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Senior Portraits
I am committed to discovering new spaces and hidden gem locations in central Iowa for each of my seniors. Whether you pick to shoot photos in downtown des moines, or the middle of a cornfield, you can bet that we’ll make some magical senior portraits for your Instagram feed! These springtime senior photos of Miranda are some old favorites of mine, and I’m eagerly anticipating the spring blooms we’ll see here in Des Moines soon enough.
Madeline and I photographed her senior photos in a nearly empty downtown Des Moines, Iowa, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Needless to say, she’ll have a wide range of memories of the end of her senior year… and I’m thankful that some gorgeous, BOSS BABE photos are part of those mems! I’m still booking senior photos for the Class of 2021, so reach out of you’d like some pictures this summer or fall!
A high school senior guy’s photos that incorporate electric guitar, Mr. Rogers, and skateboarding!? What else could you want!!! Max is one of the most cool high school dudes I’ve had the joy to photograph and we had a blast exploring downtown Des Moines on a warm and overcast afternoon in the fall!
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!? Downtown Des Moines girl senior sessions will forever be my favorite thing to photograph!
I took Kacie’s senior photos back in the summer and somehow they managed to not make it on the blog until now. Oops! Thankfully, blogging these is the perfect snowmegeddon activity. :) I hope you enjoy this shining star from Hudson’s graduating class of 2020!
From Carlie’s initial email inquiry to meeting for the first time at her senior session, I had a hunch that this girl would be a ball to hang out with. And she is! From a park with flowers to East Village for some funky photos, we made some of my favorite senior pictures yet. Check ‘em out!
Caitlyn’s mom emailed me after learning about my photography work from another friend in the Des Moines area. She asked if I took senior photos, which I love, so of course we met for coffee at Smokey Row to chat. I learned that Caitlyn is a talented dancer, enjoys the outdoors, pastels, her new puppy Luna, and art. In fact, she designed the website and logo of Panka Restaurant, and hopes to study graphic design in college! SO cool.
It seems like just yesterday, I had an exciting email in my email inbox from Madi, inquiring about my senior model team! When we finally met & shot our fairytale styled shoot back in May, I could tell this gal was a keeper. Madi dances, and participates in just about every way a dancer can… she’s in cheer, and dances through a local competitive dance group. She also runs track! Girl knows how to stay active, for sure. Madi’s a girl after my own heart; she love choco chip cookie dough ice cream and the color pink!
I’m so glad you’ve stopped by the blog to check out some of my favorite photos from Ashley’s senior session! Ashley will graduate with the class of 2020 from Waterloo West, but she came down to West Des Moines to have an adventure with me while taking her senior photos. The night we’d picked ended up being hooooottttttt as anything, but she rocked her session with no complaints and a brilliant smile the entire time. My kind of gal!
Steven’s senior photos took place downtown, as well as at a barn where he worked and a path he ran for cross country. I love tying in parts of each unique senior’s life! For Steven, that meant sports and drumming and a lil’ bit of “cool”.
When people ask what my favorite session to photograph is, with joy and quickness I respond, “Seniors!” I remember being in the final stretch of high school, with the seniority and responsibility that comes along with more freedom and, often, fear. High school was a sweet time for me. I never thought I could love anything more. (Turns out, college is actually just as fun!)
Back when I started photographing seniors (when I was an itty-bitty-baby-photogapher myself!) I did a Senior Model Team. Like any beginner, I had noooo idea what I was doing… but it was fun! When I transferred schools to Iowa State in Ames, I didn’t shoot as many senior portraits due to time constraints with homework and not knowing many high schoolers in the area.
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!
This is Paige. Not only is she gorgeous, but she is sweet and funny and full of spunk! I love getting to photograph senior girls in Des Moines, and Paige was no exception! Click the title to see more of her senior photos.
If you could have your senior portraits taken someplace exotic and exciting, what city or country would you choose? Of course, there are too many wonderful places in the world. Maybe you’d have your senior photos taken on Maui with lush green forest and mountainscapes behind you (and some surfing/beach photos, too!). Or maybe you’d choose an international trip to the cozy Black Forest of Germany, or perhaps the white beaches & homes of Santorini, Greece! I think that one of my very top choices would be Paris. It’s historic, classy, full of spots from both literature and film, and just stunning in every way. (My American “destination senior photos” bucket list include New York City, Seattle, LA, Magnolia Market in Waco, and Washington DC!)
What all would be included in a destination senior photo session in Paris!? Let us dream together, my friends! First off, some killer outfits. I have a whole Pinterest “mood” board with ideas— and I pulled some to share here with you all! The first outfit below is a favorite— tulle skirt, black heels, and a sweet beret. The second one literally encompasses how I felt when I toured the Castle of Haute Koenigsberg, in Alsace! Just like Belle, I think. ;)
Of course, if you travel to France for senior photos… you’d have to take some dreamy early morning photos in front of the Tour Eiffel! Especially if you’re wearing a dreamy pink skirt or lacy white dress. (I’ve seen photos holding a bunch of balloons, or bouquets of flowers—the perfect Parisian props!)
Gardens of gorgeous French roses & historical romantic architecture in Paris is everywhere. The perfect backdrop for fashion inspired senior photos! Reminds me of my time in Versailles with my French host family… I wouldn’t mind another trip there, either!
Of course, half of the allure of Paris is the FOOD. And the coffee! (And champagne… but not for senior photos! ;) So, of course, we’d breakfast at a local cafe after an early shoot. And probably take more pictures while dining on good coffee and “pain au chocolat” aka chocolate stuffed pastries. This Vogue article has some fun suggestions on restaurants & other fancy breakfast ideas! Maybeeee we’d even sneak a few macarons. ;)
Anyone with me!? Honestly, if anyone hired me for destination senior photos —national or international— I would just about melt of happiness. It would be a real dream come true! Ok, now it’s your turn. Leave me a note with your dream senior picture or wedding destinations in the comments! I’d love to hear what places are on your bucket travel list! Who knows? Maybe we could even coordinate trips someday and check something off both our lists! ;)
Ester modeled an authentic African-print top for me… and I’ll never be the same. ;) I’m totally all about this girl, and the incredible images we created together! Click the title to see more of the outfits Ester pulled together & her gorgeous model face. #slay
Sara attends Ames High School, where she is a senior this fall! As well as dance, Sara is involved in band… and takes dance lessons at a local studio. She loves the Beatles, purple, and traveling with her family. (This summer they took an Alaskan cruise! I’m totally jealous.) We also bonded over the fact that we both wear chacos, and agree they’re some of the best shoes ever designed.
Kelly is friends with Aimee through their classes at Cedar Falls High School. Kelly andI met up for coffee earlier this summer, and bonded over our mutual love of the local Cup of Joe and UNI Suzuki’s violin program! It was even more fun getting to know her last weekend, when we wandered around CF for her senior pictures. :)
One of the most common questions I get asked by my seniors is, "What should I wear!?". Such a great questions (of course!) but also sometimes, it makes me laugh. Ultimately, I want you to display who you are during your session--including in how you dress! That could mean you rely heavily on converse, ripped jeans & Marvel graphic t-shirts... or that you wear your prom dress and play an upright piano out in a field at sunset. BE YOU!
If you live in Iowa and haven't been to the Iowa State Fair, you're just about crazy. ;) It's one of my favorite August activities--and one of my earliest memories of living in Iowa! The first time my family attended the festivities, we rode the sky glider & it made a pretty big impression on this little girl. 20 years later, and I'm still obsessed with this big country-themed annual celebration!
