Amy Minikus Photo + Film

Weddings

Des Moines, Iowa Wedding Photographer

Editorial  ·  Cinematic  ·  Timeless

Check Your DateSee Pricing

★★★★★  5.0 on Google  ·  From $3,500  ·  Limited 2026 dates remaining

Editorial + Documentary

Wedding Photography

A wedding day is many things at once — tender and chaotic, rehearsed and completely unexpected. I'm not here to direct it. I'm here to watch it with you, and give you something honest to hold onto.

My approach is fine art — intentional artistry and unscripted emotion working together. I'm always present, always watching, shaping light when I can and stepping back when I need to. The result is images that look like they belong in a magazine and feel like they belong to you.

Every wedding is treated as a singular commission. I don't shoot multiple weddings per weekend. When I'm with you, I'm fully with you.

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, I serve couples across the Des Moines metro, throughout Iowa, and travel anywhere for destination weddings. Learn more about Amy.

Check Your DateView a Real Wedding

Two Ways of Seeing

The Art of Direction. The Beauty of Being Present.

Rylee and Gage holding each other after the ceremony, her bouquet of white roses at her side

Directed

Intentional composition, flattering light, gentle guidance.

Rylee laughing with her head back, the heart locket hanging from her bouquet and a bridesmaid throwing her flowers up behind her

Documented

Real emotion, captured without interruption.

Both from Rylee + Gage · Copperfield Terrace · Plainview, MN

Your wedding photographs should feel as extraordinary as the day itself, without you spending the whole celebration in front of a camera.

For portraits, I bring an editorial eye: intentional compositions, beautiful light and thoughtful guidance. When moments start to unfold on their own, I step back and document them as they happen.

The result is a gallery that feels both artfully curated and deeply personal. Every image shows how your day looked, and how it felt.

Kind Words

5.0 · Top Rated on Google

“Amy is your absolute best choice for your wedding! She goes with the flow, follows the itinerary and keeps you on track in the nicest and best way! She captures all the best moments. Having Amy at the wedding taking photos was something I would do 1000x over. She cares about your day almost as much as you do, gives you the honest answer and delivers every bit of what she says. We highly recommend!”

— Devon + Joshua · Wedding

“Thank you to Amy Minikus, who was able to capture some of the most perfect moments and some very raw emotions of our day. Amy, your talent through your photography and your ability to showcase more than a dress and suit are outstanding. Thank you again for capturing our day in a perfect time capsule.”

— Rebecca + Dave · Wedding

“We had so much fun during our engagement photos! Amy made us feel super comfortable, and the pictures turned out better than we could've imagined. We're so happy with them and would definitely recommend!”

— Morgan + Cooper · Engagement

Real Days, Real Conditions

Not every wedding gets perfect weather.

Rain, heat, wind, a dim reception room. A beautiful wedding gallery has nothing to do with luck. It comes from reading the light, adjusting quietly and keeping the day calm for you. Here are three real weddings where conditions were hard, delivered in full.

Gage walking the wet aisle in the rain, guests seated under umbrellas and the floral arch waiting ahead of him

Rain All Day

Rylee + Gage

Copperfield Terrace · Plainview, MN

Cold, wet and outdoors, with guests under umbrellas for the ceremony. Then a candlelit reception room. A gallery from a day that never once cleared up.

View the Gallery →
Kelsey crossing the grass toward the black Bel Air in her satin gown, her father holding the door open for her

Hottest Day of the Year

Kelsey + Michael

Family Farm · Owatonna, MN

Hard summer sun over open farmland, on land the family has worked for generations. A venue you can't rent, on a day with no second chances.

View the Gallery →
Rebecca and Dave's first kiss beneath bare branches, his arms around her and her veil catching the wind

A Storm Building

Rebecca + Dave

The Hidden Meadow + Barn · Pepin, WI

Wild May skies and wind catching the veil. The weather became part of the story instead of something to work around.

View the Gallery →
See All Five Real Weddings

The Experience

An experience designed around you.

01

Thoughtful Planning

It begins with a relaxed consult about your vision, your priorities and the moments that matter most. Once you book, your private client portal holds your wedding questionnaire and the photography timeline we build together.

02

Confident Direction

Gentle, intentional posing and an editorial eye for light and composition, so you look your best without feeling overly posed. Your engagement session doubles as a practice run.

03

Space to Be Present

When the day starts to unfold, I step back. I watch quietly and document what happens, so you can enjoy your celebration while the real moments are preserved.

04

A Lasting Collection

A same-day slideshow at your reception, then a thoughtfully edited gallery within six weeks: portraits, details and the emotion of the day. Prints and albums can be ordered any time.

Your Day, Protected

Nothing left to chance.

Backup Camera + Lighting

A second camera body, plus backup flash, lighting and batteries, at every wedding. If anything fails, the day doesn't stop.

Two Cards, Every Frame

My camera records every image to two memory cards at once, so a single card failure never costs you a moment.

Backed Up the Same Night

Before I sleep, your images are copied to two or more separate places.

One Wedding, Full Attention

No double-booking, ever. Every wedding gets my full creative energy, with no hourly limits. I stay from getting ready to the last dance.

Same-Day Slideshow

A curated sneak peek shown at your reception, while the day is still happening.

Gallery Within Six Weeks

Your full, hand-edited gallery arrives in a private online gallery within six weeks.

What Couples Ask Me

Honest answers, with proof.

“We’re awkward in photos.”

Most couples tell me that. I guide you gently, with simple, natural direction, never stiff posing. Your complimentary engagement session is a relaxed practice run before the wedding.

Engagement Sessions →

“Will you miss important moments?”

No double-booking, ever, and no hourly limits, so I'm there from getting ready through the last dance. See complete galleries, not just highlights.

Five Real Weddings →

“What if it rains?”

It rained all day at Rylee + Gage's wedding. The ceremony stayed outdoors, with guests under umbrellas, and they still have a gallery they love.

Rylee + Gage →

“Will our reception photos look good?”

Backup lighting comes to every wedding. You can see low light in the real galleries, from Rylee + Gage's candlelit reception room to Rebecca + Dave's first kiss under Edison bulbs.

Rebecca + Dave →

“Will our photos arrive on time?”

You'll see a sneak peek at your reception, and your full gallery within six weeks. Every image is on two cards and backed up the same night.

“Is the investment worth it?”

Full-day collections start at $3,500 and include unlimited hours, an engagement session, a same-day slideshow, a hand-edited gallery and a print release. Travel is always included.

See the Collections →

The Investment

Wedding Day

Your complete celebration — ceremony, portraits, cocktail hour, reception — documented from start to finish. Guest count doesn't change the experience.

Multi-Day Wedding

Multiple events across consecutive days — rehearsal dinners, extended timelines, destination weekends. Everything documented as one complete story.

Full Day

Starting at $3,500

  • —Full wedding day photography coverage
  • —No hourly limits — I stay for all of it
  • —Hand-edited images
  • —Complimentary engagement session
  • —Same-day slideshow at your reception
  • —Private online gallery
  • —Print release
  • —Six weeks to gallery delivery

Multi-Day

Starting at $5,500

  • —Full wedding day photography coverage
  • —Additional wedding event coverage
  • —Complimentary engagement session
  • —Hand-edited images
  • —Same-day slideshow at reception
  • —Private online galleries
  • —Print release
  • —Priority gallery delivery
  • —Up to 14 hours of coverage across two consecutive days
  • —Includes complimentary leather-bound wedding album

Add-Ons

Customize Your Day

  • —Second photographer ($1,000)
  • —Instant photo gallery ($175)
  • —Albums ($250–$500)
  • —Standard Prints ($25 / print)
  • —USB Gallery ($100)
  • —Priority gallery delivery ($250)
  • —Editorial bridal session ($500)

1 · Book a Consult

Send me your date and a few details, and I'll set up a relaxed video call — no pressure, no pitch, just a real conversation about your day.

2 · Get Your Custom Quote

I'll build your collection around your timeline, venue and guest count, so you only pay for the coverage you actually need.

3 · Reserve Your Date

A 25% retainer and signed contract hold your date. The remaining balance is due before your wedding day.

Book a Consult

I take a limited number of weddings each year — popular dates fill early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does your wedding photography cost?

Full-day wedding collections start at $3,500 and include a complimentary engagement session, a same-day slideshow at your reception, a hand-edited gallery and a print release. Multi-day weddings start at $5,500. Every collection is built around your timeline, venue and guest count. Book a consult and I'll put together a personalized quote.

How many weddings do you photograph per year?

I intentionally limit the number of weddings I take on each year so that every couple receives my full, undivided attention. No double-booking, ever.

Do you travel for destination weddings and elopements?

Yes — travel is part of what I do. From local Iowa venues to international destinations, I'll go wherever your story takes you.

When should I book my wedding photographer?

Most couples book 12–18 months in advance, especially for peak summer and fall dates in Iowa. I'd recommend reaching out as early as possible to secure your date.

Do you shoot engagement sessions?

Yes — engagement sessions are included with all wedding packages. Standalone sessions are also available starting at $600 for a Classic Session or $900 for an Adventure Session.

What happens on the consultation call?

It's a relaxed video call where we talk through your date, venue, timeline and what you want your photos to feel like. I'll send my Investment Guide beforehand so pricing is never a surprise, and there's no obligation to book.

How do I reserve my date?

A signed contract and a 25% retainer officially reserve your date — once that's in, your day is held for you and no one else. The remaining balance is due before your wedding.

When will we get our photos?

You'll see a curated sneak peek at your reception with the same-day slideshow. Your full, hand-edited gallery arrives in a private online gallery within six weeks.

Your Date

Your Story Deserves to Be Beautifully Remembered.

Your wedding is more than a collection of beautiful details. It's a celebration of your relationship, the people you love, and the moments you'll want to return to for years to come.

I'd love to hear what you're envisioning, and to explore how we can create photographs that feel unmistakably yours. Share your date and let's begin the conversation. No pressure, ever.

Check Your Date

Weddings from $3,500  ·  Engagement session included  ·  Iowa, Minnesota + beyond