Alison and Caleb Engagement Session | Des Moines Engagement Photographer

These two. Where do I even start. With lots of heart eyes for sure.

I met Alison and Caleb behind the Des Moines Art Center at The Clare & Miles Mills Rose Garden. They specifically requested a nature filled engagement session because like me they enjoy spending their time outside. As soon as we started the session I knew we were going to have a great time together. These two are so sweet and genuine with each other and all their tender moments together were so stinking cute. I was saying “Oh my gosh you guys are the cutest'“ every other photo and they’d just smile and continue to be the cutest.

By the middle and end of the session Caleb asked for few specific poses which I LOVED. Can all guys be this into their engagement session? 😉 These two were so trusting of me and were up for whatever which had my heart pitter pattering and it paid off big time. Scroll through to see for yourself!

Okay, story time about the next set of photos.

At our second location, Caleb had a book under his arm and explained when they were in South Africa they would go to book stores and buy different books together. When family visited they made them take books back because they had so many. So now they have all these books they collected in their home and mementos of their time in South Africa together. He wanted to incorporate one of the books because they spent 6 months together in South Africa. My sentimental heart about exploded.

I love how intentional these two are with their relationship. From the stories they told me to the way the held each other during their session; I cannot wait for their wedding at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden this August.

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 👊

The Story of How I Almost Went Full Time in Photography

According to Miss Congeniality today, April 25th, is the perfect date. So I figured it would be the perfect day to share a little update. 😊

If I’m being honest I never know how much to share online.

Especially in my business. I want to be open, honest and real with others, but I also want to be professional and keep some of my personal life, personal. This month I was super active for 2 weeks, then super quiet and I want to share why.

A month ago my position at my day job was terminated very suddenly. It was a total shock. Once the initial shock wore off I was upset. Because justice. But the more I let it sink in the more I felt free and the anger completely faded away.

For two weeks I focused on Taylored Company every day. I worked on things I never had time or energy to even think about before. I slept in, I made myself breakfast every day, I spent time outside, I had long talks with God, I did laundry, I cooked, and I met up with friends. It is safe to say I did a lot. It was good and I needed that downtime more than I realized. I even prayed and considered going full-time with Taylored Company.

In a perfect world, I would have. But we are living with our in-laws to help save for a house right now. (Glamorous, I know 😉) So I prayed a lot and asked for specific signs. I was patiently impatient (being patient is hard guys) and God provided the perfect job for me in this session of life.

For every story you hear/read of someone being fired or leaving their desk job and going for their passion I’m sure there is an untold story just like mine. Just because others are doing one things one way doesn’t mean that is going to be your path.

This is something I have to constantly remind myself of.

It’s easy for lifestyles and business paths to look glamorous online. I want to share my story with you to remind you that everyone’s story is different. Even if it all seems the same via the internet.

The beginning of this month was hard, but some amazing things for Taylored Company have been happening at the exact same time.

I booked three more weddings.

My goal this year was to book three weddings total with Taylored Company. This puts me at five for 2019 wedding season, one for 2020 already. You guys rock. Seriously I couldn’t do it without you. God has already blessed me beyond my limited imagination in my first official year in business.

Because of this I was able to invest in two of my dream lenses and plan to buy a laptop by the end of summer, which I didn’t think I’d be able to do until next year. I have officially closed my books for weddings in September and November already, which I also didn’t think would happen.

Every session and wedding I book helps Jon and I take one step closer to buying our first home ❤️ So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Lastly, I want to encourage anyone pursing any passion “on the side”. Just because you don’t or can’t spend all your time on your passion doesn’t make it any less. It just makes it different from others who do and that’s okay. Enjoy the session of life you are in. You won’t regret it.

This experience reminded me my worth doesn’t come from a steady paycheck, job title, passion, or others. It comes from the freedom found in relying solely on Jesus Christ.

Also to all my couples: I’m pumped for your wedding and cannot wait to experience and capture it for you!

Iowa Spring Wedding Styled Shoot | Des Moines Wedding Photographer

It always feels great to flex my photography and creative muscles after a long Iowa winter. The weather was so nice that we actual shot went downtown Des Moines and shot outside for the second half of the shoot, which felt and was amazing. 😊 Grace T Photography put on the styled shoot and I’m so happy I was able to participate. Cassidy and Christian have been married a little over 2 years now and from these photos you’d assume they are still in their honeymoon stage. I cannot wait for this years wedding season and all the amazing couples I have the opportunity to work with. Here’s to the 2019 wedding season 😘

Taylor + Jeremy: Des Moines Urban Engagement Session | Des Moines Engagement Photographer

Taylor and Jeremy requested an urban setting for their engagement photos, we braved the cold for a few minutes to get some shots with their Golden Doodle: Rio. He was such a cutie and even sat for me a few times 😊After we got some super cute family photos, we hurried inside to warm up and capture more of their love story. Taylor and Jeremy were so easy going and fun to spend time with. I cannot wait for their wedding this fall at Curate! Fingers crossed Rio is a part of their wedding day as well 😉

Associate work for Grace T. Photography