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.

September 19, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom under umbrella backlit by warm light on a rainy Neidhammer wedding day

The rain was coming down in sheets, and there wasn’t a break in the clouds. Victoria and Mike stepped outside for a break from their wedding festivities. While outside, they huddled together under a transparent umbrella. It was quiet outside. It was one of the few places they could have a moment alone during their […]

September 6, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

The water from the brief rain hadn’t yet evaporated and clung to the slats of the deck in little pools. Hope had to raise her dress as she walked out onto the deck to keep her train from getting wet. Once out in the middle of the deck, in an unusually dry patch, Hope and […]

August 15, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

windswept bride holds dress up in front of black gate with greenery with groom outside the mavris

Greenery clung to the thin black bars of a rolling gate in downtown Indianapolis. In front of the gate, Sierra and Clayton, newly wed, held hands. They had only just left their ceremony to do a few photos. They were so excited though that they couldn’t look at each other without smiling and laughing and […]

August 8, 2018

FILED IN: Engagements

a man and woman with black hair stand on the side of the reservoir hugging at their eagle creek engagement session

The cool water in the Eagle Creek reservoir rippled lightly from the force of a gentle breeze. These ripples distorted the rich red reflection of the leaves on the surface. On the edge of the reservoir, Gauri walked up behind Om and gently hugged him. Looking over his shoulder at his fiance, Om smiled during […]

August 2, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

bride in modern chic wedding dress stands with groom in two piece tux in moody window light, woman behind man and clutching his arm

The light from the sun permeated the glass window at the Mavris. It’s light filtered into the room where Lily and Zack were standing looking out at downtown Indianapolis. Lilly was standing behind Zack, her arms wrapped around his and her eyes looking upward toward him. A smile had broken its way across not just […]

July 25, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

Man in tuxedo and woman in white dress stand on the Indiana War Memorial steps holding hands and looking at each other

Accompanied by their friends, Haley and Andrew walked down the steps of the Indiana War Memorial. Half way down the steps they stopped, and still holding hands they looked deep into each other’s eyes. Their friends, the bridal party, continued to walk away, giving them a rare moment alone during their bridal party portraits. Standing […]

April 25, 2018

FILED IN: Engagements

Engaged Couple Side Hug Athenaeum Theater Indy

Winter was lingering well into March, which meant it was too cold to shoot outside for long. As a result, Katie and Lyle decided to do their engagement session inside the Athenaeum Theater in Indy. The theater was lovely, warm, and so welcoming on this cold day in March. It was a lot cozier inside the […]

January 18, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

Wedding Photo of Groom and Bride in front of Indiana Statehouse in Winter with Snow on Ground

The temperature was in the single digits, but at least it hadn’t dipped below zero. There was a layer of snow on the ground from the previous day. All of downtown Indianapolis looked stunning dressed in white though. Standing out in the cold in front of the Indiana Statehouse, John held Angela lest she become […]

November 29, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride and groom stand in a triangle of light under a bridge in downtown indianapolis on their wedding day

The bridges for the train tracks ran together over South Street in downtown Indianapolis. Because of the angular way the came together close to the Alexander hotel, they formed a rough triangle. The sun’s light penetrated through the gap. Because of this, there was a beautiful contrast on the street beneath between the light and […]

November 20, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The sun had already fallen below the rooftops of the buildings downtown, so I wouldn’t necessarily call this a sunset shot. Instead we set up a flash and placed it at the right distance and angle behind the Bing and Spike to give the same feeling and glow as a sunset shot. I couldn’t be […]