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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 compassion all over the Midwest and Western North Carolina. I specialize in elevated wedding photography for kindhearted couples.

 

With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry and over 150 weddings photographed, it still surprises me how my love for this work 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

 

 

Weddings
Senior portrait at the Des Moines Art CenterHigh school senior photographed by Haverlee Photography in Des MoinesSeniors

 

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

“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

I was slammed with a realization last night as I was lying awake with anxious thoughts about bookings and business.
I grew up in a household like many others. A father with a quick temper. A mother who shut down and stonewalled at the slightest disappointment. I hit puberty in the 90’s at the height of evangelical purity culture, when therapy was for the self-involved elite. Love felt like a privilege, not a right. I was praised for perfection and ruffling the least amount of feathers so I leaned into that role in my family. We also moved a lot and I started over with friendships every couple of years. We’ve all come such a long way but those early years set the stage for a lifetime of performance. My childhood was very lonely. My needs and feelings grew smaller so I’d appear more lovable. I desperately wanted to be chosen…to be deemed worthy of someone’s time and attention. I spent all of my high school years going out with anyone who paid me the least bit of attention, and then got married at 19 for a permanent sense of belonging. That marriage was a repeat of my childhood training. Don’t have needs, don’t express feelings, just be perfect and you’ll still be lovable. I lived on crumbs of affection until I was about 35. I’ve deconstructed and rebuilt my understanding of my own worthiness of love and finally have a very healthy marriage and wonderful relationship with my parents. Receiving love and tenderness on my worst days has healed me immensely. But last night I realized I’ve been living with that old mindset in my business. I feel desperate to be chosen. That wound of unworthiness flares up often. I spiral in my thoughts of failure, rejection, and lack of belonging in this industry. It’s time flip the script. (Cont’d in comments…)

38 5
Open post by haverleephotography with ID 18115956550638747
I was slammed with a realization last night as I was lying awake with anxious thoughts about bookings and business. I grew up in a household like many others. A father with a quick temper. A mother who shut down and stonewalled at the slightest disappointment. I hit puberty in the 90’s at the height of evangelical purity culture, when therapy was for the self-involved elite. Love felt like a privilege, not a right. I was praised for perfection and ruffling the least amount of feathers so I leaned into that role in my family. We also moved a lot and I started over with friendships every couple of years. We’ve all come such a long way but those early years set the stage for a lifetime of performance. My childhood was very lonely. My needs and feelings grew smaller so I’d appear more lovable. I desperately wanted to be chosen…to be deemed worthy of someone’s time and attention. I spent all of my high school years going out with anyone who paid me the least bit of attention, and then got married at 19 for a permanent sense of belonging. That marriage was a repeat of my childhood training. Don’t have needs, don’t express feelings, just be perfect and you’ll still be lovable. I lived on crumbs of affection until I was about 35. I’ve deconstructed and rebuilt my understanding of my own worthiness of love and finally have a very healthy marriage and wonderful relationship with my parents. Receiving love and tenderness on my worst days has healed me immensely. But last night I realized I’ve been living with that old mindset in my business. I feel desperate to be chosen. That wound of unworthiness flares up often. I spiral in my thoughts of failure, rejection, and lack of belonging in this industry. It’s time flip the script. (Cont’d in comments…)

For the first time in a few years I’m offering a couple days of mini sessions in time for Mother’s Day. I moved away from mini sessions since they didn’t align with my child led, unhurried family photos. But I also recognize there’s a time and a place for them. These will be 20 minutes long in Des Moines for $300, and will include approximately 25 images with rights to download and share. Perfect for milestone photos of babies, a photo of grandmother and grandchildren, or updated family photos with older kids who aren’t quite as sweet and snuggly as they used to be. ;)

I don’t recommend these for spirited children, or little ones who take quite a while to warm up. My half and full sessions are ideal for larger families with very young children. 🤍

April 11th and 12th. DM me for available time slots.

14 0
Open post by haverleephotography with ID 18310887790274355
For the first time in a few years I’m offering a couple days of mini sessions in time for Mother’s Day. I moved away from mini sessions since they didn’t align with my child led, unhurried family photos. But I also recognize there’s a time and a place for them. These will be 20 minutes long in Des Moines for $300, and will include approximately 25 images with rights to download and share. Perfect for milestone photos of babies, a photo of grandmother and grandchildren, or updated family photos with older kids who aren’t quite as sweet and snuggly as they used to be. ;) I don’t recommend these for spirited children, or little ones who take quite a while to warm up. My half and full sessions are ideal for larger families with very young children. 🤍 April 11th and 12th. DM me for available time slots.
iowa wedding photographer
iowa wedding photographer

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