Des Moines, Iowa Engagement Portraits: Finding beauty in an unlikely location

Engagement sessions have kind of a Swiss Army knife usefulness. Firstly, it’s a chance to spend a little time with a couple and get to know each other so that, on the wedding day, the ice has already been broken and we can dive right in. Secondly, I can see how they are in front of the camera and they can see how I am behind it. Lastly, and somewhat selfishly, it’s an opportunity to try new things, whether it’s locations or lighting or poses. It’s so easy to repeat oneself and let the imagination take a permanent vacation. In this case, it was a matter of attempting to expand my menu of locations in our little big town. God bless Des Moines but there’s only so many interesting and useful locations especially when spring hasn’t quite sprung yet.

So, I asked Beth + Doug to indulge me and follow me into a parking garage I had run across recently. While concrete is rarely glamorous and a feature people are looking for in photographs, this structure presented 2 key elements: color and gentle, soft light. Sure, we left the garage after a while and tried some of the usual stuff but the colors and numbers were a whole lot more tasty eye candy. Subjects often belabor locations when we’re discussing where we should meet but I’ll testify that the background and/or setting is not nearly as vital as the quality of light.

Thanks for playing, Beth + Doug. I look forward to your wedding this Saturday and discovering even better and more worthy settings.