In addition to photographing wedding and families, we like to offer our services to different organizations/groups that are helping others.  We combine two of our favorite things in life, photography and serving others.  And after all is said and done, we always feel like we’re the ones walking away with so much.  Here’s some of our favorites from this past year’s volunteering adventures!

One of the best I got to attend was the Special Olympics Opener here in Indianapolis.  The event was hosted by the Indiana Law Enforcement who raised money for the games through their Torch Run.  The excitement for the games to begin showed on so many faces.  I really enjoyed being a part of it!

This next event is one that we’ve been involved with for a few years.  A Noble Evening in the Garden presented by Noble of Indiana.  Jennifer started out volunteering for them a few years ago, and now we help out by supplying photography for this amazing event.  Great food, great music and a whole lot of live/silent auction items.  This year’s event will be held on March 12th, 7-11pm at the State Fairgrounds.

Oh, how we love Pipers!  One of our favorite Southside restaurants.

Hello YATS!  Chili-cheesy-delightfulness!

It’s Raphael, the best in the Midwest for caricature drawings!

The Terre Haute Kids Triathlon was a first for us!  We didn’t even know it was happening until we ran (literally) into one of our past brides (Emily) during the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.  Emily and her husband (Ryan) were hosting a triathlon for young athletes at Deming Park through their business Forward Motion Athletics.  Jen and I have dipped our toes into the triathlon world recently, and so we were really excited to get an opportunity to photograph one.  The kids were really determined, and the support around them from the adults was amazing!

There’s Ryan to the far right.  He was a mad man on the bullhorn!

The eventual overall winner passing everyone on his bike!

We got the call from the next charitable organization, and jumped at the chance to help.  It was from The Horizon House, who hosts the Tackling Homelessness.  Yes, tackling… which means an event with Colts players.  When we started covering this event Hunter Smith was the one in charge, but since he left Dallas Clark has taken over the reigns.  Check out how much fun this event is!

Haha!  I love it!!!  Perhaps this boy’s first pig roast?

Although this next one was not for a big organization or charity, it was personal.  Not because of what they were doing, but who was doing it!  Our cousin Catherine was doing a really fun project with her college students, which happened to include her son’s grade school.  This science-specific teaching project included demonstration of the actual size of a blue whale!

Best part of this whale is that you can go inside it!

Did you realize before seeing these photos how big a blue whale was??  And while the whale may be the same size as a real one, it’s not the same weight.  And this is what happens when the wind is blowing hard, and all of the “whale-handlers” are taking a photo!

Last but not least was for our parish, St. Barnabas and sister parishes, Holy Trinity and St. Anthony on the near-Westside.  We participated in a cleanup of the sidewalks and streets for the event dubbed “Saints in the Street”.  It was amazing to see all of the people working so hard for neighbors they’ve never met.

This was one where we didn’t just take pictures; we got our hands dirty too!

If you’d like to help one of these amazing organizations, click on the links and find out how.  If you participate with or know of an organization who might benefit from photographic records of their events, please let us know!!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a super-spectacular-wonderfulistic day!!!

Here’s our favorite Family Portrait shots from ’09.  Really proud of these and can’t wait to get the new portrait brand/site up and running.  Obviously more to come on that, but for now enjoy these.

Thanks for stopping by!  We’ll see you again soon.

With no ado, we give you “The Best of Creative Portrait, 2009!”… enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Here we go again!  And this time it’s the reason for the event.  Here’s our favorite Ceremony pictures from 2009.

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!!

We’re back to continue the “Best Of” series!  Sorry for the delay…we were off in Nashville filling our brains with tons of great information.  I’m still hyper about it!!  Check in at least every other day to find a new “Best Of” category.  Those to come include:  Ceremony, Reception, Creative, Photobooth, Family, Personal.

Today’s special is “Getting Ready”.  We love this part of the day.  To follow a bride and groom as they prepare themselves for their biggest day ever is pretty darn cool.  Emotions are in high gear, especially as the anxiety builds.  And it’s interesting to observe how everything comes together, the hair and makeup, dresses and details.  It always does come together in the end, and whether exactly as planned or not, it’s still beautiful.  It’s the next step that truly matters, right?!

Our favorites from 2009, beginning with Stephanie, whose skin is perfection.

Next stop: the altar!

So there you have it!  We’ll be back soon to continue the “Best of 09″ with Wedding Preparation photos.

Have a wonderful day!