Best kept secret!

That is what people sometimes say after visiting the Panache Interiors Design Studio. Actually, the secret is out! While the Design Studio has been open for a couple years, they have recently joined the Orange City Chamber of Commerce and had their ribbon cutting ceremony a few days ago. To celebrate, they are having an open house and sale THIS WEEKEND! Open house hours are today (Thursday) from 10am-8pm, tomorrow (Friday) from 10am-3pm, and Saturday from 10am-3pm.

I had the opportunity to take some pictures for the staff (my dear friends) there and wanted to share a few pictures of their friendly faces as well as a bit of the tastefully decorated, artfully arranged, beautifully appointed goodness of the Design Studio with you! Enjoy!

Patti is the owner and is displaying some of the window treatment options she offers.

Shanelle, who does floral and interior design looks through one of the many wall covering sample books.

Brenda takes care of the bookkeeping end of things!

Mary recently joined the team and helps with buying gift and jewelry lines and managing the store.

Be sure to make a quick stop by the Design Studio this weekend. They are located three miles North of Orange City, and then 3/4 mile West. You'll be glad you did....promise!

Kelsey and Kley...

...got married in Des Moines last Saturday! It was a wonderful weekend in so many ways and I am anxious to share some images from Kelsey and Kley's big day!

Kelsey's mother Karen received a pearl necklace from her husband Wade the day Kelsey was born. Karen gifted it to Kelsey on her wedding day. Wow. Loved that.

Karen helping Kelsey with the necklace...

Kley at the bottom of the stairs as he waited to go upstairs for his and Kelsey's first meeting.

Glowing bride if I ever saw one!

At the Des Moines Art Center.


The reception was held at the beautiful Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Gorgeous cake by Lovejoy's Cake Shoppe.



Kelsey and Kley: Thanks so much for inviting me to capture the images documenting your wedding day! It was an honor! I hope you are having a relaxing time in Puerto Vallarta!

Asher...fresh and new!

It was such a great pleasure meeting Baby Asher a couple weeks ago. Only nine days old for his first portrait taking, it was so nice getting to know him, along with his big brother and parents!

Asher's family moved to the area just a few weeks ago, and I was so impressed Lindsay took the time for a newborn session amidst the craziness of moving and having just given birth. That newborn "look" changes oh so fast....so I am glad we were able to capture this fleeting time forever!

These are some of my favorites from the session....I hope you enjoy! :-)

Family portrait...

Brothers.....friends. Especially when Asher gets old enough to play!

Those eyes just melt me! :-)


Asher didn't want to miss the party and stayed awake most of the session, but finally gave up toward the end, allowing us to get some precious images of him sleeping.

Michelle and Jordan

These two got engaged a couple months ago in Chicago where they both attend Trinity Christian College. Michelle is doing an internship in Chicago this summer, and Jordan is working in the area helping with his church's youth ministry program. Jordan will be entering Seminary in Michigan next January, right after their NEW YEAR'S EVE wedding! How fun is that?! Jordan and Michelle were in town for a couple of friends' weddings, so we were able to shoot an engagement session last week Thursday.

I wanted to share some of my favorite images of this very sweet, funny, gracious, and incredibly good looking :-) couple. Enjoy!!

Baby Grayson

Another session that took place a little while ago, and is on facebook, but not yet on the blog.

Because Mike is in the Air Force, he was not present for his first son Cade's birth, making Grayson's birth even more special. I love the emotion in this portrait!

The new family of four!!

Who doesn't love baby feet?

Mom and baby.....Jessica said Cade also started out with a dark head of hair!

So fresh and new! Grayson slept for a little while, allowing us to get some time to photograph him all curled up!

Maggie and Tom

Another wedding that I had been looking forward to for a long time was that of Maggie and Tom. Maggie has come once a week to help out at the studio this past school year so I feel like I got to watch as all the wedding plans unfolded. I knew Maggie would be a stunning bride and that Tom would be a handsome groom, but every other part of the day was also very beautiful and special. It is evident that Maggie and Tom are surrounded by very much love and support, and I can't see where life takes this couple!

I actually happen to be posting to the blog while on vacation in Hawaii, and so I will keep my chatter short and let the images do the talking!





Maggie and Tom's honeymoon location was a big surprise (how romantic!!) and I hope they are having a wonderfully relaxing time! This next picture actaully looks like something that could have been taken at a honeymoon destination, but actually was taken during the reception right outside the reception hall while the sun was setting.

Maggie and Tom: All the best to you both...I can't wait to show you the rest of the pictures of your very special day! Congratulations!!!!

Teylor and Richie

I don't know where to begin in describing Teylor and Richie's wedding day two weeks ago. Teylor is very special to many people, and she is also very special to me. I have watched Teylor grow up over the last fifteen years or so, and she babysat our kiddos many Bible study Sunday nights. My kids love Teylor because she loved to have fun with them! She was the kind of babysitter that could get talked into making science experiments and tasty ice cream and smoothie blender concoctions! :-)

Fast forward a couple of years, and Teylor and Richie became friends and fell and love. I was beyond thrilled to be asked to be the wedding photographer.

Richie is a gifted musician, and composed Teylor a song that he would sing and play to her during their wedding ceremony. It was a very touching and at times, funny song. Very special for Teylor to hear for the very first time at their wedding.

The lyrics on the piano as Richie was playing and singing....really wishing I could insert a video clip here!

This was a location the couple found and it was so nice!

If you received a Save The Date from this couple you know why we did this shot. During their engagement session Richie exercised his amazing jumping skills and I thought it only fitting that we try for a repeat!

The happy couple....married!!!

I am not in the habit of posting group formals to the blog, but wanted to show you this image. The house in this picture is called the "Century Home" and is a historical spot in Orange City. It is located right next to the church where Teylor and richie got married, and provided a nice place for some pictures.

After the wedding, and during the reception, the weather started to become stormy, and the reception even had to get cut short by a short while because of the severe weather. On the way home I decided not to stop by the Century Home for the ladder and chair I had left there by accident. I joined my family in the basement the minute I got home, and the storms were quite severe the next few hours. I don't know of anyone that was hurt thankfully, but there were some people nearby who lost buildings and homes that night.

The following morning we stopped for the chair and ladder after church. There were many trees down all around town and this was one of them. Strangely, my ladder and chair were 10-15 feet away from the base of this tree and were setting upright exactly where I had left them!


In closing, Teylor and Richie: Your day was so beautiful, and I wish you much love and many many blessings. As you start your journey, and for many many years to come.