Selected Works: Iowa Band Portraits 2015-2026 by Alyssa Leicht
Selected Works: Iowa Band Portraits 2015–2026 is a curated archival exhibition spanning twelve years of my music photography work, specifically focused on portraits of Iowa bands and musicians. Some of the images in the show were taken during press photo sessions, others before, during, or after live concerts and festivals, others were taken on tour. One was taken during the filming of a video project by the featured musician, and another was taken during an album artwork session. What they all have in common is that they are my personal favorite archival pulls and they all feature incredible Iowa musical talent. Artists who have worked hard to write and record all-original music, put their sound down on vinyl, go on tour, and more.
The show is on display the month of April 2026 at The Slow Down Coffee Co. in Des Moines's Highland Park neighborhood. An opening reception will be held the evening of Tuesday, April 7th from 6–8pm and I'll be present to talk with guests and answer questions about the work.
Framed fine art prints and writable/mailable postcards from the exhibition are available for purchase.
A large-format framed print from Iowa Band Portraits 2015–2026, an ongoing portrait series by Des Moines photographer Alyssa Leicht. Printed on smooth matte fine art paper and presented in a 16×24” aged metallic silver float frame with a ¼" wide moulding with 2¼" depth and an ⅛" gap between the frame and the print surface, creating a subtle floating illusion that draws the eye to the image. Finished with paper backing, a wire hanger, and bumpers and ready to hang. Two prints available in this format, one per subject. This work is currently on public exhibition at The Slow Down Coffee Co in Des Moines' Highland Park neighborhood through April. Prints will be available for pickup at Mainframe Studios beginning May 1, 2026. Pickup will be coordinated via email following purchase.
A framed print from Selected Works: Iowa Band Portraits 2015–2026, an ongoing portrait series by Des Moines photographer Alyssa Leicht. Each piece is printed on fine art smooth matte paper and presented in a black gallery frame with a 1.5" double white mat and glare-resistant acrylic, ready to hang as received. Frames measure 11×14 (or 14×11 for horizontal compositions), with a ¾" profile and 1¼" depth. One framed print available per subject at this time. This work is currently on public exhibition at The Slow Down Coffee Co in Des Moines' Highland Park neighborhood through April. Prints will be available for pickup at Mainframe Studios beginning May 1, 2026. Pickup will be coordinated via email following purchase.
A writable, mailable postcard featuring an image from Selected Works: Iowa Band Portraits 2015–2026, an ongoing portrait series by Des Moines photographer Alyssa Leicht.
Printed on 16–17pt premium paper with a gloss finish on the image side that makes the colors pop. The reverse is uncoated and easy to write on, and even has a message area and stamp block. Ready to send or keep.
Also available as a framed exhibition print.
The exhibition features twelve Iowa acts. Their music is below.
Anthony Worden & The Illiterati is from Iowa City, IA
Two portraits of Anthony Worden & The Illiterati are in the show: one solo portrait of Anthony during the album cover shoot for the band's 2024 album Plain Angels, and one full band portrait featuring the band's 2019 lineup taken in a phone booth in Iowa City.
Listen to the band: anthonyworden.bandcamp.com/
Annalibera is from Des Moines, IA
I have two portraits of Annalibera in the show: one solo portrait of Anna during the filming of a VHS album accompaniment to the 2015 album Loveil, and one full band portrait featuring the band's 2023 lineup taken in Des Moines during the Des Moines Music Coalition's GDP Fest at Hoyt Sherman Place.
Listen to the band: annalibera.bandcamp.com/
Mr. Softheart is from Des Moines, IA
The portrait of Mr. Softheart in the show was taken at legendary Kingston, NY venue Tubby's in the Hudson Valley, after the band played a headlining show there on their east coast tour in 2025. I was on the road with them as their band manager, tour photographer, and merch seller.
Listen to the band: mrsoftheartintl.bandcamp.com/
Extravision is from Des Moines, IA
Extravision's tour portrait was taken in St. Louis's Carondelet neighborhood, on the front stoop of a friend of the band who hosted us overnight on our last night of their 2024 spring tour. I was with them as their tour photographer and merch seller.
Listen to the band: extravisionmusic.bandcamp.com/
Odd Pets is from Des Moines, IA
I took the Odd Pets portrait behind an unused bar after a show they played in late 2022 at the now-closed Fox Den Motel in Dubuque, which was a sister venue to the Raccoon Motel in Davenport.
Listen to the band: oddpets.bandcamp.com/
Toon Smokes is from Des Moines, IA
This press portrait was taken just outside of my former studio, #407, at the Fitch Building in downtown Des Moines in 2026. It was one of the last sessions I did in that space before moving to Mainframe. Band member Huxley formerly occupied studio #407 as well, so this was a fun full-circle shoot for us.
Listen to the band: toonsmokes.bandcamp.com/
Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops is from Des Moines, IA
Poly Mall Cops’ press portrait was taken in a back hallway of a church in Des Moines. The band hired me to take press portraits of them in this space leading up to the release of their 2023 album Manic Fever, and some of the press photos were included in the album packaging.
Listen to the band: polymallcops.bandcamp.com/
Holding Hour is from Des Moines, IA
The Holding Hour portrait was taken in a friend's studio at Mainframe before I had my own studio there. Holding Hour was one of the first cycle of "Pay What You Can" band sessions I offered to Iowa musicians in 2024.
Listen to the band: holdinghour.bandcamp.com/
Double Dice is from Des Moines, IA
The Double Dice portrait was taken on a summer evening in a nearby alleyway on College Hill after the band played a show at Octopus in Cedar Falls in 2022.
Listen to the band: doubledice.bandcamp.com/
Die Mad is from Iowa City, IA
Die Mad's portrait was taken after a show at Octopus in late 2022, in a nearby vacant lot on College Hill in Cedar Falls.
Die Mad is no longer an active project, but you can listen to Avery’s new project, Avery Moss: averymoss.bandcamp.com/
Halen is from Des Moines, IA
The portrait of Halen was taken backstage outside of the green room at xBk Live, just before Halen took the stage for her album release show in 2023.
Halen is no longer an active project, but you can listen to her new project, Mr. Softheart: mrsoftheartintl.bandcamp.com/
Hex Girls is from Cedar Falls, IA
I took the Hex Girls tour portrait in Badlands National Park near Wall, SD in 2021. I was on the road with them as their band manager, tour photographer, and merch seller.
Hex Girls is no longer an active project, but you can listen to John, Nick, and Charlie’s new project, Mr. Softheart: mrsoftheartintl.bandcamp.com/