CD Cover Creative Design is one of my favorite types of projects as it often blends my photography work with my graphic design work in a really fun, rewarding way. Plus, working with other artists who are masters in their field is always an added bonus. I've been fortunate to work with many artists in a variety of musical genres, but this was my first time dipping my toe in the Opera world. Working with Opera superstar Michael Spyres on his newest album art was a super fun project. He originally wanted something very kitsch with a nod to classical, and something more playful than usually seen in the Opera scene. So, we really went for it! Here are some of the first mock-ups I came up with.

I LOVED these. And so did Michael, but in the end, the winner winner chicken dinner used was more formal and classic. Still, Michael is getting use out of these images on his website. Click here to listen/buy to Michael's newest album, out April 21st. 

If you are a musician looking for a fellow artist to collaborate with and create a unique album cover that will stick out from the rest, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

Cassie & Harrison's downtown Springfield, MO wedding was beautiful. They got married and had their reception at the 425 Event Center and for portraits, they wanted some outside so we walked down to the twinkly lights that spread across the downtown streets, walked to the Vandivort to get warm and grab a few shots, and then stopped everywhere the lights twinkled their magic on the way back to the event center for the reception. 

Also, look how cute this little flower girl is!

Cassie & Harrison opted for half-day wedding coverage. We shot for 4 hours, captured over 1000 photos, edited and delivered about 700 photos just 5 days later. Photos are delivered digitally in Print Size optimized and Social Media Size optimized albums for download. 

If you are looking for a wedding photographer in or around Springfield, MO - don't hesitate to reach out. I can also travel to you!

Text or call: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

When Shannon reached out to me to create a Custom Illustration for the Publication Springfield Daily Citizen, she started off by referencing two previous illustrations of mine and pointing out the aspects she liked. She said she needed a custom illustration for an article they were working on about 'working from home' and they wanted to show a woman working from home at a desk with multiple screens and a calendar with dates marked off.  She liked the way I had illustrated the person in this first image below on the left and she liked the background of the second image below on the right. 

She also said she had a quick turnaround time--she would need the image less than a week later. I said that was no problem and had a few clarifying questions like:

1. Is there any preference on the type of person (age, gender, size, ethnicity, type of work)?
2. What type of content should be on the screens or should what's on the screens not be detailed enough to be able to distinguish? 
3. Should the calendar be on the wall, on one of the screens, on the desk? And what month should show?
4. Any color preferences?

Once she got back to me with her reply, I got started and this was the first draft I sent over a few days later:

She liked this version but felt like it wasn't clear enough that she was working from home--she wanted to see more details that made it feel like she was working from home. She also wanted the subject to be moved more to the center so when they share it on social media it wont crop the subject off. Lastly, she thought the background could have more abstract "pizzaz" like the image she had sent. 

I felt like with this feedback I could go one of two directions, so I went ahead and created both of those options for them to choose from. One which filled in the background with a room in a home and one which added just a few more "home" detail hints on the desk but had a more abstractly "pizzaz" background. Which do you prefer?

As I'm sure you guess from the header image on this blog, the option with the more detailed room in the background won from the client's perspective. 

Check out the article here!

If you are in need of a custom illustration, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

For anyone looking for LGBTQ Family Photos in Springfield MO, I empathize with how tricky that can be to navigate. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself I've experienced first-hand the challenges that come with trying to find LGBTQ+ inclusive services in an area of the United States not well known for its inclusion and diversity.  So, I was extremely excited when Karly reached out to have me create family photos. 

I've got to say, this kiddo has got to be one of the easiest and happiest little hams I've ever had in front of my camera. Just look are this little baby model! Doing family photos with small children can be difficult, so I always like to encourage play, snack breaks, and genuine interactions as much as possible. My approach to family photos is less department-store-formal and more genuine and laid back. I think family photos should be a memorable experience of familial bonding, laughing, and enjoying each other where you just happen to have an extra friend hanging around taking pictures. We will capture some posed shots to make sure we get everyone looking the same way with eyes open (ideally), but I think 9 times out of 10 my clients favorites shots end up being the ones they don't even realize I caught because they were so in the moment. 

If you're looking for LGBTQ+ Family Photos in Springfield MO or the surrounding areas, don't hesitate to reach out! I would be honored to capture your beautiful family. 

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
​Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

Molly & Vito's Eureka Springs Wedding at Crescent Hotel was a gorgeous fall celebration. The changing leaves, fall temps, and the spooky/romantic architecture of the Crescent Hotel (and the ghosts therein) set the mood. Molly & Vito and all their family and friends threw a great party in celebration of their love--their smiles were positively infectious and their vows made everyone cry. 

Molly & Vito opted for full day photography coverage which means I was there to capture all the getting ready moments up to the posed portraits, then the ceremony and the reception straight through to the dance party. Having recently gotten married myself, I know how important it is to have photos you look back at and can relieve the whole day. The posed portraits of wedding parties are a staple, but those aren't the moments you'll remember years later. You'll look back at a photo of a Mother/Son dance and your exuberant smiles will trigger the memory of the joke your Mom made, or the laughter of a nephew, or the moment right after the "first look" when the soon-to-be groom, blown away by his bride, lost his footing and fell down the stairs. 

If you looking for a wedding photographer, don't hesitate to reach out! I'd be honored to capture all the priceless moments of your special day. 

Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

The annual 99x event at the Springfield Art Museum is one of the best parties in Springfield to attend. Here's the premise: Each year a piece of artwork or pieces of artwork that are in need of restoration or repair are chosen. The event is technically a fundraiser to raise funds to repair this piece or pieces or artwork in the museum's permanent collection. Whatever work is chosen is then used at the catalyst and theme for the event. Then, the museum taps several local artists and creatives to create tableaus or living art installations in the museum. These tableaus are interactive for the guests, who arrive dressed to fit the theme of the event, and then walk through, touch, play, and pose their way through instagram-ready scenes, accompanied by live music or DJ's and flush with beverages and catered food.

This is my 4th year as a tableau artist, and my 2nd year as the museum's event photographer responsible for capturing the magic of it. This year is the first year that the event is back after being paused for the pandemic, and this year's event was fittingly coined "Return of Joy." The artwork being restored with the funds raised from this party is John Grillo's 1960s abstract painting titled Moon Goloph. Artists and guests alike were tasked with creating and bringing to life this event by dressing and creating tableaus around all things yellow, mod, and 60s. 

For my tableau, I immediately thought of my grandma's mod 60's barbies I would play with in her basement when we visited. So, I decided to build 2 life-size "Mod Friends" Barbie boxes for people to pose in. As always, the event was so much fun. And here are some of my favorite shots from covering the event that night...

I have to say, it felt like we all really did return to joy at this event. It was a beautiful menagerie of connection, playfulness, and purpose. If you haven't been to a 99x event at the Springfield Art Museum, I can't recommend it more!

If you are looking for a photographer for your event, don't hesitate to reach out!
Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

This Family Photos Session at Nathaniel Greene was so fun! The flowers were in full bloom, and the sun wasn't quite at burn-your-skin level yet, and there was even a cool breeze. Any time I photograph a family with a toddler, it's always a toss up as to how many shots are possible and how much time the kiddo will last. My goal is always to make it as fun as possible, give as many breaks as possible, and to encourage as much play as possible. This family was smart and planned ahead for the possibility of their clothes or their kiddos clothes getting dirty, which they did, but it all worked out. After shooting and playing in the main part of the park, they got changed, and we headed into the Japanese Stroll Garden for a little change of pace.

If you are looking to update your family photos, or want to give the gift of a family photo session to someone you love, don't hesitate to reach out! 

Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

After shooting Molly Healey's album photos, I had the pleasure of shooting her daughter's high school senior photos. For this one look session, we walked through the magical Valley Water Mill park and the magic did not disappoint. 

If you are looking for creative senior photos for you or your high school senior, don't hesitate to reach out!

Text or call: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com 

I had the grand pleasure of doing some editorial portraits for the incredibly talented musician Molly Healey's upcoming album. She brought her cello for some of the photos and I was lucky enough to enjoy her playing between set-ups! The joys of working with musicians.

I love working with musicians to create album art and other promotional photos. There is usually a shared creative language and the collaborative process so fulfilling. Here are some of my favorite shots from last weekend's shoot...

If you are a musician looking for a creative portrait photographer, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or text: 417-848-0932
​Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

This time last year I was hired to shoot a farm in Aurora, MO for my first ever Magazine publication: Farm & Ranch Living. I spent the day out on a farm documenting the life of this young farmer. I met cows, horses, a cute dog, and got to cross a life long dream off my bucket list: feeding a doe out of my own hand! It was a great day and I'm so excited to finally be able to share the photos now that the issue is out! 

To book me to shoot your business, yourself, your family, your farm, your wedding, or your event, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com