dsm Magazine: Advisors and Navigators

Thank you to dsm Magazine for inviting me to photograph these lovely humans. Below are my published photos and comments on my participation in the project:

Out of all the beauty in the world, I find myself most passionate about photographing relationships. Being a photographer allows me to bear witness to people's unique interactions. One of my greatest joys is capturing those moments in a real and authentic way. 

I found photographing the mentor/mentee relationships particularly compelling. Since returning back to Des Moines this year to start my own business, I've experienced so many small and large kindnesses from the greater Des Moines community. The mentor mentality appears deeply ingrained in the culture of our strong city. I am awed by the generations before me, who lead Des Moines into the thriving urban center we now take so much pride in. I've observed and benefited from the selflessness with which Des Moines' mentors share their diverse knowledge. The duos and trio photographed for this piece are nothing short of impressive together and separately. Each grouping presented an engaging personal history, filled with mutual respect and admiration for each other's impressive qualities. Hearing their stories, capturing their moments and honoring each or their relationships was truly inspiring. 

Happy Mother's Day Victoria!

I love photographing families, especially families lead by parents like Adam and Victoria. Our shoot was simple and sweet. It took place in their beautiful backyard where their twins, Zelda and George comfortably roamed and explored. The shoot wasn't perfect. It was a bit windy and George got camera shy a few times, but Adam and Victoria were present for every moment of our experience. Tears and laughter were taken in stride as equally important memories. They've only been parents for a year, but they already seem to understand that being a family means embracing everything about one another. I love the moments we created together. 

The following is a letter written by Adam for Victoria in honor of her strength as a mother. Adam is a very gifted writer so I warn you now, grab your tissues. You're going to need them.  

"What makes a mother? Certainly we understand the technical requirements. But what really makes a mother? Is it love? Sure, yes, of course. Love and motherhood go together better than any pair you can name. Love is essential to being a mother. But it only scratches the surface of beginning to understand motherhood.

Nobody tells you how terrifying it is to be a parent. The other night Victoria and I were following our 16-month old twins, George and Zelda, as they crawled up the stairs. It’s a nightly ritual we do before bedtime. They take great pleasure in pulling themselves up the stairs. Each step conquered elicits a squeal or shriek of laughter. We follow closely behind in case there’s a slip or an error. They’ve gotten a lot more surefooted recently, so it’s not uncommon for us to let them get a few steps ahead of us. George had practically raced up the stairs on this night. Zelda was taking her time, inspecting each dust bunny she found along the way. As George passed the top step, he set his feet and shot upright, ready to sprint forward to his bedroom. But he was too close to the edge of the stairs. An error. What was going to happen next seemed immediately, and terrifyingly, clear. George wobbled, teetered, grasped for balance, and then…fell. Backward.

So love, and what else? Devotion? Yes, that seems right. It must be a mother’s devotion to child that pulls her out of bed repeatedly throughout the night for weeks — or months — on end. It’s devotion to child that drives her to sacrifice so much. A mother is no longer an individual. She is an individual devoted to another.

George fell and the universe froze. Heels went over head, tiny arms flailed as he passed the top step and began what would be a devastating tumble. Victoria arrived just before his head smashed into the next step down, just before his world may have been irrevocably altered. Just the way a mother knows how to do. She scooped him into her arms and he cried because he was scared, and not because he was hurt.

Love and devotion are perhaps the two most obvious characteristics of mothers. The third is perhaps the most important: Strength. Witnessing Victoria as a mother these past 16 months is to witness her tap into deep reservoirs of strength. It’s her strength that gets us through the terrifying, exhausting and mystifying ordeal of parenthood. Sometimes it’s as simple as preventing George from falling down the stairs. Other times it’s not. Beneath it all is the strength of a mother. It’s the strength that keeps our family going.

Happy Mother’s Day, Victoria."

Albums are forever: Capturing your always in print

I have dozens of personal photo albums. My mom kept an excellent record of the first 10 years of my life. There are hundreds of printed 4x6 images delicately placed in plastic sleeves and enclosed in a leather 3 ring binder. I kept scrapbooks all through middle school, cutting up my precious prints and creating my own layout and story with Elmer's Glue and craft paper.

A peak into my past. 

Somewhere along the way, my mom and I both stopped making albums. Although photography and family are important to both of us, our photographic records cease to exist after a certain point - can you guess when that was? If you said "when you got digital cameras" you are correct.

Neither my mom or I stopped taking photos. The photos we took on point and shoot cameras, downloaded to computers before our phones kept everything in one place, well I challenge her to find those images. There are years of my life that were documented and discarded with an accidental right click.

I am a crusader for the printed image. I print 4x6's like they're going or of style - because they are. I make albums from my photos, all the time, obsessively just like I used to. These albums are my records - they are what I'll have when my USB no longer plugs in to my future space age computer or my current computer crashes. The printed 4x6's mostly get thrown in a box. That's right - I don't treat them as precious objects. I treat them like my grandparents treated their prints. They new they should keep them in anyway they could and keeping them was more important then preserving their perfection.

This is why I decided to deliver more the just digital files. I get it. Facebook is the modern photo album. But Facebook shouldn't be the only keeper of your memories. I beg you to make prints and books. Maybe you don't love them now and maybe you only look at them once a year around the holidays - but I can guarantee your grandchildren and going to treasure having amazing photos of the people they love from times they never knew.

Ivory House Photography provide custom designed, retouched albums to all portrait and wedding clients. 

Mother's Day Mini Session!

Honor Mom with a Mother's Day Mini Session!

I am so lucky to have so many wonderful photos on my mom and I. Being a professional photographer has it's perks and I have many talented friends who have honored my mother's and my relationship over the years. I feel as if I'm in the minority on this. I've talked with so many mom's whose response to having their photo taken is, "Oh, no. Not me. I'm always taking the photo." 

Moms, I'm here to tell you to be in photos, by yourself and with your family. I love sitting down and flipping through our old family albums, watching the passage of time and seeing me grown up alongside a 30 year old version of my mom. Getting to witness my mom and I together is one of my greatest joys. I LOVE the photos of the two of us. The "bad" ones and the good ones. So kids, get your mom is photos. Do a little convincing. I know she may say "no" several times, but deep down she knows the importance of these images. She'll thank you for it later. 

WHAT IS A MINI SESSION?

Great question! 

My mini sessions are 30 mini sessions taking place on Mother's Day weekend, May 7th and 8th. What better way to celebrate? The mini sessions can accommodate up to 6 people and are held at Water Works Park. Mini sessions are designed to be fun, easy and low key. $100 reserves your time and date. Packages with retouched digital negatives and 3 accordion style mini albums start at $300. The digital negatives serve to update your Facebook gallery with fresh pictures of your family and the mini albums are the tangible record of your lives that you'll have for generations to come. 

I'm looking forward to capturing photos of your moms and creating amazing memories together. 

Home Coming: The Top 5 Reasons I LOVE DSM.

Hello all! 

First of all, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone involved in my big life transition. There are so many people in Rochester, NY, Des Moines, IA, and cities far and wide who supported me in making this relocation dream come true. 

I've been back in DSM for a little over a month and I have to say, I'm astounded. The support I received upon my arrival was more then I ever could have anticipated. I'm so grateful and I feel compelled to gush. So here it is - my top five reasons I'm ecstatic to be back in DSM! 

4. Open and inclusive attitude: I am overwhelmed by the resounding "YES" I've received when inviting people for coffee. Community leaders are thrilled to take time out of their day to enjoy a conversation with this young entrepreneur. Wedding vendors with well established creditability and awesome work ethic have instantly accepted me into their inner circles. Countless strong and impressive young women in the community have taken me under their wing as friends and confidants.  I am truly honored and thrilled to be part of these ever growing and inclusive circles of strength. 

3. Gorgeous places to shoot, be entertained and be enthralled: The change in Des Moines from when I was a high schooler to now is beyond comprehension. I am so proud of my town, even though I can't take any credit for this transformation. I look forward to being a positive influence in this community in the years to come. 

2. Impressive female leaders making a difference in Des Moines: Now this might truly be one of the most engaging points this community offers me. Everywhere I turn, I see women making real, measurable changes in our local and global community. I see these women reaching out and offering a supportive hand, getting down and dirty for conservation issues and stepping up to the capital to speak their mind. I am honored to join your ranks. Thank you for leading the way.

1. Family: I lived in Rochester, NY for seven years. That was seven years of texting, FaceTime, extended weekend visits and treasured Christmas vacations with the people I love most. I have to be honest, I forgot what it was like to have my family around. I forgot what it meant to be able to call on them ANYTIME, for ANYTHING. Being here, surround by these people is the best thing about Des Moines. 

The First Look: The Positives and Negatives of this New Tradition

There is one moment of the wedding day all brides and grooms look forward to - the moment they see each other for the first time. This moment happens in so many different ways with varying degrees of tears and tradition but one thing remains consistent, there is no replacing the electricity (and the photos) of this once in a lifetime experience. 

The new tradition of seeing each other before the ceremony is called "the first look." Some will say it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony and many people look forward with anticipation to the public first look offered by walking down the aisle.  But as wedding days have gotten longer and guests' attention spans have gotten shorter the traditional wedding timeline has undergone some modernization. Now most guests are baffled by a long break between ceremony and reception, especially if your ceremony and reception are held in the same location. I'm not sure who the first brave souls were that bucked tradition and started their wedding day with a private "first look" moment, but I offer them my sincere thanks.  Here are my positives and negatives for this wedding day choice.

Celia and Shawn: October 2014

Positives:
1. You get to experience a real private moment. For most couples, this is the only time they spend together all day. Also, you can cry as much as you want because your stylist is still around and prepared to reapply the mascara. 

2. You actually get two big entrances! The bride still gets to walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. Your guests still get to see her for the first time as you make the walk of commitment towards each other. Double the moments, double the sensation, double the awesome photo opts.

3. You go into your ceremony UNITED. You've talked, gotten out your jitters and calmed down. I can't tell you how many couples were nervous wrecks right up until the moment they saw each other for the first time. I love seeing my brides and grooms exhale and grin like crazy when they final get to be with the one they love. After the first look, the ceremony is a piece of cake. 

4. There is more time for photos! This is a super selfish reason to love a first look, but one I find benefits the couple and their wedding party immensely.  After we capture a beautiful moment between the two of you, I usually head into the "romantics," those weddings photos you're going to hang on your wall, make your Facebook photo and generally adore for the rest of time. Doing these photos ahead of times allows us to take exactly as much time as we need and not be rushed. We also take your bridal party photos during this time,  ensuring that the groomsmen can take off their tie get to the bar as soon as they've exited the ceremony. Everyone wins! 

5. There is no need for a receiving line because you'll be at the cocktail hour! This timeline allows for maximum attention to be paid to your guests on the biggest day of your life together.

Negatives:

I've got to be honest. There are very few negatives to the first look from a photographers perspective, but I will outline some objections I've heard throughout the years.

1. It goes against tradition. For many grooms, that's right, this objection is almost always coming from the groom, seeing their bride walk down the aisle for the first time is the ONLY wedding detail they've imagined. They haven't thought about the dress, the cake or table favors. They have thought about their bride, walking arm and arm with her father towards him. I tell my couples all the time that the first look still feels special and exhilarating, and I've NEVER had a couple regretted their choice to take the more modern route, but some men have their hearts set. And what the heart wants, well you get my meaning.

Ok- so this is the only negative I could come up with, but it is completely legitimate and must be paid attention to. At the end of the day, gut feeling and a bit of scheduling are most likely going to make this decision for you. If a first look seems like the best approach to maximize photo opts and guest mingling time. then lean into it. Think of it as the only time that day you'll get to be alone together. Well, not completely alone. I'm there, but I've got my long lens on and I'm not saying a word. So you go ahead and cry if you want to.

A note from Tim:

"I forgot how totally awesome I look in these pictures. Kristen looked okay too I guess...

Obviously Whitney already knows we loved all of our pictures, and I know we both enjoyed the first look segment - though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a nervous wreck throughout the ordeal. Probably can't see it on my face though because we were just having fun with it. Neither of us were really set on observing most of the normal wedding traditions aside from having a great time (and of course having it arftully documented), and I always thought this one was weird anyway, so no argument or coaxing needed. The most important thing I learned from my own wedding was just that - it's our own wedding. Just do what you feel comfortable doing and let everyone else do the worrying about whether the appropriate niceties and pomp are attended to. *steps off soapbox* Having supremely easygoing and understanding parents on both sides is always a plus, of course.

Anyway, we loved our pictures, had tons of fun with the first look, and I agree with all of the points in the blog post both positive and negative. Thanks again Whitney!

A note from Celia: 

As I am sure you'll recall, I was initially dead set against the idea. I am so eternally grateful that you (ever so gently!) talked us into doing this, and will happily testify to any of your new brides who might be on the fence - this was, without a doubt, one of the most treasured highlights of our entire wedding day experience. But here's a real question for the pro: Will viewing your coverage of our "first look" ever STOP making me cry? To my friends and family who are currently planning their weddings: Please check out this blog post and consider allowing your photographer to capture your "first look!"

Church Ceremonies: The Positives and Negatives of the Classic Choice

I did a little math and I have shot over 150 weddings in my career. As the photographer and trusted advisor for my bride and groom, I am often privy to the best and worst moments of my couple's wedding experience. I get to hear all the dirt leading up to the day of the wedding; the family drama, the vendor drama, the double bookings, the broken deals, the difficulty finding the right undergarments, the awesome cake tastings and the weird DJs they met before finding the perfect fit. I have unparalleled access to what can go right and wrong on a wedding day. On this blog I will offer one photographer's perspective on the wedding industry, wedding day and wedding dream.

Choosing a Church                                                                      
There are so many options now for ceremony sights - backyards, lakeside patios, museums, state parks, the family yacht (lucky you). With so many options, we tend to forget the classic standard - the church wedding. As with any choice, a church wedding has it's positives and negatives. Below I detail my thoughts on the subject from my experience as a photographer. 

Positives
1.) As a general rule churches are air conditioned and climate controlled. This shelter is a huge plus on steamy summer days when backyard wedding guests would normally be melting through their glamorous attire. 

2.) Not all churches are aesthetically created equal but a strong pro is the stunning architectural backdrop a church can provide to a wedding day. The older the better. Some churches really light my artist eye on fire but others look like a board room with a few additional seats. So let me be clear - when I say I like churches - I mean I like GORGEOUS, amazing churches. But even simple churches usually have amazing elements of stained glass and authentic elegance. 

3.) There is plenty of space and your guests know the drill. Most of your guests have practiced walking down a similar aisle every Sunday of their lives, so they are comfortable and know where to sit. It's all very orderly and easy to navigate - a huge plus in my book. 

4.) My favorite moment is when the doors open at the end of the aisle and the light streams in behind the bride. For a second you're blinded while your eyes adjust to the light, and then she comes into focus. Yeah - it's pretty perfect. Even though I'm lucky enough to have seen the bride and I know how wonderful she looks, I still get chills when she walks down the aisle, seeing her groom for the first time.

Negatives

1.) There are rules, and sometimes there are a lot of them. Most frequently there is a "no flash" rule. If you are in the process of booking a church and they say flash photography is strictly prohibited - run. Your photographer is going to be mighty upset when they hear about this condition. While I don't always use flash during a ceremony - and certainly try to get away with not using it, you are running a huge risk not having it at all. Most churches are caves of stained glass and stone and if it's cloudy out, you're going to want to give your photographer the opportunity to use their flash light.

2.) What is classic is also standard. Most church ceremonies are going to look fairly similar. The angles a photographer has access to are limited by the previously mentioned rules and there are only so many places we can stand without interrupting guests. So we do our best. We move around, get both sides and the balcony, but the boundaries set by the church must be respected. 

While I love a good cry during the vows and a passionate first kiss, it's after the ceremony, when it's just me, the bride and the groom when the church fun really begins.

Albums are Forever: The Lachants

I make wedding albums for my couples. The creative and collaborative process it takes to craft an heirloom of this caliber speaks to the heart of who I am as a photographer. It also speaks to the relationships I build with my clients. I am accountable for delivering a memento that will stand the test of time. The Lachants were the perfect couple to share this journey with. Kind, easy going and always up for a laugh. Thank you Jamie and Dan for sharing the story of your best day ever.

- Watch the video of Jamie and Dan's album unveiling! 

"Our wedding album is amazing!!  It is such a wonderful composition of the highlights and incredible photographs from our big day. I am so excited that we will have it always. Our photos captured every moment beautifully and looking through the album reminds me of all the happy memories and fun times. I knew Whitney would produce an artistic, elegant and expertly curated account of our wedding, and I was definitely not disappointed.  She did not miss a single detail and I could not have asked for a better person to guide us through the process.  Everyone who has seen the album absolutely loved it and many have teared up!  It truly is the perfect keepsake of the best day ever and certainly something we will treasure our entire lives!"

- Jamie Lachant, Bride 2015

Capturing Your Always: The Lovely Langs

One of the greatest honors as a photographer is being able to watch families come together and grow. Nick and Allie have created a beautiful family that exudes happiness and gratitude. It has been a pleasure to get to know them individually and as a unit. Below, Allie share's a few words on her journey as a wife and mother. Thank you both for allowing me into your home and hearts.

"I feel as though when I became a mother, the world began spinning faster. Days, weeks, and months fly by so much more quickly than they did before. This new fast-paced way of life has not been easy on me with my slow and steady, sentimental nature. I find myself grasping at all of these new, little moments, trying to commit them to memory. Having a family photographer in Whitney has allowed me to freeze and capture the most important moments in the lives of my ever-changing family. 

When we decided to get married, Nick and I did not want a big, complicated event. We chose a more intimate setting and only invited our closest family members to witness our vows. It was important to us that our wedding photos be able to capture not only the actual event, but also the emotion and beauty of each moment and that is exactly what we found in the work that Whitney did for us. She was able to make us and our family members comfortable in front of the camera with her encouragement and simple direction and was in turn able to obtain some very beautiful and meaningful photographs. Not only have our family and friends complimented our photos, but I feel that they have been able to experience our wedding through them as well."

"Not long after our wedding, we welcomed Miles into our family. Those first few weeks home were spent learning about him, as well as discovering who we were now as parents. That time in my memory is a blur of feeding, rocking, swaddling, and catching sleep while we could. It was in the middle of all this that Whitney was able to capture another set of photographs for us. The morning she arrived at our house, we felt tired and disorganized and I was still having trouble finding clothes that fit correctly. I know I wondered to myself once or twice while Miles cried and we needed to take nursing breaks if maybe we should’ve done this a different time. Whitney was once again a positive and encouraging presence. Viewing those photos now, I am so grateful for them. They depict our little family at a time that we could never recreate. I look back at them in awe of how tiny and new Miles was. And even as we were overwhelmed by our new responsibilities, those photos allow me to tangibly remember how overwhelmed by love we were as well."

"Miles managed to grow from that tiny newborn to a smiling, babbling, crawling baby overnight. I can and have tried to document his amazing growth through taking a million and one cell phone pictures. However, not only do these do little justice to the fullness of his personality, but my husband and I are more often than not absent from them. And in truth, as much as our baby has changed each month, so have we grown and evolved right along with him. We had another set of photos done just after Miles turned six months old. It was a brisk Fall morning when we got to the park, but Whitney was ready to go and quickly found a great area to use as our backdrop. I can’t imagine that it’s easy to pull together two adults, a distractible baby, and an anxious dog to form a cohesive image, but Whitney managed it easily and we were out of the cold and back in the warm car faster than I would have ever expected. As I have now come to expect, we loved these photographs as well. With a family photographer, we have gained the unique perspective of documenting how our family has grown together."

"The images we have received from Whitney have been beautiful. They are something I know that we will treasure for many years. Not only do they document the important moments of our lives, but they have also been displayed as art in our home. I love that I can walk into our bedroom and be reminded of the promises and anticipation of our wedding day or look up at the living room wall to see the family we have become. Thanks Whitney!"

Capturing Your Always: The Van Houtens

Meeting Carrie is feels like meeting the human version of the sun. She just glows. Always smiling, always full of energy - her family circles around her with obvious love and respect for the warmth and steadiness she brings into the household. It was a pleasure to photograph Carrie and her amazing clan. I can't wait to do it again next year. 

"I decided to work with Whitney for many reasons - two of them being her confidence and positive attitude. She also has the reputation of being an amazing photographer. We had experienced too many years of disappointing and over-priced mall/department store photos!  Some of our family photos definitely deserve to be in the "Awkward Family Photos Hall of Fame"!  The photos Whitney took are COMPLETELY the opposite of these! Honestly, I was a little nervous about getting family photos taken at our home. I have three small kids,  three dogs and a husband which sometimes seems like an impossible herd to wrangle.  Whitney made the whole process easy and the time went quickly! The kids immediately liked her, and with all the encouragement she gave them, they quickly wanted to please her!   She even managed to get my husband to smile naturally. I'm so glad we invested in these photos. These treasures are worth every penny. The time when children are very small is very short. I love looking through my photos and sharing them with friends and family.  Thank you SO much, Whitney!"

- Carrie Van Houten: Wife and mother of three.

COMING HOME TO CAPTURE YOUR ALWAYS

Always: Every time, for every occasion - without exception.

The word always conjures certain nostalgia in my life. I am guilty of using this large and powerful word without proper distinction. Growing up, my mother would frequently retort, “Always? Your brother always starts the fight?” This happened so frequently that when I turned 18 and left home for college, the thought of tattooing the word always on my body crossed my mind more than once. The medium seemed poetically fitting. 

This idea of always propelled my return home to start Ivory House Photography in Des Moines, IA. I want to grow my life and business near the people who I know will always support me. It is with this commitment to my own legacy of always and passion for my clients' version of always that I open the proverbial doors of Ivory House Photography and welcome you with open arms. I can’t wait to meet you, your spouse and your family members. Together we are going to capture memories that will last for your lifetime and beyond.

In honor of the importance photos play in my own life, I thought it was only fitting to share a few of my favorite images. Over the past few years I've had the opportunity to work with the best photographers in Rochester. Thanks to Natalie Sinisgalli and Rachel Liz for capturing the people I love most in such a beautiful and honest way.