A sequence of overlapping photos showing someone with blonde hair walking through a lush garden setting.

LIFE is a darkroom

BASED IN RED OAK, IA // MAKING MEMORIES SINCE 2025

My philosophy?

Photography is a love language

A romantic couple in black clothing share intimate moments in a series of progressive photos showing them getting closer.
A romantic sequence of photos showing a joyful couple laughing and embracing in black outfits against a dark background.

I used to believe that my love language was acts of service, physical touch, and quality time. I used to believe that that was how I experienced beauty in this world, but then I picked up my first camera. Now, for me, Life is a Darkroom, and every special moment is developing film that one day my clients will shed tears of happiness and nostalgia over.

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A mother sits on grass in a park, kissing her toddler in a teal outfit as bubbles float around them near a bench.

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free of charge, always.

let's discuss your vision.

 

most recent shoot highlights

 

Young woman with curly hair smiling in a sunlit field, wearing a pink top and patterned cardigan at golden hour.
Two women smiling and conversing on a bench outdoors with warm sunset light filtering through trees behind them.
A person wearing a pink dress and tiara poses expressively, adorned with tattoos and a sash, against a green foliage background.
A mother in a tan dress dances with her two young children on a town square sidewalk on a cloudy day.
A person in a pink sequin dress twirls joyfully in a lush garden setting at dusk.
A series of six photos showing someone in a plaid shirt holding orange pumpkins at sunset in a garden setting.
A person in a white sleeveless top poses outdoors with a visible arm tattoo against a blurred natural background.
A mother and two young children sitting on a blanket outdoors on a sunny day, enjoying time together in a park.
An older sibling and small toddler walk together at sunset in a park with golden light filtering through trees in the background.
A young blonde girl with a bow hugs a man from behind, smiling warmly in a black and white portrait photo.
A person in a white lace dress poses outdoors against a stone wall showing off their tattoo design.
Young woman holding green flowers in a field at golden hour, wearing a patterned cardigan and jeans.
Artistic portrait bathed in dramatic red lighting with moody shadows and bokeh effects in the background.
Two siblings in casual clothing sit close together on autumn grass while smiling at the camera.
A smiling young woman holds a happy baby close to her face in a warm, sunny outdoor setting.
A person with dramatic blood drips down their face and tousled dark hair poses for an artistic portrait series.
Two women sitting outdoors laughing and holding hands in warm golden sunset light.
A woman in a flowing white sundress poses gracefully in a garden setting with stone pathways and greenery.
Child in pink button-up romper sits beside adult with dark nail polish, hands gently touching.
A happy couple sharing a tender moment, man kissing woman on cheek while she smiles joyfully outdoors.
A couple sharing a romantic kiss, both dressed in black, with braided hair and rings visible.
A couple in glasses share a tender moment, the man touching the woman's hair while she smiles, wearing a sun graphic tee.
Smiling blonde girl in a black Daddy Daughter Squad t-shirt posing outdoors among green foliage in warm autumn light.
Pregnant woman in red dress walks with family in park, two girls in mustard dresses hold hands with parents.

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Testimonials

Two people walking together on a shaded forest path surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.

“i had such an amazing experience working with rae! she is kind, thoughtful, and made my son and i feel completely comfortable from start to finish. her energy was fun and uplifting, and she had so many creative ideas that made the whole session feel effortless and exciting. you can really tell she loves what she does, and it shows in every photo. i’m beyond happy with how everything turned out and can’t recommend her enough!”

chanelle b.

A mother in a tan dress dances with her two young children on a town square plaza.

"i'm so so happy i came across you! these photos are absolutely beautiful, and have made my heart so, so full. we never get any photos captured of us, and this is exactly what i wanted. i wanna deeply say thank you so much for capturing such a beautiful moment between my kids and i. we will definitely be returning customers, and i can't wait to book family photos with you!


i've always been the person to be awkward and not really know what to do when getting pics done, but it was such a comfortable experience with you! i'm so, so glad that you could make this memory with me! again, thank you so much!!"

cierra p.

A family of six poses outdoors among autumn foliage, with parents holding young children in a warm, candid portrait.

“rae is a down-to-earth, amazingly talented photographer we will continue to go back to for years to come. in the utter chaos of three babies under the age of 2, and us being a family of seven, she was able to connect with our kids and capture our perfectly imperfect family in such a beautiful light. the love radiates through our pictures. we will cherish these pictures forever!”

tawny & michael b.

Testimonials

Woman with dramatic red paint dripping down her face in a dark, artistic horror-themed makeup look.

“had an absolute blast working with rae! they made me feel extremely comfortable and confident! has a vision and knows exactly how to execute it!”

hexxi g.

Black and white photo of a couple sharing a tender moment in front of a colorful mural outdoors.

“had an amazing experience doing a couples’ shoot with my husband. rae helped us so much in feeling comfortable in front of the camera. they are incredibly pleasant to work with and i would highly recommend them for future photo shoots!! they made it such a comfortable experience, no judgments, all the hype! 💗🫶🏻🥹”

ayden & sapphire w.

Close-up black and white portrait of a bearded person wearing a knit beanie, looking at the camera from an angle.

"black and white is the color of the photograph, but not my life. rae found a way to capture my masculinity in her editing, while also giving me depth and character in the image capture. when i saw these photos for the first time, my eyes glistened over with tears at a version of myself i saw that i'd never seen before. and that was good! it's seeing yourself in a different light, knowing that the beauty of rae's photography is how the world truly sees you."

anthony b.

A person wearing a dark jacket and red scarf stands in front of autumn trees with a raised hand.

Let’s Connect

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you create memories that will last a lifetime.

 

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