Des Moines Fall Outdoor Engagement Session - Chris & Brylie

Fall in Des Moines is one of my favorite things. Photographing Chris & Brylie engagement session made it even better. Surrounded by the fall colors and golden sun walking around Grey’s Lake learning more about their relationship and wedding day was so much fun.

These two are a ray of sunshine together. Scroll through below to see for yourselves ☀️

I can't wait to capture their wedding day as they embark on their journey of forever together at the West Des Moines Marriot this next weekend!

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Engagement Session

1. Do I feel comfortable in my outfits?

There is nothing worse than tugging/adjusting your outfit every few minutes. When you feel comfortable you will be naturally more relaxed and get professional photos that feel like you. Just to be clear, comfortable doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. If you feel super comfortable in a form fitted dress - rock it!

2. Am I picking out my outfit to please someone else or because I love the outfit?

Trends are fun and who doesn’t love being complimented on your outfit? But if you are so focused on pleasing others you most likely will look back on the photos and be disappointed in what you chose. Don’t try to please your mom when picking out an outfit. My advice is think of what you enjoy wearing within your closet and pick what feels like your best self/the most confident in.

3. Does my ring need cleaned?

Getting your ring cleaned is free at the store you purchased it from and most jewelry shops and will make a big difference in close ups!

4. Do I need/want to order anything for my session?

Maybe you have your eye on a specific dress or want to order new shoes - be sure to order it enough in advance so you aren’t scrambling the day of because your package hasn’t arrived yet.

5. Do I want to get my hair and makeup professionally done?

If you don’t enjoy doing your makeup and hair yourself save up and treat yourself to getting them done professionally. Or you can use this session as a time to trial your wedding day hair or makeup. Or if you have a friend that loves doing hair and makeup reach out to them and see if they’d be willing to do yours!

6. Do I want to include any props?

Props could be champagne for a champagne pop, a piece of furniture, flowers, your favorite snack/food, or your favorite drinks and are a fun way to incorporate your personality in your session.

7. Have shared my expectations or anything special I want to include in my session with my photographer?

Maybe you have a specific vision or want specific photos. Be sure to tell your photographer this! The worst thing you can do is assume they already know what you are thinking - this always leads to dissapointment.

8. Do I want to include my pet?

Your engagement session is a great time to include pets and get a few quality professional photos with your furry friends. Or if you want to have an in-home session a great way to include your entire life into.

9. Are there any sentimental spots I want to include in my engagement session?

Where you met/first hit it off, your first date spot, go to date spot, or proposal site are all great places to incorporate your engagement session

10. Do I want to take off work and make an afternoon/day of my session?

Make an entire day of it or go on a date after your engagement session. Use the engagement session as an excuse to take the day off and get some extra quality time together. Life is too short not to 😊

2022 Year in Review

2022 was a great year. I had the opportunity to shoot at many beautiful and personal venues:

Noce DSM, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the pond at West Des Moines Lutheran Church of Hope, The Loft DSM, The Hive at Busy Bee, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, The District in Ankeny, Valley Church in West Des Moines, and my last 4 travel weddings outside of the Des Moines metro.

Some of my favorite photos are heartfelt, some silly and some just transport me back to the couples wedding day so perfectly. Enough talking, time to show off the photos.

Like what you see? Learn More about my wedding packages below!

Moving forward I am no longer traveling outside of the Des Moines metro to photograph weddings. Here are the cities I will travel for: Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Clive, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Johnston, Waukee, Norwalk, Grimes, Carlisle, and Saylorville.

Aaron & Baylie Noce DSM Wedding Day

My first wedding of 2022. There is always something extra special about my first wedding of a year. All rested up and creative juices ready to flow I was pumped for Aaron and Baylie’s wedding day to say the least 😊

Both were all smiles from start during getting ready downtown at the Des Moines Marriott to finishing up on the dance floor at Noce DSM. They did all the prep work before and truly were able to relax and have a blast during their day. I can say with confidence that they fully took in and enjoyed every moment on their wedding day, which I loved seeing and want for all my couples!

They decided to keep their wedding day small and invited 50 family members and friends. One huge plus of having a smaller wedding is that you get to spend real time interacting and experiencing the reception with your guests. And If you think less people means less of a party well Aaron and Baylie definitely proved that wrong! They had every single guest out of the dance floor up until I left. Not even tornado sirens stopped them (thank you Iowa weather). They even got me out on the dance floor with them for a song or two 😉

Thank you Aaron and Baylie for trusting me with your memories and making me feel like a close friend by the end of the day. Wishing you two a lifetime of love together 🥰

Des Moines Spring Outdoor Engagement Session | Ida & Jacob

Sometimes I get extra blessed with couples were we immediate click and feel like life long friends. The kind of couple who we just get each other and the more we learn about each other the more we ask “Did we just become best friends?”. Ida and Jacob were that couple for me this year.

Ida and Jacob ooze soulmates in the best way possible. While hanging out during their engagement session it was clear to me they are made for each other. The way the look at each other, talk about and with one another. It’s as good as it gets.

They requested nature only, so naturally we went to Water Works Park. Water Works NEVER disappoints and hit it out of the ball park for their engagement session. We got the best of the spring blooms, lake and open fields with yellow flowers sprinkled everywhere. The variety within this 2 mile radius is nuts to me (in the best way possible).

Ida and I bonded over the fact that we both thought dandelions were pretty and it was a shame people try to get rid of them. Seriously take a look at them. They add the perfect pop to these photos below 😍

If you are looking through these photos and saying “Hey! I’m a laid back Des Moines couple wanting quality photos that feel relaxed, real, fun and create memories in the process!” reach out below. We can bond over B-bops french fries being the best, Nacho Libre/Hot Rod quotes and talk about flowers that shouldn’t be considered a weed too.