R.J.'s Senior Portraits

Scheduling an outdoor senior shoot in the Black Hills in the fall can be quite a challenge, but we were lucky and were able to meet on the one absolutely beautiful Saturday before the snow hit! It was a terrific day to be outside, and R.J. was a lot of fun to work with.






Visit my website at Thompson Photography for more senior portraits!

First Team Shoot!

As many of you know, I shoot a wide variety of local sports; however, I hadn't ventured into the area of photographing sports teams yet. When I was contacted by the Spearfish Junior Basketball League to see if I was interested in doing some team photos for them, it was just the chance I had been waiting for! The conditions weren't exactly optimal, as the only area we had to take the photos was in the narrow hallway at East Elementary, since both gyms were being used for games, but everything seemed to go well in spite of the crowded conditions and the kids really seemed to enjoy it. I definitely look forward to doing some more team shoots!



If you would like information on scheduling a team shoot, please call me at 605-641-2335, or email at jmthompson@spe.midco.net

I can offer a variety of packages sizes, including die-cut wallets, and a variety of gift items are also available, including mugs, water bottles, mouse pads, key chains, etc.

A Beautiful Wedding in Hill City ~ Gina & Bryan

Last Saturday, October 3, I had the privilege of sharing Gina and Bryan's special day with them and their family and friends. With Bryan being an accomplished photographer himself (Bryan Konechne Photography), I was fairly nervous by the time the wedding date rolled around. However, everyone was so wonderful and having so much fun, I quickly forgot that I was photographing a photographer! Here are just a few of my favorite images from the day...












Thank you, Gina and Bryan for letting me share your beautiful day!

Visited by Cedar Waxwings!

This afternoon as I was working in my office, I was lucky enough to be looking out the window daydreaming when a mama cedar waxwing and her two juveniles landed in my tree for about 30 seconds. As luck would have it, I had just put my 400mm lens on my camera and had it sitting right in front of me, waiting for a blue jay to come back to my feeder, so I was able to get a couple quick shots before the family took off again!




The cedar waxwing is one of my favorite birds, with their little masks and their "always in a hurry" attitude, and I eagerly await every fall when they pass through the area. A flock usually lands in my crabapple tree and strips it bare within a matter of about 10 minutes, and then they are on their way again! Hopefully these three weren't my "flock" this year!

Saying Goodbye to the Fall Foliage

Monday afternoon, I had to take one more quick trip down Spearfish Canyon and see if I could get a few more shots of the vibrant colors before heavy, wet snow took its toll. In spite of intermittent snow and rain, and the lately ever-present wind, I bundled up, and the dog and I headed out to see what we could find. It was snowing fairly hard driving up the canyon, so I only made a couple of stops, hoping the weather would be better on the way back down.

Having fun on the Iron Creek trail!



In retrospect I should have stopped more going up, because the leaves were already falling off the trees when I turned around and headed back home!


However, it had quit snowing and the wind had died down, and as I waded out into Spearfish Creek to photograph the last of the fall foliage, I was so glad I had ventured out into the arctic weather that day!

Jessica & Dan's Engagement Shoot

I have been falling way behind with my blogging lately, as it has been an extremely busy week with engagement shoots, a wedding, and sports. With the fall colors coming on fast...and leaving just as fast...the window for fall scenery in photo shoots is limited!


I had my first engagement shoot as part of a wedding package on Friday, and although it was cold and windy, it was a beautiful day, and with Jessica and Dan being from Cheyenne, the wind was just a slight breeze to them!





I really enjoyed this opportunity to meet the wedding couple and have the opportunity to photograph them in a natural, stress-free environment away from the time demands of the wedding day, and I look forward to doing more engagement shoots!