Frequently Asked Questions

Jenny Adams Photography is based in Des Moines Iowa, with a private studio available in Valley Junction in West Des Moines for headshot, branding, and senior portrait sessions. Sessions are also held on location at a variety of settings in and around the Des Moines metro area.

Yes! While the studio is located in Valley Junction (West Des Moines), clients come from all over the Des Moines metro area — including Urbandale, Johnston, Ankeny, Clive, Waukee, Grimes, and Ames. On-location sessions are available throughout the greater Des Moines area, and studio sessions are easily accessible from anywhere in the metro.

Des Moines has no shortage of amazing spots for senior portraits — from the murals and architecture of Downtown Des Moines and Valley Junction, to open fields, parks, and urban alleyways that add personality to every gallery. During your planning consultation, we'll choose locations that fit your senior's style and the look they're going for. Every session is customized, so no two galleries look the same.

Yes! While most sessions take place in and around the Des Moines metro area, travel sessions are available for clients who have a special destination or location in mind. If you're dreaming of something beyond Iowa, reach out and let's talk about making it happen.

Yes! If you have a special location in mind — whether that's somewhere meaningful in Iowa or a destination further from home — travel sessions are available. Destination sessions are a beautiful way to combine a one-of-a-kind experience with portraits that tell a bigger story. Reach out to start the conversation and we'll put together a custom plan.

Jenny Adams Photography is a nationally featured portrait studio based in West Des Moines, specializing in high school senior portraits, professional headshots, and personal branding photography. With a reputation for a relaxed, guided experience and heirloom-quality artwork, Jenny Adams Photography is a top choice for professionals and entrepreneurs throughout the Des Moines metro area.

Most families book their senior session 3–6 months in advance to secure their preferred date and season. Summer and fall are the most popular times for senior portraits in Iowa, so those dates fill up quickly — especially for juniors planning ahead for the Class of 2027. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility you'll have with scheduling, location planning, and wardrobe prep. If you have a specific season or milestone deadline in mind, don't wait!

Senior portrait experiences at Jenny Adams Photography are fully customized based on the session you choose and the artwork you fall in love with. Most families invest between $1,000–$2,000 in their complete senior portrait experience, including printed artwork and keepsakes. During your ordering appointment, I'll guide you through every option so you end up with pieces you'll genuinely treasure — not just images sitting in a folder on your phone.

Every senior session includes a personalized planning consultation, wardrobe guidance, location selection, and a fully guided photo experience designed to bring out your senior's personality. After your session, we'll meet for an in-person reveal and ordering appointment where you'll select your favorite images and design custom artwork for your home. Sessions are available at three levels based on number of locations and outfits, so there's an option that fits every senior.

Session length depends on the package you choose. Sessions range from 45 minutes to 3 hours, giving us everything from a focused single-location experience to a full multi-location session with multiple outfit changes. Occasionally I offer mini sessions at 30 minutes, which are promoted separately when available. We'll talk through the right fit for your senior during our planning consultation.

Outfit changes depend on which session you choose. My entry-level session includes 2 outfits, my mid-level session allows for 4 outfits, and my top-tier session includes up to 8 outfits. I'll help you plan every look ahead of time so each outfit feels intentional, cohesive, and photographically beautiful.

Absolutely — pets are welcome and honestly make for some of the most memorable images in the gallery! We'll plan the timing so it feels seamless. Just let me know during your planning consultation so we can factor it into the session flow.

Yes! Family members are welcome to join for a portion of the session. These images often become unexpected favorites, especially as senior year marks a big transition for the whole family. We'll plan when to include everyone so it feels natural rather than rushed.

You won't be on your own figuring this out — wardrobe guidance is part of the process. Once your session is booked, I'll walk you through colors, textures, and styling so every outfit feels like you and photographs beautifully. Most sessions include a mix of looks: something casual, something elevated, and something a little bold or editorial. The goal is a gallery that feels genuine, not overdone.

Hair and makeup aren't included in the session fee, but I maintain a list of trusted local hair and makeup artists I'm happy to share once you're booked. Many seniors choose professional hair and makeup because it photographs beautifully and helps them feel their most confident on session day — without looking overdone.

After your session, we'll schedule your reveal and ordering appointment within 1–2 weeks. This is where you'll see your images for the first time, select your favorites, and design your custom artwork. It's one of the best parts of the whole experience!

Iowa is honestly beautiful in every season, and the best time really depends on the look your senior is going for. Summer offers long golden-hour evenings and lush greenery. Fall brings incredible color and that warm, cozy light everyone loves. Spring is fresh and bright with blooming details. Even winter can be stunning for the right senior. During your planning consultation, we'll talk through timing based on your vision, your senior's schedule, and what's available on the calendar.

Absolutely! Senior sessions are for every senior, and I love working with guys who want a session that actually feels like them — relaxed, real, and anything but stiff. Whether it's incorporating a sport, a hobby, or just a great downtown location, we'll build a session around who your senior is.

Jenny Adams Photography is a West Des Moines-based portrait studio specializing in professional headshots for individuals, teams, and corporations throughout the Des Moines metro area. With a private studio in Valley Junction, a portable on-location setup, and a fast 2-business-day turnaround, it's a go-to choice for professionals who want a headshot that actually looks like them on their best day.

Jenny Adams Photography offers three headshot sessions to fit different needs and budgets. The Express Session is a focused 20-minute experience, the Standard Session runs 45 minutes, and the Elite Session is a full 75-minute experience with the most image options. Current pricing and details for each session are available on the headshots page. Additional images beyond what's included in your session can also be purchased.

Solid colors and simple, well-fitted clothing photograph best for headshots. Avoid busy patterns, logos, or anything that might distract from your face. Think about where your headshot will be used — LinkedIn, a company website, a speaker bio — and dress one step above how you'd typically show up in that role. If you're unsure, bring a couple of options and we'll choose together on the day of your session.

Session length depends on the option you choose. The Express Session is 20 minutes, the Standard Session is 45 minutes, and the Elite Session is 75 minutes. All three are designed to be efficient and low-pressure — you don't need to block out your whole day.

Turnaround time is 2 business days or less — and I frequently deliver faster than that. Here's how it works: after your session you'll receive an online gallery of lightly edited images to choose your favorite(s) from. Once you've made your selections, I fully edit your chosen images and deliver the finals. It's a fast, straightforward process designed to get you what you need without the wait.

Both options are available. The private studio in Valley Junction (West Des Moines) is the most popular choice, offering a clean, controlled environment with professional lighting. On-location sessions are also available for those who prefer to be photographed at their office or another meaningful setting. For corporate teams and company meetings, I offer a fully portable headshot setup — bringing professional lights and backgrounds directly to your location. Pricing for on-site corporate sessions is customized based on the details of your event, so reach out to start the conversation.

The number of finished images depends on your session. The Express Session includes 1 final image, the Standard Session includes 2, and the Elite Session includes 3. If you'd like additional images beyond what's included, those can be purchased from your online gallery — either upfront when you book or after you've reviewed your proofs.

A great headshot is one of the highest-return investments you can make for your professional presence. Your LinkedIn profile photo is often the first impression a potential employer, client, or collaborator has of you — and a polished, approachable image signals credibility before you've said a word. The same goes for company websites, speaker bios, email signatures, and press features. A headshot from a professional session looks noticeably different from a cropped phone photo, and that difference matters.

Personal branding photography goes beyond a standard headshot. It's a collection of intentional images that tell the story of who you are, what you do, and how you show up in your work. The result is a gallery of versatile images you can use across your website, social media, marketing materials, and anywhere else your audience is finding you. When your visuals feel cohesive and authentically you, they build trust before you've ever had a conversation with a potential client.

Yes! Personal branding sessions are available in the West Des Moines studio and on location throughout the Des Moines metro area. Sessions are customized based on your needs, vision, and how you plan to use your images — from a focused 2-hour experience to a half-day or full-day session for those who need a larger, more varied image library.

Branding sessions are a great fit for anyone who shows up visibly in their business and needs images that reflect their personality and professionalism. They're especially popular with coaches, consultants, therapists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who need more than a headshot — people whose brand is them, and whose images need to communicate that at a glance. If you're launching a new website, refreshing your marketing, or simply ready to show up more confidently online, a branding session is worth the investment.

Every branding session is customized, but all sessions include a planning consultation to map out your vision, locations, props, and wardrobe. On session day, we'll maximize your looks and settings based on the time we have together — whether that's 2 hours, a half day, or a full day. After your session, you'll receive a fully edited gallery of images delivered within 5 business days. Pricing is based on session length, so you only invest in what you actually need.

A headshot is a focused, efficient session — typically mid-torso and up, against a clean solid or lightly textured background. It's designed to give you a polished, professional image for LinkedIn, a company website, or a speaking bio. A branding session is a much broader experience. It includes a wider variety of images — full-length shots, lifestyle moments, environmental portraits, images with props and meaningful settings — all designed to work together as a cohesive visual library for your brand. If a headshot is a single tool, a branding session is the whole toolkit.

Branding session pricing is customized based on session length and what you need from your gallery. Sessions are available at 2-hour, half-day, and full-day options. Reach out to start a conversation about your vision and I'll put together a custom plan that fits your goals.

Preparation is a big part of what makes a branding session successful, and I'll guide you through every step once you're booked. Before your session we'll talk through your brand identity, the story you want to tell, wardrobe options, props, and locations that reflect your work and personality. The more intentional the planning, the more versatile and useful your final gallery will be. You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out — that's what the planning process is for.

Every image you order as a print includes a matching social-sized digital file, optimized for sharing on social media. Full-resolution digital files are also available — earned based on the products you select or your overall investment. Clients who order premium wall art, photo boxes, or albums receive full-resolution digitals, as do clients who reach certain investment thresholds. I'll walk you through all of this during your ordering appointment so you know exactly what you're getting.

The product collection is designed around the idea that your portraits deserve to live somewhere meaningful — not just on your phone. Wall art options include canvas, metal prints, and fine art prints, with a focus on beautifully framed pieces that are ready to hang. Tabletop items include acrylic blocks, accordion albums, and metal prints in bamboo frames. Albums are available for all session types and are especially popular for seniors. Card options include graduation announcements, thank you cards, and holiday cards. A digital package is also available for clients who prefer to handle their own printing.

Yes — all of these are available! Wall art, albums, graduation announcements, thank you cards, and a full range of keepsake products are part of the product collection at Jenny Adams Photography. During your ordering appointment, I'll show you physical samples of everything so you can see and feel the quality before you decide. There's a big difference between seeing an image on a screen and seeing it printed on a large canvas or tucked into a beautifully designed album.

After your session, we'll schedule a reveal and ordering appointment at the studio in Valley Junction where you'll see your images for the first time and design your custom order together. If you're not local or can't make it back to Des Moines, we can hold your ordering appointment over video conference — I typically use Microsoft Teams for those. Either way, I'll guide you through every product option so you end up with an order you're excited about.

The easiest way to get started is to reach out through the contact page or booking link on the website. From there, we'll connect to talk through what you're looking for, answer any questions, and find the right session for you. Your session fee is required at the time of booking to secure your date.

Iowa weather likes to keep things interesting — and I always have a plan. If conditions aren't ideal due to rain, wind, or extreme heat, I'll work with you to reschedule. I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your session and communicate clearly so you're never left guessing. Session fees are non-refundable, but you're welcome to reschedule once based on availability, and your session fee will be applied to the new date.

Yes — your session fee is required in full at the time of booking to secure your date on the calendar. This ensures your spot is reserved and gives us both the time we need to plan a session you'll love.

It depends on the session type. For senior portraits, booking 3–6 months in advance is strongly recommended — especially for popular seasons like summer and fall. For headshots and branding sessions, there's typically more flexibility, but reaching out a few weeks ahead ensures you get your preferred date and time. The sooner you reach out, the more options you'll have.

The experience is built to feel guided, personal, and stress-free from the very first conversation. Every session includes thoughtful planning, genuine direction, and a process designed so you never have to wonder what to wear, where to go, or what to do in front of the camera. The result isn't just a gallery of photos — it's artwork that reflects who you actually are, finished and ready for your walls. Jenny Adams Photography has been nationally featured for senior portrait work and brings that same level of care to every headshot, branding, and portrait session.

It depends on what you're looking for! If you want a clean, polished profile image — the kind that looks great as your main photo — an Elite Headshot session is a perfect fit. If you want a fuller set of images that show more of your personality and lifestyle, a 2-hour branding session gives you more variety, more looks, and a gallery you can pull from across multiple platforms. Not sure which is right for you? Reach out and we'll figure it out together.