Hi, I'm Jill. And I want to capture your story.

I'm a lifestyle photographer in Des Moines, Iowa, who photographs families, kids, babies and brands. After living on the California coast for 20 years, I recently moved back to the Heartland with my husband, son and daughter.

The older I get, the shorter I realize life is. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up. I take every chance I can to hold them close and live in the moment, appreciating both the chaos of life and the quiet in-between.

And I want to capture those moments for YOU.

photographer Jill Neil holding her camera in her hands laughing in front of a willow tree near Des Moines in summer

My Approach to Photography


Everyone has a story to tell. And that story isn't just about how we look. It also includes how we love, how we play, where we live, where we explore, what brings us comfort, what brings us joy. These things are hard to capture with only traditional posed portraits. My sessions are designed to be relaxed and organic so I can capture those authentic moments and details that make your story unique. 

family of five outdoors crouching in front of a boulder with their three toddlers in their laps laughing for a photo

What I Have in Common with My Clients:


  • We love being parents (the hard days are worth it!)
  • We value connection over perfection
  • We prefer natural and relaxed moments over stiff poses and forced smiles
  • We understand this season of life won't last forever and want to document it now before it inevitably changes
  • We are down-to-earth, go-with-the-flow, touchy-feely, roll-with-the-punches and laugh-out-loud kinds of people
dad holding baby son in his arms near an apple tree while mom kisses son's foot making him laugh