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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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??? […]

One of the BIGGEST reasons I love photography and what makes my style my style, is that I LOVE to capture the relationship and love between people.  This is why I love weddings (and those in-between moments that you might miss), families (even the messy, crazy parts), and lifestyle newborns (especially when they include Gordon […]

Mr. Thielen has a smile that lights up the world!  He also has a crowd of family that love him dearly (that you can’t see behind the camera making him smile)! :p   It is allllllways such an honor to be trusted to take another photographer’s family photos and Brittany is one of the sweetest!  The […]