FAMILIES
My greatest and most fulfilling role in this life is being a mama to my three boys. Motherhood has been so much harder and so much more wonderful than I ever imagined it would. Two out of three of my boys are now taller than me, and though I wouldn't go back to the baby stage, I'll miss it forever. My biggest regret is not understanding the importance of professional photography back then. Photos of me with my babies are nearly non-existent.
Family photography is my passion and what got me started in this industry. I love children. I thought about being a preschool teacher or a postpartum doula for a long time. There’s just no bond like that between a mother and child and I know exactly how much those precious photos mean. We don’t want to forget that little curl at the nape of their neck, the dimples on their chubby hands, the gap-toothed grin, the scrunched up nose, or the way the bury their head against you when they’re feeling bashful.
I promise your children won’t be too loud, too wiggly, too silly, or too shy. (Mine are all of the above.) I’ll match their energy and meet them where they are. Whether we’re in your home or exploring outside, I want to have fun. I want the photos to represent a precious memory you had together, no phones, no distractions. Leave your kids up to me. I’ll win them over and work a little magic and provide you with photos you’ll cherish more than most anything else.
Des Moines Family Photographer
A few favorite family sessions.
A few favorite family sessions
“Haverlee is extremely gifted behind the camera. From the moment she walked in, she was patient and full of grace. She worked efficiently while exuding a calm, and pleasant vibe that engaged my small children and relaxed all of us. She captured the best of our little family and delivered more amazing images than I could have hoped for. Haverlee is a very special person and I can't wait to hire her again!”
- Catelin S
Des Moines FAMILY Photographer
Family Pricing
Full Family Session - $650
Approximately an hour and a half, with digital gallery of edited images.
Perfect for families with young children, the full session will include time in your home and exploring outside, and allows me to capture truly candid moments of beautiful connection. More time does not equal more stress, especially with little ones. Quite the opposite. When given time to explore and shoot at a relaxed pace, looking for those magic pockets of light, I'm able to capture your honest and true selves. Your children are not required to be on their best behavior. I simply ask for you, the parents, to be fully present and ready to soak up the time with your family. (No travel fees within 130 miles of DSM or Statesville, NC.)
HALF SESSION - $500
Perfect for smaller families or families with older children, we'll spend approximately 45 minutes at one location around the Des Moines metro or Western North Carolina. We'll spend the time focused on portraiture and posed photos and candids. (Please inquire about other locations.)
ASK ME ABOUT PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN SESSIONS FOR SINGLE MOMS.
I'd love to work with you!
I usually respond within 24 hours, and at most 48. Please check your spam folder if you don't see a reply.
“Haverlee is, quite frankly, the photographer for our family. Her personality is laid back but she has a critical eye for details while shooting, evident in the photos lining our stairs. The patience she has with our little boy is captivating, From newborn shoots to full family photos, I cannot recommend Haverlee enough!”
- Amanda
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
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.
After sobbing my way through 1883, I’m a big fan of a little western chic. These two were hot and looked dang good in those hats. Such a fun night with Katie & Weston.
Des Moines Photographer | Iowa Wedding Photographer | Omaha Wedding Photographer | Midwest Wedding Photographer | Des Moines Engagement
Photographing love and life in Des Moines, Iowa, Western North Carolina and beyond.