Claire Petersen Photography: Capturing Life's Genuine Moments

From Personal Passion to Professional Pursuit: How a Local Photographer Finds Beauty in the Everyday

In a world of perfectly posed portraits, Claire Petersen has built her photography business on something refreshingly different: embracing life's authentic moments. As the official photographer for the Harlan Insider and a rising talent in Southwest Iowa, Claire specializes in senior portraits and family photography that reveals the genuine connections and emotions that make each subject unique.

"I just want somebody to come and watch me interact with my family and give me some ideas," Claire explains, describing her own experience as a mother seeking family photos. "Just love on your kids. I'm going to sit back and watch and give you a little direction. But those moments, that connection—it's more about looking for that bond within the family versus 'you stand here, everybody smile.'"

From Film Rolls to Professional Focus

Claire's photography journey began long before she established her business three years ago. "I've been taking photos forever, since high school," she recalls. "Back in the days of point-and-shoot cameras with film, I'd go to the park with a friend and we'd waste a whole roll of film. My mom would be so mad at us because it was so expensive to get it developed. And it was just the same girl in different poses in a park."

What remained a personal passion for years transformed into a professional pursuit when Claire was approached to photograph high school seniors. "That just lit a creative fire under me," she shares. "The time spent with seniors, that one-on-one and being able to make them feel confident and beautiful in such a time of life that can be hard for teenagers, especially girls—it was just amazing to be able to show them what I see or what other people see in them."

Having received a nice camera as a "push present" to celebrate the birth of her child—wanting her sons to see her behind a lens rather than always on her phone—Claire began to consider new possibilities. "I've got this beautiful piece of equipment that takes incredible photos of my children," she reflects, "but I wondered what it could do for others."

Specializing in Life's Important Moments

While Claire offers various photography services, she has found her niche in two particular areas: senior portraits and family photography, especially with young children.

"Seniors are my absolute favorite," Claire admits. "I love the one-on-one time and just getting to make them feel incredible about themselves." Her senior sessions aren't limited to high school graduates either—Claire has recently expanded to include college graduates, even incorporating champagne pops (using apple juice for a budget-friendly alternative) to celebrate their achievements.

For families, Claire has developed a particular expertise in working with young children. "I do feel like I'm more geared toward families with young kids because of the chaos that comes with those sessions," she explains. As a mother of young boys herself, Claire brings understanding and patience to these shoots, never placing time limits on sessions with unpredictable toddlers.

"I come with so much grace in this area," she emphasizes. "I know that toddlers can flip their personalities in seconds. They're not always going to want to step in front of a camera, and that's okay."

Claire also offers specialized newborn photography through two distinct packages: Fresh 48 sessions conducted in the hospital within the first two days after birth, and lifestyle newborn sessions in the family's home within the first two weeks. "Those Fresh 48 sessions are just kind of raw," Claire says, "getting the tiny details of their little wristbands and ankle bracelets. And the umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet. They change so much even over that first week."

Additional services include branding photography for small businesses and event photography for community gatherings like Avoca's Holidays on Main and the Anita Trunk or Treat.

Finding Beauty in Natural Moments

Claire's approach to photography emphasizes natural light, authentic interactions, and a bright, colorful editing style. "I use natural light as much as possible," she notes, only bringing in flash for newborn sessions where home or hospital lighting can be unpredictable.

In a testament to her love for authenticity, Claire describes discovering beauty in everyday Southwest Iowa moments: "It's fun to stop and see the beauty in things that we maybe take for granted. Every fall now, I love going out to the farm and taking photos of harvest specifically. I just think it's so beautiful, capturing those genuine moments on the farm."

Her editing philosophy follows this same authentic approach. "If you show up with a blemish on your face, like a zit that's not usually there, yes, I will 100% get rid of that for you," Claire explains. "But if it's a super windy day and your hair is flowing in the wind, I'm going to let it. That was the moment. I'm going to embrace the more natural and capture who you are in that moment."

Small Town Connections

Being based in Southwest Iowa has shaped Claire's business through the strong sense of community and interconnected relationships. "It's so fun to be able to make those connections," she says. "There's that small town feel of people, everybody just knowing each other and supporting each other."

These connections have helped Claire's business grow primarily through word of mouth. "I'm so grateful for that. The best compliment is when somebody says, 'Hey, Claire took my photos. You should go to her.'"

Claire values these relationships and the opportunity to document multiple milestones for the same families. "It's so fun to do a senior photo shoot, and then, nine-ish months later, I'm taking photos of her sister's newborn baby."

Preserving Today's Moments for Tomorrow's Memories

Through her lens, Claire Petersen does more than take photographs—she preserves the authentic essence of life's fleeting moments. In a community where connections run deep, her work stands as a testament to the beauty found in genuine interactions and natural expressions. As she continues capturing seniors' confidence, families' love, and newborns' first days, Claire remains dedicated to her vision: creating lasting images that will tell your story for generations to come.

"I have so often mentioned to parents that the kids are going to appreciate these photos just as much someday," Claire reflects. "They might not realize it at that time, but they're going to see photos of their parents in 20 years and be like, 'Oh, I kind of forgot that this was our life at that time.' It's special to be able to capture that and who you are at this moment."

To book a session with Claire Petersen Photography, don't wait—popular seasons like fall fill up quickly! Contact Claire through her website at clairepetersenphotography.com, follow her work on Facebook and Instagram, or email directly at clairepetersenphotography@gmail.com. Claire Petersen Photography is the official photographer of the Harlan Insider.