The Best Wedding Photographers in Ames, IA

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275 Wedding Photographers in Ames, IA

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Liv Frueh Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Ames, IA
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,000

Hello my name is Olivia Frueh. I am a formally educated photographer who loves to capture your memorable milestones! I have found a love for my light and airy look that provides a more natural tone to my images.

If we could rate Liv 100/5 we would!! We were so happy with the photos Liv took for our engagement shoot & on our wedding day. Neither ourselves or many of those in our wedding are very comfortable in front of the camera, but Liv's outgoing and bubbly personality, professionalism, and pure skill calmed everyone & made the photos come out STUNNING! We appreciate how Liv was able to navigate some of the stressful moments on our day and swiftly pivot when the weather/lighting wasn't coordinating. In a friendly manner, she was effectively able to round up guests, family, and the bridal party for photos to keep our timeline running smoothly. Prior to the wedding, Liv was very communicative with us and worked with us to understand timelines, vendors, family dynamics and more! She went above and beyond to answer all of our questions and make us feel comforted. All of our family and guests were very impressed with her work. I loved her style of photos they were very bright, natural, and clean. We will simply be insisting all of our friends to use her as their photographer in the future!
Hayden W., 7 months ago
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Storyteller Collective Photo Co 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Ames, IA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000

Hi, I’m Jayme — the heart behind Storyteller Collective Photo Co. Based in Iowa, I specialize in candid, nostalgic photography that feels true-to-you. From weddings and elopements to portraits and boudoir, I focus on authentic moments, real emotions, and the little details that tell your story.

Awarded Best of Zola
I have worked with Storyteller Collective as a second photographer (wedding), and she is so relaxed and also efficient. She works with a sense of urgency but doesn't rush her clients. She knows her stuff when it comes to weddings and knows exactly how to arrange the day so that it serves her client. She's also very, very good at adapting when things change (like when it rains on an outdoor ceremony) and reassuring her clients that we've still got it covered. She is a really good person who is fun to work with. She produces high quality work on the regular and her work is so beautiful!
Emma, 2 years ago
Kyndal Elise Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

At KEP, we’re alllllll about… - creating an easy space for you to be yourself - documenting the little love fueled moments - exchanging tales of your favorite new girl episodes - photographing it all, because it's all a part of your unique story - making sure the memories will be remembered - ensuring you and your partner are comfortable and confident - assisting with all the planning details - having fun through it all - capturing the big milestones - bringing the dog with - guiding you through the motions

As a wedding venue, we truly appreciate working with talented, professional photographers like Kyndal and her entire team. Her images always warm, heartfelt and beautifully capture the emotions a wedding day brings. Aside from her talent as a photographer, Kyndal is very friendly and easy to get along. Highly recommend!
Allyson Mathisen , a year ago
Katie Decker Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
  • Serves Ames, IA

I’m a central Iowa based wedding and portrait photographer on a mission to capture joyful personalities and the moments where you can’t stop smiling. My approach to photography is simple - I strive to capture your memories in a way that is true to life and authentic. If you're looking for a photographer who values true connections and brings a sense of ease to your photographic experience, you're in the right place.

Awarded Best of Zola
Choosing Katie was one of the easiest and best decisions we made for our wedding. Two of my family members had already worked with her, so we knew we were in good hands, but she still exceeded every expectation. Her communication was always timely, she was incredibly easy to work with, and every second shooter she partners with is just as wonderful and professional. She made such an important part of our day feel effortless. I would book her again and again without hesitation. And, just in our previews we already know we have beautiful pictures to always remember the day.
Cassie G., 5 months ago
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The Talented Photographer - Award Winning Photography. 
Rating: 5.0 (73 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Ames, IA
  • Offer

Hello! We are Christian and Ana. We have put together the best wedding photo & video team in America. Don't take our word for it, see it for yourself on our website. Whether you are camera shy or not, you will get beautiful photos with us. That's why couples are raving about us: we get beautiful photos out of EVERY SINGLE WEDDING!

Awarded Best of Zola
The Talented Photographer was an absolute dream to work with for our wedding. From the very first interaction, Alec's communication style was fun, professional, and incredibly personable. He had a true passion for his craft that shone through in every interaction. The quality of Alec's work was absolutely stunning - we got a wonderful variety of candids, formal shots, and editorial-style pictures that captured all the special moments of our day. Alec has an incredible eye for the right shots, and the final photos are absolutely gorgeous. Despite a complicated location schedule that I was worried about, Alec made the whole day seamless, traveling to over 4 different spots to ensure we got all the groupings and special shots we wanted. Alec truly went above and beyond, and we had such a great time working with him. I'm obsessed with the pictures and would give him an 11/10 rating!
Michelle M., a year ago
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VIDART 
Rating: 5.0 (55 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Ames, IA

VIDART's chief photographer studied at Columbia for film and U of I for foreign languages and philosophy, and went to Loyola for graduate studies. He worked at Lyric Opera of Chicago filming operas before joining VIDART. He is the author of the college textbook Cinematography 101, and has worked with John de Lancie (Q in Star Trek: TNG) on the science documentary The Reality of Time. Michael has also worked on the sets of over a dozen other feature films. He has handled the photography and videography for several thousand weddings and events, including work for clients such as Microsoft, Amazon, Macy’s, Sysco and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
WOW. VIDART blew us away. We had kind of a crazy family crowd and they still kept things organized without making it feel forced. Every single person looks great in the group shots, which is saying a lot.
Emily H., 10 days ago
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Portraits By Sean 
Rating: 5.0 (45 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Ames, IA



I present fun, elegant, and exciting Wedding Photography for my clients. My style is photojournalistic; I feel it's the most effective way to tell a story. After all, there is so much happening on a wedding day. Between the ceremony, dancing, and endless extravaganzas, the most memorable moments will naturally occur.  My goal is to capture the emotions and memories of your day through my lens. These recollections are your forever keepsakes, a chapter of your life's story. Every image accounts for those who were by your side, delighted for you, and the next step in your journey. I appreciate you for giving me a few moments of your time.t

Awarded Best of Zola
Working with Portraits By Sean was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Their communication style was professional, efficient, and genuinely kind throughout the entire process. The quality of their work was truly one-of-a-kind - their photos are gorgeous, superb, innovative, and incredibly detail-oriented and precise. The team of two photographers and a videographer was amazing, capturing so many special moments that will forever stay with us from our wedding day. We were especially grateful that they were able to capture our private final dance, which means the world to us. After our wedding, when our oldest son was leaving for bootcamp, Sean thoughtfully sent us additional photos that had been taken during the celebration, which are now cherished keepsakes for our family. I honestly can't say enough good things about our experience with Portraits By Sean - they exceeded our expectations in every way and we are thrilled with the beautiful memories they've preserved for us.
Brittany S., 7 months ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 
Rating: 5.0 (42 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Ames, IA

The company has done over 400 weddings for the last 5 years, so we use these experiences to provide quality services. We also provide discount for Military/Veterans and teachers. For 2025, we have 140+ weddings booked in 37 different states. We offer both photo and video services. Quicker turnaround time compare to most companies. Our shooting style of is photojournalistic, natural & CINEMATIC. Our editing style is very easygoing & flexible. Our biggest markets are the following: FL, New England area, PA, IL, DMV area, Tri-State area, Southern CA, MI, OH, CO.

Awarded Best of Zola
We are beyond thrilled with the photos and video from our wedding, thanks to Ledd! Ledd and his partner captured every special moment beautifully! His good sense of humor kept us relaxed and laughing, which made the experience even more enjoyable! The quality of his work exceeded our expectations—each shot was stunning, and the video perfectly captured the emotion of our day. From the beginning, Ledd was professional, attentive, and made the entire process easy and enjoyable. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to preserve their special day with amazing photography and videography! Thank you, Ledd, for making our wedding day unforgettable!
Jessica M., 2 years ago
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Anchor Studios Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (39 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

I’m Edgar, an HTX-raised native with Salvadorian roots. I am the owner, creative director, and lead photographer at Anchor Studios Photography. I'm a wedding and elopement photographer based out of Pittsburgh, PA! However, the stories I capture don't start and end there. I love to travel to capture stories all around the world.

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a really great and fun time doing these pictures! Even with how awkward we are behind the camera, we are more than happy with the results. Edgar is very personable and fun to work with. He picked a very nice destination for our shoot and so much we got in the water with us to get the best shots!
Rachel E., 2 years ago
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Heather Christine Photo + Film 
Rating: 5.0 (35 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

Hiii! I'm Heather Schoolcraft - owner & CEO! I'm a small town gal from WV who LOVES traveling and pops of color. I've designed my entire company around creating authentic + magical love stories. On your wedding day, our goal is to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and to focus on the raw + real moments on your day. Don't settle for less because you have to; let ME help you get the photos + video that you've always dreamed of.

Awarded Best of Zola
Heather is not only an amazing photographer, but an amazing person as well. She is thorough, kind and so professional. Her energy brings such a calmness to your wedding day and she’s always willing to give her expertise. I can’t recommend Heather enough! My wife and I are obsessed with our wedding pictures.
Olivia, 2 years ago
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Celestial Photo & Film 
Rating: 5.0 (29 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Ames, IA
  • Offer

Celestia Photo & Film is a wedding photography and videography studio dedicated to capturing love stories with a perfect balance of elegance and authenticity. We specialize in creating timeless images and cinematic films that reflect the beauty, emotion, and joy of your day — so you can relive it for a lifetime.

Every time I look at our photos, I fall in love all over again. They made me feel like the main character in a romance movie. The colors, lighting, and composition are just stunning. They made us feel so relaxed and confident. You can see pure joy in every frame. Even months later, people still tell me how beautiful the pictures are. Honestly, I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better.
Madison H., 6 months ago
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Love Knot Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Ames, IA

Hi, I’m Isaac. In my world, light is everything. The cool ambient hues at dawn, hinting at what the day may bring. Golden sun rays catching particles through a tree as friends gathers to celebrate. A Cotton candy sunset peppered by patio string-lights as a DJ plays my favorite song. We all have timeless memories logged in our minds. For me, they are based in a language of light. As a wedding photographer, this deep connection to special lighting helps me produce dynamic visual stories of romance, personality and beauty.

Awarded Best of Zola
We loved Isaac and his wife, Jing, who photographed our wedding earlier this month. Isaac was super calm and collected and on top of everything. His photography style was perfect for us. He already delivered about half of our retouched photos a week after the wedding which was insane and I love every single one. He was flexible with the 5 flower girls we had in and out of pictures and the multiple areas on our venue property. Overall an amazing experience and I recommend his work to anyone and everyone looking. He was very considerate when I first reached out about his work and wanted to use him and was very mindful of his travel fees to fit in our budget.
Madison R., 2 years ago
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Ashley Cynthia Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (24 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Ames, IA

* PLEASE INQUIRE ON WEBSITE* HEY! I'M ASHLEY! Aka, Your Professional third wheel! I am so happy you dropped by! I am a uber bubbly, warm hearted, person who loves to order 3 drinks at Dutch Bros and say its for other people but really its just for me. When I am not spending my lifes savings at Dutch Bros, I am professionally following peeps in love and photographing their stories. I am a lover of true crime and murder podcasts! (But I mean who isnt! I just cant help it!) FUN FACT: I speak switzerdütsch, aka a German slang. My mom is originally from Switzerland and my dad from Jamaica, so you know I am always hungry for adventures!

Awarded Best of Zola
Ashely and her team were awesome to work with! I only worked with them during the ceremony for V M wedding on June 14, 2025. Her team was kind and very respectful when plugging into my equipment to record audio for the client's ceremony video. Ashley's charisma and charm definitely helped her to maneuver and make all of the couples family move efficiently from what my team and I were able to see when breaking down!
Eddie M., 8 months ago
Jason Thomas Crocker Photography | Des Moines Wedding Photographer 
Rating: 5.0 (24 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Ames, IA

Hi, I’m Jason, a Des Moines wedding photographer who travels around the globe photographing weddings. After documenting over 500 weddings, I can honestly say that no two weddings are the same! I strive for epic compositions with my photojournalistic approach to wedding photography to capture the true essence of who you are as a newly married couple. In addition to my skills as a photographer, I’ve also built my client experience to infuse more fun and less stress into your wedding day.

I'm pretty particular when it comes to photography, so when planning my wedding I knew I wasn't going to settle for anything less than amazing. Jason blew all of my expectations out of the water, not only is he incredibly talented in his photography skills, he is extremely personable and fun to work with! 12/10 would recommend!!
Jennifer E., a year ago
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Debra Aslanidis Photography 
Rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,600
  • Serves Ames, IA
  • Offer

We’re Debra & Jeremy, a husband-and-wife wedding photography duo capturing love stories with heart, intention, and a whole lot of soul. Our approach blends documentary moments with gentle guidance, so your photos feel natural, emotional, and unmistakably you. From quiet, intimate glances to joyful, unscripted laughter, we focus on the moments you’ll feel just as much years from now. If you value connection, authenticity, and images that tell a story—not just pose for one—we might be the perfect fit.

Awarded Best of Zola
Debra was good with keeping in touch before the wedding and was very quick to give us sneak peaks after! I really appreciated how she also worked with our budget and the results were still amazing.
Janelle H., a year ago
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Oury Memories 
Rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Ames, IA

I have been a photographer for 8 years. Throughout my time as a photographer I’ve captured clothing, models, and memories. I shifted from corporate shootings to families and weddings because it gave me this warm fuzzy feeling when I edited my couples and families photos. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me and ask about my photography style, my editing style, or my favorite restaurant! I highly recommend scheduling a free consulting session!

Awarded Best of Zola
I would absolutely recommend grace and oury memories. She was so responsive and organized with making sure we got all the perfect shots. She also was extremely patient when it came to our kids and knew how important they were to be in some shots as well. She kept everything running smoothly and I appreciate that so much. We are so excited to see our photos and have no doubt that they will be so beautiful. Thank you cso much for helping to make our day so wonderful!!
Amy and K., a year ago
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Amative Creative | Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, & Destination Wedding Photographer & Videographer 
Rating: 4.9 (19 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,600
  • Serves Ames, IA
  • Offer

Hello there! I'm Andrea, owner of Amative Creative, and every weekend we're so blessed to be able to tell the love stories of so many amazing couples. Like many others in this industry might say, we simply adore weddings. But what makes us a little different is our entire brand is centered around telling love stories specifically curated to reflect your vision and aesthetic. "Amative" means to be prone to love, so as you can see, we want nothing more than to tell your love story! But what makes us truly unique is that we understand every love story looks different. And we personalize every aspect of how we document your wedding day!

Awarded Best of Zola
Amative Creative did our wedding and the preview pictures are PERFECT. I am so happy I booked them! The vibe is everything I wanted, and they were super responsive the entire time!! 1000000% recommend!
Jayla G., 2 years ago
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Luxurious Memories 
Rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

Our lead photographer has over 30 years of experience behind the lens and makes certain that every member of the team achieves the highest level of competence in posing couples or individuals, taking and composing the photographs, using light to the best advantage and making sure that our clients are relaxed and as comfortable as they can be doing the shoot.

Awarded Best of Zola
We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our wedding! From the very beginning, they were professional, warm, and attentive to every detail. On the day of the wedding, they made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera and managed to capture every special moment so beautifully—both the big highlights and the candid little in-between shots that mean so much. The photos are absolutely stunning !!! timeless, romantic, and filled with emotion. Every time we look at them, we’re transported right back to that day. Our friends and family can’t stop raving about how gorgeous the pictures turned out! Beyond their talent, what really stood out was how seamlessly they blended in with our guests while still capturing every angle. It honestly felt like they were everywhere at once without ever being intrusive. If you’re looking for someone who will not only deliver breathtaking photos but also make the entire experience enjoyable and stress-free, look no further. Hiring them was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding !! Thank you again luxurious memories.
Jazmin F., 6 months ago
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NATIONWIDE Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer -HAS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN YOUR AREA! 
Rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $599
  • Serves Ames, IA

Looking for top-level budget friendly local photographer? We proudly hold a 100% 5-star rating from over 17,000 weddings nationwide, making us a trusted choice for capturing your special moments. Why spend thousands when you can get exceptional quality for much less? Our wedding photography begins at $499. We specialize in natural-color photography and provide a custom online album to easily share your memories with family and friends, and we offer wholesale prices on professional prints as well! . We also provide local DJs and video services with budget-friendly packages to complete your celebration.

Awarded Best of Zola
Darrell from Nationwide Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer was incredibly easy to communicate with throughout the entire wedding planning process. He took his time and made sure I got every single photo I wanted to capture on our special day. Darrell contributed to making our wedding day feel so special by ensuring every detail felt important, keeping me relaxed and happy, and making sure everything ran smoothly. His professionalism and passion for his work were evident in the beautiful photos he delivered that we will cherish forever. I would highly recommend Nationwide Spectacular Photographer to any couple looking for an exceptional photography experience.
Taylor L., 9 months ago
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Mae Krell Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $10,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

Hi! My name is Mae, and I live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend, our two dogs Apollo and Bia, her cat Gigi and my lizard, Basil! I’ve always been passionate about capturing moments as authentically and magically as possible, and as i’ve settled more into this career path, I love that i’ve landed in a place where I have the privilege to capture and preserve people’s love stories. Weddings and elopements are so distinctly and uniquely human, and it’s truly the biggest honor to be trusted to document them.

Awarded Best of Zola
I came across Mae’s work when looking for a photographer for engagement photos in Central Park, and I was immediately impressed with Mae and knew we were going to be incredibly happy with the results. Mae responded immediately to all my questions, day or night, and took the time to video chat with me at length twice before the shoot to discuss what we were looking for in our photos. Before the shoot, I had sent her a few examples of what I liked, and not only did the photos come out exactly how I wanted them, but were even more perfect than I envisioned. The engagement shoot itself was so much fun, and Mae made us feel so comfortable throughout the entire process, despite us thinking we’d both feel awkward getting posed photos of us taken. Mae truly had a vision for what poses, locations, and lighting would work, and the execution was perfect. Some of the feedback we got from our friends was that the photos looked like a magazine, and that they were “ethereal.” Even better, Mae somehow got us the edited photos back within 24 hours of the shoot. Her pricing is also incredibly reasonable given the quality of her work, meticulousness, and experience in photography, as well as the very quick turnaround time. My fiance and I truly cannot recommend her enough, and we are excited to work with her again in the future. She is truly an artist, and any couple would be incredibly lucky to work with her!
Katherine, a year ago
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Angela Mallett Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (13 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Ames, IA

Angela is a Destination wedding photographer capturing timeless memories for over 10 years. She loves providing couples with candid images that they can look back on for a lifetime. Her passion is to connect and tell couples’ love stories through the beauty and emotion of the moments captured.

Awarded Best of Zola
I can't say enough wonderful things about Angela! She was absolutely amazing capturing every special moment with such grace and creativity. Her attention to detail and ability to make everyone feel comfortable was truly impressive. The photos turned out stunning and they perfectly reflect the joy of our special day. I highly recommend her to any bride looking for a talented and passionate photographer. Thank you for making our memories so beautiful!!
Mia B., 2 years ago
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Haverlee Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (13 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $4,400
  • Serves Ames, IA

I’m Haverlee, (hay-verlee). Based in Iowa, I serve the Midwest, Western NC, Denver, and beyond. With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry, and well over 150 weddings photographed, it still surprises me how my love for this industry grows each year. This work is not about me, it's about the individuals in front of my lens. I can’t tell an honest story if I’m constantly interfering, directing, and manipulating moments. I want your photos to render cherished memories from your day with your people, not memories of your photographer. I’m there to tell the beautiful and imperfect story as it unfolds.

Awarded Best of Zola
When we first got engaged, Haverlee Photography was a no brainer, and she lived up to everything and more. Every picture from our engagement session, rehearsal dinner, and wedding day is stunning and I have the hardest time picking my favorites. Hands down, best decision on wedding vendors was picking Haverlee. On top of delivering beautiful photos we will cherish forever, Haverlee made everything so fun and easy. My husband said our engagement session was like a date night, and Haverlee had me feel so at ease and beautiful through every step of our wedding day. She is the kindest human who gets the perfect shots of all the small moments, which truly matter to us and feel like us. Haverlee will always be our go to photographer for all the special moments for our family, and you can't go wrong with choosing her to be a part of your special day.
Olivia W., a year ago