Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Professional Photographer in Des Moines
Michelle Skarpness Photography has been capturing meaningful moments since 1998, serving families and organizations across Iowa, Minnesota, and neighboring states. As founder Michelle Skarpness explains, our mission is to create timeless portraits that honor life's milestones while supporting communities through initiatives like the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep nonprofit. With expertise in sports, dance, school, and family photography, we prioritize personalized service - offering direct communication with our team, fast two-week delivery, and a 100% money-back guarantee.Our studio combines technical excellence with creative vision, using professional-grade equipment to produce products ranging from heirloom portraits to modern keepsakes. Beyond photography, we actively contribute to local schools and empower women through business mentorship, reflecting our belief that professional success should be balanced with community impact.
Services
Portrait Photography
Sports Photography
Dance School Photography
School Portraits
Preschool Photography
Senior Portraits
Family Sessions
Event Photography
Commercial Portraits
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer 24 years of professional photography experience since 1998
- Our team provides 2-week guaranteed delivery on sports photography orders
- Direct communication with the studio owner via listed contact number
- 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee on all portrait products
- Active community involvement through school partnerships and nonprofit work
What people say
Exceptional quality
Fast turnaround
Personalized service
Skilled with children
Professional team
Services
Portrait Photography
Creating lasting memories through professional portrait photography for individuals and families. Specializing in milestone events like high school graduations and family reunions, our sessions combine artistic composition with modern techniques. Each session includes multiple outfit changes and customized product options from wall art to digital keepsakes.
Sports Photography
Comprehensive sports photography services for teams and individual athletes. Offering on-site picture days with customized scheduling for schools and leagues. Features fast two-week delivery, full-color sample envelopes, and a wide range of products including specialized 'Extreme Mates' keepsakes for sports memorabilia.
Dance School Photography
Specialized photography services for dance studios across seven states. Our team handles group and individual portraits with dedicated photographers for each setting. Features online ordering, multiple background options, and exclusive dance-focused product lines that have served studios for 19 years.
People
Michelle Skarpness
Founder & Lead Photographer
Professional photographer with 24 years' experience since 1998, specializing in family, sports, and school portraits. Active community contributor and founder of the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep partnership in Iowa.
Questions
How far in advance should I schedule a portrait session?
We recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance, especially for senior portraits and holiday sessions. Same-day appointments may be available during slower periods.
Do you offer group family portraits?
Yes, our standard sessions include up to 3 people with special pricing for extended family sessions. Custom arrangements can be made for larger groups.
What photography styles do you specialize in?
We specialize in contemporary portrait photography with both studio and on-location options. Our expertise includes traditional posing, candid action shots, and creative composite imaging techniques.
Are digital images included with printed portraits?
Digital downloads are available for purchase with all sessions. Our packages include options for both print and digital rights with watermark-free files.
Do you provide photography services outside of Iowa?
We regularly serve locations across the Midwest, including Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Travel fees may apply for sessions outside the Des Moines metro area.
