Hi, We're Rainstorm – Michigan City Wedding Photographers & Filmmakers
Hi, i'm katiy – Wedding Photographer and Videographer
I was still playing with Barbies when my grandfather handed me my first film camera. I didn’t know it then, but that gift would shape the way I see the world. I grew up on 57 acres of quiet woods in Appalachian Ohio, where stillness taught me how to notice the beauty most people rush past.
I’m calm and steady in the swirl of a wedding day. But when the light hits just right, the wind lifts a veil, or the way you look at each other stops time, that’s when my passion fully comes alive. I’m a deeply determined individual and will do whatever it takes to help bring your vision to life.
Some of my favorite things include taking what my family lovingly calls “the world’s longest walks” (yes, I’m the reason they’re so long), sipping on a matcha, and sneaking in deep conversations with my husband when we’re not being interrupted by our sweet (and talkative) three-year-old.
hi, i'm stephen – Wedding Photographer and Videographer
I was a teenager at summer camp when I first felt the power of storytelling. The recap videos at the end of each week left me with a nostalgia I couldn’t explain, and that experience pulled me into filmmaking — the way a camera could hold onto a feeling and bring it back to life. A few years later, I bought my first DSLR for video, but during a skate trip to Chicago, I started taking photos and couldn’t stop. That day sparked a love for photography that runs just as deep as my passion for film.
On a wedding day, I’m a strange mix of high energy and quiet observation. One moment I’m pitching a wild idea or doing whatever it takes to get the kids smiling, and the next I’m a fly on the wall, catching something real and unscripted.
Some of my favorite things include geeking out over tax strategy, carefully timing my morning pour-over, and chasing the next creative idea. I still can’t believe Kaity agreed to marry me. She’s the most beautiful part of my story.
our favorite team
These are the trusted creatives who stand beside us. With similar values, presence, and style, they not only help us document your day with the same intention we’d want for our own, but they bring something fresh to the table every time.
Jessica
Jessica brings a joyful, grounded presence to every wedding, keeping things relaxed while working with quiet dedication. With her gift for double exposures and a fresh creative perspective, she adds an artistic, feminine touch that makes the day feel effortless and beautifully told.
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featured IN Wedding Publications & Awards
Best Wedding Photographer of the Year /
Kentucky Bride Magazine
Looks Like Film
The Timeline of Our Love Story
Two strangers meet in a forest
They both randomly drove four hours to a forest in Ohio to meet up with sixty other photographers. Before they even met, Kaity took a photo of Stephen. Later, he walked up and handed her his business card. Yes, that was his move. So romantic. But it led to the life they share now.
They follow each other's journey on instagram
They followed each other and noticed every post. Both shared beautiful nature photos paired with deep captions. They happened to be walking through similar seasons, and this became the quiet start of how they got to know each other.
Kaity goes overseas
Kaity quit her job and moved overseas for a few months, deleting social media along the way. Even though they had barely spoken, Stephen started to worry. With a touch of stalker-ish determination, he found and messaged her brother to make sure she was okay.
Stephen slides in her DMs
Near the end of her trip, Kaity returned to social media. Stephen casually, but not so casually, slid into her DMs. They connected instantly through deep conversation and never stopped talking.
The invitation
Stephen invited Kaity to come share her experiences with the youth group he was leading. After some thought, she decided to make the seven-hour drive. The night after she came and shared, he asked her on a date for the following day.
The cookie monster distraction
Before she could answer, a car screeched into the parking lot. Out jumped a friend, in a full Cookie Monster costume, completely unaware of what moment he was interrupting. Stephen’s nerves built until the friend finally left, and Kaity was able to say yes.
First date to engagement
They spent their first date wandering around Lake Michigan, taking photos and getting creative. Over the next six months, they dated long-distance with plenty of late-night FaceTimes and weekend visits. Then one day, Stephen planned a trip back to the forest where they first met and asked Kaity to be his wife.
The wedding
Six months later, they got married in a forest as a nod to where their story began and had the best day ever. It was also the day they launched Rainstorm Photo, a business built on love and a deep desire to capture meaningful stories like the one they had just lived out.
Why "Rainstorm"
Rooted in the wonder that drew us together
We got to know each other through the photos we shared on Instagram. Kaity was overseas for half a year, spending part of that time in Ireland where she fell in love with rainbows. Stephen was back home, capturing thunderstorms and sunsets over Lake Michigan.
Rainbows and thunderstorms became symbols of beauty, awe, and the defining moments when we felt closest to God. So when it came time to name our business, we brought them together — “rain” from rainbows and “storm” from thunderstorms. Two parts that held meaning on their own, now joined together, just like us.
We launched Rainstorm Photo on the same day we got married. The name became our way of honoring the wonder that first connected us.
Us on the day we got married and started Rainstorm Photo
OUR Wedding Photography & Videography Philosophy
So your memories live as vividly as the moment itself
We believe photography is more than a visual record. It’s an emotional imprint. A memory made tangible.
A way of saying, this mattered.
What draws us back to the camera again and again isn’t just the beauty. It’s the depth. The subtle hand squeeze. The pause before the vows. The way you breathe a little deeper when you realize this is really happening.
We’re not here to turn your day into a photo shoot. We’re here to be fully present in it with you. To notice what might otherwise go unseen. While our approach leans documentary, we’ll never leave you standing there wondering what to do. During portraits, we’ll guide you with prompts or quick direction so you feel at ease, natural, and most of all, like yourself.
When you look at a photo or watch your film, we want you to remember how it felt. That moment when you knew, without a doubt, there was no one else you’d rather walk through life with.
We know life can hold hard seasons. Our hope is that every time you revisit your wedding day, you’re filled with love and purpose all over again.
Smoothies, hiking, and seeing the world through little eyes.
On a day off, we’re probably at our favorite café sharing a smoothie, or hiking the dunes over Lake Michigan with our boys, exploring whatever catches their curiosity. They help us slow down and find wonder in the little things. Speaking of wonder, we love to travel. Both boys took their first flights just weeks after they were born.
Honestly, that’s what fuels our work. The love and memories we share as a family makes us feel everything more deeply. It’s probably why we tear up (even if we hide it) during vows and parent dances. Weddings remind us of everything we hold close, and that’s why telling these stories matters so much to us.
Helping you feel seen, known, and at ease
For over eight years, we’ve captured weddings as keen observers. We are attuned to emotion, energy, and the rhythm of what’s unfolding. We’re always watching for what might happen next and quietly aligning everything we can to be ready for it.
We’ll support you when needed, whether fastening a dress, clearing the room for a private moment, or simply protecting a few minutes for you to breathe. If the timeline runs behind, we’ll stay calm and flexible, making up time without rushing you or stealing meaningful moments.
At the reception, we’ll capture not just the dance floor, but also the details and interactions you might not see in the moment.
We value clear communication from start to finish. Your input helps us serve you best, while our goal is always the same: to keep you present and deliver a gallery that feels full, intentional, and everything you hoped for.
The core memories you didn’t plan but will never forget.
We want to know your story and your dream for your wedding day. The things that matter most to you shape how we document your love, from his playful glance to her smile that shows up when she’s fully in the moment. More than anything, we want you at peace, fully present, and able to soak it all in. Our best work happens when you feel free to laugh, cry, and simply be yourselves. That is when we find the heartbeat of your story.
What stops us in our tracks is realizing we are standing inside someone else’s core memory. Like when a grandfather, just weeks from passing, pulled the groom close and whispered through tears that he was perfect for his granddaughter. There wasn’t a dry eye, including ours.
We come alive when light pours through a window, when a bride and her mom share tearful eyes, or when nature surprises us with a breeze or a sky lit with color. In those moments, stress fades, posing stops, and you become fully present in the wonder of it all.
"Their work speaks for itself, but their hearts and willingness to go above and beyond to serve us as their clients was unmatched. Planning for our day was so smooth with them, they went out of their way to make sure the smallest details were planned out perfectly. They are a joy to work with and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire time working with them."
Dakota and Whitney
"Words can't even describe the joy that Stephen and Kaitlyn brought to my husband and I on our wedding day. They listen, take initiative, and apply their beautiful creativity with every photo they take. We could not have asked for better photographers."
Leah and Joel
"Not only are their photos the best that I’ve seen, they truly care about their clients having the best experience possible. My fiancé and I felt so natural while the photos were being taken because they just want to capture the real moments."
Molly and Vignesh
Let's Tell Your Wedding Story
If you feel a spark or a sense of ease here, we’d love to connect. Let’s talk about your story and how we can help preserve it.
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