Soul or System Photography

09/02/2026

📸🖼️🖤

Thanks ACA!

08/31/2026

A huge thank you to the Times-Republican and Robert for the fantastic coverage, as well as to my models and everyone who came out to enjoy the space.

It was truly amazing to see adults and kids playing my childhood video games together, and to witness people spending so much time examining and contemplating the portraits.

The energy was incredible—there was endless laughter, deep conversation, and even some tears of emotion as people connected with old memories or saw their loved ones on the gallery walls.

None of this would be possible without Amber and Kelbryn with the Arts + Culture Alliance. Please connect with and support them.

Adults of a certain age -- namely, this author's -- could be forgiven for believing they'd accidentally stumbled into a time machine as they entered the opening of local artist Austin Chadderdon's "When I Grow Up' portrait exhibit at the Arts + Culture Alliance building on West Main Street Friday night.

The room, which was packed to the brim, was adorned with all sorts of nods to childhood in the 1990s, from the Nintendo 64 and VCR players to Kodak film cameras to board games like Battleship and Guess Who and even era-appropriate refreshments in the form of Lunchable style crackers, Fruit Roll Ups and Gatorade in a can.

The centerpiece of the exhibit was the namesake "When I Grow Up" portraits created by pairing children with adults who bear a striking resemblance to each other despite having no real-life connection. Adult participants included Black Iron Barbell Owner Jake Reynolds, Marshalltown Police Department Capt. Sadie Weekley, renowned Mexican folk dancer Bertha Santillan and postal carrier/artist Josh Cox, and the frames were created by another local artist, John Eich.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/3txrfnn9

08/28/2026

Did you catch a glimpse? 👀

The background is a blur for a reason—because this isn’t just an art gallery. It’s an experience.

For this exhibition, I brought together striking portraits exploring the powerful concept of adult subjects facing their childhood selves. This specific piece features a formidable traditional dance instructor paired alongside a very sweet little girl with an uncanny resemblance—two Marshalltown locals who had never actually met before. It’s a raw visual exploration of inner-child healing, identity, and the heavy weights of adulthood.

To bring the theme of heritage to life, I’ve surrounded these pieces with my family's heirloom antiques, vintage film projectors, and active 8mm and 16mm ancestral films.

It’s part nostalgic playground, part living history gallery.

You have to experience the space in focus. See you tomorrow.

🗓 Friday, Aug 28
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA)

Heidi Williams

Heidi Williams

08/26/2026

Some things are frozen in time, others are caught on film. 🎞️

Come experience the pieces that raised us—from retro gaming to vintage tech—at my upcoming photography exhibition. Come spot your childhood and take a trip down memory lane!
📍 Arts + Culture Alliance (126 W Main)
🗓️ This Friday, Aug. 28th
🕔 Starting at 5:00 PM
See you there!

08/25/2026

Thanks to Kyle Martin and News Talk 1230 KFJB AM & 93.9 FM for talking with me about my completely immersive photography and nostalgia exhibit on THIS FRIDAY (the 28th) at the Arts + Culture Alliance (126 W Main) at 5PM.

Please come check it out and play our vintage video games, watch some classic VHS, get your hands on original vintage tech, read some comics and see beautiful portraits of local Marshalltown residents! Those live alongside a plethora of vintage items and film.

Here’s the event page!
Portrait Exhibition: When I Grow Up "Conversations Across Time"

Austin Chadderdon describes his art/photo exhibit "When I Grow Up".

Interview in comments

08/12/2026

I had an amazing time teaching photography history, theory and the technical aspects involved in making great photographs at Fizz & Fiction!

The class also got to watch and participate in a live portrait shoot with them acting as our models. Those photos will be posted and available to the students in the near future.

Thanks again to Fizz & Fiction for hosting us and providing a great space to learn, take photographs and enjoy delicious drinks. That crew and space is truly a gem!

Our appreciation to the Arts + Culture Alliance for a grant opportunity which made this possible.

08/05/2026

New logo(s) alert!

Merch coming soon.

08/04/2026

Pretty good day at work shooting some seductive taco portraits for Little Village Mag at La Carreta Mexican Grill.

Little Village Mag's August 2026: Bread & Butter Dining Guide is on stands now. Available at dozens of locations in Marshalltown, Grinnell, Tama and Toledo.

(Link to LV August Issue)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BP3s1kEU5/

05/15/2026

Another award winning portrait of a winning team!

📸 Soul or System Photography

Growth is a beautiful thing.

The MACC has always been about bringing people together, and today we’re celebrating the growth of our own work team. We’ve expanded to a dedicated group of four professionals committed to excellence in every detail.

-Deb keeps us moving forward as COO.
-Madi (that’s me!) handles the marketing and event experience.
-Jaqueline ensures every event detail is coordinated to perfection.
-Kim keeps our building and grounds looking beautiful.

We enjoy what we do, and we’d love to host you. Reach out today to discuss your event needs. Let’s make some memorable events happen!

To contact us, please email us or give us a call at: [email protected] | (641) 758-3005.

Picture taken by

Pictured from left to right: Kim, Jaqueline, Deb, and Madi

04/30/2026

Another successful project for these artists!

🏺I think that emoji is an urn 🤷🏻‍♂️