Heather Parrish Photography

04/07/2026

03/12/2026

There’s a lot of conversation about “less posed” or “natural” photography—be it storytelling, documentary, or lifestyle. While I fully embrace capturing genuine moments, rest assured, you won’t be left to spontaneously “act candid” on command; that often feels awkward! What you truly need is a Cedar Rapids and Iowa City maternity photographer who serves as a skilled guide and artistic visionary to thoughtfully create the setting and guide those authentic interactions. It’s about more than just equipment or trends; it takes an artist to bring every element together, ensuring your unique story is beautifully told.

01/01/2026

Can I tell you about one of my favorite things that happened during Kloeigh's maternity session? 🤔
I discovered something new in my own studio.

After four years of photographing in this space, you'd think I'd exhausted every angle, every setup, every possible way to use the light. But when Kloeigh (who's also a photographer!) trusted me to experiment, I tried turning her the opposite direction in my dormer area.
The difference was stunning.

The light wrapped around her differently. The "leg out" pose created these beautiful lines while bringing this incredibly intimate feel to the images. And as we reviewed the back of the camera together, we were both geeking out over what we'd created.

THAT'S the beauty of photographing fellow creatives - we speak the same visual language, we understand that the best images come from trying new things, and we're both willing to take creative risks together.

Kloeigh is welcoming baby girl #3, and there's something about that third-time-around confidence mixed with the wonder of creating new life that just radiates from an expecting mother. She wasn't nervous - she trusted the process and simply allowed herself to be present.

The result? Images that feel intimate, genuine, and distinctly beautiful 💕

Full story on the blog - link in bio!

Fellow photographers: when was the last time you tried something completely new in your own work?

12/31/2025

What happens when a photographer sits on the other side of the camera? 📸✨

Magic, honestly.

Kloeigh is a fellow photographer expecting a baby girl, and this session was everything I love about creative collaboration!

When photographers come in for sessions, there's this beautiful freedom that happens. The trust is already there. We both understand what makes a great image. And that trust gave me permission to try something completely new.

Midway through our session, I decided to turn Kloeigh to face the opposite direction in my studio's dormer - a spot I've photographed in countless times but never from this angle. We incorporated what I call the "leg out" pose, and the result was this soft, intimate glow that took my breath away.
We both geeked out over the images together because when two photographers collaborate, we're BOTH fully present in creating something beautiful 💕

This wasn't just about capturing maternity photos - it was about celebrating this chapter in her story as a mother of three, as a creative professional, as a woman embracing all the beauty that comes with pregnancy.

To fellow creatives: there's something magical about working with people who understand the art we're creating together ✨

Read the full story about our creative collaboration - link in bio!

12/19/2025

Can I share something that Katherine said after their newborn session? 💕

"We don't consider ourselves the most photogenic duo (Kellan excluded of course), but you managed to capture some beautiful moments. We are so grateful and will cherish these always."

Here's what I want Katherine and Patrick to know: you ARE photogenic. Not because of perfect poses or flawless angles, but because the love you have for Kellen shines through in every single image.

That kind of joy? That tenderness? That overwhelming love radiating from new parents? It's the most beautiful thing any photographer could hope to capture.

Their journey to parenthood looked different than some. It involved patience, paperwork, perfect timing that brought them across state lines to welcome their son. But the love? The connection? The pure wonder at this tiny person who has completely transformed their world?

That's universal. That's what EVERY parent feels, regardless of how their child arrived.

And that's what I try to capture in every single session - the overwhelming love, the gentle tenderness, the sense of awe at becoming a parent.

Katherine and Patrick's story is a beautiful reminder that families come together in all different ways, and every single one of those ways is precious and worthy of celebration.

Read how their adoption story unfolded during a cross-state move - link in bio! 💙

What's your family's story? Drop it below! 👇

12/17/2025

What happens when life's biggest blessings arrive at the most unexpected times? 💕

Katherine and Patrick were in the middle of moving to Cedar Rapids from out of state - packing boxes, coordinating new jobs, preparing for a completely new chapter in their lives.

And then they got THE call.

The call every adoptive parent waits months or even years for. Their son was here. Baby Kellen was ready to come home.

In the midst of one of life's most stressful events, they became parents. Not in nine months. Not next year. Now.

But here's what amazed me: when I met Katherine and Patrick, all I could see was pure joy. No stress about the timing, no overwhelm about the logistics. Just this beautiful, peaceful excitement about finally meeting their son.

The way they looked at Kellen during our session? Like they still couldn't quite believe he was really theirs. Every gentle touch from Patrick, every tender moment with Katherine - you could see the love that had been growing in their hearts long before they held him in their arms.

These images aren't just newborn photos. They're documentation of a love story that spans time and distance, of a family that was meant to be, of intentional love that chose this beautiful baby boy.
Welcome home, Kellen. You were worth every moment of the wait 💙

Read their complete story on the blog - link in bio!