Alayna and Michael Downtown Des Moines Engagement Session

Alayna and Michael wanted to spend time at their first date spots during their engagement session which I LOVED. It’s one of my favorite things when couples choose to be photographed in sentimental spots that are important to them. We started out at a rooftop to get some classic and fun Des Moines city photos, then moved to get coffee at Horizon Line (one of my local favorites), which happens to be the starting spot of their first date. After realizing how perfect these two were for one another, we walked to the park and they told me their goofy and super cute story of their first kiss in the exact spot we were sitting. Next we took the long way to their favorite bar and ended the night sharing a drinks and just chatting about wedding planning and life more. These two were so fun and they had me smiling the entire time and honestly made me feel like an old friend. I am so excited to be photographing these two wedding day this fall. Scroll through to see their infectious smiles and love for one another!

Riana's Yellow Banks Park Senior Session | Pleasant Hill Senior Photographer

Riana discovered Yellow Banks Park earlier this year, created lots of memories around the park, and wanted her senior session there so she could remember all of the good times. 😍Her love for the park and memories made there had my sentimental heart skipping a beat. During her session we explored different parts of the park and got our fair share of exercise in! We had to reschedule once due to rain (classic Iowa fall), but we ended up with the most beautiful fall day for our backdrop. See for yourself! 🍁

Zach and Tia | Sunflower Field Engagement Session

I’ve been friends with Zach and Tia for a few years and had them model for me in the past and even got to photograph their roof top proposal. So I was so excited when Tia reached out to me about being their wedding photographer! She had a fun vision of doing part one of their engagement photos in a sunflower field, which I think we knocked out of the park 😊

I have so many favorites from Zach and Tia’s engagement session that I decided to split them into two blog posts, that way I get to give them the spotlight they deserve and you don’t have to look at 50 photos all at once 😉Be on the look out for part two featuring a beautiful ivy wall in Downtown Des Moines next week!

The Loft DSM Wedding Styled Shoot

I thought planning this styled shoot was exciting, but coming together with all these different amazing vendors was a whole other level. It’s always so fun to collaborate with other creatives and everyone knocked their contributions out of the park for this bridal shoot. Not to mention the models drove three and a half hours just to come to the shoot. Usually I’m the one driving to weddings, so it felt so foreign to have them come to me, but I’m super happy and thankful that they did!

Thank you to all the amazing vendors who participated!

Venue: The Studio at One Source Events

Hair: April Marie

Makeup: Cassidy Ariel

Tux: The Tux Shop

Florals: Lavender Blue Floral

Decor: Drift Salvage Decor

Table Setting: Karla Lewenczuk Events

Cake: Creme Cupcakes

Stationary: Full Bloom Creative

Models: Miranda and Collin Barker

We started the day with hair and makeup. Both of these ladies are super talented and are at the top of my lists when brides ask for vendor help. They know their stuff and are so easy going and fun to be around.

I’ve always swoon over Miranda’s ring and it was even more gorgeous than I remember. She even cleaned it just for me. 😍

Next we did a few portraits of Miranda and Collin separately. The Studio at One Source has the cutest bridal room. Miranda was literally glowing thanks to all the amazing natural light the windows provided.

Collin looked super dapper in his suit. The Tux Shop fitted his look perfectly to him. The suit literally looked like it was made for him. We were all so impressed, especially because he didn’t get to try it on before the shoot!

At the last minute, we decided to do a first look. These two were so cute and smiley. You would assume it was the first time Collin had seen his bride in her dress. It’s clear their love has only grown stronger since being married which is what I pray for all my couples!

Don’t even get me started on the details. Every single detail fit together perfectly. From the gold silverware to the gold candlestick holders and gold accent on the cake. The flowers, the blush glasses, and cake stand complimented the blush undertones in Miranda’s dress so well.

Overall this shoot surpassed my dreams and all the vendors knocked my socks off. I would highly recommend any of these ladies if you are in the beginning stages of wedding planning! To say I am ready for wedding season after this shoot is an understatement. My first wedding is in June and I am pumped. To all my couples, I cannot wait to have a blast with you on your wedding day. Let’s do this 👊

Mayson Downtown Des Moines Senior Session Part 1 | Des Moines Senior Photographer

We started Mayson’s senior session in downtown Des Moines and the sun even came out in the end. I love the urban feel and the yellow mustard sweater she picked out. They couldn’t have paired better together. After her senior year, Mayson plans to go to school in the fall to study theatre and pursue her dream of becoming an actress. I can say with confidence if she ever wanted to go into modeling it’d be a great option, because she KILLED her session. So much so that I’m breaking it into two parts, because I have so many favorites I want to share.

Those eyes! #ModelStatus

I always love incorporating movement into sessions whenever possible. This girl twirled a few times of me and I love the smile it brought to her face. Sometimes there is nothing better than acting like a little kid!