While attending the WPPI convention in Las Vegas February 11-18 we had the opportunity to do a Bridal Fashion session with three lovely brides.  Here are the images

APRIL 26-27

This two day class for intermediate to advanced photographers is held at the French Lick Resort and Casino. Last year's event was a HUGE success. Everyone that attended had a great time, and learned techniques that will stay with them forever. Most of the attendees said that they would take the class again this year. Sign up right away for this one, it is limited to 12 attendees, and there will be quite a few signing up from last year.

The first day you will learn advanced indoor and outdoor lighting, metering, posing, and how to get the most out of your camera. We will be working with live models with professional makeup, and awesome oufits. There will be models for wedding photography, senior photography, and model style photography. Each photographer will have ample time to photograph each model and practice what they have learned. After shooting, Ken and Joe are available at the bar for questions, answers, critques, and of course a couple of drinks.

The second day we will work on the images that you took on day one. We will start by showing you how to get great color and exposure from your files. Then we will help you with photoshop, taking you image(s) from start to finish. We will be working one on one with you to show you how to fix color issues, sharpen, soften, control contrast, and saturation. We will demonstrate Kens unique style of image retouching using Ken's new action set.  Joe will walk through his unique style of producing albums that sell. He will demonstrate how he produces finished wedding albums for his clients in less than a week!

You must bring your laptop, card readers, whatever you need to run Photoshop. We will have trial versions of other programs that we may be using. Bring cameras, lenses and cards, we will provide all of the lighting equipment, and models. Images from this workshop may be used for portfolio use with the appropriate model release. There is no additional charge for the releases on senior or wedding models, releases are available from the lingerie models for an additional charge of $25 per photographer, paid directly to the model. All attending photographers will receive a press printed book from H&H Color Labs with two images from each photographer. Please bring a CD that you can transfer your finished images to before you go home.

There will be an award for the best student image, a cash award of $100 and a FREE set of Ken's Retouching Actions, worth $299.

This Event Is Limited To 12 Photographers Per Day - $499 For Both Days - $299 For One Day  

NEW FOR THIS YEAR!

SPECIAL! - $399 For The First 8 Photographers That Sign Up For Both Days Get AND Get A FREE Pre-Event Lingerie Shoot In One Of The French Lick Hotel Suites, A $199 Value!

We have a special treat this year, we will be shooting a sexy lingerie shoot on Saturday afternoon. We will be shooting at two seperate times so all attending may sign up, but due to the size of the rooms, the class will be limited to 4 per shoot. Joe Defabis will host the first shoot and will be geared towards the wedding photographer. Joe will walk the model through a "dressing sequence" to produce some very pretty, soft, and sexy, images. These images make a spicy addition to a wedding album or they can be used in a seperate album as a gift to the groom, or a special keepsake for the bride. Ken will host the second session. This session will be a lingerie shoot with the intent of producing a small album that a woman can give to that special someone in her life. These small albums can be used as a special gift for birthdays, weddings, Valentines Day, or anniversaries. There is a $25 fee for a release paid directly to the model.

The Cost For The Pre-Event Lingerie Shoot Is $199 For Any Photographer That Has Signed Up For One Day, $99 For Any Photographer That Has Signed Up For Two Days.

TO REGISTER CALL

JOE DEFABIS @ 317-291-8111

OR

KEN KNERRINGER @ 317-791-1245

DeFabis Photography with special appreciation to John Mahoney, will present the 3 USAC National Champions with a Limited Edition Racing Art at the annual "Night for Champions Banquet".

he Indiana Roof Ballroom at 140 West Washington Street will, for the first time, host this year’s USAC “Night for Champions.” The Spanish decor of the facility will create a sensational atmosphere for attendees and honored guests and augmenting the ceremonies will be “Maggie Speaks,” the Chicago band who will entertain the audience and also serve as a dance band. Champions of all of USAC’s 2008 racing series will be honored, along with numerous other USAC participants and special award recipients. Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., winner of the 2008 USAC K & N Silver Crown and National Sprint car titles, will also be saluted as USAC’s fifth-ever “Triple Crown Champion.”
Point fund prizes, championship rings, trophies and distinctive commemorative plaques will be distributed to top achievers and USAC’s National racing champions will also receive keys to the city of Indianapolis from the Mayor’s office.

The affair, emceed by nationally-renowned Rob Klepper, gets under way with cocktails at 6 pm and dinner is served at 7. The awards ceremonies begin at 8.

Special thanks to John Mahoney not only for his original images this year, but his dedication to Motorsports Photography!

 I hope you enjoy the images

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT KIND OF RESULT CAN BE HAD WHEN YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL BRIDAL PORTRAIT TAKEN BEFORE THE WEDDING.  A PHOTOGRPAHER WITH A STUDIO LOCATION AND LIGHTING CAN CAPTURE THE ELEGANCE, BEAUTY, AND DETAIL OF YOU AND YOUR DRESS THAT CANNOT HAPPEN ON THE DAY OF THE WEDDING.

WE ARE OFFERING A SPECIAL ON BRIDAL PORTRAITS THROUGH THE END OF MARCH WITH A $100.00 OFF SPECIAL

PLEASE CALL THE STUDIO FOR DETAILS. 

Our lovely Bride Karen in her Pink Dress from A Bride's Dream, Avon, IN

Joe Defabis, Indianapolis wedding photographer, won First and Second place in the Professional Photographers of Indiana Fall competition for wedding photographers in Indiana during the Fall Seminar at the Indianapolis Marriott.

  The competition featured Wedding photographers from across Indiana who offer professional wedding photography in Indiana.

  Joe's first place wedding was photographed in French Lick Indiana at a wedding he photographed on  October 4, 2008.  Joe's second place award winning wedding was photographed in the Dominican Republic in mid August, 2008.

 This is the first time Joe has taken the top two honors in the Indiana wedding photographers competition!

FIRST PLACE WEDDING BY INDIANA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS WON BY JOE DEFABIS

Congratulations to the Brebeuf Jesuit Dance Team 2008 - 2009

Photos may be ordered by calling the studio at 291-8111 

Family portraits make the perfect gift for the holidays!  Our unique style of Black and White on Canvas will thrill Mom and Dad!

Call the studio today and mention this articl and receive a Session and One - 16x20 Portrait for only $249.00 - 

Congratulations to Laura & Aaron who were married on Saturday Novenber 8 at St Mary's Catholic Church!

I'm not one to post images from every wedding on my blog, however in this case I am making an exception since it was my Cousin Mark's daughter who was the Bride.

 Congratulations to you also Joan ( Mark's wife ) for planning every detail to make Laura and Aaron's wedding one that they will remember! 

The images below are not neccessarily my favorite, but just some of the first that we rendered.  I will be working on the album this week and will post a few more images as we work on them and begin the selection process for the album.

 Once the album is designed I will post a link here so that you may view it.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENTIRE ALBUM 

PLEAE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Laura and her Dad leaving for St Mary's Catholic church

The Bride being escorted to St Mary's by her Mom and Dad

This image was taken during the cocktail hour. We played in the rain while the guests drank and watched from the third floor of the Columbia Club

St Mary's is one of my favorite churces to photograph a wedding

It's not often I get to photograph a LEGEND!

VIEW THE ENTIRE ALBUM 

quinceanera celebrations in Indianapolis have become more and more popular.  DeFabis Photography is now offering coverage for Indianapolis Quinceanera photogrpahy that include portraits only and Day of coverage.

VIEW A QUINCEANERA ALBUM PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEFABIS PHOTOGRAPHY

What is a Quinceanera?

A Quinceanera or Sweet 15 is a major milestone in a Hispanic girl's life.
It signifies her entrance to womanhood and the acceptance of new responsibilities this brings.
The history of the Quinceanera dates back to the 1500's, however the Quinceanera tradition is
still popular today in Mexico, the United States, South America, and many other Spanish
speaking countries.
What is the Purpose of a Quinceanera? This special celebration marks the begining of
womanhood. Tradition places new responsibilities on the young woman such as houshold
duties, work, and family needs. While a great deal of attention is placed on the celebration, the
main purpose of a Quinceanera is for the young woman to live a life of faith, good morals and principles, devotion to her community, and live a decent lifestyle.Where does a Quinceanera take place? Usually a church mass is celebrated first. Then, the
dinner and dance celebration can be held at the church hall, reception/banquet hall, or many
other unique possibilities.

HISTORY OF THE QUINCEANERA

 The transition from childhood to womanhood is an important event in almost any culture.
Hispanics, however, mark this memorable occasion with the celebration of a Quinceanera or
Sweet 15. The Quinceanera tradition is believed to have started many years ago when the
Spanish conquerors brought the tradition to Mexico and others say the tradition originated with
the Aztecs. Regardless, a Quinceanera celebration is a Hispanic tradition associated with
Mexican, central and South American cultures. Through the different ceremonies that take place
today, the young Quinceanera is formally introduced to society and it is a day to give thanks for
having reached this age.

The coordination of the entire Quinceanera event is a teamwork effort of family, friends and
relatives. Very strong family ties come into play. It is customary that all these family, friends and
relatives will volunteer to be padrinos or sponsors. Each sponsor takes financial and/or moral
responsibility over what they have been assigned including the cake, invitations, doll, bible,
rosary, etc.

It is customary that the Quinceanera will wear a ball gown usually with a petticoat or crinolina
underneath to make the dress look extra puffy, and a crown or tiara along with her gloves. In the
United States the dress is most commonly of white color, while in other countries such as Mexico
it is very common to see the Quinceanera wear a pastel color dress or even red, royal blue, or
burgundy.

Traditionally, the celebration will usually consist of have fourteen young girls called damas and
fourteen young men called chambelanes, in addition to the Quinceanera s own chambelan de
honor. Nowadays, Quinceaneras will sometimes choose to have only seven damas and seven
chambelans. Quinceaneras can also choose to have only all damas or all chambelanes.
Typically the damas will all wear same color and style gowns to coordinate with the Quinceanera
gown and the boys wear coordinating tuxedos.

The actual Quinceanera celebration consists of several parts. It is traditional to have a special
thanksgiving mass or ceremony, followed by the reception and the banquet, and not to forget
the famous quinceanrea waltz or el bals.

After months of practice for the waltz, the moment finally comes during the reception. It is
assumed that the Quinceanera prior to this date has not been able to dance with anyone before.
It is at this time that the Quinceanera will dance the waltz with her chambelan and accompanied
by her damas and other chambelanes. This is a major highlight of the celebration. Other
important highlights will follow such as the toast and the cutting of the cake.

Here are a few of the images from Callie and Cyle's photography session in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  We had so much fun and both Callie and Cyle were up to getting a little wet which made for some wonderful images. 

we got a lot of looks from people as we strolled down the beach

A very dramatic shot as the sun was setting

MY FAVORITE IMAGE! Callie could be on the cover of any bridal magazine!

A traditional but romantic shot on the grounds of the resort

A quiet time for our couple

Again, one of my more traditional images

No trees like that in Indiana

A playful moment caught on camera

I don't ever want to come home

Callie used to show horses and when a local horseman rode up on the beach, we asked him if we could use the horse for some of our images.