There are thousands of love stories tucked into the Quad Cities.
Some started in high school hallways while some began with a first date at a restaurant that’s long gone. And of course, some started with a swipe right, and others began at work, through mutual friends, across a crowded bar, or with two people who had known each other forever before suddenly realizing there might be something more.
Some are brand new, while others have lasted a lifetime.
And I want to share those stories through images and video.
QC Love Stories is a new personal photography project I’m starting, and I will be documenting real couples and their stories throughout the Quad Cities.
This isn’t about finding the most romantic proposal or the couple with the most perfect or beautiful life. I’m looking for everyday stories. I’m looking for the funny stories, the quiet ones, the unexpected ones, the second chances, and the “we’ve been together so long we can’t agree on how we actually met” ones.
I want couples of all ages and all stages of life.
Maybe you’ve been dating for a year and spend every Friday night together, or you’re raising toddlers and date night looks a little different these days. Maybe you’ve been married for 40 years and still drive past the place where you had your first date.
Your story doesn’t have to be extraordinary to anyone else. It just has to be yours.
This is More Than a Couples Photo Session
For each couple selected, I want the photographs/videos to tell a little piece of their story.
That might mean taking photos at your home on a slow Sunday morning, walking through the neighborhood where you live, grabbing a drink at your favorite date-night spot, revisiting where you first met, or spending time somewhere that has become part of your life together.
Some stories may take place entirely at home, and others might take us to different places around the Quad Cities.
There isn’t one formula for these sessions because there isn’t one specific way to tell a good love story.
The goal is to capture the emotion and connection between you in a way that feels honest, creating a visual documentary of your love and the life you’ve built together.
Who Can Submit a Story?
Anyone.
Young couples. Older couples. Married, dating, engaged, or somewhere in between. Couples who have been together for decades and couples who are still writing the first few chapters.
I’m specifically looking more for couples that their relationship started here in the QCA or surrounding area, but I will consider others as well if you’ve been here a long time or if you’re story started here but didn’t stay.
You don’t need to be comfortable in front of a camera or have picture perfect outfits, and you definitely don’t need to know how to pose.
You just need to be willing to let me tell a little bit of your story.
What Does It Cost?
Nothing.
There is no session fee to participate in QC Love Stories.
This is a personal photography and storytelling project I’m creating because I want to document the people, relationships, places, and little pieces of history that make up our community.
Because this is an ongoing art project rather than a traditional client session, selected couples will be asked to sign a release allowing their photographs and submitted story to be shared as part of the project.
That may include use on my website and social media, in marketing or promotional materials related to the project, printed photo books, gallery displays, exhibitions, public art installations, publications, or other future presentations of QC Love Stories.
You’ll always know you’re participating in a project meant to be shared publicly before we photograph your story.
Want to Be Part of QC Love Stories?
I’m now looking for couples who would love to be considered for the project.
Tell me how you met. Tell me about your first date. Tell me about the place you always end up going together. Tell me the ridiculous thing you disagree about, the tradition you’ve somehow kept for 20 years, or the ordinary little thing about your relationship that you hope you never forget.
Submit your love story below to be considered for an upcoming QC Love Stories session.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY
Not every story will necessarily be selected, and sessions will be scheduled based on the stories, locations, timing, and direction of the project.
But I can’t wait to see what stories are hiding around the Quad Cities!
Maybe yours will be one of them. ❤️
