Cassie // Badass Beauties Project

Earlier this fall I had a little idea for a photography project and just ran with it. In short, I wanted to provide women I know with a photo of themselves that they loved. That meant something to them and made them feel happy, beautiful, strong. So, I asked each one of them to choose a location that meant something to them and then we'd meet up there for a photoshoot.

Cassie is one of my oldest friends and I'd like to think I know her pretty well, so I wasn't surprised when she chose the Wapsi Center as her location. She had worked there for a few years and often talks about the area.

I've  only been out there a handful of times in my life and I am only vaguely familiar with the paths and trails, but Cassie led us to some great spots for her photos. We actually went snow shoeing out there last winter, so it was great to see it a different time of year. There are tons of trails and it was lots of fun hiking around for the morning.

"I chose the Wapsi Center because it's a hidden gem in the QC area. My experience working there after college helped me rediscover my love for nature and conservation, and I always try to let people know that it's out there for the public to enjoy year round!"

Kate // Badass Beauties Project

A month or so ago I had a little idea for a photography project and just ran with it. In short, I wanted to provide women I know with a photo of themselves that they loved. That meant something to them and made them feel happy, beautiful, strong. So, I asked each one of them to choose a location that meant something to them and then we'd meet up there for a photoshoot.

Kate was my very first session. When she told me she was thinking about a corn field for her shoot, I was excited! When I lived in north central Iowa, I had to commute to work an hour and it was cornfields the entire way. I'd often pull over to snap a quick pic when the sun was just right. On the day of Kate's session it had snowed about a half hour earlier. We almost bailed, but decided to tough it out and I'm so glad we did! Really, it was Kate toughing it out. I had a coat and gloves on, haha!

I asked Kate about why she choose a cornfield for her session, she told me about how it made it feel closer and connected to her parents.

Both of my parents grew up in small farm towns and joke that they raised my brother and I as country kids in the city. Whenever we did get a chance to get out of the Chicagoland area it was always for some sort of special family event. We don’t have a huge extended family so my mom relished in the road trips and being able to see her precious cornfields. The cornfields started to mean more to me after my dad went into the hospital. I’ll spare you the details, but he had a long fight for 10 months in the hospital. Every weekend I would drive to Chicago and stay with him in the hospital. On the drive I would always try to notice what was different about the landscape. Since he wasn’t able to leave the hospital I would keep him updated on the new growth, the corn being knee-high by Fourth of July, or when harvest season started. Now that he’s been gone, but I still have those drives to Chicago and back, the cornfields have become one of the places that I feel him the most. And I’ll never forget the time he came with me to steal an ear of corn out of the field!

Rosina + Family // Quad Cities Family Photographer

This family is so adorable! I met up with them at their home a couple weeks ago. The two little boys have great personalities and gave me great smiles (with the promise of a treat after, haha)! I also discovered that yelling "PICKLES!" would make them laugh. :)

Birthday Girls // Quad City Family Photographer

Earlier this fall, I had the pleasure of meeting up with these two little girls (and their mom's!) to do birthday shoot for their 5th birthdays! They had tons of energy and were lots of fun to chase around Vandeveer Park. :)

Neumiller Family // Quad Cities Family Photographer

I know Ashley from our highschool days and I was so happy to meet and photograph her adorable family! They are so sweet and another set of posing pros! I really love how these photos turned out, the lighting was fantastic. Bring on fall ya'll!

Lutz Family, 2018 // Quad Cities Family Photographer

This family was so much fun! The girls were so great and total pros at posing - they made my job so easy! I love that! Especially since it was my first shoot getting back in the saddle...or whatever they say.