WEDDINGS
I'M HERE FOR THE JOY (and the cake)!
I’ve utterly fallen in love with photographing couples and weddings. I think it’s the hopeless romantic in me, but it’s probably my insatiable curiosity. The privilege of witnessing every intimate moment of your day is not lost on me. The hundreds of small connections between family and friends, who will likely never all be in the same room at the same time again, is weighty and wonderful. I want to do it all justice. I want to capture the depth of what you feel for all of those people and for one another.
The good news is, it’s not about me. I can’t tell an honest story if I’m constantly interfering, directing, and manipulating moments. I want your photos to render cherished memories from your day with your people, not memories of your photographer.
I will do my damnedest to capture how your day felt, the good, the bad, the messy, and the magical. I’m there to tell the beautiful and imperfect story as it unfolds. As time goes on and the details get fuzzy, you'll look back on the photos and things will be even sweeter in your memories. I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older, this is always how life goes.
A few favorite weddings.
iowa wedding photographer,
based in Des moines and serving
the midwest.
a few favorite weddings
A few favorite weddings
“Haverlee is an incredibly talented photographer! She was amazing from the start. In the wedding industry where everything seems to be stressful, she was so fun and easy to work with! She has an open light vibe about her that will make you feel at ease. Our photos were exactly what we had hoped for and more.”
- olga & Jess
Wedding Pricing
2025 PRICING BEGINS AT $4200
packages include:
- a complimentary engagement session
- a minimum of seven hours of wedding day coverage
- assistance and guidance with timeline planning
- trusted vendor referrals
- an online gallery for downloading, sharing, + printing
We’ll discuss how many hours of coverage you’ll need to adequately tell the story of your wedding day.
Contact me for custom rates for elopements, destination weddings, or micro-weddings.
“We chose Haverlee for our wedding photographer and it was hands-down our best choice of vendors for the big day. Haverlee is relaxed, professional, and fun! It was a joy to work with an artist who is quickly gaining momentum in her field, and whose passion is unmatched.”
- LISA & JOEL
Engagements
An engagement session is optional but always recommended. It gives us a stress-free chance to hang out and get to know each other better before the big day. It always takes people a little while to feel comfortable in front of the camera. This is a fun practice round! Think outside the box. Bookstores, coffee shops, a dive bar, a champagne picnic in the park, a canoe on a pond….the options are endless. Let’s go explore together. I get to see what makes you two tick and we’ll all end up even more excited about your wedding day by the end!
A few favorite engagements.
a few favorite engagements
I'd love to connect with you.
“I cannot recommend Haverlee enough! Choosing her for my wedding was an absolute no brainer. She's not just an incredible photographer, but a calming presence that helped ease any stress. Haverlee has an eye for capturing candid moments that truly tell the story of the day. Every photo delivered is timeless and something we will cherish for a lifetime!”
- Sidnee & Hunter
How adorable is this little fam I got to meet last month? Matilda was smart and curious, like most firstborns, but she was also brave and adventurous. Vivienne, the most delicious little babe, quietly observed but gave some sweet smiles. The older my kids get, the more I love capturing the little years.🥺 (And the more I want to steal the babies and take them home.)
#iowafamilyphotographer #desmoinesfamilyphotographer
Hot take: Weddings aren’t photo shoots.
I watched a reel that broke my heart a little. The photographer was guiding the bride and her mom through zipping the dress. It’s the moment of the day where everything feels real. The emotions that have been held back all morning come flooding in. This photographer was telling the bride exactly how to stand, exactly where to look, and told the mom how to straighten her back for the most flattering angle. There’s no room for emotion when people are self conscious and worried about their best angles. There’s a time and a place for small adjustments and flattering poses. This is not it. If you’re staging and directing every movement, that’s not a wedding. That’s a styled shoot. Because twenty or thirty years from now, no one, and I mean no one, is going to care if you captured the most flattering angle of mom’s arm. But those smiles and hugs and tears are going to mean the world.
Ari & Ben are my kind of people. I absolutely loved this session with them. They wanted casual unfussy photos that felt like them. I love when I get to think a bit outside the box, especially in my own city where I do most of my work. I will never get over her eyes, and I’m guessing Ben won’t either. 😌
Also peep that bird in photo 4! What perfect timing!
A preview from Meredith + Brian’s elegant wedding on Saturday. It was a classy day for a classy pair. So honored to capture their love.
Venue: @hotelfortdesmoines
Florist: @englishrosedsm
DJ: @proxentertainment
Dress: @bridalboutiquedm
Hair: @hairbylaurenelizabeth
Makeup: @hannahhportfolio
A favorite of my boys from our trip to 30A this past week. We had an incredible week with my whole family for my mom’s 70th birthday.
Photographing love and life in Central Iowa, western north carolina, and beyond.