Eastern Iowa Family, Senior, & Newborn Photographer

Hi there, friend! I’m Lydia.

Most days, you’ll find me in my home office, swimming in spreadsheets or building databases. At night, I’m usually curled up reading a book or on the trampoline with my kiddos.

But a couple evenings each week? That’s when I have a camera in my hand, helping families who are feeling the years fly by far too fast.

If you prefer photos of you loving on your babies over fake smiles and picture-perfect poses… if you want to grace your walls with photos that show your child’s personality… if you want photos that make you feel the emotions you see…

There IS a better way. You can have photographs that hold tight to your memories for you: the way your son bit his lip before laughing, how your spouse holds your hand, the innocent grin of your teenager. Photos that match the beauty your eyes see, and don’t magnify flaws.

You can have a laid-back, relaxed photo session that captures how much you love one another (where even Dad will say, ‘That was fun!’).

And you can have unique photos that aren’t cookie-cutter.

I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be, either.

Life may feel chaotic and crazy, but there’s wonder in the chaos. I want to capture images that remind you how these days feel, and how you love each other.

Let’s create something wonderful together.

Lydia

TALK TO ME, GOOSE

(Not quite ready to do this thang? That’s cool! Check out some photos instead.)

A GOOD OL’ ORIGIN STORY

My why, and how I started

My origin story began with a question from a friend:

“Hey LYDIA, CAN YOU take a picture for our Christmas card with your nice camera?”

I took the photos. They were total crap, but I could see in my head the kind of photos I wanted to take: unposed photos that ooze with love and light. I was ready to do whatever it took to accomplish that, too.

A few months later, Apollo & Ivy Photography was born.

Who ARE apollo and ivy?

Welp, my last name is Fine, and having a last name that’s also an adjective makes “Lydia Fine Photography” a little… weird.

So I combined the Roman god of sunlight (Apollo) with ivy, a plant that symbolizes loyalty, affection, and love (bonus: it’s a subtle nod to IVF, the scientific wonder that gave me my babies). Awwww….

Header photo: (c) Alyson Zimmer Photography, edited by me

Sessions with Me

Give me all your grumpy dads; I’m here for it. In fact, I’m married to a certified Picture-Day Hater, so I’m not fazed a bit.

You can have a photo session that’s actually FUN. I’ll get your “everyone look at the camera” shot, but then we’ll just hang out and have a good time.

Creating images that capture connections between people is my happy place. If that’s what you’re after, we’re going to get along wonderfully.

Fun facts about me

2

Awesome Offspring

One girl, one boy, both created in a laboratory. Yay for science and IVF!

32

School Classmates

I grew up on a farm in a wee town named Moulton. Points if you can find it on a map!

2

Enneagram

I’m sincere, generous, a people-pleaser, and a little too Type A. See? Not perfect. 🙂

14

Years of Marriage

He’s a professional comedian, and he tries out his jokes on me. Sometimes I even laugh!

What matters to me

The ALS Association of Iowa and families affected by ALS

the sound of my children laughing

All love is love; trans youth should be protected; LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom

my three sisters and our annual Iowa State Fair trip

doing the Wordle and the Jumble with my mom

a satisfying backhand-roundhouse combo

"We LOVE our photos!"

“Lydia has the ability to be flawlessly in the moment during photos and naturally ease into whatever the situation. Her personality is fun, easy, and professional.”

—Emily L.

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