I’m Lori Unruh Poole. The handsome guy seated next to me is my husband, Jeff Poole. Together, we own indigosilver studio, a photography studio that specializes in boutique portraiture and wedding photography.
Between the two of us, we have over 20 years (and counting) of photography experience. We’ve been to more photography conventions, seminars, and workshops than we can count. We earned over 30 regional, national, and international image competition awards. We love what we do… even when we hate it. 🙂 If you own your own business, you know exactly what I mean!
We get asked a lot, “Why do this? Why do you have a studio that you allow your competitors to use? Why teach other photographers how to improve their skills?”
The answer is simple: We believe in paying it forward.
Along the way, our path to success was paved with the help of mentors, educators, and friends who all believe the same basic premise: A rising tide raises all boats.
We get asked a lot, “Why do this? Why do you have a studio that you allow your competitors to use? Why teach other photographers how to improve their skills?”
In other words, when our competitors improve their businesses, we all win. When we can continue to show the public what professional photography is and what it can do, we distinguish our profession from the millions of picture takers and cellphonographers out there.
So let’s be friends. Come by the studio and have a beer or a coffee with us. Let’s raise the tide.
Toot! Toot!
I know when I’m seeing a speaker or instructor, I kinda want to know whether or not they know what they’re talking about. So not to toot our own horns, but here’s a little of our history:
Speaking/Instruction and Press:
| Year | Accolade | Recognized By | Details |
| 2020 | Invited Speakers | WPPI | Wedding Album Sales Made Easy |
| 2020 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | The Story is Greater than the Shot, Adding Boudoir to Your Brand, Building a Membership Based Studio |
| 2020 | Invited Speakers | Professional Photographers of North Carolina | Go Viral-Effective Marketing Techniques for 2020 |
| 2019 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | $3000 Wedding Albums, The 5 minute Retouch, DIY Set Building |
| 2020 | Invited Speakers | Professional Photographers of Ohio | Go Viral-Effective Marketing Techniques for 2020 |
| 2018 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | $6000 Weddings in a $2000 Market, From Shoot to Product Design in 90 Minutes, Should I Jump? When to Quit your Day Job |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | Behind the Shutter Shoot To Print Tour | Shadows – The Key to an Interesting Portrait, Stop Reinventing the Wheel – A Systematic Workflow for Post-Production |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | Maryland PPA | Understanding Portrait Lighting for Maximum Impact, Lightroom to Run Your Studio |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | Wedding Details that Wow – and earn Referrals!, Understanding Image Competition, Shooting for Image Competition |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | Professional Photographers of North Carolina | Lightroom to Run Your Studio, Time in your Day – Money in your Wallet, Take Charge of your Income |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | The Focus Tour Online Summit Series | The Value of Time – Pricing for Success in a Creative Market |
| 2017 | Invited Speakers | ImagingUSA | The Business of Wedding and Portrait Photography |
| 2016 | Invited Speakers | Kansas PPA | Lightroom – Beyond Image Processing |
| 2016 | Invited Speakers | Lamarr Williamson School of Photography | Lightroom to Run Your Studio |
| 2016 | Invited Speakers | Elevate the Standard: Minnesota PPA | Lightroom to Run Your Studio, Take Charge of your Income, Fundamentals of Studio Lighting |
| 2016 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | Take Charge of Your Income, Conceptual Funk, Simplified Album Workflow from Concept to Completion |
| 2015 | Invited Speakers | Capital District of the Virginia Professional Photographers’ Association | Choosing the Right Location: Senior Portraits with a Punch |
| 2015 | Instructors | Professional Photographers of America Super One Day | 1 Light, 2 Lights, 3 Lights, 4! |
| 2015 | Press Feature | Fundy Software, Inc. | Guest Blogger: Increasing your Bottom Line with Bridal Portraits |
| 2015 | Press Feature | Shutter Magazine | Inspiration Feature: Travel. Image: Waiting for Summer |
| 2015 | Press Feature | Shutter Magazine | Inspiration Feature: Travel. Image: Oceanside Pier |
| 2015 | Invited Speakers | ShutterFest | Boost Your Bottom Line with Modern Bridal Portraits, 1 Light – 2 Lights – 3 Lights – 4!, Choosing the Right Location: Senior Portraits with a Punch |
| 2015 | Press Feature | SLR Lounge | Interview: 3 Tips on Shared Studio Spaces |
| 2015 | Press Feature | SLR Lounge | Interview: 3 Tips for Wedding Album Sales |
| 2015 | Press Feature | SLR Lounge | Interview: 3 Tips for Wedding Photography Pricing Strategies |
| 2015 | Press Feature | Shutter Magazine | Inspiration Feature: Seniors. Image: Untitled |
| 2015 | Press Feature | Shutter Magazine | Inspiration Feature: Glamour. Image: Blue Steel |
| 2014 | Press Feature | A Carolina Wedding Magazine | Cover Image |
| 2014 | Press Feature | Perfect Wedding Planner Magazine | Cover Image |
| 2014 | Press Feature | Style Me Pretty Magazine | Featured Wedding: Erin and Joe |
| 2013 | Instructors | Professional Photographers of America Super Monday | Basic Portrait Lighting |
| 2013 | Press Feature | Professional Photographer Magazine | Professional Photographers of America’s Studio Management Services Advertisement featuring exemplary business practices |
| 2013 | Invited Speakers | Photobiz Webinar Series | Lightroom: More Than Processing |
| 2013 | Press Feature | Greater Wilmington Business Journal | 2013 Book of Lists featured image |
| 2012 | Press Feature | Cape Fear Bride Magazine | Featured Wedding: Lori and Daniel |
| 2012 | Invited Speakers | Wedding & Portrait Society Convention | Data Management & Workflow in Lightroom |
| 2012 | Instructors | Professional Photographers of America Super Monday | Complete Workflow in Lightroom: From Import to Sales |
| 2012 | Press Feature | Something Navy Wedding Blog | Featured Wedding: Julia and Alfredo |
| 2011 | Press Feature | Cape Fear Bride Magazine | Featured Wedding: Carmen and Richard |
| 2011 | Press Feature | Focus on the Coast Magazine | Featured Wedding: Dana and Greg |
| 2010 | Press Feature | Wedding Photo USA | Guest Blogger: Wedding Photos before the Ceremony |
| 2009 | Press Feature | Discovery Girls Magazine | Cover image and editorial feature: The Discovery Girls of North Carolina |
Lori’s Awards:
| Year | Award | Awarded By | Image Title |
| 2016 | 1st Place – Brides Details | Shutterfest Image Competition | The Wedding Shoes of Mrs Patel |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Shades of Grey |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Cool Beauty |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | With These Shoes, I Thee Wed |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | The Groom’s Respite |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Quiet Prayer |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Anachronism |
| 2015 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | The Groom’s Respite |
| 2015 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Quiet Prayer |
| 2015 | Third Place in Category: Wedding Photojournalism | ShutterFest Image Competition | Quiet Prayer |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | ShutterFest Image Competition | Quiet Prayer |
| 2014 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Kingpin |
| 2014 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Kingpin |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | The Boss |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | When I’m With You |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | In the Back Corner |
| 2013 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | In the Back Corner |
| 2010 | Scholarship Recipient | West Coast School of Professional Photography | |
| 2010 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Western States Division Print Competition | Cape Fear Sunset |
| 2010 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of California Print Competition | Cape Fear Sunset |
| 2010 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of California Print Competition | America’s Finest City |
| 2010 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of California Print Competition | Land’s End |
| 2009 | Best in Show Award | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | Cape Fear Sunset |
| 2009 | Best in Category: Illustrative | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | Cape Fear Sunset |
| 2009 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | Cape Fear Sunset |
| 2009 | Best in Category: Weddings | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | Looking at the One I Love |
| 2009 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | Looking at the One I Love |
| 2009 | Best in Category: Illustrative | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | America’s Finest City |
| 2009 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of San Diego County Print Competition | America’s Finest City |
Jeff’s Awards:
| Year | Award | Awarded By | Image Title |
| 2018 | Photographic Craftsman Degree | Professional Photographers of America | Awarded for 13 speaking merits + 12 service merits |
| 2017 | Master of Photography Degree | Professional Photographers of America | Awarded for 13 exhibition merits + 12 service merits |
| 2017 | Merit Award Images | Professional Photographers of America Southeast Division Print Competion | 3/4 Images Submitted |
| 2017 | 1st Place – Wedding Album | Professional Photographers of NC | Rachel & Neal |
| 2017 | 3rd Place – Seniors | Professional Photographers of NC | Queen at 12 |
| 2017 | 2nd Place – Men | Professional Photographers of NC | She Would Have Been 86 |
| 2017 | 1st Place – Bride Alone | Professional Photographers of NC | Bride Waiting |
| 2017 | Merit Award Images | Professional Photographers of NC | 8/9 Images Submitted |
| 2016 | 1st Place – Beauty | Shutterfest Image Competition | Essence |
| 2016 | 2nd Place – Seniors | Shutterfest Image Competition | Noah’s Art |
| 2016 | 3rd Place – Seniors | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Noah’s Art |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Queen at 12 |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Noah’s Art |
| 2016 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Essence |
| 2015 | Gold Photographer of the Year | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Awarded for meriting 4 of 4 images and two Loan acceptances |
| 2015 | Loan Collection Acceptance | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Tears of Gold |
| 2015 | Loan Collection Acceptance | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Blue Steel |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Blue Steel |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Tears of Gold |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | The Body Builder |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition | Burn in Hell |
| 2015 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Blue Steel |
| 2015 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Burn in Hell |
| 2015 | Second Place in Category: Fashion | ShutterFest Image Competition | Blue Steel |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | ShutterFest Image Competition | Blue Steel |
| 2015 | Merit Award Image | ShutterFest Image Competition | The Hitman |
| 2013 | Silver Photographer of the Year | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Awarded for meriting 4 of 4 images and one Loan acceptance |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Waiting |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Braving the Storm |
| 2013 | Merit Award Image | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Racing the Rain |
| 2013 | Loan Collection Acceptance | Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition | Bride Waiting |
| 2013 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Bride Waiting |
| 2013 | Seal of Approval Award Image | Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Division Print Competition | Waiting |
| 2011 | First Place: Artistic | Wedding & Portrait Society Print Competition | Bride Waiting |
| 2011 | Fifth Place: Photojournalism | Wedding & Portrait Society Print Competition | Mazel Tov! |
Sponsors:
- Miller’s Professional Imaging
- Fundy Software inc.
- Vision Art -Fine Art Books
Product Ambassadors:
- Sticky Folios
- Cloud Spot
- Global Image Products