The Moment Always Wins

April 6, 2015 Steve Vansak

The bride wipes away happy tears on the morning of her wedding.

There are many reasons I offer All Day Coverage for all of my wedding packages. Chief among those reasons is that my clients do not have to stress out about their photographer capturing key moments of the day. A wedding is a major event with many people and variables involved. There are bound to be things that don't go exactly as planned.

Another part of this philosophy is that moments are going to occur on the wedding day at many various points. I want to be there and at the ready. In the image above, Krystyne sat in an empty room where her dress hang and read a card left to her from her husband to be. I was in the hallway observing from a distance. She shed some happy tears while reading those words and I'm glad to have been able to capture the moment.

Here are the stories of the images in the above collage. I'll never forget the groom Cordale beginning to sob as his best friend told of a car accident they were in together years before. It was wonderful to listen, learn and of course - capture!! The sun was streaming through the curtains as Brian and India danced at the start of their Sunday reception. They were simply overjoyed as they embraced and friends and family looked on.

I was shooting Brandi and Gary's reception at the Old Crown Point Courthouse when an older woman got up suddenly and rushed over to another guest to hug him. At the time I wasn't sure who she was, but found out later it was an ailing grandmother. I love the look of pure joy on Brittany's face as her groom Shaun spun her around. It was a beautiful moment during their outdoor wedding ceremony in the middle of Grant Park in Chicago. Andee got lifted sky high during her and Mike's first dance. I love the shadow on the wall.

So, the purpose of today's post is to simply say that, in wedding photography - The Moment Always Wins. My 2015 wedding season starts on April 18th and I can't wait!! If you are a 2016 couple, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your date.

Awesome High Tech Wedding Planning Apps

March 30, 2015 Steve Vansak

A bride texts her husband to be on wedding day.

I recently came across an article at the tech blog iMore all about wedding apps and what they do. I thought I'd share a few of these along with some other ideas for the tech savvy bride and groom. Nothing wrong with a little bit of technology to help you plan your wedding.

Appy Couple is a mobile app that helps you design your very own wedding website and helps to get the work out about your engagement as well as a place where you can keep people up to date on your planning, etc. Get Appy Couple for iOS here and the Android version here.
Wedding LookBook is a way to look at Collections of dresses and other accessories courtesy of The Knot. Get WeddingLookBook for iOS here and the Android version here.
MyRegistery is a way for you to create a wedding gift registry across all kinds of different stores. This is a win for you as well as your loved ones who are purchasing for you. Visit the MyRegistery website here.
WeddingHappy is a planner app with lots of at a glance graphs and charts to keep track of every detail and export and share with others. Get WeddingHappy for iOS here.

One of the things I am asking clients for this year is the Instagram Hashtag of their wedding. A current trend is to put up a sign at your reception so your guests can post photos to Instagram. As the professional photographer at your wedding, I'd like to contribute too. When we have our pre-wedding meeting I will ask you to provide this hashtag to me. What's a hashtag? Example: #smithwedding4-30-15 would be a search term on Instagram or Twitter for you to find wedding photos of the Smith's wedding on April 30, 2015. I know there are probably lots of Mr. and Mrs. Smiths out there so you may want to get more unique with your hashtag.

Speaking of Instagram, you will find a link to Region Weddings Instagram page at the bottom of this post. Also, while on your mobile device, click here to download the Region Weddings Mobile App.

Happy planning!!

What To Wear To An Engagement Session

March 16, 2015 Steve Vansak

A young couple wears a stylish maroon color for their engagement session in Chicago.

Spring and early summer are a peak time for engagement sessions. I often get an email a couple of weeks before the shoots asking me questions such as 'what to wear', 'what to bring' and 'where to go'. I'm not Mr. Fashion by any stretch, but I do know a few things that the camera likes. I also want my couples to be themselves and have fun at the session. So, how do we make all of these things mesh? Let's discuss...

A cute couple sits on the edge of the pier at Lemon Lake Park.

The two above images have a few things in common. Besides being straight ahead, looking at the camera images - solid colors have ruled the day. By not wearing stripes or flashy logos, the focus is on each couple. At the same time, the colors still pop - nothing is drab. Now, every rule is meant to be broken. I have had couples wear stripes and we have gotten some fun photos and it looks great. It all depends on what we are doing and the personalities involved. The couple wearing stripes also had some solid colors that they wore in the session as well. I have no problem with you changing clothes mid session.

This brings us to another popular trend - team clothing. While I discourage face painting for your engagement session (no need for a goalie mask to show your Blackhawk pride), feel free to bring your favorite sports team clothing. Midway through the session you can change, break out a prop if you wish and we will take some images. Some couples are even able to show off their wedding date with certain player numbers. I know what I'll be doing on 9/19 this year!! :)

The wedding date is written on a football for these Indianapolis Colts fan's engagement photo. — The wedding date is written on a football for these Indianapolis Colts fan's engagement photo.

If you are going on one of my famous Chicago Sessions, I recommend "classic clothing". While I will be shooting these in color, there will be a whole set made into black and white with film grain added to simulate street photography from the 1960's and 1970's. It's a cool, vintage look that really begs for solid colors. Wearing a stylish pea coat or hat couldn't hurt either. Jeans and solid tee shirts are good too. Think classic - no distractions, no logos.

A couple kisses in the streets of Chicago in this black and white engagement photo.

Another thing to consider is where and what we will be doing at your engagement session. If we are going to the beach before dusk, perhaps some capris are appropriate. Will I be able to persuade you to run at me and throw leaves into the air? Will you be active at our engagement session? Keep that in mind for your clothing options as well.

A couple embraces for their engagement photo at an Indiana farm.

In the above photo we are in a bean field of an Indiana farm. This is an instance where the plaid works well and the casual clothing fits perfectly.

The important thing is that your engagement photos convey who you are. I'm sure you are not a stiff person and I don't want you to look that way in your pictures. So, be comfortable and just follow a few simple guidelines. Simple is usually best. Let's keep the focus on you!!

The Patrician Spring Bridal Show Recap

March 12, 2015 Steve Vansak

A model shows off a wedding dress on the runway at The Patrician Spring Bridal Show

Wow, what a terrific fashion show at The Patrician last night!! The female models showed off many dresses and the male models really put on a show strutting down the runway and breaking into dance. Trans Audio Wedding DJ's were the MC's.

In the main room DJ vendors such as 219 Productions, Spinning Productions and The Party People were playing music and greeting clients. Food and cake tastings were served up along with a champagne fountain and wine tastings as well. Mom's with daughters and even grandaughters were enjoying the festivities. I even spotted about a dozen grooms!!

My second photographer Kerrie and her daughter had a great time meeting all the brides (and grooms) who came by our booth while I photographed the event. I encourage all who visited the Region Weddings booth to fill out the Contact Form and set up an appointment to discuss your wedding photography. Once again we gave away a prize package at our booth as well as through the show itself.

A winner has been picked for the $100 Gift Certificate. This is good toward any package. Please see the Rates Page for engagement and wedding packages. If you already have your wedding photographer, please visit my sister site SBV Photography for studio and other on location packages.

Here are a few more images from last night's show and then I will reveal our winner...

From DJ's to photo booths to wine tasting, brides and groom and their families had a great time at The Patrician Spring bridal show.

Kellie Rauguth will be receiving a $100 Gift Certificate. Congratulations Kelly!!

Here is how to confirm your prize:

Respond to the email I will be sending you shortly
Schedule a meeting where I will hand you over the certificate by May 31st.
Use the certificate of $100 by August 31st, 2015 by booking engagement photography, studio or wedding. NOTE: This simply means you book by August 31, 2015. This doesn't mean you have to have your engagement or wedding by this date.

If you are not a winner of the gift certificate please fill out the Contact Form to schedule your meeting where I will add a bonus product when you book your wedding photography with me. I want all potential clients to have awesome wedding photos. If I have your date booked, I'd be glad to send you to another highly qualified wedding photographer. You deserve great images!!

While you are here, don't forget to visit our Wedding Films Page and put your wedding in motion!!

Thank you for visiting our booth at The Patrician Spring Bridal Show!!