I think it’s a common misconception that photographing a family member or friends wedding is easier than a clients. In a way I guess, maybe, I already know who the most important people on at least one side of the guest list. I know who the random cousins are, who traveled from far far away to be here, which ones are nieces and nephews, not just random kids dancing on the dance floor. All this preknowledge does come in handy, but it’s counter acted by the fact that all these people I already know distract me too. They stop to chat with me and I wanna chat back. Not that I don’t love to talk (totally obvious) but when I shoot a wedding I kinda like to go in a photography zone. I have to be ready constantly ready to capture any emotional moment, crazy outburst, funny laugh or dad crying and when I’m talking to someone I don’t have my quick shoes on J Monte and Lori’s wedding was no exception. It was a Lutheran ceremony in the country church she went to as a little girl, in Osian Indiana. The bride wore an amazing gown with black accent lace. Her grandma’s handkerchief tucked away inside the dress was only one of the sweet details put into the wedding. Another sweet detail was the groom’s mother. She just moved here from Georgia to be closer to her children and suddenly she is forced to deal with two (of her three) children getting married within months of each other. Any mom would be emotional and she was no exception! If you know me though, crying mothers are my FAV. thing to get pictures of! So, sorry Aunt Therese~ I apologize for having the camera on you so many times that day! The reception was held at the Bluffton Fine Arts Center. The weather held off for me to get Monte and Lori outside for a few quick shots on their amazing outdoor area. There were lots of stairs, swirling walkways and red accents along the landscaping~ very unique! It was a beautiful day you two! I wish you all the best in your marriage~ I’m excited to be close to both of you and able to watch this marriage age. Thanks so much for choosing me to spend such an important day with you both!

So, as always, I’m a little behind on my blogging… I’ve been on vacation and I vowed to catch up on the blogs while I had a few minutes here and there. Now, that we’re on the final day countdown I’m just now turning on my laptop for the first time! Which in a way is FABULOUS because it means that I’ve managed to not work during my vacation….but also means I’ve not accomplished to catch up on my blogging like I had hoped to. I do have to say this vacation has been very enjoyable and relaxing. Every couple years my family is able to get away to a private island we have up in Ontario. It’s really rather amazing! My husbands grandfather bought it in the 1950’s, (p.s. didn’t even own a house for his family of 5~ but felt he needed to buy this Canadian Island with a handful of cabins on it…needless to say grandma wasn’t too keen on the idea, but I do believe she wasn’t let in on the deal until it was too late). Over the last 60 years the entire family has worked each summer to keep everything in working order, the cabins standing and safe, and updated (sorta J )to make sure it’s up to expectations as the generations continue to enjoy it. It’s amazing how much fun you can make when there is no internet, only generated electricity available for parts of the day, limited amounts of light (when the sun goes down it’s flashlight and lantern time) and are basically not in touch with anyone else in the world but the family you’re with here. We started out with the 16 hour drive to get up here, which according to my husband is “the best part” but ask my 5 year old and you’ll get a totally different answer! I photographed a wedding that Saturday then expected to try and sleep while he’s driving at night in a horrendous rain storm doesn’t exactly make for comfortable passenger sleeping. We did get up to Canada, safe and sound and tired. We were the last to arrive. Grandpa Tom, Grandma Anita, Aunt Courtney, Uncle Scott, Caitlyn and Camryn were already there waiting for us. The next week went quick, a couple gorgeous days, a few rainy nights, lots of fishing, blueberry picking, swimming and playing outside for the kids. One of the most awesome surprises was the big birthday gift for Mark, Scott and Hudson. Midafternoon on Thursday we hear this float plane flying in for a landing in front of our dock! The coolest little brown float plane rolls in, docks and the pilot gets out to tell us that Tom and Anita had called for a ride for their birthdays! Hudson is freaking out, smiling from ear to ear about to jump into the plane before we can explain to him what’s going on! Then, as the pilots explaining what’s going to happen he says, “If you don’t tell on me, I don’t mind taking up 4 people instead of 3~ burns the same amount of gas either way.” Uh, heck yeah~ I’m totally taking advantage of his generosity! The trip was way cool! Nothing like riding in a 5 seat plane flying over a lake with a zillion islands! Guess the odds are pretty good we’ll land in water if we go down right?   Of course I took my camera with my bad~a$$ fisheye lens for the aerial shots!! How many times do I get the chance to photograph from a non-commercial airplane over a body of water? After the flight was over all Hudson said for the rest of the night was, “Thanks for my plane ride Grandma Anita… I loved my plane ride Grandpa Tom” J For sure, going down in the cool books for one of the best birthday gift thus far!   Another highlight from the trip was all the swimming that Hudson did… off the dock, in the bay, jump off the back of the boat… pretty much anywhere that was clear enough to check for fish he was jumping in the water! I might add here, it was only in the 70’s outside and the water wasn’t very warm. My little purple lipped son was having the time of his life so who am I to stop him, right? Once the week was over we started saying our goodbye’s. Then began the 16 hour drive home~ which according to my husband is the best part, right? Considering we drove home through worse thunderstorms I’m not sure if this drive is the best part.

For any of you who faithfully read my blog I’m sure you remember my Engagement session in New York City last November. Well, the wedding a few weeks ago was with the NYC couple. So, knowing how much thought, planning and detail went into their engagement session I had a feeling their wedding would be equally as fabulous. When I walked into Design Gallery the girls were all getting ready. I peeked around the salon, which has a retro/pinup/eclectic style…lots of pink, sparkles, vintage furniture, crazy décor and ridiculously fabulous mirrors!   Ashlee’s personality and style were all over her wedding look from her hot pink shoes (she bought 6 pairs till she found ‘the pair’) the vintage hair pin with birdcage veil, to her pink and blue eyeshadow. We did Ashlee and her bridesmaids at salon before heading out to Cornerstone Center for the Arts to meet up with Ryan and his groomsmen. Cornerstone is such an interesting place to photograph in. There’s the old stone architecture mixed with cool oldworld wall paper, fun balconies to play with and romantic overhead lighting all over. Their ceremony was in the auditorium…one of my favorite rooms in the building to photograph. The reception was held upstairs near the ballet rooms. Neither the ceremony or the reception disappointed in the uniqueness department, candy bar, gorgeous hot pink flowers, dancing guests on the dance floor all night (good job AMS DJ Service J ) Definitely a night to remember for Ashlee and Ryan and a fun wedding for me as well! Thanks, you two, for choosing Kishel Photography to be with you on your big day!! I’m flattered and honored that you put your trust in me to capture your wedding day (and the best engagement session EVER) for you!

Molly’s family shoot

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from a fun client I’ve photographed a few times now. We first met a couple years ago during a promotion I was photographing or Janie and Jack childrens clothing stores. Her daughter’s curls and sweet personality totally stood out during out first session. A few months later her mom called and wanted to talk about doing another session with her newest baby girl! She wanted the pictures done early, at about 1 week of age. I met her in Indianapolis at her aunts gorgeous home. It was absolutely heaven for a photographer~ shaded open green yard, amazing indoor rooms and fabulous windows to provide perfect natural light. The session was gorgeous, we created quite a lot of amazing images (those curls are too cute).   I knew just through our few conversations Tammy I knew Tammy and her husband have already purchased a home in another state and were planning on moving soon. Needless to say, I assumed this session would sadly be out last. So, I was very surprised when I received an email from Tammy~ she wanted to do a family session with the girls and her as a gift for her husband for father’s day! What a perfect idea. He’ll have a new office and she wanted to gift him with a new image to display in it!    We had to schedule quickly, shoot in secret and meet, order and get these images to her by June 20^th!!! ­­After a few minor hiccups (new dresses not being delivered in time) we were able to get the girls photographed and have everything else lined up accordingly. I’m so excited for Tammy to give this gift to her husband! Such a perfect idea and I’m so flattered that I was asked to photographed the girls and her one last time before their big move!   I’ll be happy to run down to Indy for a quick photo shoot anytime you’re in town visiting family!