current favorites

Editorial, Wedding

Over the Winter, I dreamt of Spring. Not because I was wishing it away…ok, so maybe there were times when I was totally ready for the snow and ice to just go away, but I digress. I had visions of flowers blooming and a gorgeous bride in a dreamy dress, with lots of texture and romance…so I scoured Pinterest for things that matched what I envisioned. Once my dream venue, Iron & Ember Events, was on board, I assembled the rest of the creative Dream Team to bring every lovely detail to life! And I’m proud to say that our day of ~~play~~ – I mean work, it was all totally work! – came together even better than I could have imagined! Every detail, every element was sheer perfection! And can we please talk about the florals? Most of these beauties can only be had in March, so our timing was absolutely essential! The dress! From the beginning, I knew the dress should have sleeves! And this amazing gown from Blue House Bridal was The One! (Spoiler alert, we also had a second dress…! Stay tuned!) Our time flew by and before I knew it, I was heading home with dead batteries, full memory cards, and pinch me moments. It has been a while since my last styled shoot, November 2019, to be exact. Before the world knew what was unfolding. It felt sooo darn good to be back planning, dreaming, collaborating, and working toward a common goal with some of the industry’s very best ! I can say whole-heartedly that this team – who happen to be all women! – are exactly who you want on your side when planning your wedding day! Their talent and expertise, their attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond, their sweet personalities and bright smiles…they’re simply THE BEST! So let’s get to the good part, shall we?

Mille Grazie ✨to the amazing, talented, ohhhh so wonderful team that brought my dream of Spring in Italy to life! I will never ever get over this beautiful day! 💗💗💗
Venue // Iron & Ember Events

Florals & Candlesticks // Satin & Stems

Bridal Attire // Blue House Bridal

Diamond Jewelry // Reis-Nichols Jewelers

Hairstylist // A Do For I Do, Laura Snyder Hair

Makeup // Julia Wadsworth Makeup Artistry

Model // Naomi

Cake // Classic Cakes

Smoke Belize & Oyster Marble Linens, Blush Satin Napkins, Pink Carousel Goblet, Silver Apollo Charger, City Coupe Glass, Elexa Flatware, Crossback Chairs // A Classic Party Rental

Calligraphy, Signage, Stir Sticks // Painted Letter Co

Invitation Suite // Brown Fox Creative

Vintage Stamps // The Postmistress

Carmel, Indiana

A few years ago, I met sweet Sylvia through an externship, and we’ve remained in contact ever since. And I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her and her newest passion! We met up a few weeks ago to capture this exciting venture she’s been dreaming of for some time! Sylvia is one of those people that you instantly adore, and her warmth, happiness, and genuine heart radiates brightly from the inside out. And she is just as beautiful on the outside! No doubt Sylvia has been celebrating all week, as her online store, Hello Beautiful!, just launched this past weekend! Keep reading to learn all about what inspires her and her oh so gorgeous products! Sylvia, congratulations on pursuing your dreams!!!

Meet the sweet, beautiful, and inspirational Sylvia!

Stewart Imagery: What inspired you to create your beauty products? How did you get started?

Hello Beautiful!: My initial journey for creating my products started with prayer because I wanted to communicate to every woman that they have innate beauty ordained by God. I wanted to create products that accentuated that beauty no matter the shade of skin.

SI: What is the name of your product line?

HB: I named my product line Hello Beautiful!, a phrase that I believe describes every woman. The goal of Hello Beautiful! is to remind women of their innate God-given beauty while also providing products that complement their skin tones.

SI: Do you have a website that you’d like to share?

HB: My store is at: www.hellobeautifulstore.etsy.com, and I am also on Instagram @hellobeautifulstore!

Love these!

SI: What is your favorite product that you offer? Why is it your favorite?

HB: I think all of my products have unique attributes that I love! For women who want an anti-aging product Hello Beautiful! Lipsticks include organic sencha green tea oil and avocado oil, both of which are high in antioxidants and vitamins that prevent skin-aging. My Hello Beautiful! Pearl Lip balm is a clear multifunctional formula— it can be applied under my lipsticks for extra hydration or dabbed on dry facial skin to moisturize and heal.

SI: What makes your products unique?

HB: Many cosmetics are toxic. The proof is in the studies that have revealed cosmetics like lipstick to be a chemical melting pot of lead, dangerous metals, and hormone disrupters (Source). Hello Beautiful! products are made with organic ingredients like organic sencha green tea oil, organic shea butter, and organic calendula flower oil. My products are not tested on animals, are lead-free, and do not contain nano-particles.

You can also mix Hello Beautiful! Lipstick colors together to make new colors like brick red, red violet, and russet red orange.

SI: Do you have plans for future products that you’d like to share a little bit about?

HB: I am planning to release another skin product that can help with rashes, irritations, and even burns that commonly affect the skin. My skin is prone to rashes, so I know what it feels like to need a product made with organic ingredients to solve the problem quickly.

lovelovelove.

SI: Your packaging is stunning! What inspired you in designing and creating it?

HB: Thank you! Black and gold is classy and sleek— which is exactly how I want my customers to view their Hello Beautiful! products. Each lipstick is named after the jewel that pertains to its color. The oval tubes help with application by providing a wide width for the broad parts of the lips and narrow ends for outlining the sides of the mouth.

Ohhhh, Sylvia, you have THE best smile!

SI: What is the best advice that you’ve received while starting your business?

HB: Keep moving forward and do so with help. Keep people in your corner who will cheer you on, but will also be truthful with you and tell you if something isn’t working. I have my family to thank for constantly encouraging me and giving me excellent advice.

SI: What advice would you offer others who have dreams of starting and pursuing their passion?

HB: Go for it! Now is the opportune time. As C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

SI: Please feel free to share anything else that you’d like potential customers to know about you and your products!

HB: I am now taking requests for custom orders for showers, parties, and events. If you would like to have a Hello Beautiful! product party hosted or if you have questions about custom orders, please contact me at hellobeautifulstore@gmail.com.

Sylvia, what an honor it has been to work with you! Thank you for sharing your truly beautiful story with me! Wishing you a bright and fulfilling future as you launch Hello Beautiful!

Meet Sylvia + Hello Beautiful!

I recently had the incredibly fun and wonderful opportunity to photograph a sweet, talented, and beautiful (inside and out!) friend in some stunning bridal gowns. Add in a pretty awesome location. And the loveliest blooms you ever did see! We were all going gaga for these florals the entire day! I may have even twirled and sang while holding them between shots a few times…ok, so I totally did do that! I just couldn’t help myself! Ok, have I mentioned that Julia is gorgeous?! Aside from being a wonderfully talented makeup artist, she just happens to know how to work it for the camera too. What a beauty!!! Spring is just a few short weeks away, which is somewhat hard to believe after all of the snow outside my window right now! What better way to await spring’s arrival than with a little sneak peek at some of the loveliness from this dream shoot!

A huge thank you to our amazing creative team who made this happen! You guys are the best! What a fun day!

Florals: Meg Catherine Flowers // MUA: Julia Wadsworth Makeup Artistry // Hair Stylist: Courtney of G Michael Salon // Bridal Gowns + Accessories: Blue House Bridal // Venue: Mill Top Banquet & Conference Center // Model: Julia // Photography: Stewart Imagery

Spring Bridal Inspiration | Sneak Peek!

I met Valerie when I was about 7 months pregnant with Remington in the midst of an insane heat wave blasting the Midwest. Reggie and I were part of a car show taking place in the heart of downtown Carmel, and it just so happened that we parked just up the street from Blue House Bridal. I told Reggie I’d be back in a few minutes, and off I went, hoping to meet a fellow wedding industry peer and perhaps to find some cool air! And here we are almost two years later, and besides becoming a wonderful client, Valerie has become a sweet friend of mine. We both have little boys – just 2 months apart! – and we love them both dearly! I’m excited to see them hang out and become great friends over the years! A while back, I stopped by to visit Valerie at Blue House Bridal. I just love her boutique, her dresses, and her passion for her business. I’ve been excited to share more, so let’s just get right to it! Stewart Imagery asked Blue House a few questions to help you get to know them a bit better. For more information, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook.

SI: How did you start your business? When did you open the doors at Blue House Bridal?

BH: I worked in the wedding industry for over 8 years before I started the business. Having seen all aspects of this amazing time in a family’s life, I really felt that how the bride looks is the most important thing. If a woman feels beautiful then everyone will notice her no matter what and there is nothing that can stop her! For one of the most memorable days of your life, why not look the best and make everyone eat their hearts out! 🙂 I opened my doors on November 2, 2010!

SI: I love the name of your boutique! What inspired you to use the name Blue House Bridal?

BH: Well, clearly it came before the actual space was found. 🙂 I really want Blue House to be a place that our brides bring their children back to or even their grandchildren. I wanted a name that encompassed that as well as a feel that you are really taken care of by us.

SI: What bridal style defines Blue House Bridal? What bridal styles do you love and why?

BH: We are what you won’t find anywhere else. I believe we carry the best dress around. You may be able to find something similar, but ours are always better. 🙂 If you have searched high and low and can’t find your dress, it is because you haven’t visited us! The styles I love really are anything that makes people say “Wow! Did you see that dress?” and “Did you see her in that dress!” Listen, you want people to not only love the dress you are wearing, but love you in it even more. Since every person is different in what their best features are, there is no one “style” that I can love more because it would be leaving out a potential person from finding their dress here.

SI: What differentiates Blue House Bridal from all of the other bridal stores out there?

BH: Us. We really care about each and every one of our brides. Our goal is to have you know that you look your absolute best and know the dress is the one thing you will not have to worry about on your wedding day. You’re not just another bride buying a wedding dress to us, you are “Jessica” finding the perfect dress to marry “John” in.

SI: Do you read or subscribe to any wedding magazines? If so, what are your favorites?

BH: Of course, I get them all!

Valerie offered a few tips for brides in search of “The Dress”:

Shop only when you’re ready.
Bring along that person or persons whose opinion you trust. Once you’ve decided on your dress, bring everyone else back to see it.
Be honest with your stylist. If you don’t like a dress, simply let them know. You’ll be that much closer to finding exactly what you’re looking for.
Do your homework before setting a budget for your dress. Keep in mind that alterations are an additional expense.

SI: What is your favorite must-have accessory that you recommend to brides for their wedding day?

BH: Other than their best smile because they feel so stunning, a great pair of earrings. You can never go wrong with earrings.

SI: Just for fun – What celebrity wedding would you like to style?

BH: Well, I would do two: Kim Kardashian and Nelly. I just love a sharp dressed man!

SI: What are some of the hottest trends for 2014 brides?

BH: Non-strapless is huge. Lace is still really popular, but so is tulle, which is a personal fave. Fitted is still very in, but with a more relaxed fit as well.

SI: What is your favorite aspect of owning and operating your business?

BH: That I get to help women finally embrace their bodies and see how beautiful they really are. I always say we want to really be able to go on a shopping spree and buy up a whole entire store because everything looks good on us, but that is not the case. So rather than try to find the latest and greatest, like we do in our everyday clothes, and try to make them work, why not find the best and most stunning for the day that is all about love and happiness! When a woman feels stunning there is nothing that can stop her. She radiates beauty and love and that, no one can resist!

Valerie, beautiful business woman, mother, and friend!

Brittany is a stylist and consultant at Blue House. She is a sweetheart!

I was swooning over all of the stunning accessories at Blue House! This bracelet? Sooo pretty!

Valerie and Brittany, thank you so much for openly sharing your time, insight, and

beautiful space at Blue House! It was so much fun to spend some time with you,

not to mention being surrounded by such exquisite gowns and accessories!

Wishing you continued success as you make your brides feel beautifully radiant for their wedding day!

Inside Look | Blue House Bridal Boutique

What a fun shoot this was!!! I was so excited when Kristen asked me to photograph some beautiful bouquets for Union Street Flowers & Gifts! This family-owned business created some fabulous florals for a recent bridal event and wished to have their work documented. I loved all of the vibrant colors and unique elements! We had a lovely spring day to boot! A special thank you to our gorgeous model, Allison! And a huge thank you to Valerie at Blue House Bridal for the stunning veil featured in some of the images! Speaking of images, let’s get right to them…so many favorites!

Favorite! So, so beautiful!

I love the bright colors in this peacock-themed bouquet!

Don’t you love the arched greenery and custom wrapping of this bouquet?

I love, love, love the vintage whimsy of this one!

Such a creative wrist corsage!

Another favorite!

I love the boutonniere and corsage Kristen created for this amazing bouquet!

And this is the fabulous Kristen! She is such a sweetheart! And she loves what she does and it shows!

Becky, Kristen, and Allison, thank you so much for sharing your day with me!

I had such a blast photographing your incredibly beautiful work!

Be sure to check out Union Street Flowers & Gifts for all of your floral needs! They also have great gifts, such as home decor, accessories, jewelry, and more!

Union Street Flowers + Gifts

lifestyle & portrait photography

categories