Author: Stephanie Marie

Wedding Day Prep! | Iowa City Wedding Photographer
When planning my own wedding, I was extremely picky when it came to the look of my photos (DUH). I wanted every photo and location to look like “us” and as a wedding photographer myself, I needed a spot for our 18 person wedding party (and personal attendant, mom’s, dad’s, etc.) to get ready where we:
- 1. Didn’t feel cramped and claustrophobic.
- 2. Where the style of the venue matched my style.
- 3. (And the most important!) Where the natural light was amazing.
My style isn’t reflected in hotel rooms or church basements, so the choice for me was easy; Little Lights Events in West Branch. It was easily accessible for the entire wedding party and was a short drive to our ceremony and reception location. I’ll be honest, the space is so beautiful that I wouldn’t have cared about the driving distance.

Little Lights is STUNNING. The owner and manager, Erin and Amanda, are seriously two of the nicest women I’ve met. When we showed up, they had the cutest handwritten chalkboard signs congratulating us on our wedding day. They even had the prettiest set up for us with a pastry tray and sparkly drinks! I highly recommend searching for unique location options for your wedding day prep and definitely consider Little Lights!! (Your wedding photographer will thank you!)

These are just a few shots I took with my own camera before my wedding photographer showed up. We had so much fun – my bridesmaids, personal attendant, and entire wedding team (friends!) ARE THE BEST!!!
- Location: Little Lights Events
- Makeup: Cult Beauty by Liv
- Hair: Alex @ Tru Salon, Rhiannon @ Lavish
- Dress: BHLDN
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
- Flowers: E’s Florals
- Robes: Etsy – Silkandmore
Cozy Venice Beach Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I headed to California for a few reasons: Heck Yeah! photo camp in Joshua Tree AND to take engagement photos for Andrea + Matt’s engagement session. So why wouldn’t I shoot a few more while I’m there?
(Before you read much further, this is the engagement session that was featured in The Knot!)

How did they meet?? By chance! Darren left his phone number at a bar (Melyssa admitted she was definitely doing some heavy flirting!) and she called him! After three years of dating, Darren decided to use Melyssa’s daughters dance recital as a way to propose. She says, “We were getting ready to take pictures, and he lowered himself to the ground. It turns out he was getting down on one knee to propose to the both of us. My daughter was jumping up and down, and I was speechless.”
Lifestyle Headshots | Iowa City Photographer

Admit it – your “professional” headshots are old. So old that your hair has changed, your clothes are out of style, and if Mr. You-Know-Who saw you walking down the street, he’d have to do a double-take.
(I can hear you say “yep” while reading this. You think I’m psychic!)
With the launch of my new studio, I’m also offering lifestyle headshot appointments. You also have the option of professional hair and makeup! Give me a call soon so your Linkedin and professional networks are updated before the New Year!
Matt + Andrea Dominguez | Andaz Hotel Wedding Highlights || San Diego Wedding Photographer

Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography

Dress – Scala, Prevue San Diego

Flowers – DIY

Venues – Andaz, San Diego (A Hyatt boutique hotel)

Catering – Andaz, San Diego

Cake – Edelweiss Bakery, Rancho Bernardo, CA

Hair & Makeup – Jackie Maness

Event Planning – Holly Kalkin, Holly Kalkin Weddings
A peek into my honeymoon | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

Being able to shoot Andrea + Matt’s wedding at the Andaz Hyatt in San Diego was probably one of the highlights of my career. It was the 5th anniversary of the first wedding I worked and I even wore fake eyelashes to celebrate the occasion! But turning it into a mini- honeymoon with my hubby, who hasn’t been able to take a vacation in over a year, was even better. I even talked him into assisting me at the wedding (the first time ever!) and it was one of the best times. I missed my partner Julie a TON, but having a man assist me and get along with the guys on a different level was the best! I even snapped a photo of how dapper he looked that day. I married up!
After we shot the wedding, we met up with one of my best friends, Diana, and her honey Ryan. They surprised us with a two night hotel stay right by the beach in Carlsbad. I seriously have the BEST FRIENDS EVER. She even snapped a few photos of us on the beach!
We roamed around Encinitas and Carlsbad for a few days (I rarely had my camera on me – this was VACATION.) and we fell in love with that area – I love any culture where not doing your hair and makeup, and wearing ripped jeans is totally acceptable. Then we headed up to Venice for a night and stayed in the most ADORABLE AirBnB near the beach. After that we headed up the coast through Big Sur (HOLY AMAZEBALLS) where I’m surprised Chris didn’t kill me… I’m not good with heights and with curvy roads… and stopped in Monterey – where we had the most epic meal at Montrio Bistro. We ended the trip in San Francisco – I’ll save the San Francisco photos for a later post. As much as I put my camera down, I still have a lot of photos to share! Comment if you’ve ever been to any of these places! Chris is plotting his move to Encinitas! haha

xoxo,

Steph
Whitney + Roberto || 10 Year Anniversary Session | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I was so excited when Whitney contacted me to photograph her and Roberto’s 10 year anniversary session in the church they were married. Whitney and I were friends in middle school – it had been ages since we had seen each other (and she looks exactly the same!). Being able to document their love, even after 10 years and two children, is the epitome of why I do what I do. Love is the BEST!!!

I’ve got to hand it to Whitney – she still fits into her wedding dress! I mean, I can’t even fit into mine and we were married last year! (As soon as the wedding was over I said “give me alllll the carbs!!!”
I photographed some of her details, chocolate fountain stain included, and then we took a few photos of her daughter playing dress-up. The second location was new to me; near the Cedar River and Newbo District in Cedar Rapids including an amazing new bar called The Black Sheep Social Club (highly recommended!!).

What a perfect day to celebrate love and what an amazing sunset!!! Thank you both so much for having so much fun with this and trusting me to photograph an amazing time in your lives.

xoxo,

Steph
Sunny Santa Monica Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I’m celebrating the fact that I’ll be back in California in a week, so I figured now would be a great time to show off some of my work from an engagement session I shot this year in Santa Monica.

I don’t know how many people know this, but I’m a master scuba diver, and being by (or in) the ocean is my happy place. (Living in Iowa definitely makes diving difficult!) So when I flew out to L.A. to photograph these two gorgeous people, I was thrilled we had sunny, warm weather and could shoot at Venice Beach. This adorable little modern AirBnB was the perfect setting to start off the session. Laura and Ray were so gracious with their time, driving down from the valley, and I’m so SO happy to have photographed them!

xoxo,

Steph
Lincoln Ian Mack | Iowa City Family Photographer

Let me preface this by saying that some of these images are going to be hard for some people to view.

Please excuse me while I write this, a blubbering mess, after a week of absolute heartache for my sister and her family. I’m not sure I can be eloquent (ever) while dealing with so many emotions.

What does it mean to me to be a photographer? It means being able to handle the most amazing and the most difficult of situations while capturing memories for families and friends to remember. Forever. This includes photographing your own family when they need it most.

On July 2nd, 2016, after 10 days of what the Mack Family was told was a virus, Ashleigh and Ian took their 4 month old, Lincoln, to the ER. He was diagnosed with a sub-form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) called Pure Erythroid Leukemia (PEL). Over the following 4 months, Lincoln had to endure what most grown men can’t, and he showed everyone every day how strong he truly was – with a smile on his face every step of the way. Lincoln Mack at 8 months passed away in his mothers arms, with his dad at his side, after his courageous battle on Sunday, October 30, 2016. He definitely knew how much he was loved.

This is where the “photographer in me” mentions the conversation I had with Ashleigh last night after Lincoln’s burial. When these family photos were taken, Ashleigh had been in the Hospital with Lincoln for weeks. He had a few days home with family where we quickly jumped at the chance to do a session. (We had no idea he wouldn’t leave the hospital again.) His immune system was very weak, so we only had about 20 minutes outside. Ashleigh, like most women I know, was so concerned with how she looked. Because she put those feeling aside and took these photos anyway, she said she is thankful.

This beautiful little boy’s smile could light up a room. Please feel free to leave any comments below for this sweet family.

xoxo,

Steph
Seal Beach Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

It was SO much fun reconnecting with Andrea & Matt to for their engagement session at the Seal Beach Pier. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and in true Andrea & Matt style, they were joking around and grabbing each others asses. (My ideal clients!) I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love them and I’m thrilled to be photographing their wedding next week at the beautiful Andaz Hyatt in San Diego, California!
Joe + Ashley Bohan | Corpus Christi Catholic Church Wedding Highlights || Fort Dodge, Iowa Wedding Photographer

Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography

Dress – Sophia Tolli from Mestad’s in Rochester, MN.

Shoes – Betsey Johnson

Tux – Annie’s Bridal

Flowers – Stacy Terwilliger

Venues – Corpus Christi Catholic Church & Parish Center

Catering – Lidderdale Country Store

Cake & Cupcakes – Hummingbird Confections

Music /DJ – Jerrad Hanson – J.A.M.M

Hair & Makeup – McCallie Jaeschke, Salon & Company

Event Planning – Rhonda Messerly, Something Borrowed

Rings – Kirkberg Connections

Bridesmaids dresses – Pure Bridal, Ames, IA

Groomsmen apparel – Annie’s Bridal

Other – BD Photo Booth, Ceiling Rental from Party Productions