The Best Wedding Photographers in Essex, IA

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207 Wedding Photographers in Essex, IA

GemHidden gem
Emma’s Photo Co 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hi lovers! I’m Emma Roberts (She/Her/Hers), a wedding photographer based in Omaha, but I'm available anywhere your love takes you—especially the mountains. I work with those who value authenticity, creativity, and moment-minded photographs. I am the photographer for you if you value living in the moment, creating a wedding that honors your love—unapologetically breaking from tradition—and investing in photography to preserve your memories.

Awarded Best of Zola
Emma is lovely to work with! She made us feel so comfortable taking pictures and they turned out amazing! Very happy with our engagement and wedding photos which is so important because we will look back on them for years to come!
Kristin and B., 4 years ago
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The Talented Photographer - Award Winning Photography. 
Rating: 5.0 (81 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Essex, IA
  • Offer

Hello! We are Christian and Ana. We have put together the best wedding photo & video team in America. 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
We are absolutely thrilled with our experience with The Talented Photographer! Christian made the entire process smooth and stress-free with clear communication and organization that comes with his experience. We chose the Easy Package and our day was captured beautifully. Christopher was our photographer and was wonderful to work with. He was so detail-oriented, which truly made a difference in capturing every meaningful moment. The family and friends we’ve shared the album with are also so impressed. We are very happy we chose to go with The Talented Photographer!
Maura G., 2 years ago
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Anchor Studios Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (70 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Essex, 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
Anchor Studios Photography communicated in-depth about what to expect for the engagement photo process, was quick to respond, and personable. The quality of their work was truly impressive. The photos were sharp, true to life, and had a clean, polished look. We got our engagement photos back in about 5 weeks. Anchor Studios fully met our expectations at every turn and we would highly recommend them to any couple looking for an exceptional wedding photography experience.
Lindsey, a year ago
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Haverlee Photography 
Rating: 4.8 (51 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Essex, 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
Truly could not say enough great things about Haverlee and her immense talent! From our first inquiry email to delivering our final wedding gallery (early I should add), she was so kind, supportive and on the ball. Outside of capturing amazing moments during our engagement session and wedding day, one of the things we really appreciated was her willingness to help create our day of timeline. As a DIY bride, having someone who has done this countless times help us plan every minute of our day helped so so much and put our minds at ease. And let me tell you, day of, you won’t find someone else more prepared than Haverlee. She was there to help with make-up issues, fly away hairs, dress bustling, and even hand picking leaves and bugs out of the skirt of my dress to make sure our photos were perfect. Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience, highly recommend entrusting Haverlee to work her magic to allow you to remember the day perfectly thru her lens.
Lauren D., 2 years ago
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Portraits By Sean 
Rating: 5.0 (47 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Essex, 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
From our first interaction, Sean and his team at Portraits By Sean were prompt, personable, and clear in their communication. Their exceptional, professional, and quick work captured the essence of our special day perfectly. Sean was laid back and brought great energy to our wedding, seamlessly capturing all the important moments without ever being intrusive. We had nothing but a positive and truly exceptional experience working with Sean from start to finish. Not only were our photos top-notch, but he took the time to get to know us as a couple and was able to beautifully document all the candid, unscripted moments that made our wedding day so memorable. I'd give Sean 10 stars if I could!
Amber S., 2 years ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 
Rating: 5.0 (43 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Essex, 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. We have serviced 42 states so far. 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
As wedding planners, we loved working with them on our recent South Asian Fusion Wedding! The photos were beautiful and we can't wait for the next time we work together!
The Yellow R., a year ago
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The Golden Hour Co. 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Essex, IA
  • Offer

At The Golden Hour Co., we specialize in wedding photography that embraces the warmth and romance of life's most cherished moments. Our approach is rooted in authenticity, ensuring that every laugh, tear, and tender glance is preserved with genuine emotion. We believe in creating a relaxed environment where you can be yourselves, allowing us to document your day as it naturally unfolds.

Awarded Best of Zola
The photos feel relaxed and full of life. I love how nothing looks forced. The video captured our energy perfectly. My friends all commented how emotional it felt. It truly reflects who we are. I couldn’t have asked for better.
Brianna L., 7 months ago
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Heather Christine Photo + Film 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, 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
There is no one else on this EARTH that I would’ve wanted to take our wedding photos. Heather and her team are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She made me feel so confident! Heather took our engagement photos, my boudoir photos, and our wedding photos. I’m so grateful for her and her whole team. I’ve known Heather for years and she’s the most amazing person. She’s so genuine and caring. She loves all kinds of love. I highly recommend her!! She’ll do an amazing job of capturing the memories you’ll want to cherish forever.
Hannah B., 2 years ago
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Ali Cushing Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hey, hey my name is Ali. NY-based, but working nation-wide, I'm a wedding photographer who captures experiences, genuine love, authentic characters, and immortalizes precious memories. I focus on visualizing how it felt to live your wedding day, while also crafting editorializations simply for the sake of intentional, living art. I am adamant that everyone, of all genders and orientations, any ethnicity, culture, or faith, all shapes, ages, and abilities, are welcome and I’d be delighted to work with you.

Awarded Best of Zola
Hiring Ali was the best decision we made for our wedding. From the very beginning, she felt like a helpful friend who was there to guide us through the planning and execution of our big day(s). She was a calm and supportive presence during our wedding weekend who made herself known when we needed her, but otherwise felt like a guest with a nice camera. Of course the photos look exceptional, but what stands out to us is her artistic eye and her excitement about her craft. She went absolutely above and beyond for us in so many ways and my family and I are forever grateful!
Haley S., 2 months ago
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Just Captured 
Rating: 5.0 (33 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Essex, IA
  • Offer

Just Captured is a wedding photography company dedicated to preserving love stories with authenticity and artistry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, we capture every emotion, from the joyful laughter to the quiet, intimate moments. Our natural and timeless style ensures your wedding photos feel as magical as the day itself. Let Just Captured transform your special moments into lasting memories.

Awarded Best of Zola
This brought tears instantly. The moments feel real. Watching it was very touching. Nothing feels overdone. I’m thankful for this.
Dana K., 7 months ago
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Debra Aslanidis Photography 
Rating: 4.9 (32 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, 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 and her partner do incredible work, they were on time and even worked well with any wedding day hiccups. When I received my wedding photos back I was in awe, but Debra herself is so kind and you can tell she actually cares about her clients. I had a completely different vendor drop out last minute and she even tried to help me find a replacement even tho that wasn’t her job. I’d hire her again just based off her care to her clients. You can tell she has a true passion and her work speaks for itself. I could go on but I only get 50 characters. Book her.
Ebony E., 6 days ago
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NATIONWIDE Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer -HAS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN YOUR AREA! 
Rating: 5.0 (28 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $599
  • Serves Essex, IA

Congratulations, you have the rare opportunity to have one of the very best wedding teams in the country at an amazing price for your big day. We have the budget friendly packages and prices to capture your wedding moments and memories that every couple wishes they had. We've been trusted for more than 27 years by over 17,000 couples nationwide, and we are very proud of our 100% 5 star rating. We also offer Expert wedding DJ-MC services in bundle packages. Our planning assistance ensures that your wedding is not only fun for all your guests, but also stress-free. Don’t wait—Call now before someone else books your date!

Awarded Best of Zola
Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer Nationwide was an amazing choice for our wedding day. From our first interaction, they were incredibly open-minded and responsive, working closely with us to understand our vision and preferences. Their communication was top-notch, and they arrived on the day with perfect timing, capturing all the special moments seamlessly. The quality of their work was truly amazing - the photos they delivered were stunning and on-trend, providing incredible value for the investment. We are thrilled with the beautiful memories they helped create, and would highly recommend Spectacular Photographer to any couple planning their wedding.
Marisol B., a year ago
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Love Knot Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Essex, 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
Isaac did a wonderful job photographing our backyard wedding. He did a brilliant job capturing my visions as well as brought ideas of his own. We are very grateful we were able to book Isaac for our wedding, he truly immortalized the day and we have so many beautiful photos to reflect on for the rest of our lives.
Molly M., 2 years ago
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Cecilia Harvard Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (26 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hello, I’m Cecilia, but you can call me Cece. I am so happy that you have found your way here. I offer my photography services nationwide, ready to capture your special day wherever this next chapter of your love story unfolds. With ten years of dedicated wedding photography experience and having captured over 250 weddings, I am fully equipped to confidently guide and beautifully tell your unique love story through my lens. Beyond simply photographing your wedding, I am here to assist with timelines and offer support throughout every step of this milestone, ensuring you feel confident and cared for well before the day itself arrives.

Awarded Best of Zola
Cecilia is a talented photographer, skilled editor, and an absolute joy to be around. During the reception, many people came over to tell me how wonderful and professional she was. She's clear with her communication and expectations, and she ensures that she knows your wants/needs for the day. I felt at ease knowing I could trust one of the most important parts of our wedding to her. And WOW, did she deliver! We just got our full album back and I am blown away by the quality. Cecilia captured our day perfectly and I love being able to relive the day over and over again. She's amazing, I would book her for my wedding 1000 over!
Alannah M., 8 months ago
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Pluvia Studios 
Rating: 5.0 (26 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Essex, IA
  • Offer

Pluvia Studios is a wedding photography and videography company that is passionate about strong story-telling. We extract the best elements for our couples and curate an unforgettable viewing experience.

Awarded Best of Zola
From start to finish, JayDee and his team at Pluvia Studios were nothing short of exceptional! JayDee's attentive and thorough communication made navigating my sister's wedding preparations an absolute breeze. On the big day, he ensured our entire group felt completely relaxed and genuinely at ease, a testament to his clear vision and the team's seamless execution. The moment we received the notification that our photos and videos were ready, our excitement was palpable. Viewing them filled us with tears of joy and overwhelming love, as each beautifully captured memory transported us right back to the wedding day. I wholeheartedly recommend JayDee and Pluvia Studios to anyone seeking top-quality photography and videography to capture their most cherished moments.
Brianica D., a year ago
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Angela Mallett Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (23 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Essex, 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
From our first conversation, Angela was easy to get in touch with and answered all our questions right away. She helped us plan out our timeline so we knew exactly what to expect on the big day, which took so much stress off our shoulders. Angela has a gift for capturing different moments and angles that we didn't even know we wanted but absolutely love now. Her turnaround time for our photos was impressive, and we had our sneak peeks within days. What really stood out was how warm and personable she was while working—it felt like we had a friend behind the camera instead of just a photographer. We couldn't be happier with Angela Mallett Photography and would recommend her to anyone looking for someone who cares about getting it right.
McKinley C., 16 days ago
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Ashley Cynthia Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (23 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $5,500
  • Serves Essex, 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
I'm forever grateful for Ashley for perfectly capturing the best day of my life! Every time I look back at the photos and videos she took on our wedding day, I'm able to experience my dream coming true time and time again. Ashley made it so easy for us- from scheduling, poses, locations, and just always being ready- she made things so simple and stress free. She was professional in her skills, not only in taking beautiful photos but in adhering to the timeline and organizing family/group photos too! Her happiness and excitement is contagious and uplifts everyone around her. I HIGHLY recommend booking with Ashley!
Ashley D., a year ago
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Oury Memories 
Rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Essex, 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
We had an amazing experience with Grace, She made us feel comfortable during our session. She is very personable and easy to work with. We are grateful we found her to be apart of our special day! Would highly recommend.
Amber T., 2 years 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 Essex, 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
We had a great experience with Amative Creative for our wedding! One thing that really made them stand out was that they offer so many different editing styles to choose from, so we were able to pick exactly the look we wanted. They also got our photos back to us super quickly—about a week after the wedding—which was such a nice surprise. The photos turned out beautiful and they captured all the big moments and some great candid shots. I especially love how cool the dance floor shots turned out. We received tons of compliments on the pictures! Highly recommend!
Lily A., a year ago
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Mae Krell Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (15 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $10,000
  • Serves Essex, 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
Mae was an absolute joy to work with when my boyfriend surprised me with a proposal. From the very beginning, Mae's communication was clear, kind, thoughtful, and mindful - she truly made us feel special every step of the way. Her creative, high-quality, and unique photography captured all the special moments, including the exact moment my fiancé proposed. Mae's film-style approach gave our photos a truly special look and feel. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Mae Krell Photo to anyone looking for a talented and caring photographer who will go above and beyond to make your proposal/engagement/wedding day perfect.
Carla, 2 years ago
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Eric Turner Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hey there! I'm Eric, an outdoor-loving, laid-back wedding photographer based in the Midwest who lives for capturing those real, unfiltered moments that make each love story unique. When I'm not behind the camera, you'll probably find me hiking trails or discovering new local breweries. My approach blends documentary-style storytelling with a touch of editorial flair—meaning I'll capture both those candid laughs during toasts and those naturally romantic moments during golden hour. The best photos happen when couples feel completely at ease and free to be themselves.

Awarded Best of Zola
I’m someone who usually avoids being in photos and never let anyone, not even my partner, take pictures of me. But working with Eric completely changed that. Quinn and I were blown away by our photos. The entire experience felt effortless, like hanging out with a friend. Eric is incredibly laid-back and easygoing, which made the session so enjoyable. If you’re camera-shy or nervous about having your photo taken, I can’t recommend Eric enough. You won’t regret it.
Erin W., 2 years ago
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Willow + Rove Creative 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,900
  • Serves Essex, IA

At Willow + Rove Creative, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, we specialize in light and airy, documentary-style wedding photography that beautifully tells your love story. With a passion for capturing genuine moments, we create timeless images that reflect each couple’s unique essence. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, we ensure your personality shines through. We love to travel to stunning locations, including the Smoky Mountains, to craft unforgettable memories. Let us capture the joy of your special day in a way that feels authentic and true to you.

Awarded Best of Zola
We worked with Ashlyn for our wedding vow renewal and she was able to capture every idea that came to my head! She was all in and awesome to work with! Very easy going and easy to communicate with also! So happy we went with Willow & Rove to capture something so special to us!
Susy H., 2 years ago
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Birchfields 
Rating: 5.0 (11 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,700
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hi! My name is Steve. I do visual storytelling. I’m married with three kids and in my spare time I record music and build things. I've been filming and photographing weddings since 2009. I love travel and getting to know unique couples.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we reached out to Birchfields, their communication was quick, thorough, and sincere. Their attention to detail and ability to make us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera resulted in exceptional photographs that captured every special moment of our wedding day. Birchfields truly went above and beyond, taking unique angles and perspectives that allowed us to relive the entire day through their stunning imagery. When it’s hard to figure out which photo you want to print out and hang on the wall, you know you picked the right photographer! We could not be happier with the final product and would highly recommend Steve to any couple looking for a talented, professional, and personable wedding photographer.
Jeneca G., 2 years ago
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Captured By KP 
Rating: 5.0 (10 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Essex, IA
  • Offer

My passion for wedding photography stems from my love of storytelling. Weddings are filled with moments of joy, laughter, and love, and I believe in honoring every genuine connection and fleeting glance that happens throughout the day. Capturing the essence of bespoke weddings , master of transforming moments into timeless, breathtaking art. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling delivers evocative, stunning imagery of art. Being in Business for about a decade with over 300+ Wedding shot across the country.

Awarded Best of Zola
KP was a fantastic choice for our wedding photographer. From the initial consultation through the big day, their communication was excellent - they were always responsive, friendly, and helpful in answering our questions. On the wedding day, the photographers were true professionals, blending into the background to capture all the special moments without being intrusive. The final photos were absolutely stunning and exceeded our expectations. We couldn't be happier with the value and quality of service provided by KP. Highly recommend them to any couple looking for a talented, personable photography team for their wedding.
Heena B., a year ago
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Celestial Waves Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Essex, IA

Celestial Waves Photography, based in Wilmington, NC, is led by a paramedic with a passion for capturing life’s most cherished moments. We offer affordable, high-quality, and inclusive photography, specializing in family sessions, portraits, events, and weddings. With over five years of experience, we bring a unique perspective and care to every shoot. Let us help you turn your moments into timeless memories—book your session today!

Awarded Best of Zola
Celestial Waves Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From our very first interaction, the team was so helpful, sincere, and considerate, making the entire process of booking and planning so easy. On the day of, they were incredibly nice and flexible, capturing a stunning combination of posed and candid shots that perfectly documented all the special moments. The quality of their work is simply amazing, and we feel like we got an incredible bargain for the budget-friendly price. We are thrilled with the beautiful photos that will allow us to relive our wedding day for years to come.
Steve, 8 months ago
GemHidden gem
Melissa Cervantes Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Essex, IA

I have 12 years of photography experience, 9 years in the industry and have shot more than 200 weddings. Safe to say, this IS my passion. Couples and wedding photography can be SO stressful--the pressure to look and be a certain way or follow trends is INTENSE. Wedding stress is real and I am anti it all the way. For my couples, they're job is just to show up and have fun. I will do ALL the rest!

Awarded Best of Zola
Mel was everything we hope for more. It was important to us to book a photographer we felt connected with and who takes the time to get to know you as a couple before capturing one of the most special days of your life. From our engagement session to our wedding day, Mel delivered just that. Mel will go above and beyond to capture the photos of your dreams and works tirelessly to deliver your previews/galleries. Mel truly pours her heart and soul into her work and the photos speak for themselves!
Paula M., 2 years ago
GemHidden gem
Madison Michelle Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Essex, IA

Hi! I'm Madison, a Nebraska based Wedding + Traveling Photographer documenting the side of you that doesn't feel seen, while capturing the moments that typically go unnoticed. My promise is to make you feel the best version of yourself and capture you in a way your spouse sees you.

Awarded Best of Zola
Madison was such an incredible photographer and we couldn’t be happier with our experience! From the start, she was organized, responsive, and made the planning process feel effortless. We are pretty laid back and didn’t have a long list of must-have shots, but that turned out to be a gift because we were able to trust her creativity completely! She captured beautiful, authentic moments we’ll cherish forever, all with very little direction from us. On the wedding day, she was on time, efficient, and such a reassuring presence. She managed to capture everything perfectly and was especially kind and accommodating to our families. Throughout the entire process, Madison’s professionalism, warmth, and talent gave us complete confidence, and we’re so grateful we chose her. We would recommend her without hesitation! Thank you, Madison! 3
Erin M., 18 days ago
Peridot and Lace 
Rating: 4.9 (9 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Serves Essex, IA

With experience of over 200 weddings, Peridot & Lace is a wedding photography and videography team located in Central IA with. We have a team of 7 photographers and videographers ready to capture your most special day. From getting ready, to detail photos, ceremony, couple photos, reception and everything else a wedding entails - we truly love what we do and are so passionate about creating your photos and videos perfect to your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
Blake and I were so grateful we chose Peridot & Lace for our wedding photo and video team. Their staff is so on top of communication! They asked us all the photo/timeline questions we didn’t even know to ask, to best prepare months in advance for our wedding day. And were also quick to respond to any last minute requests/questions as the wedding day came closer. We worked with Kirsten for our engagement photos and on our wedding day- could not say enough kind words. She was detail oriented and had the best energy to keep us feeling relaxed and comfortable behind the camera. We were able to fully enjoy our wedding day with full confidence that the P&L team would get all the shots we wanted. We have hundreds of beautiful photos and great video coverage that perfectly captured us and the emotions of our wedding day. So glad we decided to include video in our package. Editing was super timely with getting sneak peaks the day after, as well as getting full photos and videos digitally not long after that. Would recommend P&L to any couples.
Haley, 2 months ago
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Captured By Chels 
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Essex, IA

I’m a photographer at heart! Whilst being a nanny for over 10 years, photography always took a back seat until I got married myself in 2024 and realized I wanted everyone to be able to afford beautiful photos to be able to remember their special day for years to come!

Awarded Best of Zola
Chelsey and the team at Captured By Chels were an absolute dream to work with for our wedding. From our very first conversation, Chelsey demonstrated a patient, communicative, and listening approach that immediately put us at ease. She was incredibly helpful in guiding us through the photography process and her reliability was unparalleled. Chelsey's artistic eye, creativity, and kind perspective shone through in the high-quality, beautifully composed photos she captured. She was discreet yet always present at the right moments, documenting not only the big highlights but also the little emotional and intimate details we may have missed on our own. Chelsey made us feel comfortable right from the start, and her exceptional organization ensured our wedding day unfolded seamlessly. We are thrilled with the stunning photos that now allow us to relive our special day, and we cannot recommend Captured By Chels highly enough.
Apolline P., a year ago