It's All In The Details

My assistant and I love taking detail shots and seeing the unique things couples put out for their table decorations or even what they are wearing sometimes.  Everybody has their own flavor and I thought I'd show a few today.  Let's start off with the love note left behind on the hotel bed for the bride's soon to be husband to find later that night.  A romantic and fun gesture for sure!!

Certainly wedding cakes, like this spectacular one from Radisson Ballroom in Merrillville, are one of the standard things we are going to capture....

Cake toppers are always fun as well...

Not sure if you would call the next one "weeble wobbles" or "bobble heads", but they are fun nonetheless and quite the likeness of the newly married couple!!

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I think a wide shot of the reception hall or church also count as a detail shot.  Here is one of the Radisson Ballroom redecorated as a lounge area...

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Let's not forget about the bride herself as the veil and areas of the dress make for great detail shots and help to tell the story of the wedding day.  These type of wedding photos can make for a sexy addition to the album...

Ring shots would certainly fall under the category of details and make for a great layout in the album.  My favorite way of doing ring shots is to place them in the scene with another element of the wedding such as the bouquet or in the case of this wedding at the winery - amongst grapes and wine bottles.

The wedding dress itself can be a challenge sometimes.  It's always best to have a wide open area if possible.  We took this gorgeous dress up to the choir loft and used the church as our background.

Sometimes just an element of the dress can be so strking that it deserves it own photo...

Other times, the wedding dress itself can be the backdrop for the jewelry, garter and wedding shoes...

Table decorations are important to include as well.  Very often the bride's family will have a hand in creating these items on display...

Here is a detail collage of table decorations (including the bride and groom's own photo of their hands forming a heart) combined with one of my formal shots from right after the ceremony.

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Very often I will take some nondescript images knowing that I'm going to use them creatively later for either a collage or as background in the wedding album.

This first one has a tabloid magazine that I found laying around combined with some girls getting ready images.

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The "wedding belles" as they got their hair done...

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Flirty and fun best decribed one of the brides and made for a great background images for one of the pages in the wedding book.

Indian brides always have great color at their celebrations and these henna decorated hands make for striking wedding detail images...

Don't discount old family wedding pictures as a simple, but effective layout at the reception hall or in the church lobby before the ceremony.  A great conversation piece as well as decor for the album.

Terra and Tim: Sneak Peek of Sawyer Michigan Church Wedding

Terra called me a few months ago about photographing her wedding to her fiance Tim who is with the U.S. Military.  Her and her mom met with me and I could tell that they were a sweet bunch.  I was really looking forward to trekking up to Sawyer, Michigan for their wedding at Sawyer Highlands Church.  The wedding was just this past weekend, so just a sneak peek for now.

Terra's bridesmaids were a fun bunch as you can see from this shot where they are helping her with her garter....

Just before the ceremony was about to begin I gathered up the girls for some posed shots inside the church. Here's a shot of the bride with her Maid of Honor and sister Becca.

Terra and her Father had quite the heavenly walk down the aisle of Sawyer Highlands Church.  Gotta love the soft light falling upon them...

Terra's Dad gives her a kiss on the forehead as the groomsmen look on....

Immediately after the ceremony we took family photos inside the church.  Afterwards I took the bride and groom outside on a gorgeous sunny day with their place of worship in the background...

This shy smile from the groom must have occured during the best man's toast at the reception at St. Stanislaus Kostka in New Carlisle, Indiana.

Young love in the spotlight for their first dance...

Stay tuned for more images from Terra and Tim's wedding.  Subscribe to this Journal page and the SBV Photography Facebook page for the latest news.

Family Pictures at Marquette Park Beach

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On occasion we take a break from wedding coverage to show some of my other work.  Today is one of those days as I thought I'd share a few images of the Webb family at Marquette Park beach.

We had quite a few laughs as I led the trio through the sand dunes toward Lake Michigan.  I wanted to get some fun shots in as we waited for the sun to set...

We snuck in some couple's shots as well, with the beach as our backdrop...

As the end of summer approaches, now is the time to finally get those Family Photos at the beach taken care of.  We are probably good for another month of tolerable tempatures.  Throwing on some hoodies at sunset and strolling the shore can make for some nice photographs - for couples and families alike.

Take a look at the Outdoor Family Brochure which includes a package with a nice wall print.  If the beach isn't your thing, consider some Fall outdoor portraits instead.  Either way, don't let another year pass without documenting the entire family.

Wedding Venue: Willow Harbor Vineyard for Outdoor Weddings

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I'm very grateful to Mike and Janine for having me shoot their wedding ceremony at Willow Harbor Vineyard in Michigan.  It's a great venue for outdoor weddings and they do provide a large tent should you not want to chance the elements.  It's a great all in one solution for a small reception at Dewey Cannon Winery along with transportation to and back for the ceremony out in the vineyard.  Let me take you through the day...

Dewey Cannon winery is located in Three Oaks, Michigan just over the Indiana state line.  So your Indiana guests will have no problem getting there.  They provide two large rooms for Getting Ready.  The shot above is from the front of the girls' room.  It has a great antique mirror for some classic bridal portraits.

Going in a little deeper you will find a kitchen and a lounge area with a large wrap around sofa.

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The wood floors and brick walls make for a unique loft type of look.  A great backdrop for detail shots as well as portraits...

Right across the hall is another equally sized room for the guys.  When it's ceremony time, the owner will drive the bride and her bridesmaids to Willow Harbor Vineyard.  This is a post ceremony shot of the bride and groom inside the vintage car about to leave for the reception.

There are several different locations at Willow Harbor Vineyard to have the ceremony.  A large tent is available, but Mike and Janine chose the open air gazebo for a true outdoor wedding.

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The first kiss at Mike and Janine's outdoor wedding...

While I took formal pictures with the bride and groom and their families, guests were able to eat and drink a few refreshments underneath a nearby tent.  This particular day had the sun upon us so be sure to bring sunscreen for protection.

When arriving back at Dewey Cannon winery, a dinner (with wine) awaits you...

While you are tasting the Willow Harbor wine, let the kids indulge in a few video games until the wedding cake is served...

While not a traditional hall, the winery can make room for some dancing...

Mike and Janine had some really cool Love Story cake toppers.  While dinner was still being served I was able to shoot the many detail shots that the winery offers...

If you are looking for a great outdoor wedding venue that is also an all in one solution for your reception and Getting Ready needs, definitely consider Willow Harbor Vineyard.  Don't forget to pose over by the wine barrels!!