Panj Is Evolving

A year ago I (thought I) had decided to be a fine art photographer. Strictly shooting whatever I wanted and finding places to showcase my work. Hindsight, this was really just a scapegoat for not challenging myself, therefore never getting any better. I was being lazy.

After an internship at Nuvo, hanging my photos at Fireside in Chicago, practicing with my lights, and photographing many faces, I have found that I love shooting people. I think the reality of this was setting in a few weeks ago when Missi and I were shooting in Noblesville just for fun. Last year this would have been my favorite thing to do, except this time I felt that I was missing something:  a body.

Around the time Missi told me about this 50's style town "A Summer Place", is about the same time as Jade and I started scheming up a shoot of our own. It all just randomly happened that Jade was going  to meet me in Indy the same day that Missi and I had the chance to drive up to Sharpsville. Her models bailed on her but Jade had enough clothes, therefore "looks", to model for both of us. Plus she is just a natural at modeling, she knows how to pose. Some people think this is easy, but it's not. I really appreciated this because I'm still working on telling people how to pose.

I've known Jade since around 1985. We were both living in Arlington, IN and we always watched "Sweet Dreams" the movie about Patsy Cline. After we moved back to Rushville we didn't hang out, ever..but Facebook is a magical thing (in this case).

I've known Missi for a few years. We met at Ivy Tech and now I call her my Photo Wife. We shoot weddings together, shoot for fun together, teach each other, and someday hopefully we will share studio/gallery space. 

On to the photos! I loved the yellow shoes with the blue dress and green suitcase, but decided for the image as a part of the series it was better in black and white. But see? It is nice in color too...

This is my favorite photo of the day, I think. I started a series a while back called "legs". I don't know why...maybe because I hate my own. But speaking of "my own", those are my thigh-highs she's wearing in this pic. Aren't  they cute? 

 Jade wanted to utilize the tractor. I knew she had a flannel and the guys who own this little "town" suggested the hay. I really love all of the closeups I took that day.

 I really spent some time in Photoshop on this one. Can you tell? It's cute, love her pose, but technically this isn't my favorite. But what I love about it is the color.

 The first thing I fell in love with inside the diner was this gumball machine.

So a huge thanks to Jade for venturing out with us for this shoot. I said I hope it's epic, and in my book it was a huge success.

A Summer Place is in Sharpsville, IN. The owner holds car shows at which time the diner is actually functioning. I definitely suggest heading out May 25th and checking it out. http://www.asummerplace.org/Car-Show-Event-Info---Flyer.html

Growing up in Rushville, Dawson's Standard was about the only place my mom wanted me to go for gas. This is definitely a nostalgic photo for me. :)

 Next to the gas station is the movie theater. This room was also full of vintage items such as a water fountain, popcorn machine, clocks, bicycles, a jukebox, and more.

 Here's the front of the diner with the ferris wheel peaking through. It is one of the few things that are just for show. Even the barber shop in the town is where the owner has his wife cut his hair.

 The front of the theater and the fire truck.

 This isn't helping my milkshake craving...

 Again..I love the gumball machine.

 The guys were working on the police car while we were out there.

I hope you have enjoyed my ramblings about that day and my current evolution as a photographer, and the images from the day posted here and on Facebook. -Angie

Anna & Damon [Married]

One day I was working a Sunday lunch, couldn't wait to get out of there. I looked at the schedule to see who my replacement was, "John Skomp". Huh? 'Skomp' is not a common name, and I've known John Skomp all of my life. Well, he has known me that long, can't say I was much of a conversationalist at 1, 2, or 3 years of age. He was the preacher at the Leisure family church. The man on the schedule I was looking at was his grandson. Glad it only took me something like 3 months to put that all together. (That was sarcasm, I know you can't hear it.) John and Jordan, his fiance at the time, were about  to get married at this church, where my mom and her husband still attend. They had already hired a photographer, but his sister, Anna Mae, was getting married the next year. That would be this year! It was  this year, October 13th!
Anna was such a pleasure to work with. She was such a sweetheart the entire day; letting things that would have had me obviously flustered as a bride, she let roll off her back. And she made everything for her wedding herself. I love DIY!
Her ceremony was held in Greenfield at a little church the members helped build.

 And here are some decorations she made, and the boutonnieres she made too!

 Anna's brother, John, was the leader of the guys getting ready. Having done this just a year ago, he knew what was going on. :)
Her brother, Daniel, is so funny and kept me laughing...until I needed portraits!

 John and Jordan were the best man and maid of honor.

 I about died when I saw that her mom had brought a photo of Anna when she was a little girl playing with a veil. And the best part is that the exact same mirror was in the room where Anna was getting ready. Of course I tried to re-create that photo!

 Anna's "something blue" was her shoes. She made her bouquet and all of her bridesmaids bouquets as well.

 I love the photos of her putting on her mother's makeup.

 More details...

 

I mean, I'm loving any party where there's a coffee bar.

 I poured ^that^ hot apple cider into these glasses for their toast. I remember thinking "please don't crack, please don't crack"

 I love cake.

 The couple spent a week in Disney World for their honeymoon!

 Thank you to Missi Shoemaker for second-shooting/assisting me on this day. After each little segment of the day we got in my car and said, "this is so fun!".
Best wishes to Anna and Damon as they begin the journey of married life. Thank you for trusting me with these memories.