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These monster cookies turn our family into cookie monsters. Naturally gluten free, these are great cookies to make for your gluten free friends! These are a staple at our house! Our favorite hack? Make a batch, roll them into balls, freeze them on a cookie sheet, then transfer to a ziploc bag when fully frozen. […]

Food

Gluten Free Monster Cookies

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I believe your guests should *almost* feel like they are at home when staying overnight…or at least staying in a place they would be okay with calling home.  I’ve stayed in many hotel rooms, Airbnbs, guest rooms at friends’ & families’ homes and have been inspired by what I found in both good and bad […]

Educational, Hosting

Top 10 Guest Room Essentials

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This day felt like hanging out with friends while oozing creative juices.  That sounds creepy.  But I could photograph this day 1000 times.  The intimate nature of Emily & Dustin’s wedding party, mixed with the most epic party imaginable made for the best of both worlds.  Word to the wise – keep the wedding party […]

Weddings

Emily & Dustin | Historic Park Inn Hotel Wedding

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Yes, we have been blessed with the sweetest baby girl, but we did struggle with infertility.  PSA to all the people who struggled with having children and now have one/some…just because you now have a child, doesn’t make your infertility struggle any less real.  What you went through to get here was real and changed […]

Personal

Our Infertility Story | A Success Story

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  In home sessions are THE BEST.  You need two things for an in-home session: Windows – give me alllll the natural light, baby. Yourself = Having fun The key to a GREAT in-home lifestyle session is to PLAY.  Don’t be afraid to be silly with your […]

Family

In-Home Family | Clear Lake

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I was bound and determined that I would have an unmedicated natural childbirth.  I did all the research, I did a million kegels, I mentally prepared myself for the pain of labor and birth and repeated all of the positive affirmations.  But I also knew that things don’t always go as planned.  I was diagnosed […]

Newborn, Personal

Ella Joy’s Birth Story

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Family sessions with young kids are one of my faaaavorite types of sessions because you never know what you’re going to get!!  I always have a plan, but that doesn’t always mean it’s going to unfold exactly how I had imagined and I LOVE that!!! I understand the stress of a parent trying to coral […]

Children, Family

North Iowa Family of 5

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So I think I need to hire Candace to style us for our family photos – I ALLLLWAYS love their outfits!!  Aren’t they just the most adorable family you’ve ever seen?!? I LOVE that I get to document this family multiple times a year as their family grows and the seasons change – it never […]

Children, Family

Iowa Family in the Willows

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Two-ish years ago I met the sweetest couple with the easiest laughs.  I got to photograph Jess & Matt’s sweet, sweet, joy-filled wedding day (go check out their Des Moines Fairgrounds wedding here)!!  Now I had the pleasure of photographing their newest addition to their adorable family, Miss Briar Austen.  Isn’t that just the cutest name??? […]

Newborn

Miss Briar | Des Moines Lifestyle Newborn

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