I had the pleasure of shooting The Historic Artcraft Theatre's annual Sponsorship Party, themed, "Casa Blanca," in Franklin, Ind., on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The party featured guests in 1940's attire and the reveal of the 2013 summer movie series. I couldn't resist photographing Alena Van Arendonk with a Lensbaby as she posed for a picture taken by her date.
The Artcraft is almost 100 years old and only shows movies on film, nothing digital. I remember watching Jurassic Park, City Slickers and many other great films there as a kid. I love this place and am so thankful Franklin Heritage Inc. has been able to keep it going. The summer movies look great! O Brother Where Art Thou, Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Annie, Casablanca, and many more. They're even showing A Christmas Story, Elf and Christmas Vacation in December.
I put the fancy glass away for the real journalism part though, keep clicking to see what I shot for the Star.


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As an adoring, loving fan recently pointed out, it's been several months since my last blog post. That's because searching for, purchasing, and repairing a home is a complete time suck. I know what you're thinking, Katie Gardner, "Wait 'til you have a kid." Fine, she always wins! But I can tell you nearly every spare moment of the past three months has been spent sanding, priming, painting, choosing tile, picking out furniture, returning crappy Made In Not America products, and making lots of other house decisions. Thanks to my parents for all their help and hard work.
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Clay and Staraya not only had a great place to shoot, they were awesome, funny, and great to hang out with. It was painful to turn down their invitation to stay for dinner (wine, music, salmon straight from Alaska and fresh veggies mmm...) but hopefully I'll get to see them again soon. Thanks Clay and Staraya for a wonderful evening. Check out the latest South Magazine for more photos, or click here >> Read more »

Members of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band watch the parade lap wearing white sunglasses in memory of Dan Wheldon on Sunday, May 27, 2012, at the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Ind. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)
Shooting the iconic 500 mile race is always a great time, even though there were times this year when I thought I was going to suffocate on the blacktop from the heat. This is one of my favorite pictures from this year's Dan Wheldon memorial, so I had to share. Thanks to all my Veteran friends and family for their sacrifices. One more picture after the jump Read more »

Had a blast shooting local breweries for South magazine's spring issue. Above, Flat 12, Indianapolis. More photos after the jump>> Read more »

Bloomington High School South swimmers from left, Jesse Smith, Jacob Kelzer, and Logan Jastremski react after winning the 200 yard freestyle relay Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the IHSAA Boys State Swimming & Diving Championships at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

Had a great time shooting the girls and boys IHSAA state swimming finals this month at the IUPUI Natatorium. There's so much energy, strength and effort in the kids and parents. Plus, I love the nat because it's so warm inside. It makes me miss my long lost love, Florida! Check out more pictures after the jump>> Read more »

Indianapolis is hosting the Super Bowl this year and I could not be more proud of my city. I've read so many great things about how wonderful and welcoming our city has been. We've also beat all kinds of records for Super Bowl Village. There's just something about corn-fed, Midwestern folks. Our secret it out and now everyone knows what I've known all along. Indy is awesome!

Mike and Janet Wadsworth pose for a portrait Nov. 2, 2011, at their home in Greenwood. Mike is facing a diagnosis of terminal cancer, and the Wadsworth family is learning to cope with farewell. Read more of their amazing story here, and see more photos of this kind, generous, amazing couple after the jump Read more »

It's all about bathrooms this issue of South Magazine. Everything from power outlets built inside cabinets, custom jewelry drawers, and television inside your mirror. Read more »

Pamela Albrecht, 14, enjoys being buried in the hay Sunday, October 16, 2011, in Indianapolis, Ind., at Waterman's Fall Harvest Festival. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

October was a great month! I don't know how, but I found the time to cover a few assignments for The Star. This first one is from a local, family-owned farm, Waterman's. They have strawberries in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Two of my favorite things! Check out more fall fun and, of course, Halloween zombies after the jump. Read more »

My best friend is pregnant :D

The fall issue of South Magazine is out! Check out the jump for some of my photos from the southside's favorite local coffee shops. Above, Joe Cox, of Joe's Cycle's in Fountain Square, during a portrait session.

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It was a joy shooting pictures of newborn Layla Clark, daughter to my very wonderful friend Amber. If you want to see more check them out on my website here!

I know I've been gone for awhile, I'm currently working under contract as a multimedia developer and it's taking up all my freelance time! But, I obviously had to make time for this little tutu-wearing sweetheart. Liz and Aaron have an adorable daughter and I am honored to show her off. See a couple other favorites after the jump. Read more »

If you're like me, when you hear the word "wallpaper," you turn your nose up. I still remember as a child watching my mother sweat in the kitchen and bathrooms of our home with a long, flat brush and smelly, white paste just to get that boring, patterned paper to stick to the wall. Twenty years later, tiny blue flowers and peach plaid still adorns the walls of our 90's-riffic kitchen. I love you mom, but I HATE wallpaper! That is, until I went to last week's assignment at the home of Jake and Kristi Isenbarger, in Indianapolis. I looooove these walls. When you walk into the room, it's a shocking sea of black and white. The green chairs and red flowers pop in contrast.

I love it when my subjects open my mind to something new. Check out more gorgeous house after the jump Read more »

The wonderful ladies at South magazine were especially nice to me this spring, sending me on food assignments that really made my sweet tooth smile. If you like drooling all over your keyboard check out some of these goodies
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Did you get your June issue of South Magazine yet? It's full of great stories including one on local farming, mostly overseen by women. Check out more of my photos after the jump

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Carmel High School senior Gordana Mitrovic waits for her graduation ceremony to start Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Ind. Mitrovic plans on attending the Art Institute after graduation. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

The best part of high school graduation is behind the scenes...Read more »

Fishers High School students enjoy their prom, May 7, 2011, held at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. The theme was Cirque du Soleil and featured jugglers, magicians, caricature artists and more. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

Prom at the Children's Museum... genius. Pure genius. Maybe I did ride the carousel three times tonight but I had to. It was for my job. Read more »

Hamilton Southeastern High School seniors Grace Drascic and Jake Sauce share the king and queen dance Saturday, April 30, 2011, at their prom held at the Murat in downtown Indianapolis. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

I had a great time shooting Hamilton Southeastern High School's prom last night. The DJ was awesome, the kids let me shoot their private moments, and of course the dresses were amazing. I had a ton of fun and like I said, I had a great time shooting Hamilton Southeastern High School's prom.... that is, until I found out I wasn't at Hamilton Southeastern High School's prom.
"That's the Danville High School prom, Hamilton Southeastern is in another room on the opposite side of the building," a nice lady told me. So, I spent over an hour shooting the wrong prom. That's just the kind of life I lead, if something has the ability to go wrong, it will go wrong! I laughed (and at the same time wanted to cry a little) as I left one prom and went to the other. Thankfully, the real Hamilton Southeastern prom hadn't crowned their king and queen yet. So, I'm grateful to all the great kids who let me hang out in their limo's, capture their romantic moments, and taught me how to Dougie. The following are my favorite shots from both proms. Read more »

Kenneth Thomas Jr. is a Lawrence Central High School freshman who will be competing in the Indiana Junior Golden Gloves' 138-pound final at Tyndall Armory on Thursday, April 1, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star) Read more »

Union supporters rally outside the Statehouse on Monday, March 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind. After a five-week exile, Indiana Democrats returned from Illinois to be greeted by cheering labor unions and angry Republicans. (Jennifer Cecil / For the Sun-Times Media)
Read all of Jon Seidel's great story for the Post-Tribune here. Read more »

Bishop Noll Head Coach Drew Trost and senior Adonis Filer (3) accept runner-up medals after losing to Park Tudor High School on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Bishop Noll held the lead until 1:22 remained, they fell to Park Tudor 43-42. (Jennifer Cecil / For the Post-Tribune)
This was a real heart-breaker for Bishop Noll High School. Read more »

Ryan Villopoto races Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Monster Energy AMA Supercross held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. It was Villopoto's third straight victory and fifth of the season. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)
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Avon High School fans rally before the game against Pike High School Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind., before the boys basketball sectional championships. (Jennifer Cecil / For The Star)

I've been shooting a ton of high school sports lately as the basketball, wrestling and swimming season comes to an end. Check out a couple after the jump. Read more »