Wedding Advice & Photography

Two things we are confident in: Wedding Planning & photography. Van Elk & Co is made up of a team of photographers who love to create portraits of love & happiness and share advice for wedding couples.

This isn't your typical photography blog. We share useful info for couples who are getting married and those who are heading that direction. Let us show you pretty things while you fill your head with all things wedding planning.

November 15, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

Yalana and BG’s Carmel City Center photography session was a romantic and picturesque affair. The City Center’s beautiful architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s engagement photos. The brick-paved streets and beautiful fountains added to the charm of the day, making it truly memorable. Yalana and BG’s chemistry was evident in the photos, and […]

August 13, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman stand in front of fountain about to kiss with their dog on a leash next to them during their carmel city center engagement session

The last rays of sunlight were catching droplets of water flowing from the cascading pools of the fountain. Kyle and Ali stood n front of the fountain, a slight mist from the falling water dampening their clothes. They hugged and kissed, oblivious to the rest of the world. This was just one of the fantastic […]

August 8, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man in blue checked suit jacket hugs blonde woman while they both smile and laugh in front of a pond during their West Clay Engagement Session

The sun was just starting to dip below the trees and the earth was starting to cool off. In a cool space in the shade, next to a pond, Austin hugged MacKenzie She looked up, over her shoulder at him and the both smiled and laughed. Then he kissed her on top of the head. […]

April 19, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman prepare to kiss during their carmel at-home engagement session

The sun hung low in the sky. The leaves on the trees caught its light, keeping it from gracing the ground below. Sara and Joe stood in the dappled shade, under the trees, reveling in each other’s company. The two of them looked to be perfectly in love and at home with one another. We […]

March 11, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman hug in front of blue restaurant during their West Clay Engagement Session

Flowers and shrubs in clay planters sprouted in front of a wonderful little restaurant. The warmth of spring had coaxed them above ground. They stood in front of a building with large buildings framed with white trim and blue walls. Kate and Jordan hugged in front of the doorway, touching their foreheads as they embraced. […]

July 20, 2021

FILED IN: Engagements

couple silhouetted and dancing at sunset during their coxhall gardens engagement session

The light of the setting sun filled the sky with oranges and yellows and blues. The color faded from one end of the spectrum to the other making dusk seem magical and full of wonder. The pond at the park lay still and peaceful, like mirror reflecting the beauty of the sunset up above. In […]

October 25, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The first leaves were beginning to change color from a dark green to a bright orange. A few had even blown off the trees already. It was the time of year when the slow transition from summer temperatures to fall temperatures suddenly accelerates, and people wander out their front door in shorts and sandals only […]

October 3, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The rays of the setting sun reflected off the pavement of the street, creating a beautiful yellow glare as Margo and Will walked down the sidewalk in Carmel. They paused for a moment next to one of the street lamps, the leaves from plant hanging off a crook in the metal reaching down toward the […]

July 11, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

On top of the bridge in the middle of Coxhall Gardens, Wendy and Deson paused on their walk. They looked out over the water, Deson holding Wendy with one arm around her waist. A gentle breeze tousled Wendy’s long hair as she moved her head till it was touching Deson’s head. She looked over her […]

May 20, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The bridge at Coxhall Gardens had an easy three-centered arch, with a spacious sidewalk along the thin waterway at the center of the lake. The light of the sun reflected off the surface of the water and off the smooth, polished intrados of the archway underneath the bridge. Grace and Jordan paused on the walkway, […]