This session was incredibly fun, and the location was truly close to my heart. Growing up at the end of a dead end road, neighbors are at a minimum. We could only see one home from our property, and were literally surrounded by woods. To the south of our home, acres upon acres of registered forest. To the west, the very back yard of Purdue University North Central. In fact, a gate previously connected a service road from our property to the campus. To the north, an old boy scout camp that is now a private residence, equipped with every curiosity a kid could dream. Abandoned camp shelters and out buildings. Huge, old trees with names and swears carved by a little swiss army knife, grown out around the edges. Paths upon paths. We became buddies with the property’s caretaker, who lived in an old cabin away from the main house. He approved of our adventures and let us run rampant. Some of the first photographs I took, when I first became interested in photography, were of this property.
When Elissa and Brian came to me, hoping for a unique winter session, incorporating some gorgeous scenes of the area, the first place that popped into my head was my parents home and the surrounding properties. Woods upon woods, streams and paths! I had been dying to do it for a while. As I began describing the area, it turns out, their friend now owns the home and gladly invited us to photograph there. I have done several sessions at my parents’ land and the surrounding areas over the years, and with every season, nook, or year, it looks completely different. I love the stark, simplicity of winter in the country. I could go on for hours.
Register now to view Elissa & Brian’s wedding photos this summer, as soon as they are released : Amy Straka Photography on Pictage