I love shooting film on personal trips or family vacations. There is something about the way film captures color and light that brings me back to the memory in such a rich and vivid way. I made sure to bring it along to lunch with my grandparents, an afternoon at the fair with my cousins, and our last night family bonfire that has become a tradition every time we visit Indiana. This was our only trip out that way this year and I’m so glad we made it happen!
I grew up in Elkhart County, which is just south of the Michigan border. The area is lovingly referred to by locals as “Michiana,” which I definitely didn’t realize was a made up name when I was growing up there as an 8-10 year old. Haha :) This is a unique place because the people are very friendly, the skies are so wide and open, there are cornfields and soybean fields for miles, the comfort food is incredible (goulash or macaroni salad, anyone?!) and the sunsets are in a league of their own. I have so many memories of evenings leaving school and just looking out at the horizon across the fields and watching the world turn rich hues of red, orange, and yellow. Some of my most cherished memories took place here and Indiana will always have a special place in my heart because of that.
We only spent a few days out there this summer, but we had the best time! We made sure to treat my grandma and grandpa to a meal of their choice downtown – the literal MAYOR walked in to the restaurant and my grandma completely and adorably fan-girled, and I made sure she was able to go up and say hi before we left. So thankful he was so kind and obliged! We went to happy hour with one of my childhood best friends, got coffee and dessert with my sister, spent a day at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair where I grew up showing pigs from ages 7 to 11, and then spend a day at my aunt’s place on the lake, munching on vodka-soaked gummy bears and ending the night with a bonfire at Aunt Debbie’s in Bristol surrounded by our some of our favorite people.
I love having these pictures to look back on the trip with and I can’t wait for our next visit to Indiana to see family and friends (and hopefully to get some more fair food, too)! :)
All of these images were shot with the Canon Elan 7E film camera (I found this years ago for $60 on Amazon!) with Kodak Portra 160 film, developed by Richard Photo Lab.
The Airbnb we stayed at in South Bend. It was a car museum! We loved it.
Visiting my sister Alexa at work and grabbing coffee in downtown South Bend at Chicory Cafe!
Aren’t my grandparents precious?! This lunch date we had with them will forever hold a special place in my heart!!
My grandparents at their home with their puppy, Bella.
Back at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair for the first time in nearly half a decade!
Posing in front of the Swine barn! Lots of memories here! :)
Sunset at my Aunt Debbie’s farm…
Liam was helping all the big boys get the bonfire ready! Lol!
My aunt spraying for bugs… she’s hilarious.
Another amazing Indiana trip in the books! :)
