Des Moines Wedding Photographer | Iowa Engagement Session
Okay. This session. This couple. I’m still spiraling in the best possible way.
Katie and Joe are getting married this weekend and I could not be more obsessed with them if I tried. Their Des Moines engagement session took me everywhere. From vintage spiral staircases to cozy in-home cuddles to soft blue hour skies on a neighborhood trail. And every part of it felt honest and intentional and so perfectly them.
Des Moines Capitol Law Library Engagement Photos
We kicked off Katie and Joe’s engagement session at the Des Moines Capitol Law Library, and honestly it felt like stepping into a fairytale. The space itself is breathtaking. Ornate iron railings, towering bookshelves, spiral staircases that look like they were made for movie scenes. But the real magic wasn’t the architecture. It was the meaning.
Katie and Joe brought along a stack of their favorite books; stories that matter to them and feel like home. And tucked into the middle of it all was the most beautiful detail. The very book Joe used to propose.
Let me explain.
Joe had hollowed out a book and folded the pages to say “Marry Me.” Inside that book he hid the ring. That’s how he asked Katie to marry him. Romantic. Thoughtful. Book-lover perfection.
So of course, we had to include it in their session. We placed the book right there among their favorites (Harry Potter, Little Women, A Court of Thorns and Roses). Katie and Joe held hands beside it, and I swear it felt like a chapter of their story was being written in real time.
Photographing them in that space surrounded by stories, both literal and emotional, felt like such a full-circle moment. If you’re looking for an engagement location in Des Moines that blends elegance with personal meaning, the Capitol Law Library is it. And if you bring details from your story, like these two did, it becomes something even more unforgettable.
Golden Hour at the Iowa State Capitol Steps
After our time in the library we stepped outside to those iconic Iowa Capitol steps. The sun was doing that magical golden hour thing and Katie and Joe were completely in sync with it. They laughed. They moved. They snuggled. And together we fought the wind. They genuinely forgot the camera was there and just leaned into each other. This is what candid engagement photography is all about.
If you are dreaming of golden hour photos in Des Moines the Capitol grounds are absolutely worth considering. It gives you architecture soft light and space to move without distraction. Plus there is something extra nostalgic about photographing a couple in the heart of the city they call home.
Living Room Love and a Furry Guest Star
Next up we made our way to their home for an in home lifestyle session. And let me just say this is one of my favorite ways to capture couples. Because this is where real life happens. And when you bring me into your space everything softens. You let your shoulders relax. You kick off your shoes. You cuddle up on your couch and suddenly I am photographing something real.
Katie and Joe’s dog joined us for this part and completely stole the show in the best way. He had that mix of loyal protector and little ball of chaos energy and I was absolutely here for it. Including your pet in your engagement session is not just adorable it is also meaningful. They are part of your story too.
In home sessions also give your gallery a totally different energy. Warmth intimacy and personality shine through in ways that are impossible to recreate in a studio or outdoor space. If you are looking for something low key comfortable and completely custom to you this is it.
Blue Hour Trail Walk Behind Their Home
We wrapped the session with a walk on the trail behind their house just as the sun dipped below the horizon and blue hour took over. That soft glowing light was the perfect closing chapter to their engagement story.
Katie and Joe strolled hand in hand talked quietly and held onto each other like no one else existed. It was peaceful. Intentional. Cinematic in the best way. I love including natural spaces that matter to my couples in their session. It grounds the photos in real life. And when you look back at them later they are not just beautiful they are filled with memory.
If you live in Des Moines and want your engagement photos to feel personal do not overlook your own neighborhood. Trails parks even front porches at blue hour can create the most romantic natural light photos.
💌 Planning Your Own Des Moines Engagement Session or Wedding
Whether you are dreaming of a historic library an at home session with your pup or a golden hour stroll through your favorite neighborhood I am here to make it feel like you. I specialize in candid storytelling natural light and creating space for you to just be yourselves. Let’s chat →
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