Iowa Milestone Photography
The Photo
Galleries
Check out some Featured Milestone sessions, too!
I absolutely adore working with babies and children to capture a delightful array of moments. From those adorable drooly smiles to the joy of wide-open grins, milestone portraits are truly a joy to create! With over 25 years of experience, I've had the pleasure of crafting timeless images that celebrate every precious step along the way. Whether it's three, six, nine, or twelve-month sessions, or capturing the spirited energy of toddlers and tweens, let’s create beautiful images that your family will cherish for years to come! And don't worry, I know all the tricks to get smiles and capture the attention of rambunctious kiddos!
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Pizza Smash
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Five Year Old Sweetheart
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Watermelon Smash
x. Close
Birthday portriats
Pizza Smash
While we often do cake smash sessions, this time mom requested a Pizza Smash, and I was all in! We absolutely love how it turned out!
x. Close
I'm Sassy!
Five Year Old Sweetheart
Milestone photos are meaningful at every age, and five is truly a perfect moment to celebrate! We took advantage of both the studio and the stunning gardens in downtown Pella to make her gallery truly shine!
x. Close
& Classic Studio
Watermelon Smash
She’s one! Mom brought in a few watermelons for a one-of-a-kind ‘birthday smash!” We were able to grab some classic studio shots on a solid drop with nice studio lighting to complete the gallery.
The Studio
Pella, IA
Depending on your needs, I can bring a personalized on-site studio experience to you, whether you're in Des Moines, Pella, or anywhere in between! Many clients, however, prefer visiting my studio in our charming European-inspired town—it's a convenient option with the delightful perk of nearby Dutch bakeries to explore after your session. The studio is filled with a diverse selection of outfits, props, and special touches, ensuring that your experience is truly unforgettable.
Every milestone with your child is truly special, and capturing those moments through stunning portraits allows you to hold onto that magic forever. Each image tells a story, stirring emotions that resonate every time you admire them on your wall or share them with family and friends. These portraits are more than just pictures; they are heartfelt reminders of the love, joy, and wonder that fill your home during this precious time. As your little one grows, these images serve as a beautiful reflection of their early years, preserving memories that will warm your heart for years to come.
Sweet cheeks and vibrant personalities: Embracing every fleeting moment with joy!
Sweet Beginnings
Album
My most popular collection is my exclusive Sweet Beginnings Album! This beautiful collection captures portraits from your newborn's first days up to their first birthday, all elegantly displayed in an album you will treasure for a lifetime.
Learn More
Central IA Children's Photography
Iowa Milestone Photography
Experience
The
Preserve Precious Moments for Those Yet to Come
with heirloom albums & Wall Art
Iowa Milestone Photography Pricing
What’s the investment? After viewing your proofs, you’ll choose the image collection that works best for you. You will be blown away by all of the adorable pictures of your newest family member! To secure your date, a retainer is required, which will be applied to your final order.
Petite Milestones Starting at • $99
Average Milestone Order • $350
As you consider your child's photography options, keep two important points in mind. First, we offer flexible payment plans to accommodate your budget. Second, while everything else in this journey may be temporary, your photographs, albums and wall art will last a lifetime.
Get in touch with me for my full investment guide.
• Reach out: Share all the details— We’ll work together to find the perfect time and reserve it just for you.
• Let’s get planning! Next, we’ll dive into locations, colors, styling, and more to bring your vision to life.
• Session time is here! My job is to plan, prepare, and pose everything perfectly to capture those precious milestone photos, so all you need to do is sit back and relax.
• I’m here to help! Don’t be afraid to ask anything along the way. Questions and concerns are always welcome and it’s my job to make this process easy and fun.
What's Next?
We had a fabulous experience with Michelle! She took our ideas and made them come to life. Michelle was so professional and fun! She made the whole senior picture experience less intimidating and easy to navigate. The photos are gorgeous - they are so creative, artistic, and beautiful! What a wonderful memory for Senior year!
Senior Photo Session
Des Moines, IA
"She took our ideas and made them come to life. ."
We had a great experience with Michelle! We have had newborn photos taken with two of our kids and have loved the finished product and experience each time. The session was quick and friendly for our non-photogenic toddler! The turnaround for the finished photos was very quick as well!
Newborn & Family session
Pella, Iowa
"The session was quick and friendly for our non-photogenic toddler!"
Michelle did a great job, she took our senior who never takes a good picture and who hates the thought of having his picture even taken, enjoy the entire time, and the end result was a set of amazing choices of pictures. Would sign up and do again no questions asked. Thank you for the great experience. - Jeff
Michelle did an absolute wonderful job! My son's senior pictures were amazing, and she made the process so easy! He is not one to enjoy getting pictures taken, and even he said that "it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be." If you know him, that says a lot! I highly recommend Michelle!!!! - Tara
Senior Photo Session
Pella, Iowa
"the end result was a set of amazing choices of pictures!"
Michelle was so easy to work with! Responded to emails quickly and was great with scheduling around our changing due date. She made our newborn photo shoot so enjoyable. She was not pushy about upselling products, but I can’t lie, the pictures were so good I did buy more than originally planned 😅
Newborn Photo Session
Pella, Iowa
"She made our newborn photo shoot so enjoyable."
I was in a pickle and way behind getting my daughter’s senior pictures taken. I contacted Michelle and she went above and beyond for my daughter. From the photo session to the final product, we could not be happier. The experience was exactly what my daughter wanted, and I actually got a little teary when seeing the album for the first time. We are so happy with everything!
Senior Photo Session
Pella, Iowa
"I actually got a little teary when seeing the album for the first time!"
Reviews
I'm Excited to hear from you!
Reach out
& Let's Chat!
Tell me all about your vision for your session in the details below! I'm excited to start the conversation and bring your ideas to life. I respond to all inquiries within one business day, so you’ll hear from me soon!
Send it!
