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. ;)
Miranda brings so much life into this world. She's one of the most caring people I know, and is such a brilliant artist! Miranda also love reading, so we made sure to include some gorgeous volumes of her favorite books. We decided to take her photos in this sweet little flower nursery I've admired for years, so I drove up from Des Moines to Cedar Falls one fall weekend. It was such a wonderful evening, and I can't believe that it's taken me so long to blog them!
One of the key things I learned about prayer growing up is that God always answers. It may just be that answer isn't the one you were hoping for. (The three options are no, wait, and yes. Just in case you wondered.) However, in all the Sunday School wisdom passed on to me, the one thing that never really stuck was that regardless of the answer, it is all God's grace for my life, and His absolute best answer for me. "No" isn't a secondhand, answer-for-the-sake-of-answering from God. A "wait" or "no" just may mean a better "yes".
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. :)
Jenny and Jeremiah's story began back in the summer of 2012. They both attended a summer program in Florida for two months; however, Jenny was a staff member and Jeremiah attended as a student! (I also participated and met them both, however, since I was from a different university, didn't interact much with either one.) The next summer, Jenny led a missions trip overseas, and Jeremiah was one of the (again) students on the trip. That summer created a strong friendship between the whole team.
Living in landlocked Iowa, it isn't often that I get to photograph a portrait session on the beach. Photographing Serene for her forthcoming EP release, on a beach, in NOVEMBER no less, was magical! The wind gave us a hard time, but we managed to make do. ;) Click to see a few of my favorite images. :)
Last May, I had the privilege to try my hand at wedding videography. It was honestly the most gorgeous rainy wedding day I'd seen in Iowa, moody and woodland magical! Dirk and Emily care genuinely for each person they meet. Likewise, the people they surround themselves with are also kind and SO FUNNY! Clink the link to read more after the jump, and watch their wedding video!
In this grand year of 2018, I was bound & determined to host a Galentine's Party of my own. Below, you'll find some photos, tips, and thoughts on hosting your own heart's day fête!
"I'm so busy."
This simple phrase appears in almost every conversation I have these days. Every person I encounter seems to be overwhelmed by their every-growing "to do" list, running around from work to errands to events with hardly a glance to their bank teller or grocery clerk. And when we do have a free minute (or hour), they are quickly swallowed up by scrolling through social media, playing mindless games on a smartphone, or watching another episode of the latest TV show.
We began photos at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, where Danae and her ladies were snacking on bagels, drinking sparkling cider, and getting made up. Knowing some of those women made the morning extra fun for me! Danae had chosen a gorgeous deep purple for her bridesmaids to wear, and I just have to say--this may be one of my favorite color palettes! Not to mention her ring...heavenly. I'm so thankful to have had the time for detail photos, especially the sweet heirloom handkerchief Danae carried!
The Des Moines Christkindlmarket is a German/European inspired Christmas Market! I grew up in Germany, and have distant memories of the real deal. This winter, I finally made the time to hit up this winter extravaganza. Although smaller than the market I've visited in Chicago, Des Moines' Christmas Market warmed my soul and stomach.
Are you looking for the perfect bouquet to carry down the aisle at your wedding?! Look no further! Here are some of my favorite flower vendors in the midwest (Iowa, Nebraska & Minnesota to be exact). You don't have to be engaged to read this post, though. Maybe you've just got a case of the winter blues--these beautiful photos should cheer you up within minutes. Enjoy!
Jan and Grant's wedding day has been eagerly anticipated for years. Because during college, they dated seriously...until they broke up. It took graduating college, multiple jobs, two individual moves to Colorado, lots of teary phone calls with mutual friends Q & Brittney (separately!), prayers and more tears, & finally a risky question and letter from Grant before they began to try again. And WOW. I think they both would tell you it was worth it--hard, and not so fun--but worth it to make it to their wedding day! And what a day it was!
December sparkles with twinkle lights, dreams of snow, and the hope of Christmas. It's arguably the most magical month of the year...so when Megan told me that she and Kelly were getting married on December 1, I'm pretty sure I squealed!
...However, like some dating relationships in college go, their ended. Tears were shed, dreams lost. Both moved on, and both moved. Moved to Colorado, actually. It took a while; months and months went by, until Grand and Jan took a step towards friendship and then dating again! They took their time, and even managed dating "long distance" while living in separate cities in Colorado.
These photos were taken on a super windy and chilly October day in Iowa. The whole Hansen crew managed so well, and Isla even slept through part of our photo session! We had to get some natural light photos (of course) and even snuck into the nursery Scott's mom has made up for Isla.
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.
Anna and Jordan are native to Minnesota, but they actually both met in college at North Dakota State University! Jordan transferred there after completing his freshman year at Dordt College, where the seeds to connect with a campus ministry had been planted. Eventually, these two became friends through their involvement with The Navigators at NDSU, and through leadership team, campus life, and friends, these two became an item!
Alex and Natalie share a love based on faith, and on serving others. Their engagement photo session in Des Moines was a fall dream-come-true!