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 1, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom under beautiful stone arch during their Minnetrista wedding

An overhang outside Minnetrista provides a rare spot of shade in the middle of the property. At noon on a sunny day, it makes a great place to take photos. So we chose this location to do the first look with Sam and Priscilla, and it did not disappoint. Sam’s face also did not disappoint […]

June 2, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

beautiful blonde bride standing in front of steps of building for her unique wedding photos

A soft breeze blew across the quad at Ball State University, lifting the lace of Sara’s dress and tousling her blonde hair. She lifted the skirt of her wedding dress and spun in the breeze taking in the day. Her groom Adam stood watching, a smile on his face, as he watched Sara having her […]

December 1, 2021

FILED IN: Engagements

man with long hair hugs blonde woman in downtown muncie engagement session

As the sun was setting in Muncie, its last rays came across lighting up Sara and Adam as they hugged. Adam leaned down to kiss Sara on the cheek. It was a magical moment. I had so much fun shooting this downtown Muncie engagement session with these two! We started this shoot on Ball State […]

April 25, 2019

FILED IN: Weddings

groom in burgundy suit kisses bride in white dress at sunset during their East Central Indiana wedding

As the sun was dipping below the horizon, we ran outside to do a few photos of Makenzie and Kyle. We were losing light fast, so we only had a few moments to make some magic happen. Caught up in the moment and the romance, without me asking for any poses, Kyle hugged Makenzie and […]

February 13, 2019

FILED IN: Portraits

man and woman walk with baby daughter in front of white fence in these muncie family portrats

A stout white fence guarded the backyard of the De La Vega house. The brilliant white only broken by a few green leaves some trees that grew up and flopped their branches over the fence. Looking out expectantly at the front yard, waiting for people to come back and play under their branches. In front […]

January 17, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The only light in the ballroom was coming through a few open windows. The light from the setting sun was dim on this winter day. Matt stood in front of one of those windows, hands in his pockets, absorbing the last rays of light on his wedding day. Haley slid her arms under his, and hugged […]

September 28, 2010

FILED IN: Weddings

                   Heidi and Kyle got hitched on June 19th.  It was very hot but it didn’t keep anyone from having a blast.  The wedding was held in a Mennonite church near Shipshewana, IN.  Heidi’s family attended the church for years and it became a very sentimental place […]

September 22, 2010

FILED IN: Engagements

            I love taking photos in historic towns like Farmland. April was raised just down the street from where we were shooting, so it was nice to put a sentimental touch to the photos.             They both are very creative people. April is always dressed very fashionable and has great taste in accessories. Ryan designed both engagement […]

September 22, 2010

FILED IN: Engagements

High school sweethearts, Sarah and Josh, are extremely excited to tie the knot! Of course at an engagement shoot a couple will talk about their wedding, but not with this kind of enthusiasm. I loved Sarah’s passion and Josh’s gentleness. Sarah and Josh met early in their life but it wasn’t until high school that […]

September 21, 2010

FILED IN: Engagements

I don’t believe I have ever met someone as caring as Angie. She is the type of person that will go completely out of her way to make sure everyone is happy, or at least have a shoulder to cry on. Angie and Michael met each other while Angie was studying for her masters at […]