Thank you for being a part of Downtown Living
Des Moines!

Welcome to my lens on downtown
Des Moines.

I’m Sommer, a photographer, writer, and artist. This is where I share the faces, stories, and rhythms of the city I love.

This site is a living portrait of downtown Des Moines — not the skyline, but the soul. Through photos and words, I capture the people who give this place its heartbeat: the baristas pulling early morning espresso, the skaters gliding through Western Gateway, the artists, small business owners, street musicians, city workers, day-trippers, globetrotters, and everyone in between.

I created this space because I believe every person has a story, and every corner of our city has a pulse worth noticing. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a newcomer, or just passing through, my hope is that these images and narratives help you see Des Moines with fresh eyes, full of character, grit, and warmth.

This is downtown Des Moines, Iowa, as I experience it: up close, curious, and alive.

Thanks for being here.
—Sommer

If you received a QR code from an impromptu meeting, you’re in the right spot! If not, I would still love to hear from you! Please answer a couple of questions for me.