Claire has an artistic spirit and it was a joy to get to capture that during her senior session! We started out at the historic (and stunning!) Capital Law Library, followed by a scenic backdrop of the rose gardens, and ended in East Village for some modern pictures ..read more

Amanda and Brian met at Stanford University, out in California (his home state, while Amanda grew up on the east coast). They were friends for a long time before they began to consider something past friendship, and after many adventures together (including a move to the midwest) they decided it was time to plan a wedding & transition into married life! Friends and family traveled from far away to celebrate the couple’s nuptials in the gorgeous Botanical Gardens in DSM, and this morning ceremony was full of sweet touches from the couple and their friends. Everything was thoughtfully done ..read more

I love capturing and celebrating graduations with photos- especially when the student is graduating from university (or in this case, MEDICAL SCHOOL!!). What an honor! Brenna wrapped up her time at Des Moines University, and moved just days after this session to her new home and job. I loved getting to capture this season for her! Brenna loves architecture, and decided to rent time to photograph both out and inside the World Food Prize building. It was a lovely sunny (early!) morning, and honestly, couldn’t have gone better ..read more

Few things (in my book) are sweeter than senior photos- except perhaps, two senior sessions!! Amanda wanted to snag photos during typical summer, but also hoped to capture photos during spring (when lots of early flowers bloom). I’m so happy that we will get to hang out again! Amanda’s involved in many activities at TRHS, and is excited to spend this summer sleeping in, hanging out with friends, and re-watching Bridgerton (I’m guessing, based off some comments she made!!). She’ll be one of the veteran students in color guard, so some prep may also go into that as she plans for senior year wit ..read more

Creme is an Ingersoll Ave staple, and it’s been so fun to see all the amazing initiatives that Sammy, the current owner, puts out into the Des Moines community. I personally have loved having access to autumn festival moon cakes (a favorite memory of mine from college- loved getting to try FOUR kinds!) and the Lunar New Year pop up, with all kinds of tasty treats. You can catch the team some Saturdays this year at the DSM Downtown Farmer’s Market, or of course, during their regular business hours at the shop. Sammy has some fun upcoming drops that she’s mentioned in their email newsletter, so ..read more

I met Kylie when I first moved to Des Moines, and it’s wild that here we are, 6 years later- I’m still running my business full time, and she’s getting married to Noah!! It was such a sweet treat to get to photograph their engagement session… and you’ll see them again, with wedding photos coming later this summer. (They’re getting married at one of my favorite local venues!) These two fought through crazy spring winds for this session, and you won’t even be able to tell. It ended up being a more overcast evening, but these two made the best of it and we got some really special photos of their ..read more

Sammie emailed me about capturing some photos of her on Drake University’s campus, ahead of graduation- and of course I enthusiastically said YES! University grad photos are one of the best ways you can celebrate + commemorate the 4 (or more!) years you’ve worked hard towards a degree. These sessions book up fast, so always reach out about them early spring semester, or even jump ahead and take them in the summer or fall before graduation. (You could also schedule them after graduation, if you’re around and want a quieter scene on campus.) We had a sunny evening, thankfully- this was in the mi ..read more

Springtime in Iowa is one of her most stunning seasons, but she always leaves too soon. Each year is unpredictable, and 2024 has been no exception! I’ve been waiting for weeks for the trees to bud and open, and we finally have reaching the point of really feeling like SPRING. The trees were just sharing their fragrant blossoms with us on this gorgeous sunny mid-April evening, just in time for Laura & Dan’s maternity session. They’ll welcome a baby girl into their home in the next few months! We had a blast hanging out, chatting (and even finding out we have some friends in common!) and bas ..read more

God hears us. And He answers us. Even in the most populated US city, He answered prayers in amazing ways. May I never forget His goodness in the land of the living. DAY ONE: WElcome to new york! Tears definitely fell onto my airplane drink napkin, flying over and into NYC for the first time. Earbuds in, I pressed play on my NYC playlist, created years ago in anticipation of this dream trip, and had to blink back tears of relief. My first experience, in the City that Never Sleeps, was about to begin. My sister and I snagged direct flights (bless up) from DSM to NYC, which is the only way to tr ..read more

Few things are more worthwhile than celebrating one’s graduation from higher education! University graduation photos capture a milestone moment in one’s life that has been worked tirelessly towards. They’re the perfect excuse to get an extra wear out of the cap & gown you’ve spent years working towards, and a fun way to celebrate (by yourself or with friends!) before or after graduation weekend. Alyson wanted to capture some photos with her horse, since he is a big part and inspiration in her life. She graduates this spring, but wanted photos last summer so that they’re ready to go this y ..read more