Lightdances Photography

Our Studio in Boise Idaho

2011-09-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have had some people lately say hey I couldnt find your studio, whats that location again? I used to say that were in the Coltrin Plaza next to the big flag at Flooring America but you know what the flag is gone? Not sure why but the flag is no seeing air time these days? So here is our studio building and a couple interior shots as well of our beautiful full service studio located at 11588 W. Fairview Ave. Suite 200 A. right above Rumors Spa and Salon. Come by and see us, call 208-371-7701 to make sure we are available to hang out with you! Best Wishes, Dirk

Do we do Glamour? Sure we do!

2011-09-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

I got a call today asking I am looking for something special for my husband"do you do sexy glamour type stuff" ? SURE! We love recreating the pin-up looks of the 1940s and 1950s. Call us to chat about what exactly you are think of and Lightdances will make it happen. 208-371-7701

Boise Business Portraits will improve your image!

2011-09-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,

A snap shot is not a professional head shot! Do this the right way and it will bring you business, screw this up and you can acually lose business as you might not come across as a professional.

Just wanted to chat for a minute about my business portrait division Boise Business Portraits.

I have been helping many new clients lately to get a garanteed great portrait for business purposes. Generally we start by determining what the end use is for the portrait, then we chat about the design, colors ,backgrounds and wardrobe that will convey the message my client is wishing to send. Our session can be in our fabulous portrait studio on Fairview Ave that is designed to be like a comforable home or on location at my clients place of business or a favorite place.

We offer a mini session in the studio for those on a budget and can get you in and out in less than 30 minutes or our extended session for clients wishing to have more image options. After we do the session, I will go throught and select the best images and do a basic retouch to make my client look fabulous and call them to schedule at time to view these images. When we get together we will then select the best of the best and decide what if any addition retouching should be done to make your head shot a killer headshot.

Over the past couple months I have created well over 150 business portraits for people just like you that had been using substandard headshots that were outdated, unflattering and in some cases downright unprofessional. If you do one thing this year get a decent business portrait, invest in yourself its not expensive and its tax deductable! Remember also our garantee if you dont love your portrait you don't pay a thing when you select Lightdances Photography you will never pay for a portrait you dont love.. Call me just to chat about improving your image our studio number is 208-371-7701. See you soon!

Great Expectations

2011-08-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

When I get calls for pregnancy portraits I am always pleased to have been chosen over a female photographer as I know most women are more comfortable infront of another woman. This shows the trust and faith my clients have in me, and I dont take that lightly. Not that gender should be an issue but I understand this mindset of "not wanting a guy" so when I am selected I am truly honered to be choosen.

Congradulations to Mark& Brooke on the blessing of their second child. Brooke is truley beautiful person inside and out, and her husband Mark and son Jack are just downright handsome guys, I,m talking male model material.

We had a great time documenting this special time in their lives and I just had to share this one with you. Was I right about this little guy? :o)

Photography Class is in back in session!

2011-08-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have had many, many calls lately asking when I would be teaching photography classes again as I have put the classes on the back burner so to speak. While I love teaching and sharing my love of photography with others I have just had to many commitments to my clients to hold a class. Great news though, I am making some time this next month and will be holding my famous"The right stuff training" here at the studio. If you or anyone you know wants to learn the secrets to getting great images the easy way call me and we can save a seat for you! Call me 208-371-7701.

By the way see if you can guess who this former student is photographing this beautiful model?

Anyone, Farris? anybody?

Congratulations Erica!

2011-08-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Erica's great family has been in front of my lens several times over the years, doing family portraits, her brother Brants high school Senior portraits and so on, so when she dropped by the studio with her mom Pam telling me about the Miss Idaho Teen pagent and would I consider helping out of course I was "in". We did a fun session which resulted in Erica winning the "most Photogenic title" I know she would nail this and she did. Erica is a nice young lady and I always enjoy her positive attitude as well as her great smile.
My involvment was easy I just pointed the camera, Erica provided the charm and the beauty.

Event photography

2011-08-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

I received a call the other day from the great folks at SEI events asking if we were interested in providing the event photography coverage of the T-Mobile awards presentation again this year. Of course I said "Love to" as this was one of the funnest events I have ever had the plesure to be involved with.
This year we will be doing the candid coverage, the awards presentation and photo booth with on-site printing for the guests the theme this year is "rock and roll" so it should be a blast. I will be posting a couple from this event soon, stay tuned.

The Harris Moran Corporate event portraits

2011-08-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Last month we were selected to provide corporate event coverage for one of the worlds largest seed companys meeting in here Boise for their convention. We photographed 209 people from all over the world at Bob Levells Cool Water Creek Event Center a great place to hold an event with its beautiful grounds, fishing pond and western village.
We also provided on site business portraits for 160 atendees at the Grove Hotel and the Boise Center on the Grove. Not everyone spoke english very well but we got great smiles and great images just the same. Thank you Amanda from Harris Moran in Modesto California. Thank you to Bob Levell and thanks to my great assistants Jeffery and Nicholas.

Summers been crazy busy this year!

2011-08-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone I see asks me "how's business"? to which I have to reply "swamped" really I love beeing so busy but wish I had a couple clones sometimes. Sure I have Jeffery, Chris and Brandi helping me out on occassion other wise I would never see my family so I can't complain. How is you business going this year?
Here is the Davis family reunion we did over by Fairfeild Idaho a great family really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with these fine people. Oh this is the day I sunburned my head up on that ladder, should have worn a hat! Jeff and I had a great time though.

My new SeeMeShineModels division really shines!

2011-06-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

Check out some of the amazing young talent I have been working with. Check out our really cool session videos from these folks:

Call me today if you know someone who may wish to be in on our talent search!

Quick portrait session with Tylee

2011-04-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Tylee's mom Tara dropped in for a quick session today. Tylee is adorable and wow so well behaved. Fun and easy, something you don't always get with two year olds. Thank you Tara for being a great mom and Tylee for being so cute!

Daniels movie "Magic Valley"selected for Tribeca film festival in New York!

2011-04-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

I received a call a couple weeks ago from Pattie Frandson she said that her son Daniels movie was selected to be shown at the Tribeca film festival. The movie "Magic Valley"which was filmed in the Buhl Idaho area, features Daniel in a great role working working with various cast members. The film stars Scott Glenn ( The Right stuff, Secretariat, W, The Bourne Ultimatium, Training Day, and many other top films.

Daniel is an incredable young man, very smart and takes direction very well. I had the pleasure of shooting a talent portfolio for Daniel and could easily see why he was selected for this role. Quite and unassuming, just a great personality. Best wishes on the sucess of this film!

I look forward to seeing this film, hopefully, real soon. Check out :

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527813/

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Daniel+Frandson/Premiere+Magic+Valley+2011+Tribeca+Film+Festival/pW6ne5qzyI4

For Robbing the Dead

2011-04-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Recently we did some portfolio images for John Freeman, John is an extremely talented Boise/LA actor who recently completed work on a great looking film titled "For Robbing the Dead" John was selected in this role over many, many other actors I am sure for his unique rugged looks and great personality. The cast also includes Barry Corbin from "Northern Exposure" among other films and programs and Margot Kidder who has been in "Superman" and dozens of other popular films as well as Edward Herrman and Rance Howard (Ron Howards Dad).

John is a super nice guy and has exactly what makes a great leading man just the right mix of looks, talent and charm.

From what I have seen of the film the cinematography looks fantastic and with a great cast this film could be big. Keep your eyes out for this one.

Check out this link & film trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623660/

When is it time to update your business and talent headshots?

2011-04-09T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lately we have had a lot of our clients come in after deciding the head shots they have been using were outdated. They realized it was very important that they look like the person in the picture on their business cards web sites or comp cards. You all have heard about the dating sites where two people meet up and neither of them look like their photograph. It happens all the time, not the way to make a good first impression. In the case of business or a dating site or social media, if you have put on a great deal of weight, changed your hair dramatically, altered your appearance or significantly aged its probably a good time to come in for a new head shot. If you are an actor or model if your look has changed dramatically you probably wont get the gig if you look different than the head shot the agency or casting director was looking for a specific type. Your new look might just be the one that their looking for. I have older clients come in and frequently they will look younger and better than the old portrait that they had been using that had the outdated hair, clothing or makeup styles.

The beautiful thing about our new studio location is we have some of the best hair, makeup and nail people in the Boise Idaho area right here at the studio. If you haven't seen the new studio I would love to give you the tour we are in the Coltrin Plaza Center at 11588 W. Fairview right above Rumors Spa and Salon, call 208-371-7701 for directions, hope to see you soon!

Time to start up the old Blog again

2011-04-07T23:33:00.000-07:00

I am a bad blogger, I am a bad blogger, I am a bad blogger, sound like Bart Simpson don't I?

I have been doing a little Facebook a couple tweets but have let the blog people down. I know I need to get on the stick, but hey who reads blogs any way? Send me an e-mail to either www.Lightdances@aol.com or to portraitpro1@gmail.com and let me know you read the blog and I will do a drawing and send out a couple gift certificates to our random winners who contact me. You must include your name and e-mail address and tell me what year I started this blog to be considered. I look forward to hearing from you, please let me know if you are a client or student of mine. Thanks for visiting my blog, I will try to be better, I promise :o) ;o) :o)

Dirk Dabel

http://www.lightdances.com/

208-371-7701

My Idaho Camera Seminar was a huge sucess!

2011-04-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy taking care of all my clients needs that I have not updated this blog forever. Usually in February or March things slow down but this year I have been swamped along with families, business and talent head shots, senior portraits and lots of new students taking my photography classes and workshops. In March I was asked by the Dennis and Pat Nagle owners of Idaho Camera if I would do a photography seminar for Idaho Camera, being a long time friend of Idaho Camera I was honored to accept the invitation. The class was for professional photographers and people considering becoming professional photographers and we had 85 people attend! Usually my classes are much smaller. We covered a lot of great topics and Met a lot of new photographers and had a blast. My associate photographers Chris and Jeff were both there to give their feedback to the crowd. Thanks guys I appreciate your continued support! Big things going on lately with our new model program at www.seemeshinemodels.com . Senior and family portraits have really picked up, call today if you have a family reunion or class reunion photography needs coming up. I will be posting some new images on this blog as well, my assistant Sarah was going to help with this but she and Ryan have been busy getting ready for their first baby, Bailey is due now any day congratulation's to them both! :o) Come see the new studio at 11588 W. Fairview Ave in Boise Idaho! Hope to see you soon, best wishes! Dirk, Jeff, Chris and Sarah.

Meet Jennifer!

2010-01-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

Jens mom (Maureen)called me and said she had see some of our senior portraits and said she was excited to have us do Jennifers senior portraits! We love doing senior sessions and Jen was a blast to work with getting lots of cool looks.

Andrews senior portrait session in Eagle Idaho

2010-01-19T23:12:00.000-08:00

Andrew and I got some great senior portraits at the studio and down along the river, nice guy and a great family! Thanks Andrew for the hard work!

Angies family portrait session

2010-01-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

Angie called me to finally get her families portraits taken, we did some really cool stuff a couple years ago with her dogs, and said that I was the only photographer to ever get great images of her. I find that very hard to believe as she is so georgous, but thank you Angie for the compliment! Luigi & mom are very great people to work with as were her brothers. Bob asked if we could get some shots with his new bike as well. The sun was going down fast so we had to play beat the clock but the images turned out quite nice. Thanks to a great family!

The Lovely Ahva!

2010-01-19T22:42:00.000-08:00

Ahva and I got together for a senior session recently and had lots of fun putting mom to work with the reflector :o), thanks mom! Got some fantastic images!

The right stuff training, fun for all ages!

2010-01-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

I have been meeting all kinds of interesting students who have signed up for my photography training classes Our "The right stuff training" class has been getting more popular all the time. Kids as young as 12, couples, professionals with web sites & prices lists and many older folks as well. I really love to see the positivity and enthusiasm when they see how good there images can be in a short period of time using my 4 step method. We do a portfolio review and see what the student is doing right and look at the areas for improvement. I always enjoy hearing about the sucess of my former and current students. Let me know if you have a story to share with us about your sucess!

Spiezer & Monk Families

2010-01-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

Ruth Monk called to say it was time for a portrait with her mom and dad her family, with her kids and her brother from Orange county with his family. The kid had blast skipping stones at the river with dad and playing with snails. All in all a really good time for all with some nice images for displaying in their home.

Ryan & Kates engagement session!

2010-01-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

Great couple, had a super time chatting with these guys about there busy lives and the important things in life family, freinds and old miovies. :o) Thank you Rayn & Kate!

Fun with the Robinson family

2010-01-19T21:59:00.000-08:00

Met recently with Dr. Robinsons family for a session down by the river, great family beautiful children. Fun day played in the sand!

Portrait Workshop with Loni Smith

2009-07-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by up and coming photographer Loni Smith from Idaho Falls Idaho recently about attending one of my day long training seminars geared for portrait professionals. Loni and I got together with our lovely model Thue Do for a fun afternoon. This class covers lighting and light control equipment, posing, camera angles and lighting techniques. The ladies created some very nice images for Thues portfolio.
Nice work Loni, and thanks to our model Thue for helping us create some fabulous WOW portraits!

Aurora the ice cream eating biker girl!

2009-07-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Mike and the sweetest girl I have meet in a long time Aurora came by for a quick father daughter photo session. She was a blast! What do you think of these?

Snake River Ammunition product photography!

2009-07-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

OK I have photographed just about everything for advertising & editorial purposes for print ads, magazine, television, trade shows and websites. The list includes vehicles, fabrics, vacuum cleaners, dolls, electronic products, works of art and food, but this was the first time I was hired to photograph ammunition. The great guys from Snake River Ammo called and said they needed to update the website with some images of their many differnent product line. I was happy to get the opportunity do shoot something (no pun intended) different for a change. Snake River Ammunition is an Idaho company based in Idaho City providing ammo for military, law enforcement and civillian users. Thanks for choosing Lightdances for your image needs!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

2009-07-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

The new arrival for Devan and JR a beautiful daughter! Mom and Dad couldnt be happier with this precious angel from above. Grandma came in to help with babies first photo session.

Crazy Summer photo sessions!

2009-07-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

What a summer! finally I have a chance to get back to the blog. Sorry its been so long. I have been doing many different kinds of photo shoots with seniors, families, kids and babies and some product shooting. I have also been working with some of my photography students on acheiving their objectives as well.

Here are a few of the images from our outdoor location shoot with the Hunt family with father and son doning the traditional morter board caps and gowns. Congradulation guys well done!

Great family, thanks to mom (Ellen) for making this all happen so smoothly!

Beautiful Gospel music fills the Egyptian theater!

2009-04-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Last month I was asked to photograph the Gospel Showcase Concert at the historic Egyptian Theater in beautiful downtown Boise. The red carpet event was sponsored by the Agape church in conjunction with celebration of their ten year anniversary. The event host and MC was none other than vocalist & songwriter Edwin Hawkins (top photo)whose huge hit "Oh Happy Day" has sold millions of copies and is know and sung worldwide. Special vocalists & guests of honor included The Timmons Brothers, Shirley Murdoch(bottom photo), Tremain Hawkin and the Witherspoon sisters. The church handed out special awards to members. Pastor Bryant Townsend (top photo)was among the award recipients. Daughter Joy (second from bottom photo) assisted with presentation to Mr. Hawkins. Red carpet hosts were Beverly and Kelsey. Stunning gowns were provided by Louise Karen Boutique (now known as Mon Cherie) located downtown Boise. The music was amazing! Truly, one of the best concerts I have witnessed!

T-Mobile/ Polite in Public Awards celebration !

2009-03-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

We were recently hired by Polite in Public from Los Angeles (check out the crazy stuff on their site) http://www.politeinpublic.com/ to photograph the celebration candids and event awards for them at the annual T-Mobile awards celebration hald at the Boise Center on The Grove. The T-Mobile people were tons of fun the celebration was titled "The In Crowd" I have to say these guys & gals are lots of fun and they made my job easy. Congradulations all the award winners, and thanks to Polite in Public and T-Mobile for choosing Lightdances Photography for their event photography needs.

Outdoor wedding in January ?

2009-01-21T00:29:00.000-08:00

Acually no, but these people didn't seem to mind too much being out in cold (20-30 degree temps) for these images. I strongly suggest if your thinking winter wedding fly south or get some long underwear for under your Tux's and dress's. Great couple and family, if you do this type of shoot be sure to bring extra batteries as the cold will zap the energy out of your cells. We did the brides formal portrait in the studio, much better that fighting the wind and cold.

Grace and beauty,

2009-01-14T00:26:00.000-08:00

Grace was nervous at first claiming she didnt think she photographed well, but she did great as you can see in these awesome images!

Head shot for Shantie

2009-01-14T00:14:00.000-08:00

Shantie needed a new head shot, lots of great images but this one was my favorite. Not sure if I like the color or the sepia the best, What are your thoughts?

Sophie & Josh

2009-01-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

Sophie give me a few minutes the other day to pose so Dad could have a nice portrait on his desk. Big brother was easy, but being two Sophie is a mover and shaker but boy is she fun!

Frozen Crystal

2009-01-13T22:49:00.000-08:00

Crystal is one of my favorite younger models, Very natural and not only very photogenic but also a hard worker who never complains. Her mom Tammy called and said they needed to update her portfolio for some upcoming auditions so we headed to one of my favorite outodoor locations and came up with some real nice images. You would never know it was freezing cold outside. Crystal made it look easy.This talented young lady can do anything!

Marios family session

2009-01-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

We did a fun session a while back in the park with Marios young family, great kids, really well behaved. Mario said they had not had this done in years. Its real important to capture the changes in families, the kids grow and change so fast. These are nice to have now but become even more important as the years go by.

Retouching, the key to getting your best images

2009-01-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

This is the work of one of my many talented students. Ginny has a great eye for photography and she also has an adorable son who could give any professional model a run for their money. She was having problems with images coming out of the camera not looking quite right. A common problem with digital. We worked on the basic stuff figuring out what she was doing right and wrong and then we worked on her Photoshop skills. The botom image is what she was getting, the middle image is what she was able to do in just one session in my class, and then another on the top in Black and white with border. Ginny told methat she learned more in my class than she had learned in another class (much longer and much more expensive) class at a local college.

Thanks for the compliment, glad I could help out.

She was amazed at her results, I knew she could do it. I expect to see great things in her future work.

Sisters Sandi and Sarah

2008-12-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

The Sisters kept me cracking up with their antics and infectous laughter. Great session produced some awesome images!

Heres Jennifer!

2008-12-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Had a session with Jennifer a while back and got some fabulous results, the full length black and white shot was recently selected to be used in a on line Magazine. Great model and very nice person as well. Keep up the great work Jen!

Low Key Portraits

2008-12-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me the other day what is meant by hi key and low key. This is simply the term used to describe the amount of light used in the background of your subject thus the term Hi-key means lighter tonal values generally meaning white, but can be light greys or beiges or even yellow or light pink or orange hues. Low key is any darker colored backgrounds predominatly black but not always.

Cute kids at Stepping Stones in Star ID. !

2008-12-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

I recently photographed the young folks at the Stepping Stones Childrens center in Star Idaho.
Kerry and her helpful staff have one of the best daycare facilities in the country and it was a pleasure to work with the staff and kids to get some great images!

Welcome Parker!

2008-12-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Got the chance to meet Parker Poole! It is a very exciting time for mom Natalie and Dad Tyler.

Seems like the just the other day I was doing their engagement session and wedding photography and now there old (young) married people. Is this little guy cute! Congradulations!

Ready for your close up Laura?

2008-12-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

Laura is a promising actress who was recently in a her first full length feature film in which she plays a vampire! You might have seen Laura on TV doing commercials as well. Laura is a great talent, and has many different looks and a winning personality !

Congradulations to Nate & Kate!

2008-12-05T00:39:00.000-08:00

Super nice couple found one another in this crazy world and decided to tie the knot at the River Rock Ranch. I was lucky to be chosen as part of their special day. I was assisted by the very talented Wendy White, one of my former students who has been very sucessful this year winning 2 ribbons at the Idaho State fair, as well as selling her work on her website, at the farmers market and recently booked a photo shoot with a nationial magazine! This was one from their engagement session.

Fun with the Elliot family!

2008-12-05T00:24:00.000-08:00

Nice young family, two great & well behaved boys had a good time shooting in the neighborhood at sunset.

Hi Key with Brie!

2008-12-05T00:14:00.000-08:00

I apologize to the people that have wondered why I havent been keeping up the blog. Too busy? Lazy? maybe both anyway, I promise that this will change. Here are a couple hi key fashion images we did in a fun session with Brie. The sepia image was going for a 1950s type of look . What are your thoughts?

Whats new? blog updates!

2008-06-18T01:15:00.000-07:00

Had a great time a couple weeks ago at the first annual ICE scrapbookers convention a 3 day event held at the Double Tree Riverside in Boise. I was contacted by Heather who asked if I would like to provide a photography training class for the attendees of the convention. The event featured anything you would ever need to know and do regarding scrapbooking with several workshops and clinics. I was of course happy to put together a introduction to photography class that covered all the important photography stuff for their attendees. Excellent turn out with a very nice group of ladies. Eric Hensheid my righthand photographer was also there to back me up if I needed assitance, or in case the ladies needed a male model. Thank you Eric! Anyway it was a great pleasure to be part of the Inspriration Celebration Experience hope this thing continues to grow for Heather , Nancy and Tracy. Check out their site at www.iceescape.net

Boise Watershed Project turned out great!

2008-06-12T00:31:00.000-07:00

I was recently selected by Pico International to photograph the interiors and exteriors, and cover the grand opening events of the New Boise Watershed Project. The Boise Watershed Project could be described as a water resources interactive museum with lots of cool technology to show people how our water system works. I had a great time working with Cindy Busche, Donna Marie Hayes and the great Boise Public Works crew. Photography included employees, attendees, special guests, dignitaries, our Mayor and members of the Boise City Council. Weather was a concern but the skies were blue and everything turned out fantastic. It was an honor to be part of this historic event. Special thanks to Shauna Royston and the great folks with Pico L.A. and Pico Chicago for all their efforts!

Crystal Rocks!

2008-06-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

This young lady is an up and comming model named Chrystal her and her mom Tammy came by and we put together some new looks for her portfolio that I just love, what do you think.

Fun shoot with Katrina!

2008-06-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Katrina came by for a really fun session! Got some very cool images for her portfolio! check-em out!

2008-06-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new LightDances Blog site!

2008-06-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

So glad your here! make your self at home, lets talk photography. just finished a great new portrait of Nicholas with kind of a Jim Morrison Vibe. Kind'a like the old black and white look for some portraits, what do you think?