There’s something really special about senior year, it’s exciting and emotional and a little overwhelming all at once. When I think about Des Moines Senior Photos, I think about capturing this exact in-between season: confident but still becoming, grounded but dreaming big. Jacqueline’s senior session at Brenton Arboretum felt like the perfect reflection of that! Open prairie, soft movement, space to breathe, and then, because the universe was clearly on our side, the most beautiful sunset popping through at the end. She loves sunsets, so of course we stayed a few extra minutes and leaned all the way into it. Those moments? That’s the good stuff.

Why Des Moines Senior Photos Should Feel Like You

Senior photos shouldn’t feel stiff or overly posed or like you’re trying to be someone you’re not. The goal is for your senior photos to actually feel like you, your energy, your style, your season of life. Jacqueline came in open, excited, and totally herself, and that allowed the session to unfold naturally. We moved, we laughed, we played with the tall grass, we let moments breathe. That’s always the goal. When you’re comfortable and present, the photos hit different, they feel real, confident, and timeless instead of forced or trendy in a way you’ll cringe at later!

Choosing the Right Location for Des Moines Senior Photos

Brenton Arboretum is one of my favorite locations for Des Moines Senior Photos, especially for seniors who love nature, movement, and a little breathing room. It gives you variety without feeling chaotic, prairie grass, winding paths, open sky, and golden light when the timing is right. If you’re a sunset person like Jacqueline, this place delivers. Location matters, but not just because it’s “pretty.” It sets the tone for how your session feels. Whether you’re coming from Des Moines, Waukee, West Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Ames, or Ballard, choosing a location that feels calm and open allows you to relax into the experience instead of worrying about what you’re doing with your hands every five seconds.

What to Look for in a Senior Photographer in Central Iowa

If you’re searching for senior photos in Central Iowa, here’s my honest advice: look for a photographer who cares about you, not just the final images. Your senior session should feel collaborative, supportive, and fun, not rushed or transactional. You deserve someone who will guide you, hype you up, and also step back when the moment calls for it. Jacqueline didn’t need to be over-directed. She needed space to move and be herself, and that’s when the magic showed up. A good senior photographer knows when to lead and when to let things unfold, and that balance makes all the difference!

Des Moines Senior Photos for Grads in Waukee, West Des Moines & Beyond

I work with high school seniors from all over Central Iowa, Waukee High School, Valley West, Southeast Polk, Ballard High School, Ames High School, and everywhere in between. No matter the school, this season deserves to be documented with intention. Senior photos aren’t just for announcements or yearbooks, they’re a marker of who you are right now. Confident. Growing. On the edge of something new. Jacqueline’s session felt like a celebration of that exact moment, especially as the sunset wrapped everything up in the softest light imaginable. Those last few minutes? Worth every second!

Ready to Book Your Des Moines Senior Photos? Let’s Chat!

Becs JPG | Iowa Senior Photographer

If you’re a senior (or a parent of one!) in the Des Moines or Central Iowa area and this feels like the vibe you want, relaxed, meaningful, and genuinely fun, I’d love to connect. Your senior session should feel personal, intentional, and true to you, not like a copy-and-paste experience. If this resonates, reach out. If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!