Capture Family Memories with Spellman Photography + 4 Photography Locations

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This post was done in collaboration with Spellman Photography for services received for Des Moines Moms Blog.

photographyKatie Spellman is the smiling face behind the camera with Spellman Photography. You’ll almost always see her with a cup of coffee or tea in her hand and mascara smudged below her left eye.

Katie is also the one responsible for capturing the memories from the Des Moines Mom’s Blog’s latest Mom’s Night Out event in February.

photographyAs a mom herself, Katie knows that little ones are not designed to sit still. While she’ll be sure to get a classic “smile at the camera” photo for Grandma, she’ll also be the one chasing your kiddos around, making silly faces, and playing with your little ones to help their most natural selves shine through. She knows this sometimes makes her look ridiculous, and invites you to laugh with her throughout the process.

When she’s not busy capturing life’s moments for families and seniors, you’ll find her spending time with her baby boy, Matthew, getting a run in with her chocolate lab Penny, or attempting to control the weed patch she calls a garden.

Katie is skilled at preserving lasting memories, from your baby’s first smile to that special multi-generational family photo, and she believes families should have photographic keepsakes of their memories together.

At Spellman Photography, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Katie works with customers to create custom packages based on their needs.

We asked Katie to tackle one of the most common questions she gets as a family photographer: Where should we take our family pictures? She shared a few of her favorite spots in the Des Moines area. Read on for more on these hidden gems.

Where should we take our family pictures?

This is a question I get asked all.the.time. After all, a great location (or crummy location) can make or break your photo shoot experience. The greater Des Moines area has some amazing photo spots … Jester Park, the DSM Art Center, the East Village are all great places. But I wanted to share with you a few less popular spots that you might not think of for family photos.

The Riverwalkphotography

The Des Moines River runs right through the heart of downtown, separating the business district from the East Village. I love shooting on the riverwalk for family sessions because you can get such a great variety of backdrops. Turn one way and you have some tall grasses. Turn around and you are shooting with the river. You can even incorporate some of the beautiful stonework into your shots. Really, this location is an amazing spot! Plus, as long as you avoid it on Saturday mornings you really don’t even have to worry about a lot of foot traffic.

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The Des Moines Capitol Complex

We have one of the prettiest capitol buildings around (in my humble opinion). And it is perfectly situated at the top of a hill, overlooking downtown Des Moines. The view is outstanding. Not to mention, the landscape is always perfectly manicured and picture-ready! While I don’t shoot here a ton, I always fall in love with this location each time I visit.

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Brenton Arboretum

I feel like this area might truly be a “secret.” Not many photographers seem to have discovered it yet. The arboretum hosts many different varieties of trees (including some beautiful weeping willows) and an open vista of rolling hills. Plus it has a fun natural playscape to let the kiddos go wild on after the session is wrapped.

Cowles Commons

This newly renovated area is fast becoming one of my most favorites. You get a perfect mix of city vibes and awesome landscaping that provides a park feel. It’s like two looks in one location! The only bummer about this spot is that it is often used for art installations, parties, etc. so it isn’t always available for a session.

I know some photographers like to keep their photo locations a secret. I’m not one of them! I’ll happily recommend great spots to other photographers or friends who are looking to do a little “iPhone photo shoot” of their own. Almost all the spaces I use are open to the public anyway, so there is no point in keeping them “secret.”

Here’s what a few of Katie’s clients have to say:

“Oh wow! Thank you so much!!!! These are great! I really love the setting and the sun coming through behind us. Thanks again for capturing precious memories of our family!!!” -Joanne B.

“Katie, you did such an awesome job! I can’t believe how many darling shots you captured in that morning of chaos! We really enjoyed working with you.” -Jessica O.

“OMG KATIE!! I just shed tears of joy (and thankfulness). You are UNBELIEVABLE!! Seriously. This means the world. These turned out amazing and once again you blow us away with your talent!!! Thank you SO very much. We love you!!” -Jessica C.

“The boys said you were the best photographer! In all seriousness, you were amazing with us. Thank you so much. I love photos of the boys each year. You got us hooked!” -Nikki N.

 

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Connect with Katie at Spellman Photography soon to schedule your summer photo session!

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