Becky + Jake | An engagement session (plus one!) at the Arboretum in Clinton, Iowa

I had one Saturday left in October and Becky and Jake snagged it for their wedding at the Vista Grande! Now that we’ve had a chance to work together for engagement pictures, I’m even more excited to capture their big day! They really were naturals in front of the camera…I wouldn’t even get all the way through a direction and they were in the pose and ready to go. It was pretty impressive to be honest! They also brought along their adorable two year old son Joey. He tried to avoid me but I took every chance he gave me to get some cute smiles…see below for said cute smiles!

I loved this session so much and can’t wait to watch this beautiful family tie the knot and make it official this Fall! <3

Goodwin Family | An extended family session at the Arboretum in Clinton, Iowa

The Goodwin family was all together last weekend to celebrate Gabriel turning 5! So it was the perfect opportunity to update their family portraits. We had such a beautiful night at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum here in Clinton, Iowa. If you’ve followed my work in the past, you know by now that I LOVE this location! It’s absolutely one of favorite places to shoot. So beautiful year round.

I felt right at home with this fun bunch, especially with Danielle’s 2 boys being so close in age to my own. For real, we had to have been pregnant at the same time for both kids!

It was a fun evening and I’m excited to share some of my favorites!

A Fun Morning with Friends at Miss Effie's Country Flowers in Donahue, Iowa

When you meet new friends and they’re not from around here, you end up discovering all sorts of hidden gems right in your backyard! I never knew Miss Effie’s Country Flowers existed, and now I know it will be one of my new favorite places to go! I’m already planning on semi-annual visits and hope to do some photo shoots here. It’s only a $25 fee to use the land and would be well worth every penny!

I highly recommend checking it out if you live in the Eastern Iowa area. You fill a bucket with as many flowers as your heart desires. No flowers are off limits and they have tons to choose from! When you get home you can easily turn your bucket of flowers into multiple bouquets. They are open to the public Thursday to Sunday (hours vary by day). Visit their website http://www.misseffiesflowers.com for all of the details!

Get some friends together, make it a date with your significant other, or even take the kids on a flower-picking adventure. Our kids had a blast making bouquets, enjoying a little picnic, seeing chickens and of course petting the kitties. It’s a beautiful place; you won’t be disappointed!