Vonda // 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.

I met up with Vonda on a sunny afternoon. We took a little walk and she showed me her super secret reading spot. Not telling you where it is! :)

Stacie // 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.

I met up with Stacie out at her barn and I had so much fun! She has a bunch of chickens and a couple pigs...and maybe other animals I missed? I was so sure we were going to get rained out, but we got lucky with perfect overcast afternoon that made for fantastic photos! Enjoy. :)

Ashley // 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.

I met Ashley at Lagomarcino's in Downtown Moline. Once again, I place I had never been! I've walked by it plenty of time and I've dropped in to the one in East Davenport for chocolates a time or two, but I'd never been the the original.

We had a little lunch, a little ice cream (very good, btw) and then took some photos! Ashley chose Lagomarcino's because it hold's very special memories for her.

One of my favorite childhood traditions was lunch and hot fudge sundaes at Lagomarcino’s with my grandma. This April will be 10 years since she’s been gone, but a sundae at Lago’s always brings happy memories. -Ashley

Julie // Badass Beauties

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.

First off, Julie looks like a total badass in these photos. I love them so much! For the session we headed over to Nahant Marsh. Can you believe I'd never been there before? Seriously, this project has been great for so many reasons. I feel like I'm discovering all these new places in my hometown!

The park is definitely a beautiful spot for photos and a great place for reflection. When I asked Julie why she chose this spot for her session, she told me about what make Nahant special.

 I chose Nahant Marsh because it’s one of my favorite places to go bike riding on nice days. I love that it’s a decent distance away to bike to but still very doable and you feel like you’re away from the hustle and bustle of being in town. I love the Quad Cities because it has a bigger city feel to it, but that you can go to places like Nahant Marsh that are just outside and be surrounded by nature. I grew up on a farm, and my favorite thing was to go outside on a hill hidden away behind my house and relax, so I enjoy going to Nahant to do the same now.  

Jazmin // 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.

I met Jazmin at her (and my!) alma mater, Augustana College! I've done a session or two at Augie before, but I never get tired of the campus.  There are several places to get great photos and the campus is gorgeous - especially in the fall! 

When I asked Jazmin why she chose Augie as her location, she talked about how it brought her to the Quad Cities and the impact it had on her life.

Augustana was my location of choice for two reasons. First and foremost, it brought me to the Quad Cities. The QC went from being my home-away-from-home to just plain "home". I have laid my roots here and while in the past I aspired to run away to "bigger and better" things, I realized that the "bigger and better" doesn't come from the place, but from the experiences and people in said place. Secondly, Augustana also is where I learned to think for myself. That is so cliché and I despise it! But I am who I am today because I became a critical thinker who questions things, speaks out, and listens when needed. I owe this and so many lifelong friendships to Augustana and my time there. #lifelongviking

We even got a couple friend photos at the end!

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!