Grace T. Photography: Best of Instagram 2019
The best of Grace T. Photography Instagram photos: @gracetphotography
2019 was a seriously incredible year from shooting 20 of my own weddings, managing 15 associate weddings, 20 adventure sessions, and about 15 engagements for my 2020 couples. I traveled to Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, and Washington state for destination weddings and adventure sessions.
I ALSO kept Pfeiffer at home until the beginning of December and took on the role of work-from-home-mom this year. It’s been SUCH a year of growth and finding out whats a priority. Being a mom is the hardest but best work I will ever do. I’m not going to lie, it was a hard year! Running a business while raising a tiny human is seriously difficult and you truly find out what’s important in life. Annnnddd as much as I’m a “I can do it myself” girl, I had to check myself and ask for help when I needed it. GROWTH.
I scrolled WAY back and found the best posts of 2019 and I wanted to share them all with you! I hope you enjoy looking through them as much as I did!
January 21: Morgan and Chris basically met through Facebook, and once they started talking they knew it was GAME OVER and their hearts were sold! ❤️ We hiked on up to Devils Lake in Wisconsin for their engagement photos, so I knew they would be so down for anything on their wedding day. And guess what?! They got a blizzard!
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I am so thankful for this amazing couple turned friends. I was feeling really awful on Saturday because I had gotten some serious mastitis early that morning, and I knew I had to be there for Morgan and Chris on their day. Thankfully I had my hubs Kyle and an amazing second shooter Jenni Chung to help me through the day as well. Seriously, everyone there, like I mean everyone, was so kind and asking if we needed anything and brought us food and waters and just showed us some love the entire day. I’ve never felt more welcomed in - especially feeling so terrible - everyone made sure we were taken care of.
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Do I recommend shooting a wedding having mastitis? 0/10 do not recommend. I was bedridden most of the day yesterday but it seems like these antibiotics are kicking in and I’m on the mend. But because I love these two so much and wanted to be there for them, I pushed through and did my best. And I’m pretty proud of myself for shooting a wedding 4 weeks after giving birth, but 1000000% it was hard to leave Pfeif and I totally cried as we drove away from grandmas house. So I decided I’m training her at the early age of 4 weeks to be my second shooter so I’ll never have to leave her again!❤️
January 22: They found love in a hopeless place. Facebook, they found love on Facebook.🖤
February 17: For all the times being a mamma scared me, for all the times I thought I’d hate getting up 3 times a night, for all the times I thought a little human would come in between my relationship with my hubs, for all the times I didn’t want my body to change because of a baby, for all the times I thought I’d be giving up a part of me, I have to laugh at myself because nothing compares to holding her here now.🖤
February 24: Birth and labor are something that no one really talks about, and I want to open up the conversation. I know personally, to me, it was such a mystery what happened in that hospital room - you go in pregnant and between 10 and 20 hours later you leave with a little human. Crazy!
OKAY, so here are the questions I had; what happens in there? What do contractions feel like? What does recovering from a tear look like? Is it weird having so many people all up in your business down there? What does pushing a baby out of you REALLY feel like? Are contractions THAT bad? So, here are some answers and my story of birthing the most beautiful angel human of a baby - my Pfeiffer Grey. Link in bio. 🖤 #lifewithpfeif #pfeiffergrey
📷: @sweetlittleyouphoto
March 12: Cass & Christian met in high school and fell in love. In college they drifted apart for a few years until they both graduated, got together again, and realized that fire never stopped burning.
Two years married and I still see some flames! You don’t have to just be engaged or getting married to get photos done. Get them done every year. Get them done 2 times a year! Get them done to see how much you’ve grown together. Get them done to show your babies and grand babies just how freaking hot you two were. But just get them done to have and to hold because in this day and age where everything is on your phone and nothing hangs in your home, they’ll be a gorgeous little reminder of how life can be a crazy journey but you two stuck together through it all.
Thank you @annajon.es for letting us be the first to use the studio space! It’s so rad!
March 17: I looove proposals!❤️
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Abby & Rob met in college at their local bar. Rob was chewing gum blowing bubbles, and Abby walked right up and popped one and walked away!!! Talk about catching his attention.😉
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Rob reached out a few weeks ago asking if I could capture him getting down on one knee to ask Abby to marry him. OF COURSE I squealed and giggled and said HECK YES! I freaking love these moments and it brings back all the excitement and feelings from when I got engaged! You betcha I dropped some tears when he dropped to one knee and I got to hang out with these two lovebirds at @hellomarjoriedm for a celebratory drink afterwards! Congratulations again you two!❤️
March 25: Ella & Wes told me they were SUPER awkward and apologized in advance for it before we started our shoot. I LOL’d because LOOK AT HOW NOT AWKWARD THEY ARE.😍 Swear to you, if you think you’re awkward in front of a camera, I’ll give you back images like these and I really hope it changes your mind.
OK tell me the most awkward moment of your life below! I’ll start: one time when I was a freshman in high school, I stood up on a bench in our empty locker room to check out my butt in the mirror and a senior girl i was scared of walked in right when I was doing it! She gave me a big WTF look and walked out. Lol true story. TELL ME YOURS!
April 4: Sometimes getting up at 5:00 AM sucks... and sometimes it doesn’t.🤙🏼
April 9:
I’m really sad we’re leaving tomorrow but really happy for ALL of the opportunities that were given to me here in Hawaii. I’m crazy #blessed that this is my job and it’s a mixture of the two things I love to do most: photograph love and travel!📸✈️
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AND I am so excited that my family can tag along and we can make memories in these places I get to travel to. Pfeif’s first dip in the ocean went really well! Her second lol not so much (on my story).🤷🏼♀️ #gracetphotography
April 10: Making a pros and cons list right now about living in Hawaii vs Iowa:
Pros:
- it’s Hawaii
- endless exploring/hiking
- the ocean is basically your backyard
- you’d be tan 24/7
- so laid back and no worries!
- best vaca spot for family
Cons:
- cockroaches😝
Okaaayyyyyy so I’m dreaming heavily about living by the beach again but DANG it’s hard to think about leaving home and all of our family and friends! We might just have to get a vacation home so we can sneak away to paradise whenever we want.😉 #gracetphotography
April 18: Saying your vows on a cliff with the ocean beneath you, the big blue sky above you, and your love standing right in front of you. THIS is heaven, right??
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I want you to know that it’s OKAY to do it different. You don’t HAVE to invite all 400 of your closest friends and family, or say I do in your hometown, or even wear a white dress. You have SO MANY options on how you want to spend one of the best days of your life. So, say I do on a cliff in Hawaii, or bring your immediate family to Colorado so you can all stay in a cabin and they can all be there when you get hitched, or do it in your backyard with s’mores and a fire pit!And if you want a giant wedding day and that’s all you’ve ever dreamed of?? PERFECT! The thing is, you can literally do WHATEVER you want. Don’t think you have to do anything a certain way or do something you’re not in love with because this day is about YOU and YOUR LOVE for each other and nothing else.
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What’s your dream wedding day look like? This?? Something else? I want to know!💕 #gracetphotography
April 19:
I’ve never felt more strong, more loving, more at home than I do as a mother.
Can you believe that I was scared to get pregnant and have a baby? Can you even believe that I wasn’t sure about taking time away from my job to create this beautiful child and spend all my waking hours with her? I was so scared, but my God, she is my light.
If you’re unsure or scared or “too busy” just like I was to start a family and it’s just lingering in front of you if you should go for it or not, just know that it’s the most amazing, most difficult, most important work that you’ll ever do. It’s nothing like you’ll expect it to be but it’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of.
Thank you @kalislaymaker for taking our photos in a place that’s near and dear to our hearts at such an incredible time in our lives. #gracetphotography #normalizebreastfeeding
April 26: Sticky sugary s’mores licking face!😜 Cmon, don’t tell me you wouldn’t lick marshmallow off of your fiancé. P.S. plz more s’mores at every engagement.
#gracetphotography
April 28: Getchu some girlfriends that SLAYYYYY.💅🏻
April 30: I keep coming back to this photo from Saturday. I don’t know these people, but I was standing there getting ready for the bridal party to walk down the aisle when I saw a woman putting lipstick on her mother. I had one of those little moments where I hear a voice in my head say things like “OK YES THIS MOMENT” and “GET THIS NOW” so I quickly snapped it and then moved toward the center aisle to wait for the procession to start.
When the ceremony was done, the woman’s husband came up to me and asked for this photo. He let me know that that photo would mean so much because her mother is terminal. I cried. I’m crying now writing this. It’s hard to think about the fact that someday, some people I take photos of won’t be here anymore. But THESE moments are the ones that make me keep doing this incredible job.
So, photographers, don’t do this job to get the “grammable” shot or to travel to that one place where everyone shoots or just to make some money. Do it for these moments. For these people. For this woman who is losing her mother. Remember that YOU are the story teller and the only one who can artfully preserve memories like this.
May 4: They didn’t even realize they were headed right down Lover’s Lane.🌙
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Clancy & Nate are literally my fav people ever. SO genuine and SO incredibly in love. Nate kept seeing her face pop up on Facebook on "People you should know," so he sent his heart out and sent a message and they were inseparable ever since.
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Today was amazing. I’m feeling grateful, sleepy, humble, happy (probs bc I ate a red velvet cupcake tonight!) and just so satisfied with ALL of today. Swipe through to see some models getting married. #gracetphotography
May 7: Jordan & Avery met while coaching high school girls basketball, and never got together until the season ended, but they realized they liked spending time together. A LOT. Once they started spending time together, it never stopped.
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They are OFFICIALLY hubby and wifey (and you guys can call each other that now) and had a seriously gorgeous wedding day in Kansas City.
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Swipe through to see their day! Shot by my associate Jenni.🌿 #gracetphotography
May 15:
Beers
Bling
Battlestar galactica.
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(Name it😉)
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Don’t even think that I’ll say no to an engagement session that involves a good craft brew! These two were so down for anything their entire session and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding next June!🍻
May 26: Tori & Mark fell in love over kitties and ice cream and I totally fell in love with them last night.
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Mark first fell in love with Tori’s heart. He first met her at a college party while she was digging pop tabs out of the trash for her friends fundraiser. They totally fell hard for each other after that and have been inseparable ever since.
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Swipe to see my fav moments from yesterday at @oakhillweddings ❤️ #gracetphotography
June 2: I got to share the day with these high school sweeties and I love them so much it hurts.
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Chelsea & Cole have made it through a LOT, you know, the years where you grow and learn and change. But they did all of that together right by each other’s sides. I heard this story a couple times today; they used to go park their car in the church parking lot and talk for hours and hours. It reminded me of when my hubs and I used to do that when we were first dating! We would stay up until 4:00 AM just getting to know each other. I’ve never loved getting to know someone more in my life!
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Also, I get to go back to @ashtonhillfarm two more times this year and I couldn’t be more excited about it! Swipe to see my favs from today!💕 #gracetphotography
June 9: Michelle & Jonathan just radiated JOY today. Pure freaking joy. And love. Sooo much love.
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Fate and numerous events falling into place lead these hearts together like bumping into each other every weekend, finding out they were neighbors in college, and not getting that dream internship so their summer “fling” could grow into something really special. They fit together so well and it was SUCH an honor capturing this chapter of their love story today.
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Swipe to see my most favorite moments of today! #gracetphotography
June 12: I want her to be whatever she wants to be.
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I want her to embrace the passion about the things she loves to do in life and make a career out of it. I want her to be happy doing what she loves most. I want her to know she’s smart and silly and messy and empathetic and that ALL of that is more than okay to be. I want her to be all of the things and try them all and I want her to know it’s OKAY to fail as long as she learns from it.
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My baby can be whatever she wants to be. #pfeiffergrey #lifewithpfeif
June 16: The sun came out, the rain came down, and we got this.🙌🏼
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These two had the PERFECT day in Des Moines, IA and I’m so so lucky to be able to capture their best day ever!
June 26: Just warning ya if you wear a flowy dress I’m definitely going to make you toss it in the air the entire session sorry not sorry.
#iowaweddingphotographer #desmoinesweddingphotographer #midwestweddingphotographer #weddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotographer #elopementphotographer
#elopement #adventurewedding
#coloradoweddingphotographer #coloradoengagement #coloradowedding
#engaged
#LOVEANDWILDHEARTS #muchlove #belovedstories #loveandwildhearts #authenticlovemag #weddingdayready #wildelopements #gracetphotography #honeypreset
July 1: Stephanie & Steven worked at a movie theater together in high school and would always anxiously check the schedule to see if they would be working with each other that day so they could get their flirt on. They both went their separate ways in college but kept running into each other here and there. Steph was out celebrating her birthday with her family and ran into Steven at a bar and introduced him to them. A while later she couldn’t find her grandpa but found him still chatting with Steven and asked Steph why the heck wasn’t she dating that boy! The next day Steven asked her on a date and the rest is history!
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I freaking LOVE hearing all about how my couples found each other and fell in love. It makes my heart swell up really big and I get all sappy and want to hug everyone.
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What’s YOUR love story?! Tell me all about it below!
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Wedding shot by my associate Jenni
July 2: I’m drooling over these bright bridesmaid dresses and tropical Hawaii-esk bouquets!🤤🌺
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Shot by my associate Megan
July 7: Elle & Dustin fell in love during long walks across campus. They weren’t quite sure about moving beyond friendship at first, but couldn’t help themselves after spending time together. Dustin needed Elle to ground him and Elle needed someone to keep encouraging her that the world is hers. They both stepped into each other’s lives for one reason or another but seeing them together and witnessing such a love made it all clear that they’ve created a love that’s pretty indescribable. It’s crazy and deep and perfectly imperfect and so balanced between them that you’d swear this was a match made in heaven. And I was lucky enough to be asked to capture it all.
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I have SO. MANY. PHOTOS. to share from yesterday. Like.. I’m a little distraught insta only gives me 10 frames. Head to my story to see more of this gorgeous day yesterday.
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Venue: @ashtonhillfarm
Dress: @thewhiteroommpls
Floral: @bancroftsflowers
DJ: @rileymullane
Video: @jakewillrealtor
Dessert: @takethecakedesserts
Ceremony Alter: @borrowmyvintage
July 23: OKAY. So you’ve been patiently (probably anxiously) waiting to get your gorgeous photos back, and you’re SO excited you can’t even wait. And then you hear a little DING DING notification and you check your email and you see that email from your photographer that you’ve been waiting for!! You open it immediately and look through, downloading your favorites and posting ASAP to Insta and Facebook. Your family and friends love them just as much as you. You loved your day so much and you can’t wait to print them and hang them up. Sounds like a dream, right? But, did you forget some things? Here are 5 things you should do when you get your gallery back! Link in my bio and swipe up on my stories! #gracetphotography
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Shot by my associate Jenni🖤
July 27: The mountains called and you bet your ass I went.💛
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I’ve known Rebekah since 8th grade, and it’s a freaking honor that I got to meet them out here for their engagement session! Her and Ryan met in college and did distance for 3 years between Texas and Alabama before deciding to finally live in the same place. They settled for Colorado and it was only fitting that we headed to the mountains for their shoot. I can’t wait for their wedding next July!
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Also P.S. sunrise sessions are my FAVORITE. Would you get up at 4:00 AM for this?? Orrrr are you more of a sunset type of person?🌄
July 28: Caitlin & Matt said their “I do’s” on a mountain top with their closest family and friends beside them.
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When I got to the top of the mountain getting all set up and checking over the space before everyone got there, the musicians were playing “I can’t help falling in love with you,” and I stepped out onto that wedding deck and felt tears welling up. What a perfect day. What a perfect way to commit to each other surrounded by the most beautiful snow capped mountains and the people who love you the most in life.
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HECK I am feeling so grateful and thankful and I know this week is only going to get better. P.S. I love Coloradooooooo.
August 1: Hiiiii my name’s Grace and the mountains are some of my favorite places to shoot! I also love cliffs and beaches and golden sunsets, too! This also sounds like a Cupid.com profile LOL.
Aug 2: One of the best first looks I’ve ever witnessed.🖤
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Today was the most I’ve cried at a wedding.. like ever. It was incredible to witness this chapter in Danielle & Devin’s love story as the merged their family together for good up on a cloudy mountain top. Their handwritten vows to each other and to their kids had me hiding behind my camera with tears streaming during the ceremony. I couldn’t be more fortunate to be asked to capture moments like these.
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After an amazing week here, we have one more day until we pack up and go home! My heart is so full.🖤
Aug 6: ☀️CMON LETS GO FROLIC IN THE SUNSHINE TOGETHER☀️
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But really, golden hour during the summer is freaking amaze and I don’t think I could ever live without it. Also idk if I can live without these two now that they’re in my life and I’m SUPER stoked I get to shoot their wedding next June!💛
Aug 11: Ben is Erica’s chicken. For life.❤️
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This day was seriously incredible. These two are the sweetest souls and are made for each other. I was just so honored that they wanted me (and Pfeif!! They had a seat for her at the reception and everything 😭) to capture their day today. I have SO MANY PHOTOS to share but right now I’ll leave you with these 10. Ben & Erica, THANK YOU for letting me capture this chapter of your love story!!
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Dj: @dj_kj
Planner: @blissfuleventsbyabbey
Video: @stangfilms
Dress: @inbaldrorofficial
Dress: @dimitrasbridalcouture
Hair: @rachel.m.petersen
Makeup: @melissavotroubek
Floral: @topherc78
Rentals: @uniqueeventsiowa
August 11: (Flip your phone when you swipe👉🏻)
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I got lost in the woods today with these two. Okay but really, Iowa isn’t just flat cornfields. The Midwest can be pretty cool sometimes and as much as I travel and get to see all different sides of the world, the Midwest still surprises me every now and again.
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Ps these two are getting married in Arkansas and I’ve never been! Give me all the recommendations for best coffee/food/beer/things to do in Fayetteville!
August 18: Seriously it gives me LIFE seeing my brides, my GIRLS, all done up on their best day ever!✨I can’t even get over how beautiful Erica’s dress was.💛
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Dj: @dj_kj
Planner: @blissfuleventsbyabbey
Video: @stangfilms
Dress: @inbaldrorofficial
Dress: @dimitrasbridalcouture
Hair: @rachel.m.petersen
Makeup: @melissavotroubek
Floral: @topherc78
Rentals: @uniqueeventsiowa
Rentals: @borrowmyvintage .
August 19: These two met on a rooftop bar downtown. He’s from England, she’s from Iowa, and they fell completely head over heels for each other on Cinco de Mayo.
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We shot until Blue Hour and wow wow wow I’m kind of in love with this dark romantic city vibe. I have a TON more photos I want to share of these two because they’re totally models but here are a couple that speak to my heart.
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Leave a 🖤 if you’re feeling it toooooooo.
August 20: Gimme gimme gimme all the cathedral veils! 🌿 My associate Jenni shot Haleigh & Neal’s wedding this past Saturday and Haleigh had the most gorgeous veil! I am seriously LOVING all the work my associates are doing and makes me super proud to have some kick ass girls on my team. We still have PLENTY of 2020 dates available so if you’re thinking about booking with me or my associates, please reach out!🖤 #gracetphotography
August 21: I’ve been shooting more in the urban jungle lately and I’m hereeeee for it!
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These two are getting hitched in Ireland in May and I am SO PUMPED to go back to my favorite country (not pregnant this time) and get to drink all the beer and whiskey! Seriously Ireland is one of my most favorite places and this will be the 3rd time in 3 years that I’m going to be there! MORE ELOPEMENTS OVERSEAS PLZ!🖤
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Would you elope in another country?! Why or why not?!
August 30: I shot Rachel & Cody’s wedding 2 years ago and when they reached out to me and said they wanted to meet me in Washington, I was SO HAPPY and so so so excited to work with them again in an epic location.
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We decided on a place with incredible views, and I think the views delivered. I have a lottttt more photos where this came from so stay tuned!
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Ok I’m now living out my teenage dreams and headed to Forks and La Push and I’m hoping a vampire bites me.🤞🏼#gracetphotography
September 1: Oregon is a dream. I might pack up and move here. Or come and visit every year at least. But one thing is for sure is that I need more sessions out here on the misty foggy chilly beaches.🌫 #gracetphotography
September 2: These two flew out from Kansas to meet me in Oregon for this shoot. How freaking neat is that?! Actually, all of my couples that I shot this weekend mentioned that they planned their trips around a shoot with me and I seriously can’t even believe how lucky I am to work with couples like this!!
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Kyle and I are up early (it’s 5:30 AM here) off to do something we’ve always dreamed of doing! Any guesses on what we’re up to?? Check in on my story to see what it is.🎈
September 4: She tried to hop in my camera bag while I was packing it up today.💛
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Sometimes I wonder if she thinks I just up and left her (being gone for 6 days, and then I leave again tomorrow for 3 more) or I wonder if she forgets about me. But I’ve heard countless times that it’s *good* for her to see her momma chasing dreams and reaching goals in my business.
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I hope she knows *someday* that I’m passionate about what I do, and I have HUGE dreams for her that she’ll find something she’s equally as passionate about and if she’s anything like her parents I know she’ll be a go-getter and do what she wants to very WELL.
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Leaving this sweet face is never easy. Plain and simple, it’s the worst. But I think I’m understanding that I still have to live my life and do what makes me happy - like shooting destination weddings and traveling the world - and I’m not *just* “Pfeiffer’s mom.”
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Anyone else want to weigh in? Or just give me some advice on how to fit her into my camera bag??
September 6: I met up with a couple of my favs down here in Florida this morning or sunrise and yes I was sleepy and yes they slayed like always.☀️
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Okay but really I need more sunrise sessions in my life back in Iowa!! Who’s up for it?!
September 8: My word. Yesterday was incredible. Sofia & Pauly wanted something different. They wanted those real raw moments that happen throughout their day. They wanted it centered around family and moments between family because that’s what’s most important to them. Here’s a few black and whites from an incredible day in Miami.🖤 #gracetphotography
September 8: Paulino & Sofia slowly fell in love. They met while not really looking for anything serious, and went on a date but ended up falling out of touch. Years later, Sofia slid into his DMs asking what he was up to and they reunited on Valentine’s Day for another “first date.”
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Pauly fell hard and said “I love you,” three dates deep, and Sof followed shortly after. She knew she loved him but just kept thinking this perfect guy is too good to be true.
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I honestly felt the same way when Sofia reached out to me about shooting her wedding! WAY too good to be true. But BOOM, it happened and it was absolutely everything I hoped and wished for and more! Just like these two cuties love story.
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I get all sappy when thinking about couples who will literally do anything to have me there on their wedding day. These two had never met me, and trusted me completely with the entire day. They welcomed me and my associate Megan to Miami with open arms and treated us like family and THESE are the moments and the people that I hold close to my heart!
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Head to my story to see a deep dive into Pauly & Sofia’s seriously amazing wedding day.🖤
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Dress: @carolinaherrera
Dress shop: @everafter_miami
Venue: @thekampong
Planner: @soleaevents
Floral: @theflorabuds
Music: @eventfactor
Video: @zaktassler
Second shooter: @tayloredcompany
September 9: Lauren & Andy fell in love at UNI. They did long distance for what seemed like years, until they finally both moved back to Cedar Falls to start doing life *together.*
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Their sweet day in Cedar Rapids was filled with all the love, happy tears, and sparklers! Swipe through to see just how freaking in love these two are.
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Shot by my associate Megan.🖤
September 12: But really, I’m already missing the Oregon coast and I’m for suuuure planning a trip back there next year! Wanna meet up for a shoot? Here’s where I’ll be!
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February: Minneapolis, MN
March: Arkansas
April: Phoenix, AZ
May: Ireland
June: Estes Park, Colorado
August: Telluride, Colorado
December: SoCal
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I am DYING to go to Utah to shoot in planes like the Bonneville Salt Flats, Zion, and Arches National Park! Anyone want to me me there?!🏜
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PS. SAVE this post to come back to it just in case you get the travel bug!
September 12: When there’s 100% chance of rain but you say screw it let’s do this. These are MY TYPE OF PEOPLE.🖤 #gracetphotography
September 14: I hear rain is good luck on your wedding day.🖤
September 19: OKAY HERE IT IS:
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I’ve been thinking and thinking about what I’m going to do once I hit 15k and I want to do something extra special! This is what I’m going to do; since you guys mean so much to me and I KNOW there are a lot of non-photographers as well as photographers here, once I hit 15k I will be giving away a FREE hour long mentor session where you can ask me ANYTHING, as well as a FREE half hour photo shoot for couples! YEP.
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What can you do to win? I’ll be picking a winner on a post later on, but to start the engines, start tagging! Tag your friends and fam who don’t follow along and tell THEM if they want to win to start tagging! I’m so close!
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Who’s super freaking pumped about this?! I SO am!! 🙌🏼 #gracetphotography
September 22: Pizza + get married = BEST. DAY. EVER.
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I have literally a zillion photos from this wedding because it was absolutely amazing. It rained all day, they smashed pizzas immediately after saying “I do,” white cowgirl boots with handwritten love notes on the bottom were involved, and they freakin LAUGHED the entire day. My kind of people.🖤MORE TO COME.
September 24: 9 months earth side. 9 months inside.🌿 #pfeiffergrey #lifewithpfeif
September 27: 4 years ago today we stood outside in the sun in the hills of Southern California surrounded by our closest family and friends and we said “I do.”
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Kyle, you really are my greatest adventure. We’ve always craved a life full of love, family, travel, and exploring every chance we get and look at this life we’ve created for ourselves. Look at this beautiful little life we built and the sweetest, sassiest little human we made. If 4 years have been this sweet, I can’t wait to see what the rest of our life looks like. You are my light and I am home with you.
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P.S. I realized when talking to a bride a while ago that you guys might want to see what MY wedding looked like! Head to my stories to see some frames from our best day ever.💛
October 1: More sparkle dresses, more dresses with sleeves, more brides in hats, and more boho bouquets PLZZZZ my heart just about exploded with this whole look!🖤
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Photo: @gracetphotography
Hair/MUA: @afterglowprostudio
Floral: @beautifully_bloomed
Studio: @thewhistlerstudio
Bridal Shop: @moderndress
Dress Designer: @zavanacouture
Model: @hannwags
October 5: Maka actually introduced Tyler to one of her girlfriends to set them up, but it didn’t work out and these two ended up falling in love! They both moved away from Iowa - one in Chicago and one in Denver - after college and did distance for 3.5 years before they finally settled on Des Moines to call home TOGETHER.
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I literally love these two and cannot wait for their wedding next Fall! Annnddd let’s all agree that they’re models CMON.😍
October 6: “I wish I was a pair of socks so I could be with you every step of the way,” Taylor sent to Jeremy as a pick up line online. And guess what? It sure as hell worked.🍾 These two got hitched and popped bottles yesterday and my associate Megan had a freaking blast with them at @curatedsm !
October 7: Jalen & Justin fell in love under palm trees and in the ocean breeze in Hawaii while both doing a college exchange. Wait, can you just IMAGINE going on dates to get shave ice and sitting on the beach watching the sunset?! 🌺 DREAM LIFE. We talked a lot about Hawaii last night during their engagement session and I may or may not have tried to talk them into just maybe doing their wedding there. Whoops!🤷🏼♀️
October 9:
If someone asked me to name three things I love about one of my friends, I’d most likely say their smile, how they make me feel, and talk about how they always make the best cookies for no special occasion at all.
Not once would I mention their pant size, how much they work out, or how toned their skin is. Not once would I mention how little or how much they can eat or WHAT they eat or how many miles they walk each day.
You see, no one sees you in a negative light. No one picks the things to talk about that we might cringe when we look in the mirror. I spent 26 years thinking I needed to be fit, be toned, erase my stretch marks, fit into a size 4, and edit away all of my wrinkles and skin rolls because I wanted to impress everyone. I just wanted people to see me in a different light.
Let me tell you, no one cares. No one cares about the way your skin folds when you sit. No one cares about your stretch marks on your hips or inside your thighs. No one care about how soft your tummy is. You know what they do care about? Your ability to listen. Your love for all things to do with puppies. The way you mother your baby. The way you make them smile. The way you make them feel.
If you asked me to name 3 things I love about me, I’d say: my passion for travel, my love for family, and my silly laugh. What are 3 things you’d name about yourself? Tell me below! And save this post for a little reminder if you ever forget what you listed about yourself.
October 12: I think everyone should be *THIS* freaking happy when marrying your best friend.
It’s been an honor to tag along this couple as they’ve planned their wedding and tied the knot. They are some of the most infectious, positive, hard working people I know and I’m so humbled they asked me to capture this time in their life! There were SO many happy moments from yesterday and I can’t wait to share more!🖤
October 17: Rain on your wedding day?! EMBRACE IT.
What a GIFT. I know rain isn’t always the most fun (changing locations to shoot at, muddy, chilly, etc) but if you step back to look at the big picture (you’re getting married to your BFF, your friends and fam are there to support you, you have a bomb ass photographer who can do THIS) it’ll all come together oh so perfectly.
Shout out to my associate Jenni who ALWAYS rocks the night shots in the pouring rain! Is this not the most gorgeous?! I’m obsessed!
October 20: Sarah’s mom sent me home with a tub of my own personal cake balls last night so I’d say yesterday was perfect 👌🏻
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@missstellayork
@bellafloradsm
@glenoakscc.weddings
@glenoakscc
October 20: Kailie & Mickale had an absolutely perfect boho wedding day in Des Moines yesterday! Can we TALK about those sleeves on Kailie’s dress OMG!🖤
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Shot by my associate Megan
October 21: Till death, babe.💀
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Dress: @moderndress
Makeup: @afterglowprostudio
Floral: @beautifully_bloomed
Models: @raschreder @dr.jtec
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It’s getting spooooky up in here! I couldn’t wait until Halloween to post a couple from this shoot last night because WOW this whole team killed it and played out my vision like PROS. It was so *good* to be creative for ME for this entire shoot!
October 23: If I could freeze this time of the year in Iowa and make it last like, 4 months, I totally would. UGH Fall why do you come and go so fast and break my heart every single year?!🍂
October 27: Jordan & Keba’s first date was at a dance club. Talk about make it it break it! Yesterday we hung out at sunrise by a lake, they brought me coffee (HOW freaking sweet?!) and swapped stories about traveling the world in between belly laughs and dance moves. I can’t wait to come back up to Minneapolis in February for their wedding!🖤
October 29: FALL FOREVER PLZ.🍂 I’m so happy these two reached out about engagements! I met them at a wedding I shot last year, and they’re planning their OWN wedding now! Also if we do a shoot in the fall expect me to throw leaves at you and make you roll around in them because these colors are heaven.
November 3: Emily & Jared first met at a tiny little bar in a tiny little town and two weeks later Emily brought him home to meet her family. When you KNOW, you KNOW.
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I had such an amazing day for my last wedding of 2019! I still have one associate wedding I’m so excited for next weekend and then we are done for the year! This year has been seriously such a year of growth. With now 4 associates on my team and no signs of slowing down, I am beyond excited to see what 2020 brings to the table.🖤
November 5: My little fam and I will be packing our bags for 9, yes NINE, weddings that are not in Iowa for 2020. This will be my first wedding season where literally half of my weddings are destination, and I also plan on going on two other separate trips just for fun outside of my home state, too.✈️
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Will it be hectic? Absolutely.
Will I miss my bed? Yep.
Will I be making mems with my family that will last a lifetime? Totally.
I have a feeling 2020 will be the last year I travel THIS much for wedding season for a while, but I’m so excited to start booking planes tickets and Airbnb’s and explore new places with my tiny little fam.
Ps. Help me decide where to go on one of my family vacations just for fun! Where should we go in the US? Let me know below!👇🏻
November 6: Swipe to see the cutest puppers in all the land! 🐶 I had my 15k Giveaway shoot with Shelby and Edwin on Sunday and they drove two hours and brought their pups just to come hang out with me! I feel v blessed seriously. ALSO, fun fact; I photographed these two randomly at a wedding I shot over two years ago and Shelby’s been following along ever since!🍂
November 11: I have soooo much new work from my associates coming in this week and I’m seriously dying going through all the images! My ladies are so talented! I’m definitely blessed to have them on my team and hug all of them on a monthly basis.
We still have lots of dates open for 2020! If you’re engaged or know someone who is, my girls have lots of open availability but Fall is filling up FAST! Fill out a quick little inquiry form on my site to inquire!🖤 Shot by my associate Christina
November 12: Haley & Jordon :: married under this EPIC sunset that my associate Megan caught at Ashton Hill Farm in Cedar Rapids, IA! HOW FREAKING GORGEOUS?!💕
November 15: We met at Rise Bagel Co. this morning in the North Loop of Minneapolis, grabbed a latte and Holly & Lucas told me how they fell in love between snuggles on the snow covered streets.
I’m turning into more and more of a morning person and like I’ve ALWAYS said, sunrise sessions are my favorite. I don’t think there’s anything better than grabbing a coffee and being out while everyone else is still in bed!
Would YOU meet me at a coffee shop at 7:00 AM for your shoot?!🖤
November 17: My associate Kyndal shot this sweet little engagement session with these two cutie pies last week! P.S. bring back faallllllllllll.🍂
November 17: In less than four years, I went from day dreaming about shooting weddings full time, to being booked out 1.5 years in advance and hiring 4 associates to expand my brand.
In less than four years I went from ZERO, yes ZERO followers with a brand new Instagram account to over 15k authentic people following along with me on this app.
In less than four years I went from undercharging and taking any shoot I could get, to charging my worth and the couples who book me VALUING the experience I give them.
In less than four years I went from scrambling to make ends meet working serving job after serving job, to finally feeling financially COMFORTABLE.
I want YOU to know that YES, it’s possible to grow in your business and grasp dreams that you thought were out of reach. YES, you can grow a business and have a family and all the babies and STILL be a freaking boss in all that you do.
Don’t ever let your little negative Nancy voices tell you that you can’t because you CAN.
December 19: I got the honor of hanging out with John & Caitlyn last night and I thought it was funny that I knew Cait in college, and I knew Johnny in college, but these two never knew each other! When they started dating, I said, "OKAY YES, this couple makes so much sense." And let me tell you, guys, they couldn't be more perfect for each other.
I hadn’t shot in a few weeks and mannnnnnnnnn it felt good to get back out there! Even if it was 22 degrees outside.❄️
December 25: Merry Christmas!❤️ love, the Troutman’s.
I don’t think I could tell you how blessed I feel right now. This year has been a huge learning experience and I’m so excited for what 2020 has in store! Lots of family, lots of travel, lots of amazing weddings, and lots more sweet baby Pfeiffer moments coming for next year.
Also, Pfeif was petting Kyle’s beard here and I think it’s my favorite photo now.
December 26: I set a goal to nurse her for one year.
It’s been 368 days of making milk. I’ve battled mastitis, worked out too many clogs to count, pumped over 500 hours, been bitten, been uncomfortable in my own skin, felt like superwoman, and built a large supply (which my picky picky daughter won’t drink) that I’ve slowly been parting ways with. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m not quite sure when it’ll be done but I’m enjoying where we’re at in this process. The second photo is from the first month feeding my baby.
I want you to know that this is MY journey with breastfeeding. FED is best so whether you use formula or nurse your baby, bottle feed or breastfeed, use donor milk or goats milk, your journey is YOURS.
Throughout my year of nursing, I’ve had a few of you reach out about how to keep your supply up if you’re nursing, so here are some things that helped me:
- I made power/energy balls made with oats, peanut butter, honey, chia seeds, chocolate chips, and I usually threw some nuts or dried cranberries in there sometimes too! I ate a couple a day.
- @legendairymilk makes amazing supplements that help with ALLLL sorts of things milk-making related.
- When I first had Pfeif, I would pump between feedings to boost my supply, or pump right after I fed her to completely empty. This tells your body that you need to make that much more each time you nurse.
- I drank SO much water. Your body needs water to make milk, so drink more than you think you should! The colder the better!
If you need to come back to peek at these tips, save this post for future reference! Tell me, did this resonate with you?? What was/is your nursing journey?
December 30: These two bumped into each other at work when they were working at the same hospital. They both agreed it was love at first sight and it’s been bliss ever since!
Was it love at first sight for you and your boo?? Shot by my associate Megan🖤