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.

February 7, 2019

FILED IN: Engagements

a woman hugs a man from behind and he turns his head to look at her during their downtown indianapolis engagement photography

The alleyway was deserted. Just a few yards away the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and the circle surrounding were filled with people. Young people were out zipping around on scooters while tourists took pictures of the monument. This alleyway was a brief respite from all the people downtown, a place where Kyle and Makenzie could […]

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 […]

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 […]

March 1, 2018

FILED IN: Engagements

Woman Looking at man as he holds her from behind on top of war memorial in indianapolis

On top of the Indianapolis War Memorial, as the sun was setting behind them, Ashley and Geoff paused for a moment, looking out over downtown Indianapolis. Geoff embraced Ashley from behind, wrapping his arms around her on the cool afternoon. Ashley looked over her shoulder at him and smiled for a second, then she slowly […]

December 8, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

stunning freelensing photo of a bride and groom in the white river park holding hands, the bride's face is in focus but not much else in the photo and leaves on the trees behind them are fading from a brilliant orange to a brown

The leaves had faded from a vibrant green to a muted, burnt orange.  On a sidewalk in White River Park, Grant held Amanda’s hand and looked at her lovingly. The breeze tugged lightly at the ribbon hanging from Amanda’s bouquet. It was a beautiful moment. I realized I wanted to shoot something a little different. […]

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 […]

November 10, 2017

FILED IN: Engagements

After walking up and down the canal in downtown Indianapolis capturing photos of Lotti and Rodrigo, we decided to move away from the busy walkway for a few moments. On top of a bridge overlooking the canal, with less foot traffic, things felt a little more private. Rodrigo hugged Lotti from behind, pulling her close […]

November 8, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The last rays of light from the setting sun made their way through the buildings in downtown Indy as Jacqueline and Andrew were getting married on the rooftop terrace of Regions Tower. A strong and steady breeze ruffled Jacqueline’s hair and caused her veil to flutter. Meanwhile the light that was left reflected off the […]

June 2, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The light cascaded through the second story window and down the elevator shaft to fall gracefully on Morgan and Jeremy’s faces. As they stood in the elevator, waiting to ascend to the second floor, Morgan wrapped her arm around Jeremy’s arm. Jeremy looked down adoringly at his bride, and seemed to stand a little taller […]