I ran into Kylie by happenstance last Sunday at a Super Bowl party. Besides the fact taht we basically matched + also were both rooting for the Chiefs to win (who wasn’t in the midwest!?), we realized that it’d been a while since we had connected! So it was SUPER fun to schedule and downtown Des Moines session with this gal. Not only is Kylie incredibly photogenic, but she’s an encourager at heart and just was SO affirming!

One thing Kylie mentioned at the beginning of our time was that she loves plants + flowers. Since it’s winter and currently snowing here in Des Moines, Iowa, we stopped in to art terrarium for a few quick photos and plant therapy. Plus, when you don’t want to take senior photos in a traditional studio, there are so many other fun options! This place may be a new go-to for some indoor portraits. I purchased the cutest artisan planter there last year —you should check them out for the most fun date or shopping haven from winter!

Kylie grew up in the West Des Moines area but hasn’t explored too much of downtown- so it was fun to wander the streets, finding spots to shoot. Thankfully, lots of the snow had melted so we had a pretty mild afternoon to photograph and try out some fun poses! Also, is anyone else obsessed with this girl’s curls!? I wouldn’t mind my hair taking a few notes from Kylie’s. ;)

Authentic and fun portraits remain my goal for any senior or portrait session, and I think we accomplished that with these photos! Kylie has no professional modeling experience— she just trusted me and went along with all my goofy ideas! I’m so thankful for that, because we really created some fun photos of this season of her life. Plus, she looks KILLER in that felt hat, don’t you think!?

Annnnd since it’d been a while, we ended our photo session with a view of downtown and the Traveler’s Sign! There’s NOTHING more Des Moines than that!! It’s always fun to watch the people rush out of work to their cars in parking garages, all bundled up against the wind as the sun sets. Since it DOES get cold, we stopped in to Mars Sidebar downtown for the best hot chocolate of my life. (I’m not kidding. Tasted like a chocolate latte minus coffee!)