Showing posts with label Fort Wayne photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Wayne photography. Show all posts

Mar 11, 2015

NEW BLOG SITE!!! - launching Spring 2015

We are so excited to announce that we will be launching a new blog site this spring!  As soon as it's live, we will post the link to it here.

In the meantime, you can see more work from Shadowlands on our other social media sites:

May 14, 2014

Building Bridges

I know, I know...it's been FOREVER since I have blogged.  The time has come!  :)

2014 is off and running to a vigorous start!  There are SO many exciting things that are going on around here!  I feel like I'm 21 again...giving birth to artistic "babies" I've been carrying inside for months (okay, years).  Where should I begin??  What do I share first?

Well, first of all...in addition to my "normal" portrait & wedding photography business, I have multiple personal photography projects that I'm pursuing, planning & shooting right now.  I have to keep my lips sealed though for now, however, as not to spoil the surprise.  In the weeks coming, I'll leak more and more details. :)

Secondly, I have been teaching photography workshops around the Fort Wayne community more and more every year.  And, this winter and spring, I have had the opportunity to teach and inspire budding middle school artists during an aftercare fine arts program at Holy Cross Lutheran School (if you have children in preschool, elementary school or middle school, seriously check this place out...they are a vibrant community).



Our themed photography project last week (see the image immediately above) was to photograph the concept "Building Bridges"  So, we placed some of my Holy Cross aftercare photography students (future Concordia Lutheran High School Cadets) on bridges.  Lutheran preschools and elementary schools around the city are doing likewise (for CLHS to put on display as part of their décor at the 2014 Cadets in Cadence Auction). 


I love seeing the middle schoolers' minds explore different topics...and learn how to transpose concepts into photographic images.  It takes patience, but it is moving and encouraging when you see youth blossom into their potential to be powerful, creative, energetic, thoughtful and productive for Good.  I am thankful for the chance to push them toward a path on which they realize that they can not only call attention to things around them...but can influence the things in their world.

Jul 17, 2009

Brian & Nicole's Outdoor Wedding at Lakeside Rose Garden

A mutual acquaintance set them up on a blind date two and a half years ago. 16 months later, Brian secretly hid a diamond ring in Nicole's apartment and then sent her on a scavenger hunt to find it.

The rest, as they say, is history.

When it was time to plan the wedding, Nicole knew Fort Wayne's beautiful Lakeside Rose Garden was where it had to be. And God most certainly smiled on the day...sending beautiful blue skies, fluffy clouds and ample June sunshine to put the final touches of perfection on the wedding day. And we even got to steal a little sunset and the echo of the fireworks from a Tincaps game in the background during the reception at the historic Baker Street Station.

The gorgeous day was a celebration of faith, hope and love. Nicole's powerful, beautiful smile and fantastic wedding dress teamed with Brian's quiet, noble steady charm gave me great opportunities to capture the romance of the day.

Brian and Nicole...from the moment I saw you two together, I was blessed by your example of partnership, honesty and grace. What a pleasure to photograph your wedding. You are a fabulous couple. I pray you have a wonderful journey together. Thank you for opening your hearts and beautiful love story. I wish you only the best together. Much Love and Appreciation...Lesa.



View the FULL proof gallery online -- click here!

May 20, 2009

Eric & Amy's Engagement Portraits

Oh my goodness, you guys are sweeter than honey! What an honor it was to witness your vibrant, playful adoration for each other.



View the FULL proof gallery online -- click here!

Apr 30, 2009

Being better, being different and being excellent.

Well, I just got back from D-town (Detroit, that is [for all you Hoosier natives]) where I attended a photography seminar hosted by Sandy Puc.

At the conference, Sandy announced that the hunt for America's Cutest Kid through the National Charity Model Search had come to a close. Each vote was $1 and all proceeds from each vote benefited Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org). I was SO excited to learn that OVER $164,000 was raised for NILMDTS! Wow. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a non-profit organization committed to assisting parents and families going through the difficult time when they experience an early infant loss. NILMDTS connects families with photographers in nearly every country and city (like myself and Tama Bradley in Fort Wayne, Indiana) and provides them with a DVD and a reproducible CD of the images of their baby. This free service to the community helps comfort grieving families by offering them something positive in the midst of tragedy...something beautiful in honor and remembrance of their child's life.

At the conference, several nationally-known businesses were also present for we professional photographers to mingle and network with. During my visit, I came across some GORGEOUS products that I now will be offering to you...my fabulous clients! I simply couldn't resist them and I know you won't want to either!

For weddings, I have offered flush mount albums since they hit the market. They are FABULOUS, you know? Thank goodness our only option is no longer just paper-mounted corners whose glue fades or chinsy proof albums whose plastic falls apart. Flush mounts are in a category all their own - worth EVERY dime. Flush mount albums are bound hard cover books that page through just like the finest coffee table books. No more lugging the fragile behemoth with photos falling out on all sides—it’s all in one piece, just like a book - filled with beautiful photographs custom mounted to pages for memories to treasure. The smooth and durable pages plus the rich colors against custom-designed backgrounds are simply the best wedding albums available today.

Anyway...got off on a flush-mount-happy tangent there. : )

At the conference, I ran into the folks from Finao (I'd seen them online but was excited to be able to meet them in person). Now...let me back up. I've been in the wedding photography industry for 10 years now so I've seen a ton of products and companies come and go. Finao's quality and range of options stopped me completely in my tracks. Finao makes flush mount albums with attitude. And, let's just be honest. The people who choose me as their photographer are looking for images with attitude...not just everyday posed and boring photographs. So, Finao is a perfect match for me. Their albums offer exquisite quality combined with fabulous leathers and upgrade options like a Canvas or ICE (acrylic) cover. Move away from the ordinary towards the extraordinary! Their leathers range from quality basics to the hottest looks around. Their goal is "being better, being different and being excellent." And let me tell you - they ARE!

I am officially incorporating the Finao albums into my product line over the next few weeks (along with a launch of a new Web site in just a short while - woo hoo!). I will get my samples in in about two weeks, so if you want to see them, give me a ring and we'll go grab coffee and I'll bring all the fun new goodies for you to touch and feel!

By the way - when it's not raining or freezing cold (nice spring, eh?) - let's update your family portrait! Fort Wayne is just BURSTING with stunning flowers right now. Beat the summer rush!

Mar 31, 2009

The Art Behind the Click

Thanks SO much to my models who let my "The Art Behind the Click" class photograph them for our night outside of the classroom. Here are just a couple shots I got that I wanted to share. You all were so much fun to work with. Thank you sharing for your adventurous and beautiful qualities!!!






Mar 14, 2009

Elise's Senior Pictures

Elise, I have wanted to shoot you since the day I met you. : ) I had a BLAST working with you for your senior pictures. I can't believe you're graduating from Canterbury High School already. Anyway - you are simply fabulous! Enjoy this mini preview of a couple of my favorite shots!













View the FULL proof gallery online -- click here!

Mar 10, 2009

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?


Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

Shadowlands Photography is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity.
We’re looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Models Search Special:
$100 entrance fee, which includes a 60 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org) Lesa D. Van Meter of Shadowlands Photography is a photographer for NILMDTS, so the studio is very excited and honored to be part of this national model search to benefit NILMDTS. Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 260-402-3887. For more information about the contest, contact Lesa D. Van Meter at shadowlandsphotography@gmail.com.