Spring Wedding At Dyer United Methodist Church

May 16, 2016 Steve Vansak

Newlyweds cuddle up on a bench at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana

Brandi and Kent's Spring wedding at Dyer United Methodist Church was a fun one with lots of friends and family. It also featured a major surprise which we will get to a bit later.

The day started out with me covering the bridesmaids during getting ready. I got to know them a little bit and I knew we were in for a fun day. Brandi had elegant jewelry coupled with a stunning dress. Her wedding shoes matched the blue bridesmaid dresses, but soon her Harley Davidson boots took over. *** Click On Images To Enlarge ***

Getting ready on wedding day at Dyer United Methodist Church.

The older flower girl was shy at first, but soon she was commanding her very own portrait session complete with her stepping into the bride's wedding shoes!! Brandi will be giving this photo to her on her wedding day.

Flower girl steps into the bride's wedding shoes.

The bridesmaids in their blue robes during wedding day prep.

While I took Brandi into the church for photos of her and the bridesmaids, my second photographer was with the groom and his guys at Centennial Park. I mentioned that she looked stunning in her wedding dress and here is the proof...

The bride looks down at her bouquet with stained glass windows behind her.

The bride and her Spring themed sunflower bouquet.

The ceremony at Dyer United Methodist Church saw the doors open and Brandi and her Dad and son emerging in silhouette while Kent awaited. There were many joyful moments including a "placing of the rings malfunction" that saw the bride and groom laughing. The ceremonial pouring of the sand saw them alone at the altar just before the first kiss.

Wedding ceremony at Dyer United Methodist Church.

After family photos inside the church, it was time to put on the Harley boots and take some fun wedding photos over at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana. We also took what I call the "generations wedding photo" with both sets of parents kissing behind the bride groom.

The bride and groom share kiss and their parents do the same behind them.

Bride shows off her Harley Davidson garter and boots.

Wedding photo collage at Centennial Park.

Brandi and Kent's wedding reception took place at Casa Maria Banquet Hall in Dyer, Indiana. The wedding cake was all decked out in sunflowers, the toasts saw many laughs and hugs and maid of honor Brittany collected the cash for the dollar dance. *** Click On Images To Enlarge ***

Wedding reception photos at Casa Maria Banquet Hall in Dyer, Indiana.

The surprise I alluded to earlier occurred during the bouquet toss. It was a surprise marriage proposal from groomsman to bridesmaid. Of course, I was in on it and knew the whole time, but I did not know who was getting the ring. Taylor was quite shocked when Brandi walked over and handed her the bouquet and she got turned around to an awaiting engagement ring. We were there to capture it all. Judging by the photos, I think we know that she said yes!!

*** Click On Images To Enlarge ***

Surprise marriage proposal during a wedding reception at Casa Maria Banquet Hall.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Brandi and Kent's Spring wedding at Dyer United Methodist Church. Stay tuned for more images on the social media channels below.

First dance for the bride and groom at Casa Maria Banquet Hall.

Wedding Day Moms

May 8, 2016 Steve Vansak

Moms of the bride and groom hold a picture frame in front of their kids on wedding day.

Today is a celebration of mothers of the bride, mothers of the groom, grandmothers and brides who are moms!! One of the more traditional wedding photos I will take during the course of the day is moms helping their daughter prepare in the morning. I feel for these ladies because often time they haven't had the chance to get ready themselves and here I am focusing my lens upon them as they assist in all of the prep work.

Sadly, sometimes moms or grandmothers have passed away and we photograph a tribute to them. For the mother of the grooms, the mother / son dance is usually the most emotional moment of the day.

Happy Mother's Day to all of my clients moms as well as all my clients who are moms themselves! I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Brides with their children on wedding day.

Intimate Portraits - Maternity Photos and Boudoir

May 2, 2016 Steve Vansak

A couple takes a walk at Briar Ridge Country Club for a maternity photo session.

Although maternity sessions and boudoir photographs are two different types of sessions, I have bundled them into what I call Intimate Portraits. I did this because although they are different, they share many similarities and reasoning for taking them. Let me explain...

Both of these sessions are showing off beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, ages and states of mind. Pregnant women are beautiful, as are women over 40, as are plus size girls, as are freckles, as are large bellies, as are.... The point is to capture this beauty in a unique and creative way and put it inside an album that will be kept forever.

Intimate Portraits come with an 8x8 black and gold album that in the case of maternity photos can be placed along side the documenting of your new baby while boudoir photos are often given as a gift to one's lover - sometimes on the wedding night, sometimes as an anniversary or sometimes, just because. Many women over 40 will have boudoir sessions done to show that aging is NOT lost youth, but simply a new stage of beauty. It is a gift that they give to themselves.

Intimate Portraits (maternity and boudoir) can be done in studio as well as on location. They can simply be a portrait session of bonding such as the couple I recently photographed at Briar Ridge Country Club. Their maternity session was part of a larger event I was photographing for them that day. It showed them celebrating their baby to be and bonding with a walk in the park. We showed off her belly, but it was not bare at anytime. It was more of a simple portrait session.

Another client came in studio with more of a boudoir feel to her maternity session with a bare belly and implied nudity. Every session will have a consultation where we discuss exactly what we are going for and how we want to approach the photographs. All Intimate Portrait sessions have one of my female assistants there to help coordinate the shots.

Black and white photos of an in studio maternity session.

In studio boudoir session in Northwest Indiana.

An overlooked aspect of these sessions is they are pure fun!! Bringing a friend along can really calm the nerves and turn the entire session into a bonding experience. I highly encourage bringing a friend along who can work with my assistant and me from shot to shot. In studio I have quite the large private lounge area with lots of room for different outfits. We play music and refreshments are on hand as well. When the photos are ready, we have a viewing session where you can pick your favorites. I then design your album for you. For clients who want retouching, I will do this and we can discuss it at your consultation. An untouched, completely organic look can be had as well.

Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to set up a consultation for your Intimate Portrait session.

Church Weddings In Northwest Indiana and Chicago

April 18, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom stand center aisle at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Laporte, Indiana.

I love photographing in the outdoors and now that temperatures are rising here in the Midwest, I'm energized for all of the weddings coming up and engagement sessions as well. However, I equally enjoy shooting inside at churches. Often times the lighting can be challenging and movement can often be restricted, but it has it's photographic rewards. Let me take you through some church weddings done throughout Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. Here are some of the things I love about them and what can make them difficult to photograph as well.

Church wedding ceremonies in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan.

I usually position myself in the center aisle and cover the procession while one of my second photographers is usually assigned coverage of the "reactions" - groom anticipating his bride, parents, guests, loved ones, tears, laughter and more. I can feel the nervous tension in the room just before the bride comes down the aisle and I can only imagine what the couple must be feeling. Some churches have quite the long walkway too!!

We never use flash during the ceremony as it is distracting and often prohibited. If we have access, we always try to capture closeups of the emotions from family and even the bride and groom themselves. As the lead photographer, I tend to focus more on the couple getting married and the architecture shots while my second photographer (and myself too) looks for emotional moments. Oh, and I love capturing images that show off the church and the significance of the various religious symbolism. I've photographed really large churches such as St. Andrew in Calumet City, St. Stanislaus in Michigan City and St. Josephat in Chicago as well as tiny little chapels.

Wonderful moments at various church weddings.

Family photographs usually occur right after the ceremony. Sometimes a bubble send off occurs and then it's right back inside for pictures. If you have a limited amount of time ( most weddings do) I'd encourage you to skip the traditional receiving line at the church. Family pictures usually take awhile to organize, plus we have wedding party and couple's photos as well. Most couples go table to table for a meet and greet at the reception.

I bring professional, studio quality lighting for the church family photos and couple's photos. The ceremony is now over and the pastor or priest will now allow us to use our lighting. We follow along on the shot list that you filled out. I love to take artistic photos inside the church, but simple pictures with grandma and parents, etc. are equally important. They and you will cherish these.

Family and wedding party photos inside a church.

The bride on the altar at St. Mary's Church in Crown Point.

Often times people have been attending their church for years and often don't realize the beauty that is there. After some shots of the happy couple in their church, it's usually off to the park, beach or wherever for fun shots and romantic photos.

Artistic church wedding photos in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at church weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about your wedding date - church or otherwise - please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you shortly.