The 9 Best Fashion Photographers in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines might not be your first pick when on the search for fashion photographers to work with. But Iowa’s largest city and capital is naturally the cultural hub of the state as well. In fact, Des Moines fashion photographers include some of the best talent in the Midwest. And each of the creatives we’ve tapped offers a different approach to the genre. Which of them best meets your fashion vision?

1. Timothy & Jill Flynn

Fashion, senior graduations, family portraits, and corporate business headshots are the specialties of Timothy and Jill Flynn. They have honed their talent for merging apparel, people, and light over the years and found their way into impressive publications like Shutter Magazine.

Tim and Jill’s emphasis on a fashion-centric approach with all of their work makes them top Des Moines portrait photographers. As they share in their own words: “Our mission is to create unique artwork that is fashion-forward showcasing you and your personality.” Check out their work on their Instagram and website.

2. Joselyn Miller

The portrait photography of Joselyn Miller is a showcase of people in their best apparel. Fields, golden hour tones, and summer dresses are timeless pairings. But Joselyn takes this much further, taking subjects into urban settings, forests, and other locations for fresh new stories.

We especially love how in touch with shadows she is, letting them be gentle, to reveal subtle details. Or fall to black to accentuate her subjects in a creative manner.

3. Upic Kimberly

As a former model and current photographer, Upic Kimberly knows what it’s like to be on both sides of the camera. This understanding fosters her ability to ensure her fashion and portrait subjects feel calm, enabling them to show their best selves through the lens.

Her images also have extra storytelling power thanks to the environments she chooses. Best of all, her colors feel natural with a touch of saturation enhancement rather than heavy-handed filters and color profiles. Take a look at her work for yourself on her website!

4. Jon and Katie of Shifted Focus Boudoir

Jon and Katie are the husband and wife duo behind Shifted Focus Boudoir! As Des Moines fashion photographers, they focus on affirming your beauty as you are. And their style is what makes them one of our favorites. Shifted Focus uses bright colors, rich contrast, and classic boudoir poses. Paired with tasteful apparel choices, the end result is photos that leave you (and your partner) breathless!

Shifted Focus Boudoir makes ample use of studio lighting and background elements as well, framing and lighting subjects in ways that accentuate their best features. As well as the texture of their skin, the shape of their curves, and the intensity of their gaze. See their work on their website!

5. Ted Sandeen

Des Moines fashion photographers like Ted Sandeen focus on senior graduation images. These once-in-a-lifetime milestones are tremendous fashion affairs, where people can look back at themselves wearing beautiful attire to celebrate adulthood. Located in Ankeny’s historic uptown district, Ted’s studio is a favorite place to hold photoshoots.

That said, he is just as amazing outdoors! Many of Ted’s subjects include sports props, uniforms, and fields for a future revisitation of memories. All of these environmental and fashion clues help weave a cohesive narrative for viewers.

6. Elizabeth Carrie

Elizabeth Carrie is a portrait and fashion photographer who regularly travels between Des Moines and Phoenix, AZ. She serves both cities with images that connect deeply with her subject’s most authentic expressions!

Elizabeth masterfully balances retouching with realism as well, finding color saturation and contrast levels that feel vibrant without looking overly digital or unrealistic. Tasteful vignettes add a classic edge to many images, while shadows are deep without feeling crushed while skin highlights are well controlled. Each image feels complete, with no competing elements in the scene for our attention. Few Des Moines fashion photographers are so talented at conveying emotion and beauty in a single image.

7. Whitney Warne of Ivory House Photography

Beauty and glamour are not the only things that Whitney Warne coaxes out of her subjects, she also seeks to nurture confidence and authenticity. Emotions immediately shine forth when viewing her photography. As a result, individuals, families, and seniors across Iowa all flock to Whitney.

Fashion-conscious as she is, matched apparel, color-coordinated backgrounds, and careful compositions present her subjects in the best possible light. We especially love how close Whitney brings her camera and lens. Her subjects feel as if they are within arm’s reach of us, heightening the emotional appeal of each shot!

8. Ingenue Boudoir by Anna Jones

Dark and moody is what is most popular in the boudoir genre. But Ingenue Boudoir by Anna Jones is a favorite Des Moines studio of ours for the opposite reason. She offers a wide range of styles and is not content to do what everyone else is doing! From deep shadow to high-key radiance, Anna celebrates the female form in all its splendor.

Some compositions have a lifestyle element to them, suggesting vacations, self-expression, and other nostalgic tales. Others focus on the fine art side of boudoir, where lines, form, and light give rise to artistic wonders. And in all of Anna’s images, there is a constant appreciation for her subjects and the beauty they convey, by virtue of being themselves.

9. Julie Fridley of Jewel Boudoir Photography

No list of the top Des Moines fashion photographers would be complete without Julie Fridley! She is the founder and lead photographer of Jewel Boudoir, a brand that started weddings in 2015. But over the years, Julie switched her focus to helping people see their innate beauty through her camera lens!

Boudoir is a celebration of oneself through poses and fashion choices that may feel daring at first. But can reveal a brand new side of yourself! As Julie shares: “I fell in love with boudoir because I see first-hand how this changes people and changes the way they see themselves. Everyone walks a little taller and I love hearing, “that is me, wow!” or “I am beautiful – I love me!”

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