Ever since Zaharakos reopened this past summer in Columbus, Indiana, I have been a frequent visitor. Their antique marble counters, endless array of vintage decorations, and delicious hand made ice cream have rejuvenated the flavor of Columbus, Indiana. I often like to meet clients there to chat over a malt complete with old school paper straws.
Right before Christmas, I met with an adorable couple who are getting married in Brown County in August 2010. While chatting about their upcoming wedding, we found out we have heaps in common. They had both graduated from Clemson in 2005 (I graduated in 2006) we shared a couple friends and great love for Clemson University (GO TIGERS!). What a small world! They now live in Illinois and decided a good mid way point for their wedding is Nashville/Brown County Indiana. I’ll be shooting their wedding and I am teaming with outdoorsy wedding photography ideas.
While at Zaharakos, I couldn’t help but take a couple quick engagement photos for them. Their Zaharakos Special: an ice cream sundae and malt was too cute to pass up on photos. We also shot some photos in the museum side of Zaharakos along with some shots on Washington Street with the Christmas lights glittering as a backdrop.
There is a great new company out of Columbus, Indiana called the Dog Bone Gourmet Bakery. They are providing natural homemade treats for dogs. Some are specifically made for dogs with allergies. The owner, Lindsey Turner, contacted me as she wanted to showcase some clean photos of her products as well as her new packaging and logo.
Right away I knew Lola, my chihuahua, had to be the model. Her expressions are always hilarious and for this shoot she did not let me down. She was patient and waited for her command to eat the treat. Also modeling was Treasure and Cleo my Barbet. They were not keen on waiting to eat the treat so there were crumbs all over after their pet photography modeling debut.
Lola! America’s Next Top Dog-al?
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Cleo, Treasure, and Lola get a sample bite
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A tandem bike, sneakers, snow, and laughter filled my engagement photography session with Shannon and Nate in Chicago. Sure it was cold, but these two showed off their craigslist tandem around the town all the while laughing with me and at me.
Shannon and I go way back almost 10 years now to Freshman year at Clemson. I met her while at my brief stint as a Kappa Delta and although I didn’t stay in the group I stayed friends with Shannon. One of the coolest things I remember about our friendship was being pen pals when we both studied abroad.
Nate is perfect for Shannon and cracks me up with his southern charm, affinity for cool coffee houses, and chivalrous ways. He chose a classic diamond solitaire ring for Shannon and I am beyond thrilled for the both of them.
So back to their e-session, when I found out they were engaged I was so excited and knew when I was in Chicago at a reunion with my italy workshop friends I had to pop over to their side of town. Their Chicago engagement session was so much fun for me and I hope I did them justice as they are the most happy, fun, easy going people I know.
By the way Shan, somehow, someway I’ll find a way to get that tandem bike at the wedding. So many ideas for it. I love you guys for being so fun and such good friends!
It is that time of year again where snow is falling, gifts are being wrapped, and feasts are being cooked. A group of photographers, stylists, make up artists, and several others decided we wanted to take a day and pay it forward by photographing families at the women’s shelter in downtown Indianapolis. The idea to volunteer through photos was started by Help Portrait and the effort ballooned across the globe the 12th and 19th of December.
Starting with complete make overs including hair, makeup and styling these women came out refreshed and renewed. Once done with their makeovers, a team of photographers, including myself, were there ready to make them feel beautiful on film. After the photo session, the photos were whisked away to be printed and delivered that day.
The most memorable moment for me was after mother and son’s photo session, the mom gave me a hug and told me these were the first photos she’s ever had taken with her son.
If you live in the Southern Indiana area you should check out Bloomington Cooking School. It is a great place to spend a couple hours and to learn a new cooking technique. I photographed theFrench Winter Menu at Home with Monique Jamet Hooker. The cooking school is located downtown Bloomington on the square across from the courthouse and near the Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse.
The menu was exquisite consisting of cassoulet, french onion soup, and caramelized pear with hazelnut crackers. The teacher, Monique diced, chopped,and stirred her way in front of the small intimate class teaching them at each turn.
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stirring sugar into creamy rich caramel
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Cassoulet with sausage, chicken, parsley, beans, onions, and spices..
Wow, right? Ashley is from Columbus, Indiana now living in Indianapolis. We met up in the spring and when she mentioned peacock feathers as a main element in her vintage style wedding, I was ecstatic. Her location at Crowne Plaza in Indianapolis had so many great backdrops, textures, and colors. It was a tad freezing outside which limited our photo-time outside, but we made due with the classic Union Station interior. Ashley’s smile really lit up the room every time she entered. Along with her bridesmaids that was one gorgeous, fun bridal party to hang out with. Each bridesmaid had an elegant hair style with a feather or two for adornment.
The boys in their cool, calm, collected ways were a riot. They teased each other mercilessly while I clicked away. I’m a big fan of real moments as they are the elements that make up the heart of a wedding.
Those peacock feather corsages. Wait until you see the bouquets!
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Flowers done by Claudia’s Florabunda in Columbus.. great job!
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The Union Station part of the hotel is amazing.. they have train cars you can sleep in… and take photos of wedding dresses on…
Nick Ashley Wedding, Dec 5 2009, Crowne Plaza Wedding, Crowne Plaza Wedding photography, Crowne Plaza Indianapolis wedding, Wedding at Crowne Plaza, Indianapolis wedding, Indianapolis indiana wedding, columbus indiana wedding photography, wedding photography, film noir wedding, vintage wedding, stacy able photography, stacy able, columbus indiana
While in Italy, my husband met me in Florence to start our belated honeymoon. We chose to wait a year as we were wed in Guatemala on Nov 1, 2009 and after that trip and the holidays we were exhausted. While in Italy, we headed to the northwestern part of La Spezia and Cinque Terre which is known as the Italian Rivera. Besides wanting to hike between the villages of Cinque Terre, we were there to visit a Barbet breeder (and now friend) Ezia. Ezia is responsible for my male, Cinna who I got in France over 2 years ago. She has several beautiful Barbet and is working hard to preserve the old Barbet bloodlines. Not only is she a great breeder, Ezia is a amazing groomer with the most muscular arms I have ever seen. She taught me some tips and techniques to manage my pack of Barbet in America.
If you do not know what Barbet are that is quite ok as there are around 1100 in the world and around 50 in The United States of America. They are French Water Dogs and said to be the ancestor of the Briar and Bichon, and close cousins with the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Spanish Water Dog. Besides photography, Barbet are my passion. My sister-in-law brought one back almost 10 years ago and ever since then I’ve been in love and used my design abilities to make a website to promote the Barbet. Now I am the President of the Barbet Fanciers Club of America and am working diligently for full recognition for the Barbet in the AKC. You can read more about Barbet at www.americanbarbet.com or at www.barbetfanciers.com
Not a Barbet but still cute.. this is Bosco who was in for a wash at Ezia’s Grooming Salon in La Spezia
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Here’s a Barbet… gorgeous dog eh?
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Victor and Ezia with their Barbet
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They are wanting some wine and prosciutto
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Mr. Caravaggio.. he was the most BEAUTIFUL Barbet I have seen (sorry Cinna/Lia I still love you..)
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Some scenery around Ezia’s La Spezia and Cinque Terre
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