King Family Photo Day!

As a photographer, sometimes your own family gets neglected in getting updated pictures. Well, since I was doing a session with Tim's brother and fiance, I thought it was also a great opportunity to get some updated shots of the whole family. Tim's parents, Ralph and Pam, had their engagement pictures taken at the IMA and it seemed appropriate to do some updated versions. I even had David snap a few of Tim and I. (the pictures we do have together are few and mostly taken by the classic "get together hold out your hand and hope for the best" method) So here' my encouragement for my photog friends out there, take time to take pictures of you and your own clan. (or if you pre-plan, swap with another photographer) We know how priceless pictures are, yet they tend to get put on the back burner of our to-do list.

David + Megan: Engaged at the IMA

My awesome brother in law, David, proposed to his own Megan in front of the LOVE statue at the IMA just a few months ago. So, it was only fitting to do some of their engagement pictures there. These two are so crazy in love. Right now they are adjusting to a long distance situation until they get married next July. Of course I can't wait for how great a celebration that will be. We will be doing another shoot in Parke County (her hometown and home of the Covered Bridge Festival) in a few weeks when the leaves are fabulous. For now here's some of their cuteness...

Roadtrip Adventures

After Tim and I left the beautiful Upper Pennisula of Michigan, we headed home for about 48 hours before heading off to photograph Dan and Hayley's wedding. Following the wedding we spent a little over a week visiting with family and friends.

One side of my family always gets together at their lake house for Labor Day. It was great to have everyone there, including my cousin who is stationed in Georgia. The next few days were spent with my parents and grandparents while loving on my sweet niece.

From there we headed south to visit our friend John, who was one of Tim's groomsmen, in Memphis. We checked out the Beale Street scene, listened to some blues, ate some fried pickles and drank plenty of SWEET tea. We loved hanging out and getting a flavor of the south's food and hospitality. (especially at the Wolf River Cafe's catfish night!)

Leaving Memphis, we headed over to Birmingham, where our friends Carrie and Michael had moved after their wedding in June. They are both in residency right now and we were so fortunate it worked out that they both had some time off. We went to the hippest downtown art fair, where all of these renovated old buildings were opened up as galleries for the weekend. We got a great tour of Birmingham and were completely impressed on how nice it all was. After a busy Saturday, we spent much of Saturday chillaxing. Their new puppy, Bexley, totally won us over. Carrie and I made some pizza on the grill - time consuming, but completely delicious.

Early the next morning we headed up to Mammoth Cave and enjoyed soaking up the natural wonder it truly is. I was completely impressed with how well my camera functioned in a cave. That evening we spent time with my cousin Jordan, who is a student at Western Kentucky University. The next day we finally made the trek back to Indy, including a stop for lunch and a nap in Columbus, IN and a visit to my cousin Allie in Greenwood. Our bed never felt so good when we got home.

With over 2,500 miles and 8 beds in 2 1/2 weeks, it was good to be home. We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with such special people and see a little bit more of what makes up our country.

Experiencing the Upper Pennisula in Michigan

About two weeks ago, Tim and I headed north to spend some time in the UP. Our longest road trip to date went really well and even included a stop at a Michigan Orchard for some fresh blueberries! We stayed at Cedar Campus, which is a retreat center owned by InterVarsity. Both Tim and I had spent some special time there, but never together.

It was wonderful to unplug (cell phone, TV, computer) for a few days and enjoy the peace of being in nature. Other than soaking up the beauty around us, we spend some time biking, kayaking and hiking as well as taking a trip to Raber Bay Bar where you had a view of Canada in the distance. All of our other meals were made in our very tiny yet functional kitchen, which is pictured below. Also of note is the ice cream that Tim is pictured with. His favorite was peanut butter Mackinaw fudge and mine was mint Mackinaw fudge, delicious! After several nights at Cedar Campus we left for a very scenic drive down the western coast of Michigan. More on our adventures there and beyond will be posted soon.

For now enjoy the glory that is the Upper Pennisula, with it's clear waters and blue skies.

Maureen & Mike : Engaged in Broad Ripple

I had a fun night going around Broad Ripple with Maureen and Mike. They live just across the street from me so it was fun to do a shoot around the neighborhood. I also loved that it was very them, Maureen has been in the area for several years and they are making their home here in Broad Ripple. They are getting married in October nearby at Christ the King. One of the things I love about Broad Ripple is how friendly everyone is and how great our neighbors are. Enjoy!

Lorelei: Sweet Baby Niece Goodness

Over the holiday weekend I got the opportunity to see most of my family, including my precious niece Lorelei! Since she's grown quite a bit since her newborn shoot, so of course it was time for a little photo session with aunt Megan. Unfortunately, it didn't work out to do the shoot in the morning, when she's in the happiest mood, but she was quite the trooper for an evening session.

Lorelei is one special little lady and I love being her auntie!

Country Chic Wedding: Hayley & Dan

This Saturday I had the privilege of photographing Haley and Dan's beautiful Country Chic wedding about an hour south of Indianapolis. I love this story!

The wedding took place on the bride's family farm. The century-old brick farmhouse, which used to be owned by Haley's Grandparents, was alive with activity as Haley got ready in her own bedroom. Downstairs, her aunt finished the bouquets, her mom fed people a great lunch, her dad altered a shoe for a bridesmaid, and lots of people were setting up outside.

Dan, who grew up only a few miles down the road, came over with his guys to see his bride. When Hayley was ready, she came down her front stairs to see Dan, as she had done many times before - only this time on their wedding day.

Hundreds of people flooded in and the line to sign the guest book was out to the road. As the ceremony neared, Hayley and her bridesmaids arrived by horse-drawn carriage from a neighbor's. Then on the front porch, she shared her vows with Dan before a few hundred of their family and friends. The coolest part of the story is that Haley's Mother and Aunts also got married on the very same porch!

The reception was full of personal touches. The food was delicious and included beef from the family farm and fresh sweet corn that they had grown. On the tables were these fantastic shortbread cookies filled with raspberry jam and orange marmalade that someone spent lots of time on.

Their favors were these adorable seed bags that had their last name on the front and were filled with candy corn! Wedding pictures of their parents and grandparents were displayed behind the cake table. Cider, roasted nuts, a special groom's cake, wine from the winery Hayley manages and hydrangeas on the tables with bittersweet rounded out the fall theme.

The entire day was evidence of the love and talents of family and friends and their desire for Hayley and Dan to truly have a special day!

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day Everyone! This weekend I've had a great opportunity to see both sides of my family. I hope you and yours are getting a chance to relax and visit with family and friends.

I've got lots of fun things coming up on the blog; a Broad Ripple engagement shoot, Hayley and Dan's beautiful country wedding, my adorable niece's 4 month pictures and some personal images from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For now, however, I believe a certain pool is calling my name...