Two women touch foreheads tenderly at golden hour in a field, holding hands in a romantic outdoor portrait.
Two women in summer dresses hold hands facing a golden sunset through trees in a lush green park.

 

SW iowa locations


the locations you see below are some of my favorites in southwest iowa! i've either shot here before, or i really want to. have a look around, i'm glad you're here.

 

 

Top picks in montgomery county, ia

Stunning locations

 

A serene pond reflecting autumn trees with tall reeds in the foreground under an overcast sky.

Anderson conservation area


tucked just outside red oak, this 244-acre stretch of reconstructed prairie and quiet pond has been shaping curious minds since the 80s — and it shapes light just as well. golden hour here spills sideways through open grassland, catching every strand of hair and stitch of fabric. three miles of trails wind past the wolfe nature center, giving us everything from wide-open prairie portraits to soft, dappled tree-line moments. this is where warmth lives — the kind of spot that photographs like a memory you haven't made yet.

A vast meadow covered in yellow wildflowers stretches under a cloudy sky with trees lining the horizon.

Hacklebarney woods




the largest remaining timber tract in the county, and it feels like it — 230 acres of oak-hickory canopy folding in around you, a hidden lake and pond catching the last light of the day, restored prairie edges giving way to deep, textured woods. this is where the gothic side of my work gets to breathe: dense shadow, filtered light, the kind of quiet that makes a portrait feel like it's telling a secret. bring boots. bring the parts of yourself you don't usually show a camera.

A large tree trunk frames a serene lake with a rocky shoreline, surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.

viking lake state park




1,000 acres, a 136-acre lake, and a landscape that refused to be fully tamed — much of viking lake was left wild on purpose, and you can feel it. rolling oak-hickory forest meets native prairie meets water that holds the sky. the 5.5-mile loop trail and quieter burr oak nature trail both open onto scenes that feel bigger than iowa's supposed to. golden hour on the water here is unreal — reflections doing half the work for us. built by a community that wanted something beautiful enough to last, and it has.

 

A few of my favorites

See what’s possible

 

Young woman in green dress smiling outdoors at golden hour with bokeh sunflowers in background.
Smiling plus-size woman in yellow dress sitting on a wooden dock with feet in water, lake and trees in background.
Pregnant woman in teal dress standing in golden field at sunset with warm lens flare and trees in background.
Young woman in black graphic sweatshirt and white ripped jeans sitting on rocks making a peace sign.
Two women in floral and green dresses touch foreheads in a golden field at sunset.
Smiling blonde girl gently cupping green plant leaves in her hands outdoors in nature.
Two women in summer dresses hold hands facing a golden sunset through trees in a lush green park.
Plus-size woman in yellow off-shoulder jumpsuit sitting on wooden dock by calm lake, smiling at camera.
A smiling woman with red hair sits in golden tall grass during sunset, hand on cheek, wearing a white dress.

Planning tips & FAQ

When’s the best time for taking photos in Montgomery County?

golden hour, always — that hour before sunset when the prairie grass goes gold and everything gets soft. spring and fall bring the most drama (fresh green or full color), but honestly? every season here has a mood. summer's lush and a little wild (bring bug spray, the timber gets buggy), winter strips everything down to bone and light — perfect for the gothic stuff. we'll pick your date based on the vibe you're after, not just the calendar.

What should we wear or pack?

wear what makes you feel like yourself, not what you think a "photo outfit" is supposed to look like. texture reads beautifully outdoors — flowy fabric, denim, leather, layers. avoid busy logos or graphic tees unless that's your whole personality (then, wear it). bring water, bug spray for wooded locations, and shoes you can actually walk a trail in. if we're doing anything gothic or editorial, we'll talk styling ahead of time so you're not guessing.

Do we need a permit for photography?

for a standard portrait session — just us, you, maybe tony helping out — no, iowa doesn't require a permit for that kind of personal or small-scale photography, at these locations or generally across the state. if we're ever doing something bigger (a full production, models, equipment setups, large groups) i'll check directly with the site — montgomery county conservation for anderson and hacklebarney, iowa dnr for viking lake — and handle all of that so you don't have to think about it.