Des Moines, Iowa › Wedding Photographers › McClanahan Studio
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About McClanahan Studio
Couples planning a Des Moines wedding will find McClanahan Studio among the Ames area's wedding photographers. Beyond wedding photographers, the business also offers wedding videographers — a range that can simplify vendor coordination. As verified reviews arrive from couples who booked here, they will appear on this page — and they are the only thing that moves a Lazo Score.
Verified reviews
No reviews yet. Only couples who book McClanahan Studio through Lazo can leave one, and it’s the only thing that moves a Lazo Score.
Frequently asked questions
Planning a wedding photographer in Des Moines
How much does a wedding photographer cost in Des Moines?
Most couples in Des Moines budget between $1,500 and $3,500 for wedding photography. Packages at the lower end typically cover 6–8 hours with one shooter; higher tiers add a second shooter, engagement sessions, and albums. Always confirm exactly how many hours and edited images are included.
When should we book our wedding photographer?
Photographers with strong reputations are commonly booked 9–14 months ahead — earlier for peak-season Saturdays. If your date is inside six months, ask about waitlists and cancellations; openings do appear.
What should we ask before booking?
Ask to see two full galleries from real weddings (not highlight reels), confirm who will actually shoot your wedding, and get delivery timelines and image counts in the contract.
How does Lazo rank wedding photographers in Des Moines?
Rankings come from the Lazo Score — verified reviews weighted for recency — and are never sold. Vendors without verified reviews yet start at the community baseline of 65 and earn their score as verified reviews arrive.
Wedding venues near McClanahan Studio
| Venue | Distance |
|---|---|
| Ames Elks Lodge | 0.1 mi |
| The Parlor | 0.3 mi |
| Reiman Gardens | 1.7 mi |
Straight-line distance from McClanahan Studio to each venue listed on Lazo.
Des Moines weddings, month by month
Days typically top out between 65° and 85° in May, June, August, September. The driest months are January, February, December.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Golden hour | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31° | 14° | 11% | 4:26 PM | 5:09 PM |
| Feb | 36° | 18° | 14% | 5:09 PM | 5:48 PM |
| Mar | 49° | 30° | 16% | 6:44 PM | 7:21 PM |
| Apr | 62° | 41° | 25% | 7:17 PM | 7:55 PM |
| May | 72° | 52° | 27% | 7:47 PM | 8:27 PM |
| Jun | 82° | 62° | 25% | 8:08 PM | 8:50 PM |
| Jul | 86° | 66° | 20% | 8:06 PM | 8:47 PM |
| Aug | 84° | 64° | 21% | 7:35 PM | 8:13 PM |
| Sep | 77° | 55° | 17% | 6:47 PM | 7:23 PM |
| Oct | 63° | 43° | 15% | 5:55 PM | 6:33 PM |
| Nov | 48° | 30° | 14% | 4:12 PM | 4:54 PM |
| Dec | 36° | 20° | 11% | 4:00 PM | 4:45 PM |
Average highs, lows and the share of days with 0.1″ of rain or more, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals at Des Moines International Airport (3.9 mi from Des Moines). Golden hour begins when the sun is 6° above the horizon; both times are for the 15th of each month in Des Moines.
Getting to Des Moines
| Airport | Distance | Est. drive |
|---|---|---|
| DSM Des Moines International Airport | 4 mi | 5 min |
| FOD Fort Dodge Regional Airport | 73 mi | 1 hr 50 min |
| ALO Waterloo Regional Airport | 92 mi | 2 hr 20 min |
| City | Distance | Est. drive |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 179 mi | 3 hr 40 min |
| Minneapolis | 235 mi | 4 hr 50 min |
| St. Louis | 273 mi | 5 hr 40 min |
| Milwaukee | 309 mi | 6 hr 20 min |
Straight-line distance from central Des Moines; drive times are estimates, not routes. Airports with scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports.
Details
- Based in
- 208 5th St Ste 302, Ames, IA 50010, USA
- Where
- Ames · 30 miles north of central Des Moines
- Listed under
- Wedding Photographers · Wedding Videographers
- In Des Moines
- One of 112 wedding photographers we list · 4 within 3 miles
- Phone
- (515) 290-6606
- Website
- Visit site
From McClanahan Studio's website
“Phenomenally authentic portrait photography in Ames, Iowa. Family portraits, High school seniors, weddings, and commercial photography.”mcclanahanstudio.net
- Services they list
- Heirloom albums
- In business since
- 2016
Read from mcclanahanstudio.net in October 2026. Prices and services change; confirm with McClanahan Studio before you book. Is this your business? Claim the page to write your own.
Around Ames
- Nearest venue
- Ames Elks Lodge, 0.1 mi
- Venues within 10 mi
- 12 wedding venues
- Wedding Photographers nearby
- 4 within 3 mi, 5 within 10
- Guest hotels
- 25 within 5 mi
- Communities served
- Gilbert
Distances are straight-line from McClanahan Studio; counts come from the businesses and venues Lazo lists around Des Moines.
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