Amy Straka Photography http://blog.amystraka.com Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:22:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Christina & Steve | Michigan Engagement Photography | Lemon Creek Farm Winery, Roadside Bridgman, Berrien Springs, and Warren Dunes http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=808 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=808#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:33:26 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=808 Christina and Steve are celebrating their wedding this October at Mill Creek Barns, along with four of my other awesome brides & grooms.  October is going to be the best month, especially judging from how awesome today went!

My friends Jay and Tony and I hit the road a few weeks ago to drive aimlessly through Michigan, looking for the perfect spots for Christina and Steve that scream rural chic orchard country.  I say success!  (Even if we forgot about the time change and Lemon Creek Winery was already closed.)

We found an awesome location that I couldn’t wait to shoot at, but sadly, for the first time ever, someone said no that we could not take photos on their property!  I blame my embarrassingly out-of-practice Spanish skills.  Luckily, I had something else up my sleeve.


Next we hit up Warren Dunes, one of my favorite beaches.  I hear a lot about photography at the beach being cliche.  There is a fine line between cliche and classic, and the beach is a classic!  We are so blessed by this incredible freshwater ocean right in the middle of the gorgeous midwest.  Living within a bike’s distance of a NATIONAL park celebrating and protecting the Dunes, the beach is in my heart too.  Indiana and Michigan draw people from all over to enjoy it too.  There have been times when I’m tired of beach pictures, today is NOT one of those times!  Just look at these two!

Be the first to see ALL of their images, and receive a $5 print credit if you register BEFORE they go live:  http://pictage.com/749319

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=808 5 Meghan & Chris | Indiana Wedding Photography | St. Mary’s, Crown Point & Serbian American Center, Merrillville http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1893 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1893#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:21:44 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1893 Had SUCH a blast with Meghan & Chris!  Couldn’t have been a more perfect, easy day full of nice, fun people!

Next, we head to the Square!

Next, we went to one of my favorite parks, gorgeous Lemon Lake!

Of course, the classic Crown Point photo!

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1893 0 Elisabeth & Doug | Michigan Wedding Photography | Mill Creek Barns, Watervliet http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1520 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1520#comments Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:31:52 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1520 Brace yourself for a mega-gorgeous couple with mega-chic tastes!  Let me just say, Elisabeth described herself as a planner that loved sweets in her wedding questionnaire and she did not disappoint!  Organized to the minute, every detail perfected, and wall to wall delicious food.  I’ve never seen details executed so beautifully without a design team.  (Though I’d have to argue that a group of family and friends can be as good a design team as any with the right vision, and she had both of those nailed!)  The more weddings I shoot, the fewer I cry at, but I’d have to say I let a few tears fly more than once last night.– though the record heat and humidity masked my weeping with disgusting sweat.  As ridiculous as I looked, I couldn’t believe the flawlessness that the bridal party held up start to finish!  You’d never guess we were being steamed to death and attacked by swarms of bugs!   Enough talk, photo time!

Like I said, amazing details.  Oh, and AMAZING BRIDE!

These amazing dahlias were actually picked by the bride, groom, and a few friends and family the day before at a dahlia farm.   In this heat, with these bugs, can you imagine picking more than four hundred dahlias?  Thsi was exceptionally dedicated DIY.  The flowers were worth it!  Even if a spider was living in the flower in her hair, only to crawl out at the salon.

The scrabble tiles are her grandparents, adorable idea!


One of my favorite poems every was the reading, and a center concept, of their wedding.  So beautiful.  The  ring bowl is from ETSY, LOVE IT!

Can’t get enough of the WOW dahlias!


Lemonade and water waiting when the ceremony was over, refreshing!  Hydration was a theme of the day.  SO HOT!

What a great bridal party!  Hannah and Gabe are awesome!  And now on to the party…

No Mill Creek wedding is complete without smore kits for the fire!

And now that I think of it, no wedding is complete without a delicious candy buffet!

If that isn’t sweet enough, cupcakes!

This wedding had so much to eat that I left stuffed, between smores, candy, apps, the meal itself, cupcakes, and the late night snack of HOT DOGS!  I promise to post a list of all of the their goodies and how to get in touch.  Their vendors were all incredible!

All in all, an amazing day!  For more photos, as soon as they are released, and a credit that gets you a free digital download of your favorite photo, sign up here:  http://pictage.com/790180

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1520 0 Haley & Joe & Ava | Indiana Lifestyle & Family Photography | Brincka Cross House & Gardens, Furnessville & Creek Ridge County Park, Michigan City http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1518 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1518#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:57:15 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1518 Haley and Joe!  This is a wedding that I couldn’t be more excited for!  Haley and I have been friends since high school, trying to keep in touch for the past ten years.  I saw a photo of her on facebook with Joe and couldn’t believe the small world!  I’ve known him for almost as long, though not as well.  There aren’t two people who are more perfect for each other– watching them together, and with Ava, was amazing!  I’m so happy for you guys!

Look at this adorable outfit!   I cannot get over it!  Haley said to me, “I never thought I’d be buying a tutu!”   Babies this cute make you do crazy things!  ADORABLE!


]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1518 0 The Butkus Family | Indiana Lifestyle & Family Portrait Photography | Washington Park Beach http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1515 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1515#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:58:43 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1515 Had to keep this one secret for a while!  All the grandkids got together and did photos for their grandparents’ anniversary!  Though Grandma and Grandpa aren’t on Facebook, they were afraid it was too small a world and one of my “likers” would say, “Those photos look great!” and spoiler the surprise.  Happy Anniversary, so glad I can finally share these!

View all of the photos here:  http://www.pictage.com/884603

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1515 0 Lemmons Kids Mini-Session | Indiana Lifestyle & Family Portrait Photography | Purdue University North Central & Red Mill County Park, Westville http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1783 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1783#comments Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:11:56 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1783 My friend Sarah and I took her kids out for a few photos Friday morning, and couldn’t have ended up with cuter results!  Here are a few favorites!

Check the mom face:

Oh those eyes!

So cute!

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1783 0 The Pierce Family | Indiana Lifestyle & Family Portrait Photography | Beachwalk, Michigan City http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1516 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1516#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:25:03 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1516 The Pierce Family, all the way from London, wanted to catch the spirit of their vacation at Beachwalk Resort.  Lots of my beach families stay there, not to mention wedding guests, couples, and families.  It’s always nice to spend an evening at Stop 7!  Check out the amazing style of the Pierce Family!

LOVE THIS!

TWINS!

Amazing!  One of my favorite family sessions ever!  You guys could NOT have been cuter!

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1516 0 Abby & Andrew | Indiana & Michigan Engagement & Wedding Photography | New Buffalo Beach & Abby’s Family Home http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1517 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1517#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:01:33 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1517 Abby and I are old friends.  We went to LaLumiere together, both from mega rural, tiny feeder schools.  We bonded instantly.  There’s nobody else in the world better to complain with during C-squad volleyball or skip required attendance events with to go to Olive Garden.  We’ve kept up over the years through the internet, as she moved to the east coast and I stayed firmly planted at home.  It was amazing to see her again and meet her husband-to-be, Andrew.  I could instantly tell they were perfect for each other and wasn’t more thrilled to know I’d be shooting their wedding.  After our breakfast a few months ago, I couldn’t wait for them to return for their engagement session.

At 5am they went back to Connecticut, after spending last night at the New Buffalo Beach with me, and in Abby’s mom’s amazing yard and garden– being eaten alive by hoards of vicious mosquitoes.  They invited me in to hang out after our session last night, but I had to go home and just itch until bed time.  This week has been unbearable for bugs and I’m not optimistic about my family portraits at Creek Ridge this morning being any better.

Can’t wait to hit up the Blue Chip with these two, their families, and friends!

View all of the photos here: http://www.pictage.com/888614

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1517 0 The Backer Family Mini-Session | Michigan Lifestyle & Family Portrait Photography | Beach Cottage in Sawyer http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1680 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1680#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:51:48 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1680 Had a gorgeous time with the Backer Family, all the way from California, at their family cottage in Sawyer.  We beat the midwestern humidity together and got some amazing photos!

View all of the photos here: http://www.pictage.com/888613

]]> http://blog.amystraka.com/?feed=rss2&p=1680 0 Carolyn & Mark | Indiana Wedding Photography | St. Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso & Sand Creek Country Club, Chesterton http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1510 http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1510#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:38:26 +0000 Amy http://blog.amystraka.com/?p=1510 What a beautiful day with Carolyn, Mark, their families, friends, and vendors!  Even more beautiful since I knew quite a few of them before the big day.  I’ve never felt more comfortable, welcome, and excited to be part of a wedding.  The day started with hair by Lola Salon and makeup by Maria Blanco, both of whom were incredible!  Carolyn’s family home in Ogden Dunes couldn’t have been a better place for both.

The girls were having so much fun!

These American Girl flower girl dolls were a huge hit!

Lake Effect Floral, in the schoolhouse shop, did a stunning job on these flowers!  Amazing!

What a gorgeous church!

GORGEOUS!

Next, we head to Sand Creek Country Club for their reception.

So CUTE!


Carolyn made these great activity bags for the kids, and this is how they thank her?

AMAZING DJ Wade Brietzke of 27 Entertainment!  He also did the amazing lighting!

Their friend sung a few songs throughout the night!  Awesome!

What an amazing wedding.  You two are awesome!  Enjoy Hawaii!   For the rest of the photos, register here!  http://www.pictage.com/883371

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