I will never take for granted the gift that is showing people how beautiful they really are.

Haverlee Photography - EST 2017

in central Iowa and Western NC

with levity and heart

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR

THE CURIOUS

THE ROMANTIC
THE LIGHTHEARTED

THE INTENTIONAL

Hi. I'm glad you're here.

I’m Haverlee, (hay-verlee), a mom of three wild things, adventure seeker, and photographer, based in Des Moines, Iowa. I serve families and couples with curiosity and kindness all over the Midwest, Colorado, and Western North Carolina. I specialize in elevated wedding photography for kindhearted couples.

With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry and well over 100 weddings photographed, it still surprises me how my love for this industry grows each year.

The thing I hear most often when meeting couples is, "we're not very photogenic". That just means you haven't ever had a great photographer. My ability to connect with and care for people, and my laser focus on detail, sets me apart in an industry overflowing with options. Your trust in me is the most significant piece of the puzzle, because when you trust me, you can relax. And when you can relax, you can show up as your truest selves. And that’s when I can create photos that will be cherished for decades to come.

detail of veil on bride at The Robey Hotel in Chicago photographed by Haverlee Photography

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Bride and groom smiling in downtown Chicago photographed by Haverlee Photography

An intimate Chicago wedding.

Weddings

Senior portrait at the Des Moines Art Center

High school senior photographed by Haverlee Photography in Des Moines

Seniors

Families

Kind words from

happy clients.

Allie

"These feel like us." I think the best compliment a photographer can receive and what my husband said to me after looking at our gallery. What a gift for us to have these photos that will always take us back to this moment in time. I sobbed when I saw them and I'm sure I'll do the same for years to come whenever I look back. Haverlee captured the essence of our family and was overly kind and gracious and wonderful with our children while doing it.

- ALLIE

Molly

Having Haverlee take our photos felt like having photos taken by a dear friend. From the moment she stepped out of her car she started chatting with us like we had known each other our whole lives. I went to introduce her to my family and before I could do that she was already calling the kids by name. We got our photos back recently and are elated with the results. These photos are such special memories that we will cherish for a long time.

- MOLLY

OLIVIA

When we first got engaged, Haverlee was a no brainer, and she lived up to everything and more. Every picture from our engagement session, rehearsal dinner, and wedding day is stunning and I have the hardest time picking my favorites. Hands down, best decision on wedding vendors was picking Haverlee. On top of delivering beautiful photos we will cherish forever, Haverlee made everything so fun and easy. Haverlee will always be our go to photographer for all the special moments for our family.

- OLIVIA

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.”

Every day I discover more and more

beautiful things. It's enough to drive one mad.

I have such a desire to do everything,

my head is bursting with it.

- Claude Monet

A family session outside of Des Moines, on Autumn’s last perfect day. ✨

Working on edits for families I’ve known since before their children were born is an overwhelming honor. Every single time I add another gallery, I go back through the years, just like I know they will. It’s so incredible to see how everyone has grown (and how my work has progressed!). Witnessing these two parent with so much patience and joy is life-giving. I adore this little sunshine crew and had so much fun.

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A family session outside of Des Moines, on Autumn’s last perfect day. ✨

Working on edits for families I’ve known since before their children were born is an overwhelming honor. Every single time I add another gallery, I go back through the years, just like I know they will. It’s so incredible to see how everyone has grown (and how my work has progressed!). Witnessing these two parent with so much patience and joy is life-giving. I adore this little sunshine crew and had so much fun.

When your family photos lines up with baby’s first steps. 🥹 It’s always ridiculously special capturing family photos for former wedding clients.

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When your family photos lines up with baby’s first steps. 🥹 It’s always ridiculously special capturing family photos for former wedding clients.

I blogged this incredible wedding at the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines. It was such an honor capturing this day for college sweethearts, Meredith & Brian. Sweetest couple with the sweetest families. Their love is deep but all of the love in that room was even deeper.

Venue: @hotelfortdesmoines
Florals: @englishrosedsm
Dress: @bridalboutiquedm
DJ: @proxentertainment
Hair: @hairbylaurenelizabeth
Makeup: @hannahhportfolio
Rings: @jewelers_rowe

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I blogged this incredible wedding at the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines. It was such an honor capturing this day for college sweethearts, Meredith & Brian. Sweetest couple with the sweetest families. Their love is deep but all of the love in that room was even deeper.

Venue: @hotelfortdesmoines
Florals: @englishrosedsm
Dress: @bridalboutiquedm
DJ: @proxentertainment
Hair: @hairbylaurenelizabeth
Makeup: @hannahhportfolio
Rings: @jewelers_rowe

Mrs. Taylor Graff - Queen of Details

A backyard wedding in Chicago that had to be paused mid-ceremony thanks to an unanticipated downpour. But that’s a story for another day. First we’ll just drool over these details. She put the bouquets together herself, and designed everything on her own. Her sleeves had their wedding date, and “love you more”, their long-repeated phrase to one another. From matchbooks to the cookbook guests signed, it was all absolute perfection that only sparkled a little extra in the rain.

Photo assistant: @jacobncia
Furniture & rentals: @vintageloverentals
Flowers: @murthaflowerfarm
Hair & Makeup: @bridal_brigade
Dj: @flybryguydj

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Midwest Wedding Photographer | Wedding Photographer Illinois

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Mrs. Taylor Graff - Queen of Details

A backyard wedding in Chicago that had to be paused mid-ceremony thanks to an unanticipated downpour. But that’s a story for another day. First we’ll just drool over these details. She put the bouquets together herself, and designed everything on her own. Her sleeves had their wedding date, and “love you more”, their long-repeated phrase to one another. From matchbooks to the cookbook guests signed, it was all absolute perfection that only sparkled a little extra in the rain.

Photo assistant: @jacobncia
Furniture & rentals: @vintageloverentals
Flowers: @murthaflowerfarm
Hair & Makeup: @bridal_brigade
Dj: @flybryguydj

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Midwest Wedding Photographer | Wedding Photographer Illinois

Welcome to the world, Evelyn. Such an honor to photograph their brand new family of five at home in Des Moines.

Baby number three brings a new level of exhaustion and chaos. But it also brings a beautiful surrender. You’re forced to let go of a lot of things that didn’t matter so much in the first place. And for so many parents it brings the realization that our parenting is only a small piece of the puzzle. These children come out as unique individuals from day one. We do our best to parent who they are, and not who we want them to be. Parenting three kids is an endless lesson in humility, and a fast track to grace and compassion for every parent out there doing their best to raise kind humans.

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Photographing love and life in Central Iowa, western north carolina, and beyond.