Some senior sessions just unfold beautifully from beginning to end, and Haley’s was one of those!
We started at the Des Moines Art Center, where it seemed like photographers were everywhere! Rather than fight for the same popular spots, we found little pockets of gorgeous light where we could have some space to ourselves. Haley and her mom joined me for the evening, and after getting through those first 15 minutes of “this feels a little awkward,” conversation became easy and the camera quickly faded into the background.
Haley was such a joy to photograph. She was up for every challenge I handed her, made conversation a breeze, and trusted me as we moved from one location to the next. She’s also starting to think about what comes after high school, with plans to pursue communications or business. She is considering the University of Iowa or potentially heading all the way to Washington State for college, so this season of senior year is full of some pretty exciting possibilities!
From the Art Center, we drove down toward Greenwood Park and essentially spent the evening chasing the sun. And what a night to do it! Seventy-two degrees, no breeze, dry warmth, and none of that suffocating Iowa humidity. It was the ultimate fall evening for Des Moines senior pictures, and the light just kept getting better as the night went on.
From there, we headed to the East Village, where Haley put a pair of heels to work and we added a little nod to her involvement in debate at Dowling. The Iowa State Capitol made the perfect backdrop for a few portraits and brought another piece of her story into the session. I love when we can incorporate the things that matter to a senior without making the entire session feel like a checklist of accomplishments.
And then came our final stop: Easter Lake.
As the sun started getting lower, monarch butterflies were flitting around us and the milkweed happened to complement the colors of Haley’s outfit perfectly. It was one of those moments where everything just came together. We stayed until the sun dipped behind the trees, then called it a night.
I couldn’t have asked for a smoother senior session. Haley made my job easy, and I loved getting to know her while exploring a few very different corners of Des Moines. From the architecture of the Art Center to downtown, the parks, the lake, and all the beautiful light in between, we were able to create a gallery with plenty of variety while still keeping the focus on who Haley is right now.
And that is one of my favorite parts of senior photography. Senior year is such a fun in-between season—you’re still very much yourself, but you’re also starting to imagine where you might go next. Whether Haley ends up at the University of Iowa or finds herself exploring a whole new part of the country in Washington State with her favorite and very cool Aunt, I’m excited to see where her curiosity and confidence take her.
Haley, thank you for trusting me with this little piece of your senior year! I loved chasing the sunshine with you and creating these portraits together. What a night!
Looking for a Des Moines Senior Photographer?
Your senior pictures don’t have to happen in just one location. I love creating personalized senior sessions in Des Moines, Iowa that incorporate the places, interests, outfits, and personality that make each senior unique. Whether you’re looking for senior portraits at the Des Moines Art Center, downtown Des Moines, a favorite park, or somewhere meaningful to your family, we’ll make the session feel like you.
