It was a joy to get to visit my sweet friends Dan & Danae, just 5 days after their newest member arrived. Little Brezlin has completely stolen their hearts! I always consider it an honor when my past couples let me continue to photograph their lives. This chance was no exception. Click the blog title to see more of my photos (practice makes perfect!) of this sweet little one.
2018 has been a wild ride. Tumultuous emotionally, in many ways, but also such a year of sweet moments. Isn’t that just normal life?! Perhaps I’m just adjusting to life as an adult. I believe that reflecting on the past, planning for the future, and living in the present can add such insight for wise living. With that, this is my Personal post on 2018! Mainly for my processing, but you’re welcome to join me. ;)
I’m sitting here, emotionally bursting with quiet joy, as snow falls quietly outside. It’s the perfect storm— a January weekend in Des Moines, as Friday evening traffic moves hesitantly down the interstate just blocks from where I sit. A mug of mostly-drunk chamomile tea sits next to me on the warm, black radiator. I’m curled up on it, my seat warm and my back cool against the attic windows. In-between sentences in my new library book, I watch the snow accumulate and my neighbor back his car off the street and on to his lawn. The city will go into snow ordinance mode, something I’ve never had to learn about until this winter.
I adore these two humans! I met Kurt long before Kristen was in the picture. He’s always been a solid man of God, serving those around him with humble strength. I can’t even remember meeting Kristen, but I do remember her senior year, we just “clicked” and I decided that this girl was one that I wanted to keep up with after college. Not that we’re best friends, but I have a fond place in my heart for this girl! She and Kurt started dating that year, and it just made sense.
I think a dream job for me would be “travel blogger.” Because who wouldn’t love to get paid to travel and share adventure stories!? Ok, probably not everyone…but since I grew up overseas and have been traveling literally since before birth, packing a bag and hopping on an airplane is literally ingrained in my soul!
What words can you use when your best friend marries her love? It’s an incredible thing! And to be there for most of the moments, capturing them on camera—wow. so wild. The amount of happy tears shed during this day were enough to fill a small teacup, but they’re the kind of tears you treasure. Usually because words of love and tenderness were being spoken at the same time. :) Click to see more of this winter wedding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!
Kaysia sent me an email about shooting senior photos… just a few weeks back. She’s friends with another one of my senior gals, and I was so excited to hear from her! Since yearbook photos are due in just a few short weeks, we decided to take a few senior pictures downtown in Des Moines. We’ll finish up her session later in the spring- when it hopefully warms up!
Photography started out in monochrome, and although I’m thankful for color—sometimes it just makes sense to freeze the moment in the most classic of ways… Black and White! Here are some of my favorite moments from this past year’s weddings sans color. I can’t believe that I’ve photographed weddings everywhere from Cedar Falls and Des Moines to Vail, Colorado and small town Kansas! What a year 2018 has been. By the way, I’m still booking for 2019 weddings, so please feel free to send me an inquiry.
It doesn’t matter when their first kiss was— each time my couples were pronounced married at the alter, the next kiss they shared was first as husband & wife. Each one was sweet, and tender, and often full of smiles! It's such a joy to be somewhat of a "fly on the wall" during these intimate moments. Nothing like kissing in front of someone holding a camera to show how unabashedly in love you are. ;) It’s going to be a sweet thing to watch these love stories continue to grow & mature with time!
This year has been full of so many incredible sessions. From engagement sessions all over the state, to some of the best senior girls ever, I’m in awe when I look back on this past year! To every family who has hired me for photos, every senior girl who trusted me with her session, and friends who have hired me for anniversary shoots— thank you. THANK YOU! It is such a joy to watch your lives develop, your families grow, and love get sweeter through the years.
Ready for “the best Christmas playlist ever”?? Here you go!
Our family roadtripped to Colorado for the first time in 9 years last weekend. Can you believe it?! We used to go to Colorado for an annual ski trip with friends—but hadn’t made the trek since I was a senior in High School! Wow.
Well, I’ve never actually planned a wedding but I certainly have walked alongside a lot of friends (and brides!) who have! :) Below, you’ll find some of my own suggestions, as well as ideas from married women that I know!
I first connected with this duo in the fall. They’re a ton of fun, and I knew pretty quickly that I wanted them on my team! Thankfully, they liked me too, and booked me for their 2019 wedding! Eric and Katie will get married in Des Moines next September with a wedding reception at Stoney Creek and ya bet I can’t wait for all that glorious beauty!
Jackie emailed me a while back, asking if I’d be willing to make the trek up to Minnesota for some newborn photos in their home. I excitedly agreed, which brings us to this blog post. Buckle up and guard your hearts— this little man is going to try hard to steal them away with his tiny cuteness!
Wow. What do I say!? Lizzy, as I know her, roomed with me, in my first Ames apartment. She was a junior at ISU, and not long after moving in, this guy Nate started hanging around. He was kind of quiet at first (especially compared to her!) but slowly started sharing more of himself as we all crossed paths. Us girls figured out by the end of the year that we though he was the one for her… and we were right. ;)
One of my favorite instagrammer/bloggers in NYC posts her & her husband’s “12 Dates of Christmas” each year on her blog. I thought that this year, I’d join in! You can do these with a significant other, a group of friends, or just by yourself. Some of these activities cost a little cash, others are free or cheap. You can pick an choose which Christmas events you’d like to join in on over the month of December. All of these are things taking place around Christmastime in the greater Des Moines area! Please feel welcome to comment any suggestions of your own on this blog post. Enjoy!
I thought that November was going to be my “wedding-less month” this year. Then I received an email from Kirsten, asking if I was available the weekend before Thanksgiving! Of course, once I double checked my schedule, I said yes. :)
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.
This fall, I did my first-ever Fall Mini-Session weekend. And it was CRAZY!!! I actually had to add time slots, which blew my mind. It was the perfect welcome to living and being a family photographer in Des Moines! The day of my mini sessions in Des Moines, it was cool and cloudy, perfect weather for fall photos. I had the best time meeting some new families, and playing with the cutest kids!
