A Little Dance

My client's toddler-aged daughter has the most beautiful cotton-candy textured naturally curly hair. I captured this moment when she was twirling for her mom.

Brotherly Love

I asked my clients if it would be ok to ask their son to kiss his little sister on the cheek during a session at Nahant Marsh, in August. Everyone, including little sis, was surprised by the enthusiasm and energy he showed!

Surprised by Joy

I love the dappled light shimmering through the trees in the background of this picture, and the candid expression of happiness is sublimely joyful.

Snapshot

My 2-year old subject enjoyed pretending that she was taking a picture, too. Those eyes!! That hair! What a cutie!

Sibling Silhouette at Nauvoo

My children enjoyed skipping stones on the river right before sunset. I love the ripples in the water.

Rapunzel by the Lake

My subject's beautiful golden hair recalls the fairy tale princess. We shot this portrait on a lovely summer evening near a small lake.

Their Best Selves

When my friend lent me her two beautiful young daughters for a portrait session, I asked her what she was looking for in a photograph. She said she wanted her daughters to remember their best selves at that age. I love how these sisters' camaraderie and love shine so warmly through in this setting.

Boy Plays Chess

My husband's family loves to play chess, and all of the children seem to learn pretty young. To brothers play in this unique portrait setting.

Pawns and Knights

This little guy is deeply concentrating on winning his chess match with his big brother.

Daisy

The golden light of the setting sun creates a halo-like light effect on my young subject.

Babies at the Splash Park

There's nothing quite so magical as toddlers discovering the joy of water-play.

Reclining Portrait

The fancy masonry wall hiding my sister-in-law's garden tomatoes was a casual and unusual place to take an adorable portrait of my niece.

A Botanical Room Kiss

On a dreary, grey February day, Jessica and David joined me at a local botanical center for a couples photo shoot. This un-posed peck on the cheek made the cut.

True Love

This mom clearly, absolutely adores her son. One of my favorites from this session!

A Little Help From Dad

When this cutie wouldn't stay still for an individual portrait, I paired her up with Dad. He kept blowing on her elbow and the results were adorable. I giggle every time I see this picture.

Brothers at the Splash Park

The older brother in this portrait clearly has the upper hand. At first I thought that he was trying to spray his little brother, but on closer inspection, I realized he was protectively trying to keep him from getting sprayed in the face!

Tangled Portrait

The two sisters in this portrait session are all tangled up, a pose they came up with on their own. I love the symmetry of pinks and their sweet smiles!

Girl Silhouetted by Mississippi River

The setting sun cast a firey glow on the waters of the Mississippi River in this dramatic image, near Nauvoo Illinois. My 9 year old was skipping pebbles into the water with her brothers and sisters. My favorite thing about this silhouette portrait is her eyelashes. Can you see them?

Go With the Flow

This toddler is doing his own interpretation of going with the flow at a splash park in Davenport Iowa. A joke only parents of toddlers will appreciate.

Tutu Cute

I looked up and saw the brilliant pink tutu in a spray of shimmering light and cold water. The rest is history.

Summer Jubilation

I love the bounce of the water droplets and the glowing light through the water spray in this picture I took of my son one August near a splash park on the banks of the Mississippi river.

Lightbox Style Engagement

It's hard not to enjoy photographing a couple who is clearly, playfully, in love. Windows in the photo create a magical, halo-like feeling to the couple, and solved a photography challenge: getting lovely pictures on a bleak, February day.

Mirror Portrait at the Arsenal

My lovely daughter and her friends had the opportunity to get photos at a historic mansion home on the Rock Island Arsenal. The elegant surroundings called for a vintage treatment.

Fuchsia Fancy

My newly-engaged friend had her favorite blooms in hand and a shiny new ring to show off for this lovely engagement photo. I love her darling lashes and the angle of her rosy apple cheeks. She was glowing!

Siblings

We took these fall portraits on a trip to Nauvoo, Illinois. I captured my son smiling for some reason only he knows.

Boy Meets Dog

My son and I went to visit our friend who lives in Illinois a few years ago. My son and her little toy yorkie made quick friends.

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Lightbox Engagement Photo

My friends were so fun to photograph! The challenge was the grey winter light in February, in IOWA. Some giant windows at the local science museum fixed the problem.

Girl in Purple Coat

This photo was taken on a spring day at our town's Easter egg hunt. A strong wind was blowing from the west and our noses were nipping in 35 degree weather. But gather eggs we must. We are hardy Midwesterners. A little cold never hurt us!

I'm Good

Getting two teenagers to laugh that hard takes a special kind of goofball. We had a lot of fun taking these pictures. I love their smiles.

My daughter took this casual senior portrait early in October. I love the contrast of the warm rust on the bridge and the coordinating steely greys on her sweater. And oh what a beautiful smile! But I might be biased.

Here is another photo of my daughter from her senior portrait session. I love the way her jaunty pose mirrors the triangular patterns in her shirt.

Junior Theatre Love

I love this portrait of my daughter, who is a passionate actor. She loved her involvement with this local theater in Iowa.

This is one of my all-time favorite photos. This beautiful tot has an adorable, mischievous smile, and an even more adorable serious face. I love the way the de-saturated colors in this photograph put all of the focus on her eyes and her pouty lips. I can't stop looking at this.