Viewing entries tagged
Ames
Pandemic or not, time marches on. Including schooling and graduation! Cory is a 2020 graduate of Iowa State University, and he wanted to commemorate this milestone with some professional senior photos. It was a joy to meet this young man, and capture photos for him to remember this season of life. Congrats to the Class of 2020!
I’m still so in awe that this evening happened! (Even though I knew about it for months in advance!) Morganne has been one of my best friends since we met 4 years ago at Iowa State. We’ve walked through a lot of life together and it’s so so bizarre that we’re actually old enough to be getting married, not just talking about it. But when Morganne told us girls about Bobby (this guys she liked) and then a few months later, when we met him… we just knew that he was a great fit for her.
Joelle and Kyle complement each other perfectly. They're yin and yang, tall and short, laughter and thought, social and shy. These two had been acquaintances for a while, until a year of college in the same dorm made them more. ;) They had a gorgeous day, nestled in the city of Ames in central Iowa, and I had the joy of photographing this wedding day!
Lauren’s sweet senior photo session in Ames took us all over the area. We included lots of flowers and floral, and even took some on the tennis courts! Lauren is one of my senior models for the class of 2019 in the Ames and Des Moines area, so if you know her, but sure to mention that in your email inquiry so you both get a fun discount!
Lauren emailed me a few months ago about photographing her wedding (at a local winery just outside Ames!) and I jumped at the chance! I've actually photographed there--but nothing was green yet. :) I'm anxiously awaiting this coming September!!!
It has been such a sweet thing to watch these two become friends, date, fall in love, and plan to get married (in less than a month!). Preston's older brother was in my grade, so I knew who Preston was... even before he moved into the dorm where we all lived. However, I didn't see much of him, because he opted to be part of the infamous Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band. Which, as it happens, is what Shelby also did. ;)
I am all for spontaneity (with a little planning, of course!). So when Erin texted me the day of their engagement session & suggested that we shoot their photos on Cole's parents' land... I was all for it! When I showed up, I knew that decision was the perfect one. Rolling hills, a pond (lake?!) and long tall grass, hanging on from the fall. Plus we got the full gambit of weather--a little spring rain, and then a full sunset at the end! My kinda night. :)
Lizy and I met just a few weeks into her freshman year at Iowa State, and I remember just how bubbly and sweet she was! (And still is, ha!) Memories were made that year, including dorm room karaoke, which is something I *highly* recommend.
Logan is the younger brother of my friend Alycia, and when we were emailing about their fall anniversary photo session, she mentioned her youngest brother needed some senior photos taken! I absolutely love when I get repeat couples, and also when friends and past couples refer their friends and family to me! Word of mouth is the strongest form of marketing...but the one with least control. So, getting to meet and photograph Logan was such a blessing. Not to mention, going in knowing that he's a football-playing, motorcycle-driving guy was just a bit intimidating. However, he quickly warmed up to my camera. After a cloudy afternoon, we had a great (sunny!) evening exploring McHone Park in Boone! Enjoy some of my favorite photos from Logan's senior session!
“Sisters, brothers, fathers, and mothers
We’ve got to stand up for each other
Sisters, brothers, fathers, and mothers
We’ve got to fight for one another”
Love Always,
Amelia Renee
Which photo did you like best? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
Amelia
The gardens were crowded with hundreds of people, but there was still plenty of space on the lawns to set up blankets or lawn chairs. We brought in dessert and wine, and sipped while we wandered through the flowers and fun art exhibits. A band played music by the butterfly wing, and children ran around waving balloon swords and animals. It felt festive, but not overwhelming…the perfect mix!
“Hey pretty lady won’t you come my way
We got nothing going on today
I got two arms and you belong in the middle
I’ll be the big spoon if you’ll be the little”
I love growing and experimenting as an artist…so I asked Kyle & Joelle to humor me. I love the rich look of these next few photos!
Finally, we headed downtown Ames to finish up their engagement photos in a more urban setting!
“Touch my soul and hold it tight
I’ve been waiting all my life
I won’t scar your young heart
Just take my hand.”
Oh, where to begin! These two. Katie and Jake met at Iowa State through the same campus ministry. At first glance, they appeared opposites. He was, through and through, a farm boy. She was also from a small town, but had dreams of moving overseas. Jake is tall. Katie is …not short, but not as tall as Jake. ;) Jake started off quiet, Katie's personality matches her brilliant hair.
However, the Lord had plans for these two! Katie recruited Jake to go overseas one summer (to Mongolia!). They started hanging out, talking, and the mutual interest grew. Surprise, surprise—they started dating. And got engaged! And that brings us to a month ago. March 18, 2017. The day Katie and Jake married, surrounded by their family and best friends…including a few from around the world! It was a day to celebrate…but first…everyone had to get dolled (and guy'd) up. :)
Next up: the first look. Oh, it was sweet! Also, even though the sun was harsh and the wind just as harsh (in a cold way)…we found a spot at the reception location, Prairie Moon Winery in Ames, and it was just perfect for the big reveal!
On to bridal party portraits! I am going to be real—March is a hard month to make pretty portraits. Everything is still dead, and you don't know if it'll be warm or snowing. I knew campus would at least provide us a few options for open shade, and some evergreens. Iowa State's campus is never a bad choice…it's always gorgeous! ;)
We headed back to warm up inside (it doesn't look it, but it there was a bitter wind.) The musicians began to warm up, the girls put finishing touches back on their makeup, and the ceremony began!
Post-ceremony, everyone heading next door to Prairie Moon. White Willow did an amazing job with the decor—all the greens and white tones were perfect. Katie & Jake's wedding party also did a great job on their entrances. (After being a bridesmaid in 3 weddings, I can attest to how hard it is to come up with fun things to do in the two seconds you think about it before walking in front of 300 people!!)
Cake cutting. Jake's mom put (plastic) spiders in their cake. It was great!
We snuck out to grab a few more portraits in the golden light, around the winery. I narrowed it down, but it was hard! These two rocked it.
Oh—you thought we were done? NOT EVEN CLOSE! Y'all …these two are getting about twice what I normally give out for weddings! This is a new record for me, blogging-wise, and otherwise. Maybe I'm just going to overshoot my 2017 weddings this year? Bring it! Too much pretty!
Vendor Details
Ceremony: Christ Community Ames
Reception: Prairie Moon Winery
Catering: Hickory Park
Videography: Jason & Emily Stuhrenberg
Katie's Dress: Orange City Chrysalis
Bridesmaid's Dresses: Sarah Wood
Event Coordinator: Taylor H. at White Willow Events
Weather has been on the warmer side of things lately, and so Amber and I took the opportunity to shoot some portraits. Amber had completely warmed up by the end of our time together, and I just love so many of the photos from her session! Also, is she not super stylish!? ;)
Thanks to Iowa State for the beautiful spaces (seriously in love with all the trees on this campus!!!). See if you can spot the campaneile hiding behind some of those gorgeous evergreens towards the end!
Morganne and I spent a few hours chatting, reading, journaling, and shooting at Stomping Grounds last week before classes started up and the influx of students filled up all the cafes in town. Maybe someday, I'll share some video of our adventure. ;) But for now, here's a few stills!
It's no secret that I LOVE red hair! My mom, great uncle, and many cousins have variations of red hair and growing up I always wished that I had inherited that. (Secretly hoping that someday I'll marry someone with the genes & we'll end up with a bunch of redheaded kiddos….;) But, that's not really important! The reason you're all here is because Katie and Jake are engaged!
Although Katie is a redhead (with some serious long & gorgeous locks!), that's not the real reason I adore her. She's genuine. This gal knows how to work hard, love well, have fun, and be passionate about what matters. Jake complements her well—he's a "farmboy" with a great work ethic, yet cares deeply for the people around him, and isn't afraid to speak the truth in love. The Lord has worked through these two as individuals to impact so many students at Iowa State, and now they're heading out to Colorado to start married life together! Their wedding is in March and will be gorgeous, no doubt…Katie studied event management, and I can't wait for their beautiful day ahead.
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!
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 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!
