We had a fabulous time with Joy and David, the Kroemer & Dulen families, and all their guests out at Swan Lake Country Club for a wonderful outdoor summer evening wedding celebration!

During their engagement session I heard a little more about their love story and how they met while serving in the Army in Iraq. For their wedding, David planned to wear his Army dress blue uniform and Joy’s father asked if she’d be wearing her kevlars. (It would have been a wedding first for us, but her beautiful bridal gown was very flattering!)

David is by far the most decorated serviceman I have met and photographed. As he greeted guests before the wedding more than once he described the many medals and awards from his 21+ years of service and travels in the US Army. His bride Joy also has quite a list of accomplishments both before and during the Army service.

The rain cleared up and the sun came out just in time for a sunny August evening outdoor wedding at Swan Lake Country Club. Not much better than beautiful weather to top off a wonderful day for wedding celebrations!

A remote camera provided a unique view from inside the gazebo at Swan Lake.

I loved Joy’s reaction after the ring exchange!

The couple included a unity sand ceremony as part of the outdoor wedding.

Joy’s father Jim, far left, was part of an 8 man singing group that performed during the ceremony.

Follow up that rings exchange reaction with high fives passed down the row of bridesmaids after the couple was announced husband and wife.

I’ve liked Chicago Cubs baseball since I was a little league infielder. After retirement David and Joy spent time following the Cubs’ season, including a proposal at Wrigley Field. If that didn’t make Cubs fans jealous, they entered the reception to a clip of Harry Caray’s famous “it might, be, it could be, it is! Cubs win! Cubs win!” followed by “Go Cubs Go!” – holy cow!

Joy and David switched up their first dance’s tempo with a lively dance mixed in their slow dance. Great way to kick off the party! The newlyweds had a great time celebrating the night away with family and friends.

Congrats newlyweds!

Great thanks to the great Vendors that helped in the celebration!

• Outdoor Gazebo Wedding & Indoor Reception at Swan Lake Country Club
• Ceremony Audio & Reception Entertainment by Sensational Sounds
• Flowers & Decor by Michaelangelo’s Event Co

What a great back to school weekend heading to the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, Indiana with Melissa and Jim. We started off where the wedding story started when Jim asked Melissa to be his wife. Melissa and Jim were into the fountain before I knew it, couldn't blame them on such a sunny summer afternoon! Lots of Cream and Crimson around →

Yesterday Victoria stole the show during her parents' private wedding ceremony at the Log Chapel. Today she and little brother Louis were baptized at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame University campus. Notre Dame and the Basilica are full of traditions, both of the church and the families who have worshiped there. It was wonderful to be →

I'm up late prepping for another double-shoot day this weekend, wrapping up 2 from Friday, ready to kick the weekend into high gear! Today's celebration with Joy & David, here's the first inning of the custom wedding guest book from a rather great proposal that might just make you shout "Holy cow!" Harry Caray style. Proposal via Wrigley Field scoreboard? I'm →

I started the weekend early celebrating a wedding at the Log Chapel on the Notre Dame University campus with the Haynes family. It was a great morning for a summer wedding ceremony! I'd like to share a few favorites before I head out to this evening's photo festivities. Enjoy! Daughter Victoria's playful smile as vows and rings were exchanged The Eucharist cup →

I've always liked outdoor weddings. My parents got married beneath the pine trees at Bendix Woods, bridesmaids with yellow dresses and giant 1970s sunhats. Four years ago today Sara and I chose a country schoolhouse yard for our celebration, sun hats optional. Waiting for the ceremony to start. Smiling at family and friends from the front of the ceremony, in front →

Hit the road last Friday and went to Syracuse, Indiana for Joy Kroemer & David Dulen's engagement session along Lake Wawasee. Perfect evening for a little road trip and a lakeside engagement session with a fun couple! We're looking forward to a great time celebrating with Joy & David this weekend! Keep an eye out for more photos or get a →

Nice clear August night sky for checking out the moon! The tomato plants have certainly helped find photo inspiration this week. Rather, walking out back to check on them and water them has crossed my paths with a few ideas. Spider at sunrise the other morning and a good glimpse at the moon tonight. I got my tripod, camera and a →

Four Augusts ago Sara and I had a wedding of our own. So what do we do on on only August weekend off? Sara and I headed to Fort Wayne for long time friend Sarah Ferguson's wedding to Jared Studebaker - as GUESTS! It's been about 4 years since the last wedding I attended "off duty" from photography work. I'll →

Woke up before the alarm today. Before the 6:00am alarm, no less. I'm no morning person, but knew I should make use of an early start while the kids were still sleeping. When I went outside to water our tomato plants I nearly walked into this spider's web nearby. One thread was going up to a tree branch above the deck →