Autumn Reads

Growing up, it was a real good bet that you'd find me with my nose in a book. We went to the library regularly, and I could never leave with under 10 new pieces of literature. In fact, I wanted to be a librarian when I grew up! (Still kinda do…)
As an adult, it's been important for me to learn how to rest in my time off. I love watching movies and television, but honestly, that isn't the best way to rest. A lot of my life requires me to be on a computer, camera, or phone screen. So, resting in other ways is really, really healthy. And fun! It's been amazing to get a new library card. I've used it multiple times, and have no plans to stop. ;) For those of you who also enjoy a good book, here's a list of a few of my recent "reads"…maybe you'll enjoy them, too!

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1. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg (blogger at Orangette). This book was one of my favorites! I'm considering checking it out again, just to make some of the recipes inside. Molly crafted it with class and taste, and it's a great example of a creative non-fiction work. Find this at your library if you enjoy food & memoir-style books. 

2. Madeleine L'Engle has been a favorite author of mine since I re-read A Wrinkle in Time in late elementary school. The Ames library doesn't have many of her works, but this one was perfect for a lazy weekend with a few mugs of tea. Certain Women ties together family, love, mystery, & art in classic L'Engle style.

3. At Home in Mitford is the first in a series by Jan Karon. I actually picked up the first one for $.50 at a local thrift shop last year & fell in love! So far, I've read about four of the books in the series. These are sweet and easy reads, bringing in faith, a little mystery, and lots of good fun!

4. Seven by Jen Hatmaker turned out to be so much better than I'd imagined! I seriously laughed and cried through it, and was also really challenged to think through where my time and money go. I'm not sure that I could pull something like this off…but I have some practical fasting goals for this year, in part inspired by this book!

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There you go! A few books to look into, if any of them sound like your kind of read. I would love to hear what books you have read lately! What books do you suggest for me this spring? Leave your ideas in the comments below! 

-Amelia

Year in Review

Here we are, just a few short days away from the end of 2016 and ready to jump into 2017. The fresh start of a new year never seemed to be a big deal for me growing up, perhaps due to the school year's dominance in academic life. This year feels different. I'm not sure why, because I still live very much in the academic year (hello, college ministry!). Maybe it is due to the fact that I'm older. Paying taxes and thinking about insurance and all that! Whatever it is, I'm feeling very excited to jump forward in 2017. Just even typing those numbers — 2017 — makes me happy. Don't they look so clean & lovely!? It's almost like anticipating a clean, white snowfall. Fresh. Glistening. Ready to be explored.

That's not why we're here, though! This post is to look back. Reflect on 2016 & all the sweetness that it has been. To soak up the last few minutes, rejoice in all that has been and not been, and be thankful. So, here's to you! My friends & not-yet-friends. Those who faithfully read along here, and to you who randomly clicked on this post. And of course…to all my wonderful clients! I am so truly grateful for each of you. It means so much to me to that time and time again, couples, families, and seniors would choose to invest their time, energy, money, and memories to me and my camera! I am truly honored to be a part of your lives in this way. Thank you for trusting me as I grow in artistic ability, in passion, and as a person.

Here are some of my favorite moments, captures, and sessions from 2016. Enjoy!

If you know of anyone looking for a wedding or portrait photographer (or you are yourself!), connect with me via my contact page! I serve the Cedar Falls, Ames, Des Moines areas… and love to travel! So if you're looking for a Colorado or Minnesota or Hawaii wedding photographer, I might be your gal. :)

Colorado | Summit 4

The only thing that can really truly capture (and share) my love of Colorado would be a sound bite of me, squealing with joy at high-pitched frequencies. So, I will spare your ears the probable pain and instead share some photos (much more appealing to the senses!) of my brief time in Colorado for my fourth Edge Summit. I hardly pulled my camera out, but did snag a few photos with two of my good friends out at Garden of the Gods…and a few more at a coffee shop in town. 

I'm in love with The Principal's Office. It's in an old schoolhouse (Ivywild) that has been purchased and re-created into the neatest space for creatives! My kind of hang. ;) They've got a great assortment of drinks…you could hit them up for your breakfast cup of joe, and then head back in the evening for your after-dinner drinks! Definitely check them out if you're in the Springs.

Also, I'm seeing so many proposals happenin' out there these days! Tis the season for engagements…which means that wedding season is coming up fast. :) I'm still booking 2017 weddings, and have room for some bookings yet this summer and fall! Shoot me a note on my contact page if you are getting married this next year. Or, if you have a friend who just got engaged, I'd be honored if you would share my website with them! I would LOVE to photograph not just midwest weddings, but weddings in other states as well… like Colorado! ;)

Be on the lookout for some fun "end of the year" posts!

Selena & Josh | wedding photos!

November can be a gorgeous month, especially on sunny days. This November was unseasonably warm. All the way until Selena & Josh's wedding, that is! Thursday we had weather in the 60's, but Saturday was mostly in the 30's and pretty windy to boot. The bridal party put up with me begging them to head outside for photos, and were such troopers! The light really was gorgeous, and I'm thankful we made it happen. :) 

This wedding was simple and sweet. So many dear friends came to see these two married off, and laughter reverberated through the sanctuary and reception hall the entire day! A few moments that I loved were Selena's first look with her dad…and the cake cutting. ;) Scroll along to see for yourself!

Aamodt Family | Ankeny Family Session

I get a lot of people these days asking me if I photograph babies. The answer is: not often. But, it's always a treat to! My favorite way to photograph little ones is within the context of their family. Parents, siblings, those who love them most—surrounding them with moments of love! So it was a pure joy to escape to Ankeny in October to practice my family photography and make photos with this cutie & her parents! Thank you, crazy fall weather, for giving us a perfect evening with golden light and magic floating about in the warm breeze. 

PSA: I am, in fact, booking for 2017! If you're interested in connecting about proposal photos, wedding photos, or anything else…consider me your gal & shoot me a note via my contact page! I pretty much serve anywhere in Iowa (and I LOVE to travel!). Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Linger a little while

This semester has been stressful. The sometimes-good-sometimes-bad kind. By good, I simply mean full days and weeks where productivity reigns. (I think sunshine helps, too.) But those only last so long, before the stress turns me into a hermit-ous mass covered in blankets, drinking too much tea, and watching one too many episodes of Parks and Rec. Or two too many. Hashtag, honesty.

I am thankful for the busyness. Last year, I had a lot more free time. That led me to feeling guilty for the time I had. My time is in higher demand this semester, and I have grown much more in confidence and skill because of that. However, I am realizing that I must choose to be intentional with my time. "Full" times of year can lead to burnout if not handled properly, or extreme workaholicness, or laziness. I get to choose. The time I'm given, it is costly. Precious. And it is so so so easy for me to spend it (especially the "free time") on myself.
Instead, I want go grow. To not feel guilty for the hours I've netflix-ed, but to learn that in moderation, it's great. But that I am much more full of joy when I spend a free evening cooking for a friend, sharing our hearts, and sitting underneath white christmas lights in the late-fall darkness. That library books can be a great refreshment (and sight for literal sore eyes). And when's the last time any of us took a walk in nature without thinking about our phones?! Just to enjoy the birds, the light, and breezes floating past us. (Too soon they will turn into winter winds, my friends!) Most imortantly, I've been recognizing my need to cultivate time with Jesus. I've found a favorite candle at Target (here) that I love to light, and I want it to be piece of my routine. That small wick, lit bright and allowing its aroma to influence the area around it…just like I'd like my life to be—lit, and shining brightly for the one who brings fullness of joy & peace.

“For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

— 2 Corinthians 2:15

Maggie | Senior Portraits

It was so wonderful to receive an email from Maggie's mom, asking if I would take her daughter's senior photos at one of my favorite places: Ledges State Park! I adore Ledges, especially in the fall. It's full of gorgeous colors, woodland creatures, and lovely light. Not to mention, Maggie was such a blast to work with! She is as sweet as they come, and that alone will help her do well in the years ahead. :)

Katie + Jackson

Katie & Jackson were so laid back during their engagement session! It was so much fun getting to know them, and hearing about how Jackson proposed (he rode a good amount of the way from Ames to Iowa City to ask Katie to marry him!). Also, they climbed a tree. MAJOR cool points for that. I'm so so so excited for their wedding this next September at the Celebration Farm!

Selena & Josh | Engagement photos

Hello, friends! Wow….this fall has been so busy! Is it just me, or has anyone else looked at the calendar in blank confusion that we are just weeks away from Thanksgiving?! (Also, that means so close to the new Gilmore Girls episodes! SCORE.)
Josh and Selena get married in just about 10 days, and I'm so excited for their wedding! The first time I met Selena was when I photographed Liz and Scott's wedding back in May. She wasn't engaged yet, but already was hoping I'd photograph her wedding when that day came. Now, just 6 months later, that day is almost here! It's going to be a sweet November wedding and I just can't wait! Until then, enjoy some of my favorite photos from their engagement session from earlier this fall:)

Elly | Senior Portraits

Meet Elly! She's super sweet with just a bit of sass. We had no problem giggling together during her senior session, and found some great hidden spots in the Waterloo area for her senior photos! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph her…because I did her older sister's senior photos a few years back! It's always a treat to be welcomed back by a family for more photos. Especially senior photos! Nothing like hanging out, laughing together, chatting about whatever randomness we want, and getting some great shots! Elly was a natural, and I hope you can tell just how kind she is from these few favorites on the blog. :) I'm still booking senior sessions for the class of 2017 in the Des Moines and central Iowa area, so feel free to connect with me via my contact page!

Alea + Jared || Waverly, Iowa Wedding photographer

Jared and Alea had the sweetest August wedding one could dream of! It was a joy to capture them on their wedding day, making a covenant together in front of all their family and friends. It was perfectly them, which means boots, country music, and some of the best home cooked food that you could imagine was involved! I think that my favorite part of this day (besides Alea's dance with her father—talk about a real tear jerker!) was sneaking out for sunset photos on the golf course. MMMMMM, yes please. (Also, shoutout to my lil sister for seconding and snagging some of these photos!)

Jesse + Sophie | Married

“At last, at last
Bones of my bones
And flesh of my flesh
At last”

— THE OH HELLOS —Like The Dawn

Jesse & Sophie. Two people, so perfectly designed by a Creator for life with one another. They met through college, and most of their relationship has been long distance (try Iowa to Indonesia!) but now they finally get to live life…TOGETHER! Despite some crazy heat and humidity, and a few unexpected rainshowers, this day was lovely. Sophie and her girls got ready at the church, in the library. Her parents married here, and now, it was her turn! We took wedding party photos at the old brick church building, which was gorgeous and turned out splendidly. After the wedding, we headed to the reception hall in Nevada, where the BEST DANCE PARTY of my life happened. (And everyone else's too, I'd bet!) A highlight of the night was when "Jesse's Girl" came on & Jesse proceeded to dance enthusiastically to it. ;) The evening ended with a birdseed exit—and I LOVE how it looks like glitter in the photos! What a night!

Jessica + Brandon | Married

“I’m gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin’ my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord’s blessed
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows”

— Tim McGraw

It's hard to express this day with words. Jess was my very closest friend for three years in high school, and watching her move away to college after graduation was so hard for my little 18 year old heart. However, our friendship remained constant…through twitter, skype, and the occasional sleepover. A few years in, Jessa started talking to a boy. Brandon. "B." And wouldn't you know it, college graduation, way too many miles of driving most weekends, a puppy-turned-dog, and grad school later, they are finally married!

Photographing Jessa's wedding day was so very sweet. It's what we dreamed of in high school, come true at last! Actually, it's not. It's better. Because our dreams in high school were sub-par and awfully hilarious. Good thing God knows better than that. ;) Enjoy Jess and Brandon's wedding day photos—a sweet summer day full of sunshine, prairie flowers, family, friends, and so much love!

Erik + Beth | Cedar Falls Engagement

Beth and I bonded for the first time when we were both bridesmaids in her brother's wedding. I remember keeping an eye on Erik & Beth during the reception, thinking they were both fun together, and hoping in the back of my mind that someday…down the road, of course!… that they'd maybe ask me to photograph their wedding. Sure enough, they got engaged & Beth send me an email not long after! These two get married later this month in Des Moines, and I'm excited to photograph their intimate wedding day. :)

Fort Dodge || Baby Johnson

It's always so fun to travel for photo sessions—even more so when you get to catch up with friends! Rachel & Nick were friends who asked me to photograph their engagement photos…then their wedding…and now, maternity photos! Little baby girl J is due next month and is going to be so well loved by her parents & Willis. :) Also: is this nursery not the cutest thing?! I love how Rachel has it decorated! Not to mention, this baby crib is Nick's. So sentimental and sweet!

On a personal note, I'm heading down to my new little apartment in Ames for the school year soon & would love to photograph senior photos, engagements, and family/maternity photos in Ames or Des Moines this fall and winter!

Grinnell Wedding Photographer || Sophie and Jesse

Sophie and Jesse are the kind of people that you immediately feel at home with. They invite you in to their lives with kindness, the rare kind that starts with growing up in small town Iowa & ends with the never-ending love of Jesus. Sophie was a friend of mine during my years at ISU as a student, always willing to share her life and her time over a cup of tea. Jesse might seem quiet at first, but he's really full of great stories of adventure and even greater (& deeper) thoughts. These two have a passion to love those around them, and I'm thrilled to see how their marriage only grows and refines that desire! Jesse and Sophie marry this weekend, and it will be the most joyous of days. 

Jesse's family owns a bit of land around Grinnell, so the three of us adventured around the creek, "tree number one and two," the old cabin, and a wholeeee lot of wild parsnip (!!!!!) to make some memories and take engagement photos. Here are a few of my favorites:)

Cedar Falls Proposal || Erin & Jon

“I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t
Want anybody else but you.”

— Magic by Coldplay

Jon decided to come visit Erin for her birthday weekend. They went on a picnic date out at Big Woods Lake…little did Erin know what was to come after they wined & dined! Jon challenged Erin to a "most artistic photo" contest. While she lay on the ground photographing some flowers, Jon removed the battery from the camera he was using and slipped in a ring…and once Erin pulled out what was making the "mystery rattling noise," Jon got down on one knee...

These next photos are (selfishly) my favorite…after they'd had a few minutes, Jon yelled out, "AMELIA! You can come out now!" Erin's face & reaction was priceless. She'd wanted me to photograph this for sooooo long, but had told me multiple times she didn't think Jon knew that, or that he'd ask me. Little did she know that he'd started the conversation back in March. 4 months previous. HAH!

After more gawking and freaking out and us generally not knowing what to do next…we walked around the park area & took more photos! Because, what else are two photographers going to do? ;)

And, it wouldn't be a celebration without heading home to share news with the family & eating some Scratch cupcakes! ;) Erin & Jon, I'm so thankful to have been a part of this life-changing evening, and even more thankful to walk with you both through life for the rest of our years as friends.

Waukee wedding photographer || Ryan + Lauren

Lauren and Ryan got married on the perfect July day. It rained (just a little!)—a sweet sign of good luck, but all storms held off, with no humidity to show for the season! They chose to get married at Ryan's home church, and held the reception a short drive away in Van Meter, IA. These two had their closest friends standing up with them, and so many family members to celebrate with them on their big day. Lauren was so laid back and thoughtful of everyone around her. Seriously the sweetest bride that could be! Ryan incorporated his infamous "Chapstick flip" into the ceremony, and kept his new bride smiling all day long with his care for her. It was truly an honor to photograph their wedding (especially after shooting the proposal and engagements, and literally getting back into the country three days before!). They moved out to Maryland for Ryan's job a few days later, and are currently on their honeymoon! Hope you two are having a blast exploring Maine and taking some photos of your own. :)

Mongolia, land of the blue sky and of my heart

Oh, Mongolia. 

The land is beautiful, but the people are even more lovely. It's amazing how quickly friendships can form and grow, even with language barriers! People are people, and we all want to be loved. Short trips can leave lasting impacts…this one did for sure. I'm so excited to share some of my photos from the four weeks we spent there with you all!

Below you'll see: 
Ulaan Baatar, the capital city & where we lived
Chinggis Khaan Statue (and horse riding!)
Hiking by Zaisan with students & friends
Terelj, National Park in the Countryside
Last Rally Day at our school
Exploring the Naran Tuul "Black Market" in UB
Matt winning 4th place in a MAS-wrestling competition (wut!?)
Our final banquet
 

Waterloo, IA Senior Portraits | Coleman

He wanted 3 photos and I'm giving him 75. Oops…but hey, YOSO! (you only senior photo once hahaha). This is Coleman. He's an amazing videographer, photographer, yo-yo artist, and all-around the nicest guy you'll meet. Plus, he lives in Thailand and has the coolest adventures, of which I'm jealous. Next year, he begins the adventure of college and is going to make waves in the art community for sure.