Danielle and Jake Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens Engagement

Danielle, Jake, and I all went to UNI together just a year apart and actually majored in the same thing: Graphic Design. It was so fun to reconnect and swap stories about shared experiences and professors. We started our time at the Botanical Gardens. Danielle and Jake explained that they work from home and often find themselves working from the upper botanical garden space, so it seemed like the obvious choice to have their engagement pictures in this special spot. 😊

Associate work for Grace T. Photography

These two were so effortlessly stylish and their esthetic was made for the Botanical Garden in my humble opinion. After we left the the garden, they sweetly asked if it was okay if we switched up the second location and went to their favorite bar instead, Up-Down. I LOVE when couples want to be photographed in spots that are important to them, so I said Heck yes! and we headed downtown to finish their engagement photos.

I had a blast hanging out with Danielle and Jake and it got me SO excited for their wedding this August 😍(engagement sessions always do).

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!

Anna and Wil Engagement Session | Des Moines Engagement Photographer

I met up with Anna and Wil at the Arie den Boer Arboretum in the front of Des Moines Water Works for the start of their engagement session. The fall colors were still on display and Anna’s dress was perfect for the setting around her. We bonded over mutual friends we shared and our love for the outdoors. Next we went further back into Water Works and found a wooded area featuring a pond for their second location. I loved the variety we were able to get in just an hour with an outfit and 5 minute drive. Which location is your favorite? The first or second spot of their engagement session? Let me know in the comments below!

Associate work for Grace T. Photography

BashDSM Winter Wedding Styled Shoot

Every year I put together a styled shoot to prepare for my new wedding season, meet new vendors in the area, and get creative to kick start my year 😊I began planning in fall 2019 and knew I wanted to do a winter themed styled shoot for 2020, so I stuck with some classic winter colors: deep emerald green, red and navy to help emulate the feel of winter whether or not it snowed the day of the shoot.

This year I worked with 9 local vendors that knocked it out of the park in each of their wedding specialities:

Venue: Bash DSM

Florals: BC Floral

Decor: Vintage Love Rentals

Bride’s Look: Modern Dress

Groom’s Look: The Tux Shop

Cake: Creme Cupcakes

Makeup: All Dolled Up Makeup Designs

Hair: Liz Carpenter

Invitation Suite: Invitation Haven by Paige Payne

I was so happy with how each moving piece came together and it has me SO excited for all of my 2020 weddings. Scroll through to see my favorites from each part of the day ❤️

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! 🍁