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.

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 […]

May 30, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

Man holding woman on stairs of omni severin at night

We arrived in the afternoon to capture some getting ready shots of Candace and Bryon at the Omni Severin in downtown Indianapolis. I was focusing on wedding photography while Steve was busy capturing video. Once Candace and Bryon were ready to go, we headed over to Lockerbie for their first look. The way they looked […]

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 27, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom look at each other with love in woods with golden sunlight in indy

Sunlight filtered through the leaves in a small copse of trees. Standing in the middle of the trees, backlit by the sun, Steve held Danielle around the waist. They looked into each others’ eyes and smiled, their mutual attraction unable to be contained even in front of a camera. I love these delightful moments from […]

November 21, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The light of the setting sun was just starting to wink out of existence and the white hydrangeas were fading to mere shadows. Ben held Zoe close to him, foreheads together and eyes closed in front of the hydrangeas. The two of them looked entangled no matter where they were or what they were doing, […]

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 12, 2017

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman in the ale emporium hugging

In front of the stage with guitars mounted on the wall, Brian held Alyssa from behind. He gently enveloped her in his embrace. Her hands met his, and held them in place with his arms wrapped around her. She looked back over her shoulder toward him and smiled. They were in the Ale Emporium, the […]

November 9, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The light from the sun streamed through the window of Canal 337. Some brick dust in the air, but mostly a can of atmosphere aerosol sprayed in the space, helped to highlight just how magnificent the space is when the sun is setting. Kate and Jimmy walked hand in hand through the gorgeous light, smiles […]