Three for Three | Drew’s Senior Session in Des Moines
Drew is the third of three siblings I’ve had the joy of photographing over the last several years—and what a full-circle moment this session turned out to be. His older sisters, Emily & Hannah joined us for the shoot, and we captured some incredibly sweet family photos—including one of me with all three of my CK seniors. (Once you’re a CK senior, you’ve got a cheerleader for life. It’s a promise.)
Catching up with their mom, hearing updates on college life (Hannah), first teaching job (Emily) and learning about Drew’s hopes for the future made the whole afternoon feel like more than just a photo shoot. He’s exploring the business world and actively looking for internship opportunities to help guide his next steps. I have no doubt that wherever he lands, he’ll bring focus and intentionality with him.
We kicked things off downtown by the river—where recent rain had brought the water levels up significantly, but it made for a dramatic and meaningful backdrop for his first look. From there, we moved to the west steps of the Iowa State Capitol. I photographed that building in a new way this time, leaning into fresh angles and compositions to make Drew’s session uniquely his.
Next, we made our way to the top of the nearby historic building to get some elevated views and symmetrical reflections—paired perfectly with his second outfit. The light, the lines, and the ease with which Drew moved through each setting made it a true joy.
Our final stop: Norwalk High School. All three siblings have graduated from there, so it was the perfect place to wrap up. We took more family portraits, sibling shots, and a few photos that honored Drew’s years in track and cross country. The evening sun gave us soft, warm light—just gentle enough for his blue eyes—and a peaceful close to a memorable shoot.
Drew, I’m so proud of you and so excited for what lies ahead. You’re thoughtful, grounded, and ready. And just like your sisters, you’ve got a lifelong cheerleader in me.
Emily + Hannah, Mike & Nicole – SO SO good to see all of you and I love that this was a family affair to cheer on Drew and get genuine smiles from him. He rocked a great “show choir stage” smile for sure. Em & Hannah had trained him well!!
Take care,
Carrie
PS You can view the rest of our time together HERE.
