Smootastic!

Some of my awesome friends got married yesterday and I got to photograph it. We had so much fun! After downloading over 1,000 photos here's two of my favorites, so far...

Wish this was around when I was a kid...

I went to West Fork Elementary last week to photograph 4th graders and the new fad... duct tape clothing!



It was so neat to see what the girls had made. There were bags, shoes, tank tops, skirts, placemats, wallets and even a pillow. Man I wish I had thought of this when I was their age. All we did was cross-stitch and coloring books. :) I guess it's never too late... who wants to buy me a bunch of duct tape? HA!

Prom-o-rama

So this weekend I went to the West Fork prom to shoot some photos for the Observer. They had a great turn out. I was kinda surprised! :) I guess because a lot of my high school class didn't go because there was a Marilyn Manson concert the same night. (does this date me in any way?)
It was nice to see the students having a good time dancing. Really prom didn't look that different than when I was in high school over 10 years ago. Everyone just wanted to hang out with their friends and have a good time. And teachers were still trying to keep the music clean and the dancing with 6 in. of space between the couples. ;)
The best part about this prom was I could leave and go get a beer without getting in trouble. HA!

Easter eggin

I went out and shot an Easter egg hunt for the Washington County Observer this week. It was a lot of fun. The younger kids didn't really get it but the 4 and 5 year-old's were so excited. The daycare hides 4,000 eggs for all their kids. This year they got me into the action. At the end there were so many eggs I just started tossing them onto the ground. Here's some photos I got:

Washington County Observer Breaking News...

WF Council Member Arrested
Jami Coker Charged with Theft of Property
Staff Report

West Fork City Council Member Jami Coker, 37, was arrested Tuesday by University of Arkansas Police in connection with thefts that occurred over an eight-month period and totaled $50,000.
Coker, an employee of the University of Arkansas, was charged at 1:40 p.m. on March 16 with theft of property. The police report cites video and photo evidence showing Coker picking up text books that she ordered using a purchase order belonging to Walton School of Business that contained her signature. The thefts reportedly occurred between July 20, 2009 and March 10, 2010.
A call to U of A’s Walton School of Business confirmed that Coker was previously an employee there. The U of A police report states that Coker had not been taken off the list of people with purchasing privileges after her employment there ended.
According to the UA Website, Coker is currently employed in the university’s Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) office as a project assistant.
Coker has been a member of West Fork’s City Council since June 16, 2009. She was appointed by Mayor Jan Throgmorton and approved by the city council.
“I’ve known her for years and years,” Throgmorton said after learning of Coker’s arrest. “I’m going to stand by Jami until somebody proves to me she’s done it.”
Coker was released at 4:56 p.m. Tuesday on a $2500 bond. A hearing will be held at Washington County Circuit Court on Friday, March 19 at 7:45 a.m.

So, you like bluegrass music?

Last Saturday I went to the Brentwood Community Center and shot a multi-media piece for the Washington County Observer. It was such a wonderful time. There was so much history there and the music was fantastic. Who knew Northwest Arkansas has so much talent hidden away in Brentwood.

Washington County Observer...

I have been helping out at the new Washington County Observer recently. It's been fun. It's nice to be a part of something from the beginning. Also it's the only independently owned newspaper in Northwest Arkansas.

Here's some of the photos I've taken for them.

My New Website!

I have finally made an official website... well two really.

First is the website I created with 360NWA. They are an up and coming web hosting company with Community Publishers that links up all of us Northwest Arkansas small businesses together and makes us more searchable to the community. My site went live Tuesday and it's already got a good amount of traffic. I'm excited about it and have enjoyed working with 360NWA. :)

Here's my link: http://www.360nwa.com/Photography/BrookeMcNeelyPhotography.html

Second is the site I put together at Printroom. This is the site I'm going to use to sell photos I'm taking for the Washington County Observer as well as weddings and anything else that comes my way.

Here's that site: http://www.brookemcneelyphotography.printroom.com

Another cool development with my business is Jeannette Balleza developed a logo for me. It came out AWESOME! I'm happy to use our local graphic designers and she did a great job.



Things are coming together! For more samples of my work please check out my facebook fan page. As always feel free to email or call if you have questions. I look forward to working with you!

Fun at the NWA Bride show...

This past weekend I was a vendor at the NWA Bride show in Springdale. It was a great time. So many Brides to be! I set up a photo booth so people could dress up and just be silly. Here's my favorites:













Here's a short promo of wedding services I offer:

Let it snow!

While visiting my parents in Virginia over the Christmas holiday I got stuck in the middle of a blizzard that dropped over 20 in. of snow. So of course I got out in the middle of it and took a bunch of photos. :) Today I realized I need a sledding partner.














I also made a little video of the snow fall:

Brooke McNeely Photography....

Here are a few little 90 sec. promotions of the photography, video and multi-media services I offer in the Northwest Arkansas area...

First is a sample of the wedding photography I offer...

Music: "Dancing Anita" Tom Rhodes



This is an overview of all the photography, video and multi-media services I offer...

Music: "Dancing Anita" Tom Rhodes



This is an overview of the multi-media video I can offer for websites and other advertising ventures...



Finally this is a quick preview of the photojournalist services I offer...

Music: "One Bright Pearl" Tom Rhodes

Video experience...

Here is a sample of the video work I have done. While at the Northwest Arkansas Times I gathered my own video, audio and photography out in the field. Then I edited them on my own personal computer for publication on the newspaper's website.

The first video is about local musician Kory Montgomery and his experiences with the annual motorcycle rally Biles, Blues and BBQ.



This video is about the Tontitown annual Grape Festival and the process of making noodles for such a large group of people.



Brooke McNeely Photography
brooke.mcneely@gmail.com

News Photography portfolio...

I am now working on a freelance photography, video and multi-media business, Brooke McNeely Photography. Right now I am looking for clients who have a variety of visual arts needs in the Northwest Arkansas area. Below is my news photography portfolio. Soon I will have portfolios up showcasing my wedding photography/multi-media and commercial photography skills.

Feel free to contact me at brooke.mcneely@gmail.com

Music: "Go" by Tom Rhodes



Brooke McNeely Photography

Becky and Lauren's wedding!

More weddings I know but damn it's been one of those years! It was a really fun time and I took over 1,000 photos. Only around 700 came out good but hey stuff happens right!?

Here's a few photos I like...





















Brooke McNeely Photography
brooke.mcneely@gmail.com

Marnet and Brendan's wedding

This really was a White wedding... :)

It was just off the Potomac River and it was beautiful!

Here are some pics...











Here are some photos from the reception...