Iowa Destination & Elopement Photographer

Co-creating a meaningful experience that’s designed around your individual the story.

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You deserve a custom wedding experience tailored to best represent you.

It’s not just about photos; it’s about you feeling seen and celebrated.

No cookie-cutter poses here—just authenticity and creativity.

“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 O

Photography Portfolio

Meet Your Destination Wedding Photographer

***Hi, my name is Mike!***
I’m an **Iowa-based elopement and destination wedding photographer**, born to roam and passionate about capturing extraordinary love stories that break tradition.
I specialize in creative wedding and elopement photography for couples who want a fun, meaningful, and unforgettable experience.
Your story deserves more than documentation, it’s a celebration of who you are.
*I'm here to capture every authentic moment.* Whether you’re saying “I do” in Iowa or planning an adventurous destination wedding,
From helping you plan your unforgettable adventure to capturing the moments that matter most, my goal is to ensure your wedding or elopement feels genuine, timeless, and true to you.

Meet me

Photography Portfolio

Investment

How does an elopement work?

Standing Out with Confidence

We'll start by getting to know each other, getting a clear vision of what makes you and your vision yours. This stage is all about delving into your story, personality, and aspirations to ensure we create the images that best represents you and the story you want to tell.
Leading up to your session, I’ll serve as your personal guide and resource, providing planning assistance, expert tips, location scouting, and everything you need to make your day run smoothly.
If you love your final photos but don’t enjoy the experience behind them, I haven’t done my job! My goal is to make you feel comfortable, confident, and natural during your session.
I guide you with prompts and direction to bring out genuine expressions that reflect your personality, ensuring the final images capture your story authentically.
Beyond photography, my goal is to build a connection that lasts well beyond your wedding day. I aim to create a friendship and support system you can rely on for years to come. My service doesn’t end with delivering your images. I’m dedicated to providing guidance, support, and a trusted partnership throughout your journey.

Take the first step

Testimonials Celebrating Memorable Moments

80+ Five Star Google Reviews!

Kind words from couples like you

“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
“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
“Mike is a top-notch professional and a remarkable artist with immense creativity and attention to detail. He is very knowledgeable about the fundamentals 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
“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
“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 puts everyone at ease instantly. He went to great lengths to ensure he talked with us as the couple ahead of each pivotal part of the wedding planning process, and his questionnaires to focus on our vision really helped us love everything about our wedding day.
Kessel's pictures speak for themselves - they're amazing! We love soooo many of the special moments he and team captured But what really sets Kessel apart from other photographers is the care he'll put into making sure your wedding is everything you've imagined it being. He told us during planning "your photographer is with you through all the most intimate parts of your wedding day" and that's no joke- from pictures of my mom helping me get into my dress, to the first look with my husband, to our last 'secret' dance once the venue was cleared, he was there, and helping to keep us stress free and enjoying the day.
Addi + Jeff