so you folks on Mac may have troubl seeing it )), a tour of Triba Chiropractic Clinic and lunch catered in by KGOR from Spirit World for Dr. Triba, his employees and guests.

Lunch was wonderful, featuring tasty croissant sandwiches, sides of a terrific noodle salad and fruit mix and to finish the meal, a tray of scrumptious dessert bars. Thanks to Spirit World and their Chef Laura Doocy, for such a wonderful spread of delicious delights!

Regina Doxey of VIP Limousine even stopped by with their new Cadillac Escalade stretch limousine for the WingDing attendees to take a gander at. It's SCHWEEEEEEeeeettt! Really, it's absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend it for weddings, parties, nights on the town, pretty much for any and every special occasion...shoot I'd even recommend it for getting groceries.

To Dave, Regina and all of those who attended the Monday Morning WingDing this week, it was very nice to meet you! Special thanks to Dr. Triba for inviting me, I had a excellent time photographing and partaking in the luncheon!

Ben

A few shots from the luncheon:

Dr. Triba showing Dave the new Advanced Allergy Relief system offered exclusively in Omaha by Triba Chiropractic Clinic (one of only a few clinics in the nation offering it). -

The "WingDing" special guests talking and digging into lunch provided by KGOR and Spirit World -

Dr. Triba with Dave -

Dr. Triba with Regina Doxey, Dave Wingert, and Regina's chauffeur.-

Dave after checking out the VIP Limo's newCadillac Escalade Limousine -

My Mom, Jeanie, who is office manager for Triba Chiropractic Clinic, with Dave -

My Aunt Mary with Dave -

And last, but not least, the delicious delights I mentioned above -

Danielle

2008-08-05T01:15:00.004-05:00

Early in June, I traveled to Lincoln to take part in a photoshoot with several other photographers. Joining Lani from Allure Photographic, Allison Garrett of Allison Garrett Photographer and Tara Kneiser of Dixie Pixel Photography (click on their names to view their sites/blogs), we had the distinct pleasure of photographing Danielle in the Haymarket area of Lincoln, NE. I had an absolute blast hanging out with the ladies and made some incredible photos.

Special thanks to Danielle (who by the way, made it into the top 50 of America's Next Top Model show hosted by Tyra) and Lani for inviting me down to Lincoln.

Below are some of my favorites from the day.

Ben

The Ladies -

Danielle -