Des Moines, Iowa | Summer Wedding | Emily & Jacob

Emily & Jacob are married!! I had such an amazing time shooting their wedding and hanging out with their awesome family and wedding party!! 

Sweet words about Emily and Jacob's love story 

from the bride | 

When I first met Jacob I knew he was a good one. He was kind and thoughtful and really listened to everything I had to say. Our first meeting was at a bar in Pella. He came up and started talking to me and then we danced the night away. Honestly with alcohol involved there isn’t much we remember. Jacob texted me the next day asking me on a date. We set it up and decided on going to a movie. We went to ‘The Intern’. It was a great movie but the conversation Jacob and I had for 5 hours afterward was even better. We stood in that movie parking lot and got to know one another. This conversation affirmed my opinion. Jacob was perfect. From then on our relationship moved fast, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We moved in together about 6 months in and this allowed us to know 100% that we could make it together forever. After 1.5 years together Jacob and I decided it was time to buy a house. We picked one and we were ready to move in, but first we had some painting to do. Jacob woke up early one morning and told me he was going for a run, but he actually headed over to our new house and painted some words on the wall. I had no clue this was going on. We arrived to the house before our families, who were coming to help us paint. Jacob told me he had something to show me upstairs. I opened the door to our soon to be bedroom and saw the words “I love you” .. so cute!! But then I turn around and see Jacob on one knee and the words “will you marry me” on the wall behind him... freaking adorbale! My heart melted and I managed to say yes and then we celebrated when our families arrived. It was perfect!!

I love his thoughtfulness and kindness. He truely and deeply cares about every person in his life. He is an amazing listener. He is also super weird and hilarious.

from the groom | 

Emily and I went to the same small college for three years together but it wasn't until after college that we met.  We were both back in Pella for Homecoming the year after Emily graduated.  Some friends and I were hanging out at the bar when Emily and her friends walked in.  Emily caught my eye right away due to how beautiful she is.  I was super nervous to go talk to her but I did and not too long after, we were on the dance floor for the rest of the night.  I'm sure it was an absolutely wonderful night but it was kind of a blur due to too much liquid courage. I could feel that she was special the first night I met her.  Our first official date was going to a movie ("The Intern") but it was what happened after the movie that made the night so memorable. We talked in the parking lot until 3:00 am getting to know each other.  I couldn't get enough of her and so we went on multiple dates soon after and took a couple trips to Chicago and Kansas City together.  Next thing we know, we were moving in together after 6 months of dating. It felt so good to live with my best friend and the person that I was in love with! We decided to buy a house after a year of living in our apartment.  Emily and I coordinated a paint day with our family members.  What Emily didn't know is that I had a little something extra up my sleeve (or in my back pocket) and a very important question for her.  I had painted a few words on our future bedroom walls that morning (I told her I was going on a 9 mile run for our half-marathon training). Right before our family got to our place, I told Emily I wanted to show her something upstairs. We walked into our bedroom and she saw the words, "I love you", on one wall.  When she turned around, I was down on one knee and the words, "Will you marry me?", were on the wall behind me.  I nervously said how much I loved her and asked her to be my wife and...... SHE SAID YES!

I love how caring and hard-working she is.  I love how outrageously beautiful she is.  I love how she always makes me smile and laugh.  I love how smart and thoughtful she is.  I love that she has such a passion to teach her first grade students.

If that doesn't melt your heart, I hope these photos do :) 

Enjoy!

Photographer |  Hannah Ampe Photography

Videographer | Grafted Film and Images

Florals | HyVee

Cake | Katie Kooienga 

DJ | MandM

Venue | West Des Moines Marriott

Hair & Makeup | Salon Vici

Dress | Bridal Boutique

Summer Iowa Wedding | McKenzie & Clayton

Clayton and McKenzie's wedding was perfect :) They got married at the Rose Garden in State Center, IA and had their reception at the lovely Gatherings in Nevada, IA. I could say so much about these people and this day, but I will let the photos speak for themselves on this one!

California Adventure Photography Session | Rosie + Joe

When in Malibu, hang out with super fun people and take their photos :)

Everything about this shoot was perfect! Rosie and Joe, the lighting, the FREAKIN' BEAUTIFUL landscape, there were dolphins. I mean come on!!! How can it get better than this???

I took these gorgeous photos on our US Road trip this Spring. I knew I would be traveling through California and wanted to shoot while I was there. So I asked my friend, Karlee if she knew anyone that could be my "models" for a photo shoot. So she introduced me to Rosie and Joe.

Sidebar | There are moments in life that you can look back and think how a small gesture, statement, good deed, or introduction can change everything. | It may seem dramatic for me to say that this shoot changed me, but it did. Everything was perfect. I was in my element. There was no pressure, no timeframe, and no worries. I was just shooting for the fun of it, and it brought me back to why I started this small little Minnesota photography business in the first place. I love it. I love capturing sweet moments and deep emotional connections between my couples. 

Rosie and Joe hadn't seen each other for a week before this shoot. So it gave them time to be intimate and for me to capture their longing love. 

I was nervous coming into this shoot because I had been shooting mainly landscapes for the past 6 months on my travels. I thought I would be rusty, and I was for the first few shots, but not long after my first shutter clicked, I was in the zone. I experimented with new poses, laughed with Rosie and Joe, and enjoyed a night at Point Dume in Malibu, California with Peter. 

It was a little treacherous getting down to the beach, and only like 5 parking spots, but once you crept down the 100+ steps, you were in another world. Full of dolphins, seals, a few questionable pot smokers, and the smell of sea water and sand. 

I will never forget or stop reliving this shoot. I hope to have millions more shoots like this in the future and will never again forget the feeling I get when I capture these special moments.

+ Here are a few of my favorites from Rosie and Joe's Malibu Photo Shoot

Location | Point Dume, Malibu, California

Red Dress | for love and lemons

Couple | Rosie & Joe

Why adventure engagement sessions are the best

A D V E N T U R E ;

the exploration of unknown territory

Why should you travel for your engagement session?

Well --

+ 1 It is a great excuse to explore a new place

            You are probably stuck at your fulltime job, with not a lot of time to travel, why not use a photography session as an excuse to explore a new place with your fiancé??

+ 2 Amazing & unique views

            A lot of couples go to the Stone Arch Bridge, or someplace like that, and don’t get me wrong, I love the Stone Arch Bridge!!  But there are a lot of the same photo with different people. Why not go somewhere different, where no one has taken photos before?? With beautiful views and amazing landscapes?

+ 3 It forces you to make your session more of a mini-vacay for a weekend instead of another check off the to-do list.

            Again, just take the time to enjoy life and make your photography session a little vacation. Even if it is just for a few days! Go to the Boundry Waters, or the North Shore, or the mountains, or the beach (please take me to the beach in winter!!)

+ 4 Use it as a de-stresser

            Everyone needs less stress in their lives. Have some fun and play hookie for a bit. Stop thinking about deadlines and to-do lists and have a great time with your fiancé and get it documented through photos :)

No?

ideas for locations for travel sessions:

+ Madeline Island, WI

+ Palisade Head, MN

+ Split Rock, MN

+ Duluth, MN

+ Chicago, IL

For the extra adventurous:

+ Hamptons

+ Napa Valley

+ Banff, Alberta 

+ Cannon Beach, OR

+ Yosemite Valley

+ Washington lavender fields in spring 

Meet Hannah: The Girl Behind The Camera

Since middle school I have always been behind a camera. I’d beg my mom to use her film camera and go on walks to take photos. Eventually, my amazing and generous parents gave me a Nikon D40 for Christmas my sophomore year of high school. I took photos of landscapes on my family’s summer vacations, and shot my willing friends (and honestly, what high school girl isn’t willing to add more photo to her Facebook page). Senior year rolled around and a few of my friends asked me to take their senior photos. They turned out great and I had such a fun time.

This was one of the first moments I decided I wanted to be a photographer. I continued getting better and took photography classes at school as elective credits. I even got the chance to take photography classes in Italy during my study abroad experience. Amazing is an understatement.

It wasn’t until I was in graduate school for environmental science that I started, at the time, Hannah Hoglund Photography. I asked my engaged friends if they would hire me to film or photograph their weddings. Most said no, or they already had photographers and videographers, but a few said heck yeah! So, I started off charging very little for my inexperienced eyes and ended up with beautiful photos and videos for my friends.

I learned soo much from those first few weddings and it only fueled my passion for creating beautiful photos and video and also making my clients happy. Happiness is contagious and I think deep down that’s why I love being a wedding photographer. Selfishly, I love shooting people in love because at the end of the day I come home with the biggest smile on my face. Sore feet, but the biggest smile! It is so uplifting and inspiring to see my beautiful clients having fun and engaging with their partners. I frequently come home to my husband and give him a huge hug. SO MUCH LOVE!!

Being a wedding photographer has taught me to always cherish the little moments, communication is key, and love always wins :) Three years later, I launched Hannah Ampe Photography and I can honestly say, as much as I have learned, I still have so much more to go!

If I am ever your wedding photographer, I will usually tear up at the ceremony, especially if you write your own vows, frequently tell a terrible joke while shooting, and always always capture your love and the moments that make your heart skip a beat. My end goal is to always make my clients feel special and give you spectacular photos that you can cherish forever.

So that’s my story. My journey hasn’t been simple, but doing what I love everyday is always a blessing :)

Intimate Iowa Summer Wedding | The Morks

Courtney and Patrick met at Iowa State University. Courtney was hooked as soon as she saw Pat's red hair at a sorority/fraternity event. They bonded over their faith, love of outdoors, and loving personalities.  Here are a few words from their hearts:

From Patrick

So fast and so unexpected- it was my freshmen year at Iowa State University and the girl of my dreams somehow stumbled into my life! She took my breath away. Her red hair glistened in the sun, she made me feel so loved, and her genuine kindness and gratitude beamed from her every day. We first met at my fraternity social and ever since, our relationship has bloomed into a strong selfless bond of love and friendship. 

Courtney has been by my side for 3 years and I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. I can’t wait to get married to this smart, beautiful woman, and I am excited for what lies ahead in our lives!

From Courtney

When I first met Patrick, it was attraction at first sight, at least on my part. He was wearing a tight t-shirt that showed all his muscles and what I noticed next drew me in completely—the red hair. Finally, someone who understood me! As I got to know him, everything from first impression began to rang true. He is smart, driven, goofy, thoughtful, and completely extraordinary.  

We had been dating about three years when he popped the question in December. Little did I know, he had the whole proposal planned out for a year—what a romantic! He had made me a book of dates for my 2014 Christmas present that was filled with creative ideas that would lead us on an adventure each month. As it turns out, each month’s date was strategically titled so that the beginning letter would eventually spell out “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” (Technically we were short an “L” and “R”, but I got the bigger picture). After all that planning and patience of waiting a whole year, how I could I say no? For real though, it was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me, and I appreciate the effort he puts into our relationship. I know, I got a great one!

As we plan for our wedding and future together, I feel jittery and anxious. I can’t wait to marry my best friend, and I can’t wait for you all to be a part of our big day!

How sweet is that ??

So on their last date of 2015, on a cold winter night, Pat took Courtney to the Campanile at Iowa State (Peter and I were hiding in the bushes to take photos). Not only did Pat create this book to plan dates a year in advance, but Pat knew he wanted to marry Courtney and waited a year to make it the most memorable and romantic proposal EVER. 

Courtney and Pat have been friends of mine since college and bravely chose me as their wedding photographer for their outdoor summer wedding. I was so honored and so nervous, as it was my first solo wedding, but it was everything I dreamed about and it was even better being able to capture my own friends wedding day. They had a small intimate wedding in Hampton, Iowa at a cute BnB. The corn was high, the air was moist, and the sky was a perfect overcast. Looking back, it is all a beautiful blur. It went by so fast, but what I do remember is a lot of love, wonderful friends, and small thoughtful touches. Pat wrote a song for Courtney and performed it at the ceremony. I definitely cried... It was so beautiful and is such a testament to their love. 

Please enjoy a few photos from their wedding day.