Bre & Corey - The Market, Valparaiso Indiana - Wedding

Bre & Corey also were a covid reschedule, so I was looking forward to this day for longer than I care to admit. I loved loved loved finally getting to work with them. My friendship with Bre is literally one of my most favorite things about this job. I love gaining friends every year with some of my brides. Its what I strive for.
Anywho. Back to these two love birds. - their day was much anticipated and the love that surrounded it was incredible.
These guys were so happy to finally be married and become a family of three <3

Brittany & Brandon - Centennial Park - Munster, Indiana

I instantly connected with Brittany & Brandon last year when we met for a wedding consult. We bonded over our love of traveling. I am so happy they didn’t cancel their wedding, but simply pushed it up a few months. I already miss the calls and emails that Brittany & I would exchange.
It rained their whole entire wedding day. And it was freezing. It put a small damper on the day, but these two were troopers and bossed it up for their wedding portraits.

Ashley & James - Engagement - William's Orchard

One of my favorite fall engagement sessions took place at Williams Orchard!

I am already looking forward to this year and I can plan some sweet minis! <3
Okay back to Ashley & James. They are SO fun. I am so excited for their August wedding. It’s going to be AMAZING. We laughed every. minute of this session and the sun was just perfect.

Nicole & Eric - Chesterton, Indiana

Nicole & Eric wanted a small backyard wedding before covid was even thing! They just had their family and closest friends to spend their special day together. Their backyard, and their house are just beautiful!
I know they put so much work into their big day.

It was just a beautiful September day. <3

Gabby & Jon - Meyers Castle - Wedding

This was my first time at Meyers castle and it DID not disappoint. Gabby made sure to have ALL the details. We all know how much I live for wedding details.
Gabby & Jon did things a bit more traditional and opted out of a first look! What they did do is a sweet vow reading, back to back. It was THE sweetest. Yes first looks are so fun and it helps your tog move the day along better.. but these are sweet pictures. <3
I cant wait to come back to Meyers Castle for another wedding soon!

Sam & Patrick - The Well at Thornton Distilling Company - Thornton, IL

Sam & Patrick were the besttttttt. Sam messaged me about a month or so before their wedding and just hoped that I was available. I was SO happy I was available.
This was one of the best. The best thing to come out of covid, small intimate weddings.
Sam had EVERYTHING planned. Down to the cookies of their sweet animals!
It rained, but we made the best of it. Good luck ya know ;) Cant wait to see them again in November!

Sam & Donnie - Engagement

Hold the phone. These guys are SUPER MODELS. Their August wedding was one for the books and that blog is coming up soon!

Some of my favorite engagement photos came from this set… Gosh. THE SUN WAS AMAZING.

Jessica & Austin - Sunflower Engagement Session

When your sister in law wants an engagement session at a sunflower field… you do just that!
I am so excited to see these two get married next year… and I dont have to work that day! I get to be a guest at a wedding… for the first time in probably 6 years… haha.
Sunflowers are some of my favorite flowers, and this session was just a bast.

Angela & Alex - The Pavilion at Sandy Pines - Demotte Indiana

Angela & Alex kicked off wedding season back in June. The world was still a giant question mark. These two pushed through that and made sure they were standing in front of their family to say their vows!
It was such a beautiful day and it was a great way to kick of wedding season. I feel like I haven’t had a chance to sit down since this day!

Sandy Pines will forever be my favorite venue in this are. I mea.n… the perfect sunset portrait place… the prefect dress hanging place… its really just perfect.

This might be my favorite wedding… of 2020! <3

Ashley & Paul - Engagement

Ashley & Paul were set to be married in June, but their date got pushed back until August!. Which is fine, since we had more time to plan for their engagement session!
I havent stepped foot into Johnsons Farm Greenhouse in many years, but it hasn’t changed. Its still SO big and SO beautiful. The hanging baskets are my favorite for sure.
I loved getting to know these two and am anxiously awaiting their new wedding date in August! <3

Emily & Dan - Merrillville, Indiana

Wedding season would not have been complete without these two. What an AMAZING day they had!
The rain put a small damper on the day, but didnt last long at all.
This was the first time I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding in this beautiful Greek Orthodox Cathedral. - I mean.. look at it!!
It was a pretty unique ceremony, nothing I have ever photographed before. These are some of my favorite ceremony images.. The cloudy day really made those stained glass windows pop.

Danielle & Chris - Valparaiso, Indiana

When I met Danielle & Chris for their consultation a year ago, I just knew they were going to be one of my favorite couples. When talking about their wedding plans, they just wanted a low key, backyard wedding. MAN. I live for these types of weddings. LIVE FOR THEM.
These two are just the cutest. I loved their special day. They got ready at the Aberdeen Inn, one of my favorite little places for getting ready pictures. The natural light in almost every room is amazing. The back section with the beautiful gazebo and tall trees. I could go on. - I will just say again how much I loved their day.

Nancy & Charles - Four Corners Winery - Valparaiso, Indiana

Nancy & Charles told me before their engagement session that they were such awkward people and that they would need so much help with posing. Their engagement session was a breeze and they were NOT awakard AT ALL. I was so excited for their big day to finally be here. It was a little rainy and chilly, but they made it work and their day was perfect.
This was my second time shooting at Four Corners Winery and it has become a fast favorite location of mine.
The property is laid out so perfectly and the vineyard is beautiful and a great backdrop!

Ali & Andrew - Beach Engagement Session

Beach season is officially over. So I am throwing a massive fit and posting some of my favorite beach sessions :)
Ali & Andrew are one of my 2020 couples, so to say I am excited for their wedding is a massive understatement. They are always so comfortable in front of the camera. They play off each other, and Andrew just loves Ali so much. You can see it all over their faces. I love these two. CANT. WAIT.
I loved at the end of their session, Ali promised Andrew he could try to catch her like the dance scene in dirty dancing. MANY laughs were had over that. Andrew didnt drop Ali, so thats about as good as it could get!

Josh & McKenzie - Aberdeen Manor - Valparaiso, Indiana

Oh Josh & McKenzie… your day was one of my favorites this year. We all know how much I love the Sim’s family. They are a constant on my page. I was honored to capture another Sim’s family memory. <3

Josh and McKenzie, your day was PERFECT. The perfect September day.
I always love when the bride and bridesmaids pop a bottle (or two!) of champagne. The pictures are super fun and cute! McKenzie was super excited for this part! AND she got to feed the family cows <3

I could go on and on about their love and how happy I am for them. They are the sweetest. So I will just send you to the photos. The reason why you are here anyway!
Also, tell Trish what a beautiful house she has… :) She doesn’t hear it enough from me…

The Importance of Golden Hour - On Your Wedding Day

AH! Your wedding day. Your timeline is packed, you have tons of portraits scheduled for the day. First look, family formals, bridal party, and of course getting ready shots! - But dont forget to add some time for golden hour portraits!

I always always always, will stress how important it is to leave at most, 15 minutes in your wedding day timeline for golden hour portraits. I know, your groom is over photos, he just wants to eat. You want to go mingle with people and maybe grab a drink. There will be TONS of time for that after the sun goes down.
I promise you, you want these photos.

What is golden hour? - Golden hour is my favorite time of day! About an hour before sunset, you can see the light casting a very beautiful golden light on you skin, thats what we photographers will look for! Which is why I only hold sessions (family, maternity, etc) about an hour before sunset because the light is so beautiful. I want the same thing for you on your wedding day!
I will say, my golden hour images from my own wedding, are all over my house. Those are my favorite images besides the ceremony images.

Here are some golden hour images from one of my favorite weddings this year. Karla & Francisco were GAME for golden hour images. - We spent over 30 minutes outside. The sun went behind the clouds and BAM right before we went back inside, the sun poked down underneath the clouds and put on a show for us. <3

Mackenna & Erik - Wedding - Downtown Valparaiso

OOOOH Mackenna & Erik.. You guys were so fun, bubbly, and happy on your wedding day (as anyone should be). But that is just how you guys are. I had been WAITING for your wedding day ever since your engagement session last year.. We had such a blast and I knew your wedding day was going to be amazing. You guys are such sweet, and unique people. Your wedding showed that. I hope to see you guys soon!! <3

Maggie & Aaron - Sandy Pines - May 4th

May the 4th be with you! These love birds got married on a very special day. Their love for Star Wars did not go unnoticed on their wedding day…
Ever since their engagement session last year I was very impatiently awaiting their wedding day. They were so fun to work with, I knew their wedding day would be filled with good times, and smiles.
I have already spent some time with their bridal party as I photographed one of the groomsmen weddings last year! I knewww they would keep Amanda & I on our toes. I loved everything about this day.
Wedding season is officially in full swing! <3

Vendors:
Venue: The Pavilion at Sandy Pines Golf Course
Makeup: Makeup by Morgan
Hair: Mad About Hair
Dj: REEB Entertainment

Taylor & John - September 29th - Hidden Vineyard Wedding Barn

When Taylor and John booked their wedding with me, and told me their venue, I cried tears of joy.
Barn venues are so beautiful, even in the fall.
Pulling up to the venue on their wedding date, it was dark, dreary, and there was a chill in the air. I still loved everything about this wedding.

Taylor and John are the sweetest people. <3 I hope to see them again soon!

Jessica & Adam - September 8th - Valparaiso Indiana

Jessica & Adam, your wedding was a whirl wind day of so many giggles, and belly laughs. I dont think I have ever laughed at a wedding like I did at yours. Adam was goofy from the minute I met him at their engagement session a few months back. So I knew he wouldn’t disappoint. My favorite moment? When I told him no tongue during their under the veil shot, and he did. So Jess bit him. I was rolling.