The Region Weddings Social Hour

April 13, 2016 Steve Vansak

Award winning wedding photograph from Region Weddings courtesy of Wedaward.

In this "off season" (I've already completed 4 weddings for 2016) I have worked on building up my presence on social media, including Instagram, Facebook and more. I have also won an award from the popular wedding site WedAward for the above image. I though I'd share some of the links to social media in a post so that we can connect on the various platforms. Let's start with one of my favorites, Instagram...

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Vulputate Commodo Ligula

Elit Condimentum

Aenean eu leo Quam

Cursus Amet

Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus

Porta

Etiam Ultricies

Vulputate Commodo Ligula

Elit Condimentum

Aenean eu leo Quam

Cursus Amet

Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus

I usually post one image daily on the Region Weddings Instagram feed, so be sure to go over there and follow me. Here is a list of all my various social sites, including links:

Let's not forget about Pinterest!! You can often find many of the images on this blog as well as ones that didn't make it in on the Region Weddings Pinterest Page. Check it out!

Flickr is an oldie, but a goodie. I admit I haven't posted there in awhile, but if you enjoy perusing flickr, be sure to check out my photo stream on there.

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If you are curious to check out the International Wedding Photography Award site WedAward where my image of Maria and Seth walking down the aisle received accolades, simply click on the screenshot below.

I hope to see you on the various social media sites. Always remember, the best way to contact me (especially to inquire about your wedding date) is here on the Region Weddings Contact Form. To always be up to date with my wedding journal and to see my latest work, subscribe to this page via the RSS link below.

Wedding At Holy Spirit Catholic Church In Crown Point, Indiana

April 4, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom walk down the aisle of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana

I would not be exaggerating if I were to say that Dustin and Melissa had an EPIC wedding at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. During the ceremony classic movie themes played and you could imagine the orchestra in the room. Everything about the day was done in a big and glorious way. Let me take you through hair and make up, a "shaving of the groom", complete with medieval tools and outdoor formals that experienced three seasons within 30 minutes time. Oh, and there was a pig and bread dance at the reception as well. I will never forget the emotional first look, one of my favorites that I have photographed. Let's go...

The bridesmaids prepare for the day at His and Hers Salon in Hebron, Indiana.

The morning began with me at His and Hers Salon with Melissa and her bridesmaids while second photographer Kerrie was with the groomsmen at their breakfast at George's Restaurant in Lowell. We all peered out the window at the snowflakes falling in April. Our weather apps told us "flurries ending soon". :)

Mother and bride on the morning of the big day.

As hair and make up was winding down, Kerrie and I flip flopped and I went to photograph the traditional Macedonian "shaving of the groom". This particular shaving had a bit of a twist though. It was more of a trimming and the instruments kept getting larger and larger...

The groom undergoes the traditional Macedonian "shaving of the groom" ritual.

Groomsmen and the father of the groom drink a shot after the shaving of the groom.

Soon we were back at the church where the wedding party got dressed. Our wonderful first look / reveal would be coming up soon.

The mother of the groom secures the boutonniere.

After some coaching from me and a brief false start, our first look was underway. I could see the nervous excitement start to build for the groom as his beautiful bride walked down the aisle toward him.

First look for the bride and groom at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Emotion overcomes the bride and groom during their reveal.

Melissa looked stunning in her wedding dress. We took this time to photograph her and Dustin together and alone in the glorious architecture of their church.

The bride shows off her dress at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

The bride gazes out while holding her bouquet of spring flowers.

The ceremony saw the mothers of Dustin and Melissa as featured singers. The newlyweds are movie buffs and theme songs from films played throughout. Even the flower girl approved with a big thumbs up!!

Wedding ceremony at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

We did family wedding photos at the church along with the wedding party at the altar. Then it was off to the downtown Crown Point Square.

The weather had been like a faucet all day long - snow, sleet, rain, you name it. We made a game time decision to stay with our plan of outdoor photos in downtown Crown Point. The joke in Northwest Indiana is that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Well, that could not have been more true as we visited the Old Courthouse. In the end though, we had a lot of fun...

The bridesmaids muscle their way into the groomsmen coats in exchange for flowers.

Fun wedding photos at the downtown Crown Point Square.

The bride's veil flies in the wind as the newlyweds take a stroll in downtown Crown Point.

So where is this ever changing Northwest Indiana weather that I speak of? Here you go...

A sudden snow blizzard engulfs the bride and groom during their wedding photos.

The wedding reception took place at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana. The non stop party featured popcorn and a movie soundtrack picked by the couple. We also saw a few more Macedonian wedding traditions such as the pig dance and bread dance.

Wedding reception fun at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

The mother of the groom and father of the bride dance with their children.

First dance for the bride and groom at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Dustin and Melissa's epic wedding at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Stay tuned to the social media sites below for more images.

Guide To Great Engagement Photos

March 28, 2016 Steve Vansak

A couple takes a romantic stroll through the park littered with Fall leaves.

Spring is here!! Now is the time when couples start thinking about their engagement photos. This usually starts with the question of purpose (What are we going to do with these pictures?) and then moves on to location, time, etc.

Here are the top reasons clients choose an engagement session:

A chance to get professional images in a relaxed, non-rushed atmosphere. This usually means wearing casual clothes, not having to meet any deadlines and a great way to capture a "day in the life" of who you are as a couple.
Save The Date Cards: Usually you want to have your session at least 6 to 12 months in advance so you have time to get your cards designed and sent out.
Engagement photos make great decor for wedding day. Some clients will have large prints on display when guests enter the reception. Others will also have my unique Wish Book on display where friends and family answer fun questions about the couple. Guest Books with images on one side and sign in on the opposite page are also very popular.
Getting comfortable in front of the camera and getting to know your photographer. I don't think this should be the only reason for an engagement session as weddings are quite different than casually walking around taking engagement photos. However, if you are anxious about being in front of a camera, an engagement session will help and you will have some images that you will cherish forever.

Location, location, location...

Engagement photos in various Northwest Indiana locations.

I often get asked where the "best spots" are. Let's start with what you want to convey in your images. Who are you as a couple? In the collage of images above, we have romantic walks in the park, indoor shots at a local museum and movie theater as well as as casual strolls on the beach at sunset. Here are some locations from past sessions:

Lemon Lake Park is one of my favorite locations and I now have a membership at Taltree Arboretum. These are great spots to showcase nature. I've also had clients take me onto private property such as family farmland, etc.
The beach (especially at sunset) is very popular. The national lakeshore now requires permits and scheduling, but I do know a beautiful beach area that does not require this.
Hometown sessions are great and I have done them in the Crown Point Square as well as Valparaiso. Imagine going skating at the new rink in downtown Valpo or window shopping the antique stores.
Date night. Let's talk to one of your favorite area restaurants and ask them if I can photograph you from afar as you drink wine and eat your meal. Let's do some night time images in a downtown area and capture the street lights and a romantic night time feel.
Chicago is one of my favorite places. If having the skyscrapers and the energy of the windy city suits you as a couple, then my Chicago Session is for you. More on that below.

A couple sits on a bench at Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Indiana.

Various images of Chicago engagement sessions.

I try to make all of my sessions a casual, fun time and as natural as possible. However, as you can see above, a dip in the middle of a busy Chicago street is going to need to be planned out a little. Here are my top tips for a Chicago Engagement Session:

Travel light. Feel free to bring a change of clothes if you'd like or a prop, but keep in mind that we will be walking a lot and a busy city can easily see your bag walk away while we are not looking. Jackets look great against a city backdrop, so this session is good for all times of year.
Let's take a break to refresh during your session. This would be a good time for a Starbucks visit and an opportunity to change outfits if you'd like.
I'm all for going to different locations. We have gone to Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park area, and night shots off the lake. Keep in mind that we will have to watch the clock to catch our train back and that taking an Uber is better than driving ourselves or taking the L train.

A couple kisses on the rail at the Chicago River with skyscrapers behind them.

No matter which session you choose or which location, just remember to be yourself and have fun. I have two different sessions to choose from with two variations upon them - Save the Date Cards, Wish Books and Guest Books are all available after the session and we review the images.

Local Engagement

$350.00

1 hour of photography by Steve Vansak
$50 Print Credit
Digital images via download (hi-resolution, includes printing rights)
Online photo gallery and ordering

Chicago Session

$500.00

3 hour of photography by Steve Vansak in Chicago
$50 Print Credit
Digital images via download (hi-resolution, includes printing rights)
Online photo gallery and ordering

Trees reflect their Fall color onto Lemon Lake during an Autumn engagement session.

Interview: Shannon Grimmer of Fringe Beauty Salon

March 21, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom kiss on the bridge at Centennial Park in Munster.

Shannon and I first met when she was styling Jenny, the bride in the above shot during bridal prep. We have since worked together on various weddings and she is now the proud owner of Fringe Beauty Salon, a spacious full service building in Merrillville across from the Post Office. It's a great all in one shop that will fit your entire wedding party and is close to many popular venues. Here is my recent interview with Shannon:

How long have you been working in the wedding industry?

I am passionate about creating flawless, detail oriented styles for my clients. My passion for the wedding industry was influenced as my career in the beauty industry began professionally over 15 years ago. Realizing that there was a lack of accommodation for wedding parties inside the salon and also a disconnection with brides, I decided to start Shannon Grimmer Beauty Concepts which has now evolved into Fringe Salon. I say "professionally”, because I think if you were to slit my wrists shampoo would come oozing out. I've had a lifelong passion for weddings and the beauty industry ever since I stole an Avon sample of Passion Red lipstick from my mom's makeup bag and snuck it to school in 1st grade.

Tell us about Fringe Salon, your full service hair and nail salon. What does that all entail? Where is it located?

Fringe is located in the heart of Merrillville, just 40 minutes from Chicago. We are a collective of stylists who have been doing hair for years! Fringe is a booth rental based salon where each stylist has the freedom to create their own schedule and use products that they are passionate about. The salon itself retails an exclusive brand, Kevin Murphy, born from the same philosophy as skin care. You can learn more about us by visiting the Experience Fringe website. Stop by just for the hugs or a killer cup of coffee!

Can a bride bring her entire wedding party to the salon? If so, how far in advance should they book?

Absolutely-the more the merrier! We do suggest booking at least a year in advance if you are planning for a Saturday wedding or during a holiday weekend. I've had plenty of brides secure their artist once the date and location has been booked. Large wedding parties are also welcome! In that case, I will have one of my assistants, who are also licensed, to help collaborate. This ensures that everyone will be picture perfect for the day.

Do you have online booking?

Yes, online booking is a must in this day and age! I understand the need to connect on the client's terms. Especially if you happen to be a bride the week of your event awake at 2am and you suddenly realize you need to get your brows shaped!

Shannon Grimmer of Fringe Salon preps brides and her bridesmaids on wedding day.

Tell us about the Muse Beauty Bar.

At the Muse Beauty Bar we are passionate about sharing the art of makeup and beauty. We provide applications, niche professional product, and makeup lessons. Whether you're the professional looking for fresh airbrush tips or the private client looking to hone in your personal application; I love to share the products, my expertise and techniques. Muse is for anyone!

Are you available for on location hair?

Absolutely! I have traveled as far as Boise, ID for a bridal party. Of course certain travel terms and conditions may apply if the bride is planning for a destination wedding but most of my on location travel has been fairly local. On location is very important to me because I want to make sure I synchronize with what works best for my client. If getting ready at home, hotel, etc. is the desired choice I can absolutely accommodate with my traveling kit, lighting, and chair. I want to make sure my client is their most comfortable before they walk down the isle.

What are your top tips for hair on your wedding day?

I like to create the total package for my clients. I like to meet with them even before we do a trial and find out what the utmost important aspects of the brides' day might be, as well as set a game plan for their hair to be its healthiest. I like to have a conversation to see if the bride has any major cut/color transformations that I may need to consider. I do suggest having your last color and haircut appointment approximately 7-10 days before the big event. You don't want to run the risk of trying something new and not loving it. Conditioning and restorative treatments are something I also highly recommend and will customize to individual needs. I offer Olaplex treatments in the salon to help to keep the integrity of shinier, healthy hair. Lastly, for the best up-do to happen the hair needs a little grit. I always prefer that those getting an up-styled service don't wash their hair the day of.