Jill Brown Photography Blog

Sweet Baby Lucy

2012-01-13T14:48:00.000-06:00

I had the honor to be asked by Sarah and Chris Davis of Lucky Soda Photography to come and photograph the day that their sweet baby Lucy was born. It is such an absolutely amazing experience to be able to be there when a family welcomes a new member of the family. To be able to photograph the first moments a new little person enters this beautiful world - there are no words for what it is like. Amazing is the closest I can come to it.

Thank you so very, very much Sarah and Chris - it was truly an honor.

Much love to you and your beautiful family.

Love Letters

2012-01-04T13:07:00.001-06:00

I love letters from my clients. They give me the warm fuzzies. Today I went to the mail box and found this letter (along with a lens cap I left at their reception - so sweet to return it!)

Dear Jill,

Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful job with our pictures. You made our engagement session so much fun and our wedding pictures are absolutely beautiful. It's so hard picking which pictures to frame!

Everyone keeps telling us how sweet you were and how easy you made everything. Thank you for being so organized and patient. Everything was flawless and you make the picture taking so much fun. You and Missy are one of my favorite memories from our special day, and we can't thank you enough.

You are so talented and we feel so lucky to have had you as our wedding photographer.

Happy New Year!

Love - Jenna & Joe

Wow. That was about the most kind letter I've every received. Jenna & Joe - Thank you so much. :)

50 Favs of 2011

2011-12-28T10:31:00.001-06:00

Hi there! As 2011 comes to an end, I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite images from 2011. I've limited it to 50, but there were so many more. I hope 2012 brings you much joy. Take care - Jill

From my family to yours...

2011-12-23T08:57:00.000-06:00

I feel very blessed to be able to have the job that I do. Photographing people's family, children, weddings, events and even their business accomplishments is something that is such a wonderful experience for me. Thank you to all of you for making 2011 a wonderful and memorable year. I hope that you and your loved ones have a very peaceful and happy holiday season.

Much love ~ Jill

{ Hannah, Grace, Dave, Me & Mary }

Jenna

2011-12-22T16:03:00.003-06:00

I found a new photo border that I just love and think that this image of Jenna looks lovely in it.

Jenna + Joe

2011-12-21T10:23:00.000-06:00

Jenna & Joe were married at the Des Moines Botanical Center on a lovely Saturday evening. These two are such a sweet and kind couple. They were very easy-going and loved enjoying every moment of their day. I really enjoyed this wedding and was so glad to have been a part of their wedding day.

Congratulations Jenna & Joe!

*photo by Melissa Stukenholtz

Bleich Family

2011-12-08T12:10:00.001-06:00

This family means a great deal to me and my family. They are a very kind and wonderful bunch and a part of a select few that I trust to watch my kids, pets and home while my husband and I travel. I love this family so very much. We did a session for them recently... here are just a few.

Love you all... so much. Thank you for everything you do for us.

Abby + Dominic

2011-12-05T16:03:00.001-06:00

We recently shot Abby and Dominic's engagement session on one of the coldest days of the year (so far) - outside! Yikes! They brought their cutie kids along and I think we were all popsicles by the end of the outdoor session - but it was sure fun. THEN - we ran over to the studio and did a couple of quick alley shots plus some knock-out shots in the studio.

Go take a look!

Flaunt On the Avenue

2011-11-29T14:53:00.001-06:00

While I was in Virginia a few weeks ago, my husband and I also drove to Baltimore, MD to do a shoot for a salon called Flaunt on the Avenue (FB page here!) Flaunt is a sweet little salon full of chandeliers, funky furniture and hot pink walls. If you find your self in Baltimore, on The Avenue and need a new do - go check this place out!

Diamonds & Rust

2011-11-28T16:08:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, my hubby and I took at trip to a lovely town called Aldie in Virginia. It was absolutely beautiful. We stayed in a 200 year old cottage. We ate at a 200 year old tavern. It was amazing. While we were there, I had to do a session for a cute little antique shop called Diamonds & Rust (you can also find them on FB). Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot!

(I cannot wait to go back to this town!)

Greth Family #2

2011-11-21T07:57:00.001-06:00

Kim and Mike met me at the studio on a beautiful Sunday morning. The temperature was nice, but the wind was blowing, so the whole session was inside. It was a fun little session and everyone participated - even the dog! :)

Obrecht Family

2011-11-08T07:43:00.005-06:00

This adorable little family was supposed to have their session outside at Jester Park. Unfortunately, the temperamental November weather required us to change our plans. Instead we did a studio session!

Jenna + Joe

2011-10-31T16:35:00.001-05:00

Jenna and Joe met me out at Water Works Park for their engagement session on a pleasant late October morning. Temperatures were in the 40s and the winds were calm. Very lucky for a late October day! We've had snow here in Iowa as early as the beginning of October.

Here are some of my favorites from this weekend's engagement session!

Falter Family

2011-10-25T11:07:00.000-05:00

Jen Falter is one of my very, very, very best friends. I have known both her and her husband, Nathan, for over 15 years. The three of us met in college at Missouri State University where all three of us were studying art. Jen and I spent many a night in the ceramics studio firing the kilns and working on our projects together. Often you would find us in the wee hours at Steak-n-Shake, giving ourselves a break and indulging in coffee and cheese fries! Yum!

Jen and Nathan are extremely talented potters and are know through out the country for their amazing work. They own a studio in Springfield, MO called Springfield Pottery and have their work displayed in galleries all over the country! If you are interested in purchasing any of Jen and Nathan's work, please visit their website and let them know!

Here are a few images from a family session I did for them on a visit to Springfield. (Isn't their daughter just adorable!!) Enjoy!

Alexander Family

2011-10-24T15:32:00.000-05:00

I received a call from a very kind woman by the name of Minnie. Her dad was turning 70 and the family coming in from all over the country to have a party for him. (Wow - what a sweet thing to do!). Part of his birthday present was to hire a photographer to come after the party and take family photos at her dad's home. This is where I come in! :)
They were a great family. Thank you Minnie!

Here are a few from their session, check it out!

Erin + Tom

2011-10-20T15:20:00.002-05:00

Erin and Tom were married First United Methodist Church in St. Charles, MO. I was very excited to shoot their wedding for two reasons. One, I've know Erin for a while and she is a hoot! Two, I had the opportunity to ask my friend, Helene, to second shoot with me. She and I used to shoot weddings all the time together when I lived in St. Louis. It was a great time!

*photo by Helene Behrend

Sarah

2011-10-05T10:55:00.002-05:00

Here's the other senior session for my niece I promised you! We did the majority of these in the parking garage of a casino in St. Louis because it decided to rain cats and dogs during her session - sometimes you use what you have available! I love them. :)

Lyssa

2011-10-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

Lyssa is my niece and I was delighted when my sis-in-law asked me to do her senior session! While I was in St. Louis last month, we did this little session... and it was so much fun... even with a bit of rain!

I did another niece's senior session the same weekend - that one is coming soon!

Check out Lyssa!

Stephanie + Jared

2011-10-03T15:44:00.001-05:00

Stephanie and Jared were married on a very beautiful day at Jester Park. The wedding was outdoors and so lovely! What you really need to check out it Stephanie's bling! She rented diamond jewelry for her wedding day!

Molly's Maternity Session

2011-09-22T14:07:00.004-05:00

It's always a really awesome feeling when a fellow photographer asks you to photograph their session. Molly Long asked me a few months ago to photograph her maternity session - woohoo! I was so happy to do it! Thanks Molly for the opportunity!!

Fleming Family

2011-09-21T15:32:00.002-05:00

I love it when the family comes dressed like this one did... awesome colors, awesome textures! Not to mention that is family is always a blast to shoot for. :)

Thanks to all of you for a great morning of shooting!

Lindsy & Jared's Maternity Session

2011-09-20T08:55:00.001-05:00

This session was so much fun! Lindsy & Jared are so photogenic! They were so easy-going, although it also helps that Jared is my husband's cousin and I've known them FOREVER. Such a super-cute session! Check it out!

Johnson Family

2011-09-14T08:27:00.001-05:00

I love this little family. This year we did a studio session and it was a pretty fun time. The little ones were so goofy, which always makes for fun shots! Check it out!

Two crazy kids...

2011-09-14T07:55:00.001-05:00

These two kids belong to two of my very best friends. It kind of felt like I was taking photos of my own kids, because I know these two so well! It was seriously fun time... my favorite was at the very end when the old-skool camera came out!

Megan and her Sisters

2011-09-14T07:49:00.002-05:00

Megan + her sisters + her nieces and nephews + her mom and dad + some super-hero shirts = some really fun times! Check it out!!

Jenny + Ryan

2011-09-09T14:49:00.000-05:00

Jenny and Ryan were married outside on the most beautiful August day. Perfect sky, perfect temperature. Their wedding was absolutely amazing! It was the most fun and creative wedding - complete with stick-on mustaches for everyone to wear!

Thank you Jenny and Ryan for one of the most amazing weddings I've ever photographed!

*photo by Melissa Stukenholtz

Christine + Andrew

2011-08-27T07:12:00.001-05:00

Christine. Andrew. WOW. It was one beau-ti-ful day! Not to mention a beautiful church, beautiful reception venue and a beautiful bride and groom!

Thank you for having me be a part of your day!

(*photo by Lindsey Parsons)

Leto Family

2011-08-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

Originally the Leto family and I met a couple of weeks ago for their session, but it was the only rainy morning in weeks. However, it really did work out for the best because the reschedule date was absolutely beautiful...

Studio Z

2011-08-10T11:49:00.000-05:00

So, how much fun is it to get to shoot a lady who is a Rock Star at Yoga! LOTS! Here's a few shots from my session with Jenny at Studio Z!

Stephanie + Jared = Engaged!

2011-08-04T14:37:00.000-05:00

Stephanie and Jared - Thanks so much for a great session! It was fantastic to see you and I am really looking forward to your wedding day!!

Baker Family!

2011-08-03T10:49:00.000-05:00

I just shot Rhonda's niece's wedding a month or so ago and now I'm here to show you Rhonda's session with her two beautiful daughters!

Thanks for putting up with the heat and humidity ladies!

Hannah

2011-08-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Hannah, asked me to do a little photo shoot with her. It was a very casual and fun one - for sure! We wished we could have gotten outside a shot a bit more, but it has been so very, very HOT here lately!

Thanks Hannah! I had a lot of fun shooting your session! LOVE YOU!