Author: Stephanie Marie

100+ Women Who Care: Hawkeye Chapter 2016 | Iowa City Event Photographer

What can I say about this amazing group of philanthropic women besides the fact they’re the funnest, most selfless group of beautiful and intelligent business women in the corridor? I’m so thrilled to have spent 2016 donating my time to the 100+ Women Who Care: Hawkeye Chapter – I’ve signed on for next year as well! Grab your checkbooks ladies and join us for a meeting! Here are a few of my favorite photos from the four (quarterly) 2016 meetings (and a few snaps of the men!). Want more information on how it works? Check out the video at the end to find out more. Enjoy!!
Josh + Emily Bell, Married on New Years Eve | Cedar Rapids Country Club Wedding Highlights || Cedar Rapids, Iowa Wedding Photographer

Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography

Dress – Sophia Tolli from Fifi’s Tailor and Custom Design in Elmhurst, IL

Shoes – Vince Camuto

Flowers – E’s Floral

Venues – Cedar Rapids Country Club

Catering – Cedar Rapids Country Club

Cake – Classic Cakes by Design – Ann Mason

Music/DJ – Ultimate Entertainment

Hair – Amy Stoner

Makeup – Lindsey Faber, Makeup Artist

Rings – Michael Hill (bride), family heirloom (groom)

Bridesmaids dresses – Bari Jay

Other – Buresh Rentals
Mini Honeymoon pt. 2 – San Francisco! | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I was tempted to title this with “San Diego Wedding Photographer” since we were in CA for that reason and then decided to make it into a mini-honeymoon, but oh well. You get the point.
Part 2 of our mini-honeymoon (see part 1 HERE) was spent in San Francisco, a city Chris and I had never been before. We stayed in Japantown (my fav!) and we were able to quickly explore many parts of the city thanks to Uber! We ate and drank our way through the city – after all, the wedding was over so we didn’t have to worry about calories. 😉
You may not know this, but I lived in Japan for 4 years so staying in Japantown was like being home. I ate lots of Japanese treats and spent money on lots of Japanese stuff to take home to Haley, who essentially grew up there. The coffee was amazing, the cocktails were amazing, the pizza was amazing… and waking up on the last day there to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge together before anyone else got there was perfect.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Steph
Pink & Gold Baby Shower || Little Lights Events, West Branch | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

There are few things more exciting than having a baby… especially when you love pink and all things glitter like my sweet friend Liv (See her maternity session HERE). She is expecting a baby girl in February so we decided to throw her a pink and gold themed baby shower to celebrate. We are ALL impatiently waiting to hear what her name will be! It was a perfect afternoon and so heartwarming to see her closest friends there to show her how much her little family is loved.

If you’ve read my blog before, you know one of my favorite places ever is Little Lights Events in West Branch. It’s literally the perfect space for any occasion. You can go HERE and HERE and HERE to see a few ideas!
Sarah + Bristol || Mother Daughter Session | Iowa City Family Photographer

I was honored when Sarah (a photographer herself – check out her work HERE) contacted me to take birth photos when she had little Miss Bristol. Side note: I had never done birth photography before but I loved it! It’s such an amazing moment!

Sarah and I formed an instant friendship when I walked into her hospital room and she is now one of my closest friends. Fast forward 5 months and she booked this mother-daughter session and headshot update when my studio opened. I absolutely love that Bristol fell asleep on Sarah during this session. It’s probably my favorite baby photo ever – and I don’t usually photograph babies!! This was so much fun and I can’t wait for their next session in a few months.
Erin + Ben || Snowy Minnesota Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

When I first met with Erin + Ben, their excitement for planning their wedding was contagious. I absolutely love that our consultation turned into feeling like we formed a friendship!

They flew me and my best makeup artist friend Cult Beauty by Liv up to their family cabin in Northern Minnesota where we spent a few days shooting (and eating and drinking allllll the wine). The airport was so small, it was completely vacant when we flew in. Side note: when we left, a plane had crash landed and the airport was shut down for 24 hours – pilot Bob made sure we took off and made it home. LOVE pilot Bob!

This snowy Minnesota engagement session was just one of a few that I can’t wait to show you. Erin + Ben had some amazing ideas for their engagement session and we were thrilled they all worked out so perfectly. The cabin is absolutely beautiful – it sits on Woman Lake and the view is breathtaking. We woke up to the most amazing sunrises and after spending a few days there it was so hard to leave! Their style and connection with one another made my job so easy. Julie and I can’t wait until May to shoot their wedding at the stunning TPC Deere Run in the Quad Cities!
Rachel D | Iowa City Senior Photographer

It’s a NEW YEAR already!? I can’t even believe it. This means all you high school juniors need to contact me for senior photos!! (Yes, you’ll be graduating NEXT YEAR!) SWEET!!!!!!!
Mt. Vernon Engagement Session | Cedar Rapids Wedding Photographer

I figure before Emily and Josh’s wedding tomorrow (and my last wedding of the year – NYE!), I should post their engagement photos! We had the best time walking around Mt. Vernon a few months ago. We made sure to stop in front of United Methodist Church where their ceremony will take place. Emily and Josh are so much like my husband and I. Josh is sarcastic and witty – which makes Emily laugh… all the time. Julie and I are excited to be ringing in 2017 with them as husband and wife at the beautiful Cedar Rapids Country Club!
Studio Maternity Session | Iowa City Photographer

It’s the best feeling in the world when your best friends support you – and I’m so thrilled one of mine booked her maternity session with me before my studio was even finished.

This is my dear friend Olivia, owner of Cult Beauty by Liv. She’s the most talented makeup artist I know – I even hired her to do makeup for me and my bridesmaids for my wedding. These photographs turned out so beautiful (because lets be honest – she and her family are stunning!). I cannot wait to meet her baby girl in February!!
Holiday Mini Sessions | Iowa City Family Photographer

The weather in Iowa can be so unpredictable and I have never had a studio space to combat that issue until now! After wrapping my first studio holiday mini sessions, I’ve picked a few of my favorite images to share. These two days were amazing and I can’t wait to announce the next ones!