MacroSnaps logo
Book Now
Photography
Videography
Events
Solutions
Locations
PortfolioAboutContactMy Account

Iowa · Proms & School Dances

Prom Photographer in Des Moines, IA

MacroSnaps photographers and videographers cover prom or school dance celebrations in Des Moines and across Iowa, with published hourly prices you can book and pay for online.

MacroSnaps in Des Moines

Proms & School Dances in Des Moines: photography & video

Prom and school dances are some of the most photographed nights of high school, and schools, PTAs and parent committees often want a professional record of the whole event. MacroSnaps photographers and videographers cover proms, homecoming and formal dances, from the grand march and arrivals to group photos with friends, a portrait station and candids on the dance floor.

Des Moines is a major city in Iowa, home to roughly 210,000 people. We cover prom or school dance events at event and banquet venues across the area, from Des Moines Art Center, Salisbury House & Gardens and Terrace Hill to private homes, restaurants and community halls.

Because we are photographing students, we work with school staff from the start. We agree with your coordinator on where we will be, what will be photographed and how the gallery will be shared, and we follow your school's media and consent policies, including students who should not be photographed. Our coverage stays friendly and appropriate, and staff remain in charge of the event throughout.

For a typical prom or school dance, clients in Des Moines book about 4 hours of photography ($550) and 3 hours of videography ($700). Photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour; videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, with a 2-hour minimum. The first-hour price includes travel, so Des Moines costs the same as anywhere else we work, and there are no quotes to wait for.

What we capture

Key moments we photograph and film in Des Moines

01

Grand march

Students and their dates or friend groups walking in, announced by name where the school has a grand march or promenade.

02

Arrivals

Students arriving at the venue in their outfits, and the first reactions as they see the room.

03

Portrait station

A backdrop with lighting for couples, friends and individual portraits, run in an orderly line so everyone gets a turn.

04

Friend and class groups

Group photos of friend groups, teams, clubs and the whole class where space allows.

05

Court and announcements

Prom or homecoming court announcements and the crowning, photographed from a clear position near the stage.

06

Dance floor

Candid photos of the dance floor and DJ, focused on the energy of the room.

07

Venue and décor

The theme, decorations and signage the committee created, photographed before doors open.

Pricing

Proms & School Dances photography & video prices in Des Moines

One published hourly rate for everyone, with a 2-hour minimum. No quotes, no negotiating: choose your hours and book online.

Photography

$250 first hour

+ $100 each additional hour

Typical proms & school dances coverage: 4 hours = $550

Every photo edited and retouched, online gallery in about a week.

Book Photography

Videography

$300 first hour

+ $200 each additional hour

Typical proms & school dances coverage: 3 hours = $700

Highlight video set to music you choose, delivered in 2 to 4 weeks.

Book Videography

Typical for a prom with a grand march and portrait station; smaller school dances are often covered in 2-3 hours.

Minimum 2 hours · $250 first hour + $100 each additional hour

2 Hour Photography

$350

  • 1 photographer
  • 2 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

3 Hour Photography

$450

  • 1 photographer
  • 3 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

4 Hour Photography

$550

  • 1 photographer
  • 4 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

5 Hour Photography

$650

  • 1 photographer
  • 5 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

6 Hour Photography

$750

  • 1 photographer
  • 6 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

7 Hour Photography

$850

  • 1 photographer
  • 7 hours of coverage
  • All pictures edited and retouched
  • Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
  • Raw pictures delivered on request
  • Turnaround time: 1 week
Book Now

Local to Des Moines

Proms & School Dances around Des Moines

Want portraits away from the venue? Couples and families in Des Moines often add an hour at John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Iowa State Capitol. Just add the time and the second location when you book.

Des Moines venues we cover

  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Salisbury House & Gardens
  • Terrace Hill
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Neighborhoods & areas

  • East Village
  • Court Avenue District
  • Sherman Hill
  • Beaverdale
  • Drake neighborhood
  • West Des Moines

Also serving nearby

  • West Des Moines (6 mi)
  • Urbandale (6 mi)
  • Clive (6 mi)
  • Johnston (7 mi)
  • Altoona (8 mi)
  • Ankeny (9 mi)

Around Des Moines

Best photo & video spots in Des Moines

Planning portraits, a first look or extra B-roll away from the venue? These are some of the most photographed places in and around Des Moines.

  1. 01

    John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

  2. 02

    Iowa State Capitol

  3. 03

    Gray's Lake Park

  4. 04

    Principal Riverwalk

  5. 05

    Water Works Park

To add a portrait or filming stop, book the extra hours and note the location for your crew. Some parks and landmarks require a permit or have set hours, so check before the day. Book online

Our work

Lifeworks Rehab Event Highlights
God's Remnant Assembly Event Highlights
Jersey Jazz City Festival, Hudson County
Parents holding the birthday boy in front of the barn backdrop
Guests dancing and cheering on the reception dance floor
Groom twirling the smiling bride during their first dance
Lively reception room full of guests at round tables
Bride and groom sharing their first dance
Friends toasting at a party
Group of friends at a party
Guests celebrating at a themed party

Planning tips

Planning your coverage in Des Moines

Agree on policies with school staff

Share your school's media consent list and any rules on how photos are shared. We'll take a staff contact's direction on anything sensitive during the event.

Book from arrivals to the court announcement

Most proms are well covered in 3 to 4 hours, including the grand march, the portrait station during the busiest period and the court announcement.

Plan the portrait station

Choose a spot with space for a line and a backdrop near power. Running the station early, before the dance floor fills, means more students get photographed.

Decide how photos are shared

Tell us whether the gallery should go to the school, the PTA or directly to families, so delivery matches your consent policy.

Professional photography doesn't have to be expensive

Why Des Moines clients choose MacroSnaps

01

13+ years, 750+ conferences, 2,200+ weddings

MacroSnaps and our parent company MacroHype have been photographing and filming for more than 13 years: over 750 corporate events and conferences and more than 2,200 weddings and private events. Des Moines gets the same experienced crews and standards we bring to every city we work in.

02

Prices published, not negotiated

Many vendors price by how much they think you can pay. We publish every rate: photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour, videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, with a 2-hour minimum. Everyone pays the same price.

03

Insured by State Farm

We carry $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate liability coverage. If your venue needs a certificate of insurance, we send it before your event.

04

Our own network, not a marketplace

We are one company with our own photographers and videographers across all 50 states, Washington, DC, Ontario and Quebec, so the quality, editing and delivery standards stay the same wherever you book.

05

Book and pay online in minutes

Choose your service and hours, pick your date and pay securely. Your slot is reserved the moment you book, and your crew is confirmed by email.

06

Every image edited

All photos are edited and retouched and delivered in a private online gallery in about a week. Highlight videos are delivered in 2 to 4 weeks with music of your choice.

Simple booking

How booking a Prom Photographer in Des Moines works

  1. 1

    Choose your package

    Pick the service and number of hours. Every price is published, so there are no quotes to wait for.

  2. 2

    Book & pay online

    Enter your date, start time and venue, then pay securely by card. Your slot is reserved the moment you book.

  3. 3

    Your crew is confirmed

    We assign a MacroSnaps photographer or videographer for your city and confirm the details by email.

  4. 4

    Receive your gallery

    Every photo is edited and retouched, then delivered in a private online gallery in high resolution.

FAQ

Proms & School Dances in Des Moines: common questions

Do you have a Prom Photographer near Des Moines?

Yes. MacroSnaps has its own photographers and videographers working across Iowa, and we assign a crew for your prom or school dance in Des Moines as soon as you book. We also cover nearby West Des Moines, Urbandale and Clive. You deal with one company, with 13+ years of experience behind it, from booking to delivery.

How much does a Prom Photographer cost in Des Moines?

The same as everywhere we work: photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour, so 4 hours is $550. Videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, so 3 hours is $700. The minimum is 2 hours and the first-hour price includes travel to Des Moines.

Who usually books prom photography?

Most often the school, PTA, booster club or parent committee organizing the event. We coordinate with a staff contact before and during the dance.

How do you handle photographing minors?

We follow your school's media and consent policies, avoid photographing students who have opted out, keep all photos appropriate and agree with staff how the gallery is shared.

How much does prom photography cost?

Photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour; videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour. The minimum booking is 2 hours, and the rates are the same for every school.

When will we receive the photos?

Every photo is edited and retouched, and the online gallery is usually ready in about one week. Highlight videos of 3 to 8 minutes take 2 to 4 weeks.

Does the school or venue need a certificate of insurance?

Many do. We are insured through State Farm with $1M per occurrence and $2M general aggregate coverage and provide certificates of insurance on request.

Proms & School Dances near Des Moines

Services in Des Moines

Other events we cover in Des Moines

Book your Prom Photographer in Des Moines

Same published price for every client. Choose your hours, pick your date and pay securely online.

Find the right crew

Ask MacroSnaps what you need

Describe your event or project and city. We'll point you to the right service, price and booking page in one click.