Getting to know you…

Growing up, my family always knew who and where we'd come from. My home's hallway was covered with antique frames holding equally old images of generations before me. It instilled in me a love for families and their stories. These photos captured milestones, documented momentous occasions and marked a bit of history-the clothes, postures, accessories, furniture-all told tales of lives and personalities, how they intertwined to bring us to today.

Fast forward to 2021-I think it’s safe to say that the loss of a loved one shapes you and changes you. My father passed away June of 2021 because chemo and acute leukemia crashed his platelets, giving him a brain hemorrhage. Videos & photos I have from our summer together as a family in 2020 are such a treasure to me now. Photos that my dad took while training as a photo recon pilot for the Air Force (serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis) are priceless and connect me to where I first got my love of photography. Quite simply: it courses through my veins and it is a way that I can honor him. At every shoot.

That is what I bring to you in our time together: legacy, craftsmanship, love of family and an expertise from my time in the classroom to help your time in front of my camera be as comfortable as possible.

So, that’s my philosophy, but what other trivia facts would you like to know?

I moved from California to Iowa to attend Drake University for music education. I’ve been in the classroom setting in various job descriptions for the past 15 years. Currently, I serve at the middle school level as a band lesson instructor and at the high school level teaching Photo 1, Photo 2 and Social Media/Communications.

My husband and I did not come by parenthood easily and we are very thankful to have two spunky, joyful daughters, Adelaide & Charlotte and a fun-loving son, Lochlyn . If it’s nice outside, the kids will be playing softball or soccer while I putter in the yard and if the weather is calling us inside, I’m usually trying my hand at a new baking recipe from the Great British Bake-Off or vegging on the couch with a good book.

Check out how past sessions have gone by clicking on the “Image” page. If you feel we’re a good fit for each other, I look forward to hearing from you!
--Carrie

favorite part of a senior session

watching a senior light up as they share what they love with me in front of the camera

favorite season

spring for the hope of new growth

favorite day of the week

Friday night into Saturday morning.

Des Moines Branding Photographer, Des Moines Senior Photographer

I could not be more pleased with my recent Personal/Buisness brand shoot. Carrie took the time to pre-plan all the details. I felt extremely prepared and confident going into the session which allowed for my real personality to show. I relied heavily on Carrie's recommendations for location and shot choices, but felt like she really listened to the very important impressions and moments I was trying to capture. Our session spanned multiple locations, wardrobe changes, and props and Carrie never made me feel like I was asking to much.

If you are looking for professional, quality, well-planned, thoughtful photos, Carrie is your photographer.

—Sonya Joy Mack, author of ‘This Changes Everything’