Who We Are

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