A Beautiful Wedding at the Wilds Venue In Bloomington, Indiana

Josh and Alainey are quite the sweet match. She’s independent with a big heart. He’s quiet and thoughtful. That’s my impression of these two, anyhow! They had a perfectly gorgeous day out at The Wild’s Venue, in Bloomington, Indiana. Set on top of a hill and surrounded by trees, the Wild’s is a bright and modern venue set with the photographer in mind! The pavilion offers the perfect shade and light for the ceremony. Inside the tables had eclectic vases with a variety of greenery. They had donuts, and popsicles, and all sorts of finger foods. It really was a spectacular day! Please enjoy my photos from their romantic wedding day!

For more photos, visit the gallery here!

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The Importance of Printing Your Photos

I have a story for you.  Just the other day I was at the dinner table with my two remaining Grandmas, my mom, and my kids. My mom says, “We have to take family photos, Kory. This is one of the few times we’re prepared and all together.” I made a face at her. I pout as the designated photographer who just wants to be there and not work. “We have to take photos in case one of us dies.”  Wow, this has taken a dark turn.  “Oh Kathy, what do you think is going to happen to these photos after we all die?” My Grandma says while throwing her hands in the air. The truth is family photos are a lot of work.  My other Grandma looks at me and says “Exactly, like I’m sure you threw away all of those family pictures I gave you,” she says while looking at me.  I give her a look like she’s crazy.  “Of course, I didn’t throw those away.  I have my favorite ones hanging up by my desk.  I have some of my Mom and Dad, and me and my sister when we were little.  I have ones of my Pawpaw.  The one I really love is of him pushing me on the swing. I would never throw those away.  I have them hanging up all over the place.” “Oh, that’s good,” my Grandma said with relief in her voice.  The truth is that she valued these photos too.  She talked about ones that meant a lot to her, and then my other Grandma chimed in about ones that she valued too.  Mom talked about how she wasn’t really crazy about taking photos, but how much they meant to her afterwards.  We all agreed that while you may not feel that comfortable in front of the camera, and while you might be overly critical of how you look in photos, that’s not how your family and loved ones see them.   They value them.

Photos are meant to be enjoyed! And if you never print any out, they are not fully enjoyed! I am just as guilty of this as anyone else, but I am trying to do better.  Life is about savoring those little moments.  When I look at old photos, I’m not looking at how my Grandma hates her teeth, but I am remembering the way her eyes close when she laughs, and the sound of it.  I am remembering how pretty my Grandma is even in her old age.  My mom has had some health issues.  When I look at photos of her, I see how much she loves people, and how she really does take a genuine interest in others.  I notice when she smiles her whole demeanor changes, and she smiles often. Photos help preserve all those details that you look past on a daily basis. I know when my kids look at my photos, they don’t see that extra five pounds I can’t get rid of. They see their Mom who was so happy in that moment, and who truly enjoyed them when they were young, (and is still enjoying them today). 

I read that 77% of consumers say their collection of photos is among the most valuable assets they own.  Photos are not an easy investment, but they have such high value.  They take time and energy, and while I do work really hard to make that as easy as possible for my clients, I realize that you are going to be the one to get the kids and Dad onboard, and hire the perfect photographer for your needs, find the perfect outfits, make sure everyone is fed and ready, etc. What you create isn’t just meaningful for you.  It will mean something to the generations after you.  And that is something worth investing in.   

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Things I have learned from my FAILED 365 project

You might be wondering, what is a 365 project?  This is where you take a photograph every single day of the year.  This may seem daunting, but it keeps you pushing for creative photos every day.  And even though I totally failed this year I produced more photos than I ever have previously! It pushed me to the max! I ended up with about 276 pictures.  Obviously, I missed a couple months there around August.  Whoops!  The point is I stuck with it.  I’d miss several days and then I’d pick up my camera to create something.  And you know what? I absolutely treasure these moments I captured.  I can look back at how little my kids were just a year ago.  Or I can remember exactly where I was that day.  I have tiny details about what happened on that day that I have documented.  Like what day the COVID lockdowns started for our state, or who won the super bowl, or that the California fires made the sunsets extra hazy- even in Columbus, Indiana! I even have self-portraits so my kids can see photos where their mom was actually in front of the camera.  I plan to do this every year, even if I fail miserably.  I know that I will still be producing more work, honing my techniques, and staying as creative as possible.      

Stick with it!

A 365 project requires discipline and perseverance. I have learned that if you plan a little, things will be easier. Have a day set aside at least once a week to import your photos and do your editing. If you have a busy day planned it might be easier to get your photo done in the morning, so you do not have to think about it the rest of the day.  It becomes easier with time as it starts to be a habit.  You will find yourself thinking of photography every day, and looking for good light, and good moments.  

Sometimes it requires a flat lay.

This was my go-to idea when I had no creative ideas and the day was ending. It happened to be something I wanted to improve upon, and I found it easy to search around the house and find things to make a flat lay out of. It was also handy for when it was less than pretty outside. If it were raining or just cold and brown outside with a grey sky, I would always do a flat lay. Consider what your flat lay might be? What will be your go to when you have no more creativity left or you just can’t take one more picture of that brown winter outside. Maybe taking a photo on your phone was the best you could do that day. That is ok! Make sure to put it in your 365-project folder! That way you can legitimately count it.

Keep your camera within reach.

If you have easy access to it then when you see that perfect light or that perfect scene it is easy to grab and get that photo in for the day. I leave my bag open and all my lenses in the same area so I can grab it easily. At the same time, make sure you keep an extra battery charged up and ready to go.

Do not forget the spirit of the project.

  It is not so much about getting a worthy picture every day. If you can create that, then by all means, please do! However, this project is about keeping photography at the forefront of your mind. It is about working and growing every day.  So, if you miss a day (ahem…or several), that’s ok! Pick it up the next day and start again the next day. Attempting this down to the letter will overwhelm you. Take it one day at a time, and don’t get too legalistic.  

Print your photos.

I am preaching to myself here, as I am guilty of this.  This year I printed all of my photos in a little book.  And I love it! I look at it often, and I have it as a tiny coffee table book.  I have written excerpts from what I remember on some of the days.  I can also see how my photography has evolved over time.  Your photos are meant to be enjoyed! Not rotting away on a hard drive.  Luckily, places like Chat books make it really easy to keep prints in your hands and not on the cloud. I am a firm believer that prints have so much value not only as personalized artwork, but beautiful displays of your story! (Again, I am as guilty as anyone on this.  So, we MUST do better!!) 

Keep in a constant state of learning.

So, in conclusion, even though I completely failed I have learned so much through this project.  It kept me creatively accountable and helped me to artfully document my own family!  So many changes take place in just a year.  Make sure to slow down and enjoy it. I highly encourage everyone to take up a personal project like this. Time is fleeting. Document your family well. And if you can’t do it yourself consider it a worthy investment to hire your local photographer.

Thanks for reading!