Christina and John

A family affair... that's the best way to describe this intimate, authentic wedding day.  Every bit of it held meaning; I couldn't help but focus on the generational wedding portraits as the day for us began. Here we were, about to capture the wedding day of their granddaughter and daughter, their grandson and son; the next set of hearts that would forever tie together two families.  And, we know how special they are, being very dear friends of our own. The room couldn't have been more perfect, nestled within the campus of Park Tudor with surprising rays of mid March shining in, and through the air a crisp, Appalachian sound of fiddle and emotion filled vocals by Christina's paternal grandfather.  Strong tones, a bold heart, It was beautiful.   The family continued to grow in story and closeness as they all greeted one another with congratulatory embraces, and onto the reception where the dance floor filled with those same faces in the wedding portraits, now aged, holding one another as if time stood still.  In proof that love lasts. There was a celebration of promise going on, a gratitude to grace and growth, an offering of non-tangible gifts for Christina and John, right there in the first few hours of their wedding day.  Everyone together ~ wishing, singing, dancing ~ filled with the joy that comes from seeing two hearts become one, simply and honestly.   I feel as if there should be music to this post (perhaps in inspiration of the special dj of your wedding, my father) and if I were more tech savvy, perhaps there would be... but let's follow the example, let's remember what counts, what lasts, what is timeless.  Let's love one another and tell stories, enjoy friendships and celebrate life.  I know that's what Christina and John are doing.  It's a blessing to be a part of your life, Mr. and Mrs. Dolina. Our hope is that you always hear music when you remember this day, or truly, in the lives you see within them. 

Traci and Todd, Revisiting

 I love the glee of this couple. You can see it in his smile and her rosy cheeks, and spending an afternoon in them in the fall of 2011 has been long awaitiing a view on the blog. Traci's smile is contagious, and Todd's happiness is evidence of that. The word "Sweetheart" perfectly describes them. Can't wait to photograph their wedding at The Hawthorns Country Club this summer. 

Sky High

Atop of the great city of Indianapolis sits a beautiful view, 48 stories high in fact; porches on rooftops, red brick roads, dots of moving figures and traveling cars. {click image for full view of the shoot}. It's not often that we find ourselves spending the morning preparing for a sky high photo shoot and with the gift of a very blue sky, or photographing in the bows of such an architecturally sophisticated design, and yet, inspired and awakened we found ourselves. For a year or so I've been hoping to work with Kelly of D'Amore, and gratefully, in the connections made between vendors at a previous wedding show, it all started to happen.  We came together and made a plan to explore the space, experience the reflective nature of the windows and, surprise surprise, bring to this very modern of spaces an antique, soft and feminine look.  Of course, as you can see, we kept the props and details very minimal... but with the help of a few fellow creators, we created something that almost looks at home, quite nicely answering the challenge.  A huge thank you to everyone involved! Design Group knew exactly what I meant by my description of a bouquet sophisticated but vintage and classic, and {even more convincing that she is able to read my mind} Stacy also lent us a candelabra to use here and there.  I fell in love a little.  And then, a lot ... True Colors arrived and our bride for the day stepped into the light.  Oh how I love working with Rebecca, the perfect balance of color and a natural glow (both on her subjects and in her own spirit) make it such a delight.  And I have to admit, our model and friend, Kathryn, stunned us all.  We've seen her as a bride for PWG shows, and even as a model for other shoots in the past, but something about this shoot really suited her.  Thank you a thousand times over for her patience to look out of that window for an hour or so, for looking beautiful, and for taking to time to help find the perfect dress.  Cassandra of The Wedding Studio could not have been more charming in offering the ideal look for our goal, and if I could get married all over again, this is certainly where I would want my wedding dress experience to begin, and end.  So there we all were, in product or in person, and after letting it sink in that I was a little out of my element, (John perhaps feeling he was closer to it than usua), and the time started to really fly.  As did the planes and the flocks of geese.  I'm really looking forward to sharing the view as I saw it with you, and to the next time we have the pleasure of working with D'Amore!  Perhaps then we will have the full look of decor with LGi Linens participating, after all, he's really the one that spear headed this entire shoot.  Hvala!

A few moments in one hour

This handsome couple had style, beauty, and wit, and the results are making me very happy.  And, this short collection here is just a handful from one of the ten hours we spent together.  Someone once said that for every minute of organizing an hour is earned, and I applaud this couple for working with me on understanding that and making it happen.  Whenever I sit down with a set of new potential clients, I never get too far in the idea of photographing their wedding without discussing the time frame of the day... most importantly, when the time for the stellar, dedicated to photography time will take place {moments like these you see here}.  I don't think I could count the amount of emails Dawne, myself, Brad, and likely Ashley of the SR and others dedicted to working out a schedule, and even to the great lead of the groom, Brad, thinking out the best way to move through the city in an antique limo and a large stretch limo.  Not to mention fading light of an early sunset in the first weekend of day light savings.  We made it to some key spots, incorporated some of the full group, and even kept to the idea of family photos and elevator shots prior to walking out of the beloved Scottish Rite and into the November night of dancing ahead of us (I should say, ahead of them).  This is not a full view of the gorgeous wedding Brad and Dawne had late November (though I hope to do that sometime this winter), but it is a testimony to how very helpful it can be to communicate with the vendors hoping to make your day as smooth and as beautiful as possible ... not just "earning an hour" as the quote says, but actually giving creativity, spontaneity and romance a time to look its best.  Scottish Rite: http://www.aasr-indy.org/index.php/rental/building-rental

Pretty Pretties

As I edit, I fall in love.   {click photos to see three gems I've come upon at the moment}