Yellow Rose Inn Wedding - Karen & Tim

Karen & Tim had a very romantic wedding with tons of casual elegance topped off with a dollop of fun! This couple just oozes joy and happiness in everything they do. When I first talked to Karen, she had so many crazy things happen to her that would make most people pull their hair out or sink into depression - but she always managed to laugh it all off and concentrate on the positive.. I really admire strength like that!!




When I first heard that their wedding and reception would be held at a bed & breakfast in Indianapolis, IN called The Yellow Rose Inn, I instantly knew it would be charming! Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the place once I actually saw it in person! Such a fabulous location with tons of photographic opportunities!!! After the ladies sat down for their breakfast at the Inn, they headed off to Studio 2000 in monument circle (just above the Starbucks). I loved the whole art deco feel of the building, and what a great view of the circle!



From time to time I get asked to photograph the guys getting ready, so what exactly do guys do before their wedding? 90% of them watch the game on TV, eat some food, and maybe have a beer. It takes them like 3 minutes to put their tux on and usually no one helps them with it. So... feel free to give him a few responsibilities on the wedding day... after all, you have to get up before noon... it's only fair that he should too!! (Sorry guys!)



Isn't Karen absolutely stunning? I swear she looks like she came straight from a victorian painting... just gorgeous!! And I loooove her bouquet with red feathers!! I love feathers with flowers- they add such an interesting texture and touch of whimsical to a bouquet!



The ceremony was held under the tent in the backyard and her brother walked her down the garden path..



After the ceremony, they had a cocktail hour on the porch while the tent was undergoing its transformation. What a bunch of happy, beautiful people!!





You have no idea how much I wanted to snag one of those chocolate covered strawberries as I was photographing this... they looked sooo good!! Luckily Karen & Tim beat me to it! ;-)



The band, The Noteables, were a really swanky bunch. They were really sensitive musicians always aware of what was going on and what the appropriate music and volume was... not to mention, they can crank out those swing tunes!



I love finding interesting lighting after the sun goes down. Even though I never had a chance to get Karen & Tim up to the rooftop, I still managed to grab a neat view of the downtown skyline while I was up there. Congratulations Karen & Tim!!! You deserve many, many, many more days of pure happiness!!!

Valentine's Day Giveaway: Film Noir Boudoir™

This giveaway is sponsored by Anne Ruthmann Photography and The Yellow Rose Inn. Please click on the links to learn more about the sponsors.
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Updated: 2/10/07

I've received some responses saying, "I'd love to enter the contest, but I'm already married." This is not just for single people (it's also not just for women)!! Married couples are probably the most deserving of a boudoir photography session. I've also had several people ask me "can we still do boudoir photography with you if we don't win?" and the answer is ABSOLUTELY!!! So, here are a few more details about my special Film Noir Boudoir™ sessions:

MODESTY- Modesty can range anywhere from Victoria's Secret ad, to 1950's pin-up girl, to fine art nudity. The style is always romantic, elegant, artistic, and sensual... sometimes even playful, but it will never cross the line into trashy. My intent is to create art out of the human form.

PRIVACY- In order to protect your utmost privacy, I only use black & white film and do not post these images anywhere online unless you have given very specific permission for the use of any photo (ie: headshot only, or an unidentifiable abstract shot). I store the negatives in an undisclosed and locked location so that there is no chance of anyone accidentally finding them or making reproductions from the negatives. Negatives, prints, and albums can be fully destroyed if ever neccessary.

BODY TYPE- You don't have to be skinny and you don't have to look like a model. Take it from me, who is far from skinny or model-condition, to find a way to flatter your figure- whatever shape it may be. The beauty of photography is that we can focus on the most beautiful parts of who you are and disguise everything else that makes you self-conscious when you look in the mirror. You also need to remember that your fiancé or spouse already loves you just as you are and that any tangible gift you can give them to remind them of the beauty they see in you will be treasured.

COMFORT- I understand how insecure and vulnerable we can feel when being photographed by a stranger in such an intimate setting. Because of this, you can rest assured that I will be the only one behind the lens and that I will be coaching you to help you bring out your best. If you want to bring a friend, fiancé, or spouse along for comfort and support, I'm happy to have them there. The most beautiful images are captured when you are most comfortable, and if that means that we spend an extra hour before your session just getting to know each other and developing trust, we will do that.

CAPTURE- Black & White film is becoming a lost art and many photographers who only shoot digitally have never been able to achieve the same beautiful texture, tone, and subtlety that exists in an image captured on black & white film. Not only is B&W film incredibly forgiving, but it is also timeless and will remain beautiful for many years to come.

PRICE- The session is regularly $300 which includes approximately two hours of shooting on location and up to 4 rolls of film. There are a wide variety of prints, albums, and specialty products to choose from that allow you to be as economical or as extravagant with your images as you'd like. I work with each person individually to find something that fits both their budget and vision of how they'd like to use the images.

LOCATION- "On Location" can be anywhere from your fabulous home, to a beautiful hotel room, or even an exotic location. The location should be something that makes you feel comfortable and inspires you to feel sensual and beautiful. It's even better when it's a place that you and your partner enjoy together because the images will help draw on the memories you have or will create there. You would be responsible for obtaining any permissions or covering fees associated with using the location, but as long as there's a way for me to get there, the opportunities are endless.

TRAVEL- Travel is included up to 100 miles from Terre Haute, IN. However, I often travel across the country for various weddings and photography related events and am happy to save you a travel fee by arranging a session that coincides with a time that I will be in a city near you. In the event that you would like me to travel at a time that is more convenient for you, please email me for a quote on travel costs. Here are a few Illinois and Indiana cities located within 100 miles of Terre Haute: Champaign, IL; Decatur, IL; Effingham, IL; Bloomington, IN; Indianapolis, IN; Lafayette, IN; Carmel, IN; Evansville, IN.

If you know of someone who has been looking for a boudoir photographer but just hasn't been sure about the experience, feel free to share this link with them by clicking on the email icon below so they can see if Film Noir Boudoir™ is the right thing for them.

Yellow Rose Inn - Indianapolis Bed and Breakfast

A few months ago I shot a wedding for Karen & Tim at the Yellow Rose Inn, and I just fell in love with the place as soon as I walked in the front door! It's like a little paradise tucked into the historic neighborhoods of downtown Indianapolis. When Betty (the owner) recently referred a bride to me, I wanted to send her a little thank you by giving her some images that I had taken during the wedding. She and her staff have such an acute attention to detail that it was hard not to notice all of the little things that they went out of their way to make extra special. I think what I love most about this Bed & Breakfast, is that even though it is very beautiful and elegant, it still maintains a sense of comfort and coziness. Check out the Yellow Rose Inn website to see more beautiful images of this historic home!!





















With Karen's look, doesn't it almost look like a completely different era?


The backyard tent went from ceremony to reception in less than an hour! That's pretty impressive!


While the set-up was getting changed in the tent, they had a lovely cocktail hour on the side porch...


Whoa-la! Transformation complete!


Look at these details... it just doesn't get better than natural light!


The food was delcious!


There was even enough room for a seven piece band! Just fabulous!!


I'll probably be posting more images from Karen & Tim's wedding in a little over a week, but I loved the Inn so much that I wanted to give it its own separate post! ;-)