Senior Pictures in Ankeny & Des Moines | Best Locations
Finding the right location for your senior pictures in Ankeny can completely change the look and feel of your session. If you have an idea of what you want but aren’t sure where to go, I’ll help you find a location that fits your vibe, style, and vision for your session.
What Makes a Great Senior Picture Location?
The best senior picture location isn’t necessarily the prettiest one, it’s the one that fits you. Your location can help tell the story of who you are and give your images a completely different feel.
Some seniors love the clean lines and architecture of an urban setting, while others want trees, tall grass, water, or wide-open spaces. You might want something simple and timeless, or a location with a little more personality and drama.
When we plan your session, we’ll look at your style, outfits, interests, and the type of images you want to create before deciding where we should go.
Senior Picture Locations in Ankeny
If you’re looking for senior pictures in Ankeny, there are plenty of locations that Ankeny has to offer for senior pictures, especially if you want a location that’s close to home but still gives your gallery variety. Depending on the look you’re going for, we can incorporate parks, trails, open spaces, architecture, and other areas around Ankeny.
If you’re an Ankeny senior, we don’t have to travel far to create a session that feels completely different from the typical senior photos you’ve seen before.
Here are some of my favorite locations for senior pictures in Ankeny…
Saylorville Lake for Senior Pictures
Saylorville is a great place to go from spring to fall. In the spring, you’ll have prairie grass to walk in; summer provides fields of prairie flowers, and fall gives off gorgeous fall foliage. It has great little hidden areas, walking paths, bridges, creeks, ponds, and even the lake and beaches themselves.
Uptown Ankeny for Senior Pictures
Uptown Ankeny provides that small-town/city atmosphere without having to drive into downtown Des Moines. It has brick buildings, nature, stairs, graffiti, and can create an edgy vibe for your senior photoshoot.
Jester Park for Senior Pictures
Jester Park is located in Grimes, but it is only a 20-minute drive from Ankeny. This location provides a big pond, gravel walking paths, prairie fields, a bridge, and small ponds in the back. Jester Park is a very popular spot in the summer and fall, providing fields of prairie flowers in July and fall foliage in October.
Cottonwood Rec Area for Senior Pictures
Cottonwood Park is huge in size and has many places to go. If the river is low, you can take some pictures on the rocky sandbar or, in July, take pictures in the prairie fields with black-eyed Susan’s. The bike path also runs right by it, so you can get some path photos, tall grass, or photos on a bridge.
Senior Picture Locations in Des Moines
If you’re willing to venture into Des Moines, there are even more options for creating a senior gallery with multiple looks. Downtown architecture, green spaces, water, and more natural locations can all give your photos a completely different feel.
One of my favorite things about photographing seniors around Des Moines is that we can create variety without making your entire gallery look like it came from the same location.
Want to see more specific Des Moines location ideas? Check out my guide to 15 Best Senior Picture Locations in Des Moines (2026 Guide)
Choosing a Senior Picture Location Based on Your Style
The best location for your senior pictures in Ankeny depends on the look you’re going for.
Senior Pictures for the Senior Who Loves an Urban Look
Downtown Des Moines can be a great choice if you love architecture, city streets, brick, modern buildings, and a more editorial feel. It’s especially fun if you want your senior pictures to feel a little less traditional.
Senior Pictures for the Senior Who Loves Nature
If you picture yourself surrounded by trees, tall grass, trails, or open fields, a natural location can give your senior portraits a softer and more relaxed feel. These locations are also great for creating movement and variety throughout your gallery.
Senior Pictures for the Senior Who Loves Water
Water can completely change the feel of a senior session. Lakes, rivers, and waterfront locations can offer beautiful reflections, open skies, and a more dramatic backdrop, especially at sunset. I’d personally suggest Saylorville Lake for this.
Senior Pictures for the Senior Who Wants Something Different
Your senior pictures don’t have to look like everyone else’s. If you have a hobby, sport, favorite place, or specific idea you’ve always wanted to incorporate, let’s build the session around it. Some of the best images happen when we take the session beyond the expected.
How Many Locations Should You Choose?
You don’t necessarily need five different locations to get an amazing gallery. Sometimes one location has everything we need, while other sessions work better with two or three different looks.
I help you plan locations based on the time we have, your outfits, the season, and the overall vision for your session. The goal isn’t to cram as many locations as possible into your day; it’s to create a gallery that feels varied, intentional, and completely you.
Learn more about my senior photography experience → Senior Portraits in Des Moines & Ankeny: Why the Experience Matters
Don’t Forget About Your Outfits
Your outfits and your locations should work together. A downtown location might call for a completely different look than an open field or a lakeside setting.
When we’re planning your senior session, I’ll help you think through your outfits and locations together so that each look adds something different to your final gallery.
Learn more about what to wear for your senior pictures → What to Wear for Senior Photos in Iowa | Outfit Guide
The Best Time for Senior Pictures in Iowa
Iowa gives us completely different backdrops throughout the year, so the best time for your senior pictures really depends on the look you’re going for. Spring can bring fresh greenery, summer gives you lush fields and vibrant color, and fall brings some of the most popular scenery for senior portraits.
Golden hour is another favorite because the lower sun can create warm, dramatic light and give your images a completely different feel.
Ready to Plan Your Senior Pictures in Ankeny or Des Moines?
You don’t need to know exactly where you want to take your senior pictures before you book. That’s part of the experience.
We’ll work together to find locations that fit your personality, outfits, interests, and the overall look you want for your senior gallery. Whether you’re an Ankeny senior who wants to stay close to home or you’re ready to explore Des Moines, we’ll create a session that’s anything but ordinary.
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