I could think of NO better way to return to wedding photography after having my son than to start off my 2013 shooting season with a couple VERY near and dear to my heart.

I’ve written about Chanel before (here and here), but for those new(ish) to the blog, she has spent the past five years working for me at Ball State University, where I work in the marketing and communications office. (I do public relations for Ball State, help manage the university’s social media presences and maintain our internal communications system).

Chanel started in my office at 19, and, in a lot of ways, I’ve watched her grow up. She is finishg up her degree in speech pathology and is an incredible person—driven, passionate and oozing enthusiasm for the people and hobbies she loves. Somewhere in the time since I hired her and the time I had to say goodbye to her as my graduate assistant last month, she became the kid sister I never had.

Chanel and Kyle are high school sweethearts. Everybody in that church on Saturday who watched them wed knew they were watching a couple in it for the long haul, so in sync are they with one another. It was an honor for me to document this day they’d been looking forward to for so long.

While their wedding story is on its way, I couldn’t resist giving one of my favorite people in my life an extended sneak peek of what I’m sure (based on the giant dimpled smile that never left her face) was one of the happiest of her life. Chanel, I adore you (and that sweet fella of yours). Don’t be a stranger now, all right? :)

Chanel and Kyle got married in Kyle’s home church (Irvington Presbyterian) with a reception that followed at the Bona Thompson Memorial Building. The building was once Butler University’s library—which made it only fitting for these two to add a bit of romantic literary flair to their tablescapes. The couple furnished all of the florals and decorations themselves and Kyle did all the graphic design (for those who know how crafty these two are, that comes as no surprise!) Chanel’s FABULOUS shoes were from Anthropologie. As for the photo on the right and below, it was meant to be for us to take pictures in front of this green door. This building is Midland Arts and Antiques Market in Indianapolis, where Chanel and Kyle have a booth and sell furniture they refurbish. It was totally serendipitous that we ended up here during portrait hour, but I was so grateful we did! And finally, I have to end with my FAVORITE portrait from the day. Though they’ve all gone on and graduated on me, these four ladies are some of the greatest student workers I’ve ever had. That’s Samantha on my left, (me), Chanel, Kenzie and Aly. I love that my day job lets me mentor young college students, but I love even more that, along the way, so many of them have become close friends. Ending the night at the wedding out on the  dance floor with all of these girls will definitely be one of the highlights of my 2013! Love you girls SO much!

Here we go again — another year-end wrap up of my favorite images. In compiling this year’s collection, I revisited my Best of 2011 set of images and felt good. Good because I feel like I’ve finally hit my groove with my photography business. Those early years…shew, talk about inconsistencies! Now when I look at my work, I feel confident and — I’ll admit it — proud of the portfolio in front of me. I worked hard this past year to continue my goal of nailing a consistent look and feel to my imagery (one I’d describe as classic and colorful, with an editorial flair). I also made 2012 the year I built a business that worked for me (see more on that topic here). And while 2013 will hold fewer wedding and family bookings than in years past, I am so excited for what is in store in the months to come.

Looking over this past year’s work was a powerful reminder of just how much I love to make these memories for people. And why, even though I’ve only had my son in front of my camera for the latter half of the year, I feel I can still call myself a photographer. So here we go 2013…we’ve got a few more months before my business is back in swing, but I can’t wait!

And, without further ado, a resharing of some of my favorite images of 2012, in no particular order:

Saturday marked my last wedding for 2012 — bittersweet to be ending my season so early, but as many of you know, with Nick and I expecting this new little guy in our lives in early October, I had to sit out on fall shooting for obvious reasons!

And so, as it came to be, I couldn’t have wrapped up this year with a better couple than the entirely too-sweet (and, um, HELLO INCREDIBLY GOOD LOOKING) Lily and Clay. From the minute Lily and I first sat down together last fall to talk about her wedding, I couldn’t help but hope she’d choose me as her wedding photographer. I just knew she’d be so great in front of my camera. And as I pour over images from Saturday, these two are just a glimpse at how right I was.

Thanks again you two for giving me the honor of capturing your big day! I hope you’re having a wonderful time in St. Lucia and that these photos can tide you over until you return! Congratulations!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

It was the little things that Bailey and Kyle seemed to care most about on their wedding day — certain moments they wanted captured with their family, the attention they showered on their wedding party with customized gifts, the way they made sure to get one last photo at the end of the night with their tight-knit group of college friends. But on the biggest day of your life, the little things can mean just as much as the big things – the “I dos” and first kiss as husband and wife and first turn on the dance floor.

All in all, everything added up to create a beautiful afternoon filled with warmth and love for Bailey and Kyle. And while everybody in attendance may have had a thing or two to say about the heat of that hot summer day, what they talked about more by night’s end was how perfectly everything came together for these two on this special occasion.

Bailey and Kyle, congrats on your nuptials and I wish you two the best for one another as you start your new lives together in Houston!

WATCH THEIR WEDDING SLIDESHOW

Because Bailey and Kyle got married at a Nature Park on the grounds of Depauw University, the two of them had to get creative when it came to where they’d get ready. Members of the extended family lent them campers (with glorious A/C) to stay cool as they prepped for seeing one another before the ceremony.
Bailey put so much thought and attention into the customized gifts she got each one of her bridesmaids. Watching them open their packages and ooh and aww over what they discovered inside was a highlight of the day.While the girls stayed tucked away, keeping cool, it was time to take this handsome groom and his groomsmen out for some photos in the woods! And we had to sneak a little love in for mom too! (Now that I have a son on the way, pictures like this? MAKE ME MELT.) Bailey chose to do a first look with her dad and goodness gracious, I don’t think there was a one of us standing around to witness this moment who didn’t have a tear in their eye! Her sweet dad was a puddle of big ‘ol crocodile tears waiting on his gorgeous eldest daughter to surprise him. One of my favorite parts of the day, for sure.Wedding programs that doubled as fans and umbrellas brought by guests certainly came in handy on this hot summer day!Later, Kyle would confess that he was trying so hard to hold back a few tears as he watched Bailey walk down the aisle with her dad. Love his reaction here. My dear friend and second shooter, April Smith, captured this sweet candid shot of Bailey during the ceremony. Oh Bailey—you are SO gorgeous here! Takes my breath away! I love how happy they look here — married, nerves out of the way, ready to have a good time …. Sisterhood is such an incredible bond.And finally, time to party!! Bailey and Kyle, thank you for hiring me on this momentous occasion in your lives. I had so much fun getting to know you both and your sweet families. It’s clear you had a blast on your wedding day — the photos are proof!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

If you were a photographer pretty much anywhere in the United States on Saturday and happened to have yourself an outdoor wedding to photograph, well, then you know conditions for the day were brutal with a capital “B”. And yet, despite the heat and humidity, there wasn’t anything Mother Nature could throw Bailey and Kyle’s way to keep them from relishing their big day. These two said their “I do”s at a beautiful nature center, surrounded by family and friends (and a few hundred bottles of water and handmade fans). It was a scorcher, but, as I kept telling them, years from now, they’re not going to remember any of that. They’re just going to remember how gorgeous they looked for one another, wouldn’t you agree? More to come!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.