One Step Closer to “I Do”
As a Des Moines wedding photographer, I believe the thrill of your wedding day should start long before you walk down the aisle. An engagement session is not just a time to take pretty photos. It is a moment where the reality of “we are getting married” begins to truly set in. The smiles are a little brighter, the laughter a little more free, and the moments together feel like a quiet celebration all on their own.
For many couples, this is the first time they are photographed together since getting engaged. That is why I work to make it an experience that feels personal, special, and filled with joy. I want my couples to leave their engagement session not only with photos they love, but also with the feeling that this was one of the most fun and meaningful days of their engagement season.
A Picnic Surprise for Molly and Tre
Molly and Tre’s engagement session began with a surprise I had planned just for them. Rather than jumping straight into posing, I set up a picnic in the park. The scene was simple but thoughtful. Customized champagne glasses to toast the occasion, matching t-shirts for a playful touch, and a charcuterie spread that looked like it had been styled for a magazine.
They settled onto the blanket, popped the bubbly, and let the afternoon unfold. There is something about sipping champagne together under the open sky that melts away any nervous energy. The conversation flowed easily, their laughter carried in the breeze, and before long it felt less like a photo session and more like a date they would never forget.
Strolling Through the Iowa State Capitol Park
After the picnic, we made our way to Iowa State Capitol Park, one of my favorite spots for engagement sessions in Des Moines. The golden light that evening was pure magic, spilling over the manicured gardens and bouncing off the stately architecture. Molly and Tre walked hand in hand, stopping every so often to take in the view or share a quiet moment together.
I love photographing here because it offers so much variety. There is lush greenery for those soft and romantic shots, and the grandeur of the Capitol building for timeless and dramatic portraits. The combination perfectly matched their energy. Relaxed and lighthearted, yet full of genuine romance.
Why Engagement Sessions Matter
Engagement sessions are so much more than practice for your wedding photos. They are a chance to slow down and enjoy being together without distractions. They help you get comfortable in front of the camera so that on your wedding day, you can focus entirely on each other. And they give you a gallery of images that reflect who you are in this exact season of life. Joyful, in love, and looking toward the future.
Whether you choose a cozy picnic or an elegant evening downtown, I want your engagement session to feel like a celebration. It should be a moment in your wedding journey that you look back on with the same fondness as your wedding day itself.
Joy in Every Frame
One of my favorite parts of photographing Molly and Tre was how naturally they made each other laugh. From playful teasing to little inside jokes, their personalities came through in every shot. Those unplanned, candid moments often end up being the images my couples treasure the most. They are real, they are unposed, and they tell the truest version of your story.
Playful, Romantic, and Completely Them
Some of my favorite images from this session are the in-between moments. When they leaned into each other mid-laugh, when Tre brushed a strand of hair from Molly’s face, or when they paused to simply take in the moment together. They were completely at ease, and it showed. The result was a gallery that felt effortless and full of heart.
The Heart of an Engagement Session
For me, the most beautiful images are the ones that capture how it feels to be together. Engagement sessions are about more than looking perfect for the camera. They are about remembering the little things, how you make each other laugh, the way you hold hands without thinking about it, and the comfortable silence between shared smiles. Those are the moments that tell your real story.
Planning Your Des Moines Engagement Session
If you are looking for a Des Moines wedding photographer who will make your engagement session feel like a milestone worth celebrating, champagne included, I would love to help you plan something unforgettable. Your session should feel like more than just a box to check before the wedding. It should be a day you look back on with the same joy as your wedding, a time to slow down together, laugh until your cheeks hurt, and remember exactly why you said yes in the first place. From thoughtful details to locations that make your hearts happy, I will help create an experience that feels like you from start to finish.
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