session info

All about your
portrait session

We understand. Family life is BUSY. Whether your family is just getting started or your children are about to graduate, we know time is limited and it goes by FAST. And you want to remember it all before it blinks and goes by.

As busy moms, we understand how important these photos are to you. We take some of the stress off your plate by helping you with all aspects of preparing for your session – picking outfits, how to get the WHOLE family ready, and we’ll even take care of hair and makeup for mom!

Our goal is for your entire session experience to be stress-free and enjoyable, resulting in BEAUTIFUL artwork and photographs to remember this stage in your family’s life.

Des Moines Family Portraits

You focus on
what matters most,
we’ll take care of everything else

We begin with the end in mind: heirloom portraits on your walls or albums in your home to remember this cherished time and the connection in your family.

We know that your time is valuable, we know that making memories with your children trumps shopping for wardrobe and planning the details of your photoshoot. We know that, because we’re parents too! 

The stress of portraits is REAL and thats why we have created a portrait experience serving you every step of the way. We help you with choosing wardrobe, styling your session, hair and makeup, we plan every step for you!. We can even install your wall gallery for you!

What to Expect

pre-session prep

Keeping the end in mind, we will discuss wardrobe for your session, how you will use your photos in your home, and so much more! We are here to help you every step of the way.

session day

On the day of your photo shoot, all you have to do is show up! Mom can choose to take advantage of our hair and makeup stylist so there’s one less thing to worry about and you know you’re ready!

ordering products

Are you tired of organizing or finding digital files? Us too. Choose from our finished products that include albums, wall art, and prints to share. Still want digitals? We’ve got those too.

VIEW PORTFOLIO

Beautiful

FRAMED PRINTS & albums

From handmade albums, to classic framed artwork or beautiful canvas wall galleries, digital collections and heirloom-styled works of art, we only offer the best in final products to our families. We are a full service studio and believe wholeheartedly that the best way to enjoy your photos are lasting portraits that live on the walls of your home for many years to come. Our families love the custom pieces we create for them!

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session OPTIONS

Signature Sessions

A portrait experience that allows you to savor these moments with your family while we take care of all the planning. Perfect for maternity, newborn, and family sessions. We include wardrobe styling, hair & makeup, and your customized portrait session. Sessions are typically 60-90 minutes in length and may include multiple family members.

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Simplicity sessions

The growth of your family is something to celebrate! When babies change so quickly, a simpler session helps capture those-in-between stages. These short and sweet sessions are about 30 minutes in length, and perfect for 3-6-9 month sessions, or expectant mothers.

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Des Moines maternity photographer
Des Moines baby photos

First Year Collective

Join our exclusive First Year Collective, and receive priority booking for sessions and access to exclusive perks. We capture a full year of precious memories that you will cherish. Allow us to ensure that each milestone is preserved and that your baby’s first year is treasured for generations. Your choice of signature sessions from your baby bump to the first birthday!

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  • grinnell maternity photos
  • Newborn baby photos in Des Moines
  • Des Moines Newborn Photographer
  • Ankeny first year baby photos
letterman's jacket senior photos

senior sessions

What better way to celebrate your accomplishments and passions than a truly customized senior portrait shoot! As a #JWPsenior, your session is a once-in-a-lifetime experience completely tailored to you. We include hair and makeup for a true model experience!

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es Moines family photos

FAQs

A few answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Most outdoor sessions we photograph in the late afternoon or evening, typically a few hours before sunset, with hair and makeup needing an additional 60-90 mins. By late October, our sessions need to wrap up and finish by 5:30 PM because it’s just plain dark out, so keep this in mind with scheduling. Based on our experience over the years, we schedule and highly recommend newborn sessions take place in the mornings.

We photograph sessions all across Iowa! Our team is based in Des Moines and Grinnell, however we have photographed in Pella, Oskaloosa, Newton, Iowa City, Quad Cities, Ames, Winterset, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls – we will truly go anywhere! Some locations do require a travel fee. Having photographed at so many locations over the years, we can make recommendations based on the desired look you want for your session. We love helping plan this part of your session!

Newborn sessions take place either in the studio in Grinnell, in your home (we will give you all the tips and it’s not as hard as you think!) or we have the option for a studio rental in Des Moines for an additional fee.

6 Month and 12 month old sessions can take place outdoors (weather permitting) or in the Grinnell studio.

Please fill out our inquiry form, and we will reach out over the phone to discuss our sessions, go over your questions, and discuss date options for your session!

We require a phone consultation with each family before booking to make sure we answer all your questions and go over the process.

When we call you, we’ll pick a date for your session (so have a calendar ready!) and I’ll take the deposit for your session payment over the phone, or email you an invoice to pay online in conjunction with our client agreement.

We include one family member for styling in the cost of your session. You have the option to add additional family members (teen daughters, grandma, etc) if you’d like for an additional fee.

That’s completely fine! You’ll receive a print credit towards your artwork purchase if you choose to forgo hair & makeup styling.

We accept payments online using ACH transfer and major credit cards. You may also use a check or PayPal/Venmo.

The majority of our families pay for their products in full at their ordering appointment, however if you need a payment plan, just let us know.

They are more than photographers. They genuinely care for you and will make beautiful memories for you.

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