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.

December 29, 2020

FILED IN: Video, Weddings

bride and groom hug and kiss in open field at sunset during their Carmel Backyard Wedding

The sun was slowly dipping below the tree line. In the last few minutes before it winked out of site, its dim rays seemed to be traveling across the earth instead shining down on it. In a field of grass, Katie and Aaron danced in the light and their shadows seemed to grow and move […]

September 10, 2020

FILED IN: Engagements

young couple dances in front of blue wall during their downtown indianapolis engagement photos

In downtown Indianapolis there’s a beautiful building across from the Indiana War Memorial that has brilliant blue, pink, and yellow walls. In front of the blue wall, I asked Kara and Nick to dance. Usually couples get together and slow dance when I give this prompt. But Kara and Nick took it up another notch. […]

August 25, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

man in red turban and woman in jewels at their Coxhall Gardens wedding

The tan bricks of the Caxhall Mansion provided some shade as evening drew near. Behnam stood in the shade, his back to the mansion. Hira hugged Behnam from behind, looking lovingly at him. Behnam turned his head slightly toward her and they both smiled. Last week I had the pure joy of capturing this amazing […]

July 27, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

sunset in front of the Indiana Statehouse during an Indiana Roof Ballroom wedding

What a roller coaster the week leading up to Grace and Nathan’s wedding was with the new restrictions set by Indianapolis’ mayor. But luckily, things worked out in their favor and they didn’t have to move location or make massive cuts to their guest list a day before their wedding. Also, thankfully the thing that […]

July 26, 2020

Having a Winter Wedding or Just Expecting a Rainy Day? Then you probably just came here for a list of locations. So here’s the TLDR of what we think are the best locations for indoor photos in Indianapolis (we’ll post more information about each place later): Indiana Statehouse Indianapolis Central Library Indianapolis Zoo 1899 The […]

July 24, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

Garment Factory Wedding Photography bride and groom dance in front of window

Hannah & Quinton had a beautiful and emotional wedding that is something we never want to forget. Between her sister getting emotional seeing her come down the aisle and the exciting dance floor, it was apparent people were there to celebrate this amazing couple! It was also apparent they would not have missed this wedding […]

July 22, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

Trees grew on either side of a cement path in Franklin, Indiana, as the path followed along the winding route of Youngs Creek. It was cold outside, but the water in the creek kept running through the small town. Emily and David walked hand in hand down the cement path. The sun setting behind them […]

July 1, 2020

first look at union station wedding

After the first meeting I had with Amanda and Pat, I knew shooting their wedding was going to feel like capturing an old friend’s wedding. They just have a way of making you feel included. That feeling made this wedding one of my favorites of the year. Having a Union Station wedding means always means […]

January 6, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom touch foreheads at balmoral house wedding

The water was still on the surface of the small pond. In the reflection on the water, the leaves of the trees swayed in a slight breeze. Standing on the grass in front of the water, Aunjalee and Joe faced each other smiling. They hugged and their noses touched. We had so much fun capturing […]

December 19, 2019

FILED IN: Weddings

a newly married couple hugs in front of a field of soy beans at this zyntango farm wedding

The sun set over fields of soy and corn out in Whitestown, Indiana. The soybeans had lost their vibrant green hue as they neared the harvest, and turned brown as if to signal they were ready for the harvest. Ready for the next phase in their life cycle. Standing on a patch of grass in […]