Personalized wedding experiences celebrating what makes you unique

Cheers to crafting your unique love story!

Each and every relationship is unique.

Whether local, regional, or destination, your wedding experience should be just as memorable as you are.

Let's get started!

bride popping champaign with bridesmaids celebrating

Bride and groom at magnolia omaha old market

Fireworks at wedding with bride and groom

Bride getting ready portrait dark and moody

couple kissing silhouette in mountain landscape

tattooed alternative couple holding hands

Groom Kissing brides hand in Kansas city

bridal portrait creative double exposure

Sioux Falls Wedding Party at Icon Event Hall

wedding dress hanging on cabin in the woods

tattooed hipster couple cutting cake with a sword at wedding reception celebration

Grand Tetons destination elopement in front of lake and mountain

bride and groom walking in front of grand teton mountain range

Bride and groom gazing at mountain range in Colorado

private vows double exposure with bride and groom

couple kissing on a cliff during elopement

Endless possibilities, Stress Free Planning

Navigating the vast array of possibilities for your wedding should feel fun not overwhelming.

You want to prioritize the artistic elements that reflect your personalities while ensuring a fun and stress-free celebration.

I get it!

I am here every step of your wedding journey, as a friend and resource to collaborate in crafting a day and a story for you to look back on that best represents you and your partner’s remarkable connection.

Discover the possibilities!

You deserve someone who gets you, your vibe, your quirks, and your vision for a day that's authentically yours.

My goal is to arrive as not just your photographer but as a friend on your journey. Getting to know you personally is more than a formality; it's the cornerstone of the experience I aim to create. Taking the time to understand your unique story is what allows us to have fun crafting an experience that authentically represents you

Let's connect!

All the fun and excitement of planning without the stress

Let's transform this confusion into clarity and excitement.

Instead of feeling lost in the endless options, picture this: together, we'll curate an experience that's a perfect reflection of your unique bond. No more uncertainty about how to prioritize your artistic vision while ensuring a stress-free planning process.

You can relax knowing that I'm here to be your guide and resource throughout the planning process ensuring that every decision aligns with your desires.

Let's design our day!

How do we make this happen?

Personal Connection

As your photographer, I understand that we will share some of life's most significant moments together—and that can be vulnerable.
My goal isn't to arrive as a stranger but to be a friend on your journey. Getting to know you personally is more than a formality; it's the cornerstone of the experience I aim to create. Taking the time to understand your unique story allows us to have fun facilitating an exciting & memorable wedding experience
Artistic Integrity

Your love story is far from ordinary, and so should your photos be.
I'm here to capture YOUR extraordinary –from tuxedos and tattoos to gowns and getaways, no two love stories are alike, and I'm all about tailoring your photo experience to reflect the authentic, unapologetic YOU with art that stands out from the crowd.
Empathetic Guidance

Planning your wedding shouldn't be a stress-filled, rushed process full of cookie-cutter options.
Instead, it should be an unfolding adventure where both of you revel in being yourselves. Together we'll craft an experience where both of you revel in being completely yourselves with the person you love most.

Start our journey!

Meet Your Photographer

Hi, I’m Mike!

I can’t wait to talk to you about your vision for your big day!

You may have noticed by now, I’m not a cookie cutter photographer. I’m a has-been musician, artist by nature, & photographer by trade. I’m a travel junkie, dog-lover, & adventure seeker. I specialize in immortalizing the extraordinary love stories of couples who break the mold.

Having grown up as a black sheep myself, I understand the beauty and significance of individuality. I’m a lover of all things weird and untraditional. Give me a reason to push the boundaries and try something new or out of the box and I’m in!

Mike Kessel owner and photographer at kessel kreations

80+ Five star Reviews

Kind words from couples like you

If you want someone who will take you through the process, send you step-by-step guides for success, come to a different state, and capture everything perfectly, Mike is your photographer. I could not be happier with everything we received for both engagement and wedding photos.
Shelby + Andrew
“Mike did our engagement and wedding photos!! We just received the gallery from our wedding and let me just say, AH-MAZING work!!! He captured things I would have never even thought of and I’m so glad he did!! He seriously went above and beyond during the whole process! Hands down his work is one of the best, I highly recommend him!! Thanks Mike and team for capturing the best memories we could ask for!”
Cassy + Matt
“We hired Mike for a destination elopement and couldn't be happier with the results. I'm a photographer myself, making choosing someone to capture my wedding much more difficult. Mike was and is an excellent communicator and professional in every aspect. He took a ton of notes on what we wanted, sat down with us to make sure we had as much of a plan as you can make on a wedding day and made it seem simple and straightforward the whole time.”
Seth + Cece
“Every interaction has been amazing. Mike is detailed, communicates well, puts you at ease during your shoot, and really works with you to let your true self come through. I can't recommend Kessel Kreations enough. There is insane value that you're getting from Mike paired with such high results.”
Jeff + Natali
“Mike at Kessel Kreations was professional, kind, and made our experience fun! We are located in Colorado Springs, CO. The beautiful scenery of the rocky terrain paired with Mike's awesome photography skills left us speechless when we recieved our photos. We are very happy.”
Sharae + Mike
“We hired Mike to capture our wedding day and he blew us away! He was very kind and professional, he had great suggestions for our shoot, and the end result was breathtaking! He was very easy to work with and responded immediately when we reached out to him and was happy to accommodate us in any way possible. 10/10 highly recommend Kessel Kreations for all of your photography needs!”
Brant + Tenise
He had a booklet with tips and tricks that covered pretty much any question you could have. And he was always available for questions if he wasn’t answering them before I could even ask. I don’t know what I was expecting to see, but the photo results were better than I could have imagined. It felt like the wedding day was a fairytale. I didn’t see all the stress I went through that day, I just saw all the love and happiness. I rarely like how I look in photos but I felt beautiful in these. I’ll treasure these photos forever.
Mariah + Dom
“Mike is a top-notch professional and a remarkable artist with immense creativity and attention to detail. He is very knowledgeable about the fundamentals of videography and he captured our day so beautifully, all single-handedly as a one-man band! We are sooooooo thankful and happy that we chose Kessel Kreations for our wedding! Thank you so much for the beautiful work that you do and sharing it with us!!!”
Jetske + Rueben

Check Out 80+ Five Star Google Reviews

Wedding Collections

How a couple chooses to celebrate their wedding day can look many different ways. You deserve an experience tailored to your dream day!

We all have a unique story to tell.

Let’s write yours today!

**Destination Collections**

*My curated collection of destination elopement & intimate wedding packages ensure that your special day is everything you've envisioned, no matter where your dreams take you.*
**Free consultation**
→ *Free consultation so we can get to know each other, talk through your vision, and make sure we’re a great fit for your day.*

**Half day to Full Weekend Coverage**
→ *As much coverage as you need so you never have to choose between your favorite moments. I’ll be there for it all.*

**Timeline creation**
→ *Custom timeline creation so your day flows smoothly and you can stay present, knowing every moment has its place.*

**Location scouting & permit assistance**
→ *Location scouting and permit assistance so you can focus on celebrating while I handle the details behind the perfect setting.*

**Sneak peek photos within 1 week**
→ *Sneak peek photos within 1 week so you can relive the excitement and share those first few memories right away.*

**Professional editing & retouching**
→ *Professional editing and retouching so every image reflects the true emotion and beauty of your day.*

**Personalized online gallery**
→ *Personalized online gallery so you can easily view, download, and share your photos with loved ones anywhere.*

**Digital rights release**
→ *Full digital release so you have complete access to download, share, and preserve your photos however you choose.*

**Travel included**
→ *Travel included anywhere within the U.S. so there are no hidden fees or surprises. Just simple, transparent pricing*
*I will capture your love story anywhere in the world! Reach out for a comprehensive quote tailored to your chosen destination. Unsure about where to say 'I do'?*
*I’m here to assist in finding the ideal location to exchange your vows!*
`International Investment starting at $5000`
`Anywhere in the U.S. Investment starting at $4000`

View Elopement Collections

**Regional Collections**

*Explore thoughtfully selected regional wedding packages, ensuring your special day mirrors your envisioned perfection, no matter the distance.*
**All Packages Include:**
**Free consultation**
→ *Free consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss your vision, and make sure we’re the right fit for your wedding day.*

**4-12 hours of coverage**
→ Full day *coverage of your full wedding day to make sure getting ready through your reception is captured without missing a moment.*

**1-2 Photographers**
→ Second photographer options so we can capture both perspectives, candid moments, from multiple angles and allows me to stay focused on you while ensuring we don’t miss any of the small, spontaneous moments happening elsewhere.

**Personalized online gallery**
→ *Personalized online gallery so you can easily view, download, and share your photos with friends and family anywhere.*

**Digital rights release**
→ *Full digital a rights so you can view, download, and share your photos however you like.*

**Travel included**
→ *Travel included so there are no hidden fees or surprises. Just simple, transparent pricing*
**Some Collections include bonus engagement session & other add-ons**
→ Engagement session to get comfortable in front of the camera, celebrate your story, and capture photos for Save the Dates or your wedding website.
Investment starting at $3400

Schedule a consultation!

**Local Collections**
*(Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, & surrounding areas)*

*Where unforgettable weddings await within a 2-hour radius of our home base in Iowa. Our handpicked selection of local wedding packages ensures that your special day is everything you've envisioned.*
**All Packages Include:**
**Free consultation**
→ *Free consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss your vision, and make sure we’re the right fit for your wedding day.*

**4-12 hours of coverage**
→ Full day *coverage of your full wedding day to make sure getting ready through your reception is captured without missing a moment.*

**1-2 Photographers**
→ Second photographer options so we can capture both perspectives, candid moments, from multiple angles and allows me to stay focused on you while ensuring we don’t miss any of the small, spontaneous moments happening elsewhere.

**Personalized online gallery**
→ *Personalized online gallery so you can easily view, download, and share your photos with friends and family anywhere.*

**Digital rights release**
→ *Full digital a rights so you can view, download, and share your photos however you like.*

**Travel included**
→ *Travel included so there are no hidden fees or surprises. Just simple, transparent pricing*
**Some Collections include bonus engagement session & other add-ons**
→ Engagement session to get comfortable in front of the camera, celebrate your story, and capture photos for Save the Dates or your wedding website.
Investment starting at $3000

Schedule a consultation!

**Engagement Sessions**

Your engagement session is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other a little better and allows you to get to know my workflow and posing so you can be more comfortable on your special day. Plus, you can use the photos for Save the Dates, wedding websites, and more!
**All Packages Include**
**Free consultation**
→ *Free consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss your vision, and make sure we’re the right fit for your engagement session*

**Up to 1-2 hours of coverage**
→ Coverage Options so that you can relax, explore, and capture a mix of candid and naturally posed moments.

**Up to 3 locations**
→ I’ll help scout locations that fit your personalities, whether it’s a sentimental spot, a favorite hangout, or somewhere new that matches your vision.

**Professional editing & retouching**
→ Every image is hand-edited for natural color, tone, and detail to bring out the best in every photo.

**30-50 high-resolution digital edits**
→ A curated gallery of your best images, fully retouched and ready for print, social media, or save-the-dates.

**Personalized online gallery**
→ A private, easy-to-use gallery for viewing, downloading, and sharing your photos. Including print order directly from your gallery sent to a professional lab and ship directly to your doorstep

**Digital photo release**
→ Digital rights to download and share your images however and wherever you’d like.
`Investment starting at $500`
**(Ask about packaging your wedding and engagement photos together for a discounted rate!)**

Reach out to schedule a consultation!

Your wedding day should be (and I can’t stress this enough)…

Whatever you want it to be!

I thrive with all of the unique, weird, & alternative couples. Life is more fun when you show up as who you are authentically and try new things.

If your vision for your day doesn’t fit into the packages listed above, I would love to hear about it!

**Add-Ons & Customized Collections Available**

A simple, stress-free process from initial inquiry to grand exit!

A consultation is an important first step to ensure I arrive, not as a hired hand but also a friend, so that you can have the best experience possible.
During the consultation we'll talk about how you envision your perfect day and what we can do to make that a reality. We will get to know each other, make sure we are a great fit, establish expectations, discuss specific requests, and answer any questions you may have.
As soon as you submit your contract, your date is secured on my calendar, and you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you just found your wedding photographer!
As soon as you book you will receive my in depth wedding planning guide available only to Kessel Kreations clients.
During the months leading up to your wedding, I’ll act as a personal guide, offering vendor recommendations, tips and tricks, and more.
The big day has finally arrived. It’s going to be great!
I’ll get to your venue early to scout out the layout and lighting. Throughout the day I will keep track of time to ensure all your important events are captured, guide you on posing and creating natural, relaxed moments, catch all the in between candid moments you might not have noticed yourself, all while offering support and comfort.
Thanks to all the planning and prep we’ve done, you can simply relax and enjoy the moment while I do my thing!
You will receive a sneak peak gallery with highlight from your with within one week of your wedding. Your full personalized gallery will be delivered in 4-8 weeks.

Let's Get Started!

Custom Wedding Collections for couples that don’t fit the mold!

I'll say it again (because it's true): your big day is about creating your dream day, your way. If my standard collections don't quite match your vision, we've got endless options. I refuse to confine your day with limitations; let's explore all possibilities together.