Amy Straka Photography »

  • I'm Amy Straka. I offer unique, stylish wedding photography and family portraiture on the shores of Lake Michigan and beyond. I make my home in the lovely beachside getaway of Michigan City, Indiana and have just opened my new natural-light studio in bustling downtown Saint Joseph, Michigan in January. Together we'll create stunning and expressive memories, and craft your perfect photography collection today.

Hanson Family { Northwest Indiana & Southwest Michigan Family Portrait Photographer } Garwood Orchard, LaPorte and Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor, Michigan City

July 25, 2012 Posted inbarns,country,family,indiana

It was fantastic to photograph the Hanson Family again this year, on their annual trip to Beachwalk Resort.  We decided to venture beyond the beach, and it couldn’t have been more fun.  It’s amazing when families return, including my photography in an amazing tradition that will be an heirloom one day.  The growth is incredible, and not just in height of the little ones.  Their personalities, the dynamic– watching families grow and change is an incredible part of my job.  It was also incredibly fun to have Erik and Ben, another client Dad (and very challenging Words with Friends opponent) join me at my other job, host of Trivia Night at Knuckleheads Bar & Grill.  They gave the regulars a run for their money, winning the night!  Dream clients!  I cannot wait to photograph the Hanson and Olson families next year, and the next year!

 

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Coming Soon, Baby Murray { Northwest Indiana & Southwest Michigan Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer } At Home in Chesterton and Brincka-Cross County Park in Furnessville

July 25, 2012 Posted inbaby,indiana,maternity,portrait

 

It was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to photograph another photographer, the talented Katherine Murray!  She and her husband are expecting their first child soon.  Despite stifling humidity, we captured this incredible time in their lives!

 

 

 

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Randi Marie

Love how vivid your colors are!

stacy green

Beautiful! I LOVE her dress!!

Taffy

Love the pics of them in the field and woods…beautiful!

Jessika Feltz

The sky in these photos is gorgeous! Great job!

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Kelly & Nate { Northwest Indiana & Southwest Michigan Wedding Photographer } First United Methodist Church of LaPorte & Beacon Hills

July 25, 2012 Posted inindiana,wedding

Kelly and Nate are FUN!  A definite clue to the excitement of this day would be the bridal party roster.  The minute their Wedding Worksheet (a questionnaire I use to organize times, places, and names) rolled across my desk I knew.  With two previous brides among the ranks, the day was promised to be incredible.  Knowing a few guests always makes my work day a little faster and smoother, but even if I hadn’t, this group couldn’t have been more relaxed and happy.  This was truly the perfect balance of sweet loving sentiment and straight up partying.  It is so wonderful to watch a couple simply enjoy their day, rain or shine, without a worry.

The rain cleared just long enough for us to take some portraits outside.  With all the heat we’ve had this summer, and just a tiny bit of rain, the ground was literally steaming huge clouds of fog!

You’re invited to view all of the images from Kelly & Nate’s wedding day!  Please visit Amy Straka Photography on Pictage

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Sarah & John, Engaged { Northwest Indiana & Southwest Michigan Engagement & Wedding Photographer } Creek Ridge County Park & Washington Park Beach, Michigan City

July 23, 2012 Posted inbeach,engagement,indiana,portrait

My best friend, not to mention one of my lovely assistants, Sarah is getting married.  Never have I seen her happier than every single day since she met John, infinitely so.  Their upcoming intimate autumn ceremony will undoubtedly be a major cry fest, so I’m saving my teary eyed typing for their wedding blog post.  My desk is piled too high with tasks to allow myself to get incredibly emotional while publishing these images.  I will say, these two are absolutely made for one another, and they are an amazing pub quiz team.

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Brooke & Chris { Southwest Michigan Engagement & Wedding Photographer } Mill Creek Barns & Roadside Watervliet

July 18, 2012 Posted incountry,engagement,michigan

Finally, after so many months of talking, I had the opportunity to meet Brooke and Chris.  We were rained out, we had scheduling conflicts, and finally, just a few short weeks before their wedding, we were finally able to come together for their engagement session.  So many couples this year are coming “home” to marry, but made their homes far far away.  Logistics have made a few engagement sessions impossible, and I’m so glad that with a couple hours of driving on either end, Brooke and Chris were able to meet me in the parking lot of a gas station, then follow me down winding country roads into the heart of Michigan’s incredible orchard country.  I feel like everyday, casual engagement photography can be just as important as wedding photography.  Stepping outside of tuxedos and showing yourselves in such a simple and real way goes beyond the memory of one day– it’s the memory of the beginning of your lives together, just you two.  Sun blazing, humidity hanging in the air, scrunching schedules– all worth it.  I absolutely adore this simple little set of photos of Brooke and Chris, relaxed and together.

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