Hi, I'm Sara!
I am a lifestyle and documentary film photographer located in Des Moines, Iowa. I love taking pictures of my family and our day-to-day life, and want to give that same joy to others through timeless images. I capture everyday moments and all the love that it holds. I specialize in families and portraits, but also love capturing small events, branding, Polaroid pop-ups and a little bit of everything in between. In 2023, I opened East Fifth Studio with my studio mate, Nicole. Located in the heart of the East Village in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, East Fifth Studio is a photography and creative space available for rental.
Here's a couple fun tidbits about me:
- I am a bit film obsessed. For real. I am in love with every bit of this timeless medium. The colors and tones that film photography produces has no comparison. The moodiness and subtle life that the grain gives to an image only enhances the beauty of the image. It can produce the most timeless portrait and in the next instance I can experiment with it and produce an other worldly rainbow delight. Film just wins!
- I'm a Midwest girl through and through, but the travel bug is always in me! I love living in the beautiful flyover state of Iowa, but I also am always looking for the next time I can dip my toes in the ocean or hike in the mountains. Oh, and a good cityscape? I'm in. From Chicago to San Fran to Charleston, to all the cities I have yet to explore. Oh, and I always, ALWAYS bring my cameras with me ;)
- Styling is my jam. I have a true love for fashion, whether that means creating an outfit with what's in my closet or exploring new beauty in small brands, I love a good look. This will work in your favor, too, because I will definitely be more than excited to help you style your session to perfection.
But wait, there's more...
I'm also a film photography educator, with a passion to help other photographers find a renewed sense of joy and creativity in their work. Focusing on personal projects and the gains that can be had from them, I offer a variety of ways to help get the passion back in your photography.
Teaching experience includes hosting three weekend retreats, one-on-one mentoring, speaking at Photo Native, teaching multiple workshops in Des Moines and writing for Shoot It With Film. My passion project is The Wandering Artist which is a weekend retreat for photographers and artists to find creative renewal in their work through personal projects.
