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Weddings

About

We are Dan and Alex McClanahan, husband/wife duo and international award-winning wedding photographers. We have photographed over 100 weddings together. We work seamlessly with complimentary eyes that capture a full palette of intimate moments, details and artistic portraits. We know that every couple’s chemistry is unique and we aim to dignify that with incredible imagery.

Fun Fact: we've been named the best wedding photographers in Iowa 4x and received the Grand Imaging Award for best wedding album in the country from the Professional Photographers of America!

Wedding bookings are limited to 6 weddings/year. Contact the studio to see full wedding album samples.

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Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

2nd Shooter
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
Toning
Digital Files

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

2nd Shooter
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
Toning
Digital Files

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Natural
Photojournalism
Traditional

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
Second Shooter
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Prints

Reviews of McClanahan Studio

KChristianson
Kaylyn Sent on 04/08/2011
5 out of 5 rating
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day than my wedding day! Dan and Alex made my day even more special by capturing the emotions of the day that i will forever cherish! Thier approach to wedding photography is non stressful and actually fun! We have had tons of compliments on our photos and I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone. And its a bonus that they are just great people :-)
E
Emily Sent on 04/07/2011
5 out of 5 rating
There is absolutely no reason to give McClanahan Studio anything less than 5 out of 5 in every category. Not only are Dan and Alex one of the most fun couples you'll ever meet, they are professional, courteous and VERY talented.

When my husband and I got engaged, we knew immediately that we wanted McClanahan Studio to take our engagement photos. Although we live in Kansas City, we knew that we wanted to take our engagement pics in Ames, Iowa, where we first met (and where McClanahan Studio is based). Dan and Alex were busy planning and moving into a new studio, but were happy to set that aside and schedule a shoot with us. Flexibility: check.

In our very, very early wedding planning stages, we researched a few photographers; neither of us had planned such a big event before and had no idea what photography prices were. After only a very short time of researching, we knew that McClanahan Studio would give us a massive bang for our buck. We LOVED our engagement photos, and the technique and art that the Studio put into each shot was exactly our style. Plus, working with a super fabulous duo like Dan and Alex gave me no doubts about the high quality photography we were going to get. Value for Cost: check.

When the big day finally rolled around, I (thankfully) had very little to worry about. One of the last things on my mind was photography - I already knew that was going to be perfect. Dan and Alex were super sleuth throughout the entire ceremony, capturing every single second that I wouldn't remember. When the ceremony ended and it was time to take family photos, we had about a 23 minute window to capture both of our extended families. Sure enough, when we came back into the church, Dan and Alex were ready and waiting, with a complete shot list and total knowledge of which family members needed to be on the altar and when. Professionalism: check.

Like I said, we had very little stress on our wedding day - our families were great and supportive throughout the entire engagement, and every single one of our friends was by our side the entire time. Even the McClanahan's were excited and thrilled for us and our celebration. During the planning process, Dan and Alex seemed to always be one step ahead of me, answering my questions before I even asked them. They even drove to Minneapolis the night before the wedding to research photo opp spots. I always felt that they were just as excited for our wedding day as we were! Responsiveness: check.

If I could give McClanahan Studio 10 out of 5 for Quality of Service, I would still give them a 12. They were a blast to work with on our wedding day - they found amazing places to take our photos, and they made each photo fun. Really fun. Several weeks after our wedding, when our new bedding was in place, and new pots and pans tucked away in their cubbards, I got an email from McChalanan Studio. I saw it at about 10pm. I knew what it was. My husband and I satyed awake for at least two more hours looking through every single one of our breathtaking photos. We couldn't believe how beautiful everything turned out. They even captured the details that I took so long to plan and decor that my sister and I hand crafted - the little things that I forgot to look for! Best of all, they captured every ounce of love that I have for my husband, and every ounce of love he has for me. Quality of Service: double check.
S
Samantha Sent on 04/06/2011
5 out of 5 rating
Dan and Alex McClanahan were professional, respectful and most importantly fun! They made our wedding day unforgettable and were one of the major reasons our day turned out perfect. They made us (and our wedding party) feel comfortable, so it was easy to smile and enjoy the day. Our friends and family continue to comment on how "nice and great people" they are.

We had a great time and are still amazed at the shots they captured - telling our wedding day story through the special and beautiful moments that cannot always be captured on film. Somehow they pulled it off! When I think back to our wedding, I'm so grateful we chose them for such an important day in our lives.

Kudos to McClanahan Studio for a job well done!
E
Emily Sent on 10/08/2010
5 out of 5 rating
Dan and Alex are absolutely wonderful. They are not your typical wedding photographers and bring fun new ideas. They treat your wedding like it is special and unique =) We were referred to them from a friend and we recommend them to everyone we know getting married!
K
Katherine Sent on 08/25/2010
5 out of 5 rating
McClanahan Studio did our engagement and wedding photos. We couldn't be happier with the outcome! They took care of all the details and made the photography process super easy. They are super talented and artistic... you will get photos that you never could have imagined!

I highly recommend Dan & Alex McClanahan to anyone with photography needs.
J
Josie Sent on 08/23/2010
5 out of 5 rating
Dan and Alex were a blast to work with on our wedding day! They had so many fun ideas set up for pictures for us, but were also flexible if they saw something else they thought would be really unique too. They came from out of town and scouted out the area the night before and found places in my hometown that I didn't even know about that were absolutely beautiful! Our guests even noticed how professional Dan and Alex were during the wedding, as we had several of them come up to us during the reception to tell us how impressed they were with them. They managed to get a lot of great shots without being distracting during the ceremony. They really understand how weddings work, and helped us have a great time taking pictures on an extremely hot and potentially stressful day. You spend the majority of your day with your wedding party and your photographers, so it's important to hire people that are going to make it fun. Dan and Alex made taking pictures on a jungle gym in 100 degree weather a blast! We would highly recommend them!
T
Taiwo Sent on 08/20/2010
5 out of 5 rating
I have gotten so many compliments on my wedding photos. They're fun modern and really reflex my husband and I's personalities.
wjfunkhouser
Whitney Sent on 07/07/2010
5 out of 5 rating
Having McClanahan Studio take our wedding pictures was one of the best decisions we made when planning our wedding. They took the stress out of the day by being well planned and flexible for our schedules. It was worth every penny and we still get compliments on our wedding pictures all the time. I have referred my friends and family to them and will continue to do so.
R
Shanen Sent on 06/23/2010
5 out of 5 rating
Dan and Alex were a pleasure to work with. They were incredibly creative and we have the pictures to prove it. They captured the genuine, honest emotions of our entire wedding and made everyone feel comfortable and at ease. Hiring them was the best money we spent for our wedding. I highly, highly recommend them to anyone looking for a friendly, unique photographer. You won't be disappointed. Plus, on top of how wonderful our pictures were they were so much fun to work with (more like hang out with) the day of our wedding.
E
Elizabeth Sent on 06/14/2010
5 out of 5 rating
This dynamic duo is the best wedding photography team ever! They deliver such unique wedding portraits and they are also fantastic people! They are based out of Ames, IA, but it is worth taking them with you wherever you wedding is; they are that great.
Find them at www.mcclanahanstudio.com

you won't be disappointed!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

12
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Huffaker Photography, LLC Huffaker Photography, LLC Wedding Photographers

McClanahan Studio is one of the very few studios that we will refer customers to when we are not able to cover a wedding for whatever reason. These guys are awesome, and their creativity will help make your day super special.

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McClanahan Studio frequently asked questions

McClanahan Studio includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • Toning
  • Digital Files
McClanahan Studio includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • Toning
  • Digital Files
McClanahan Studio offers the following photography styles:
  • Contemporary
  • Natural
  • Photojournalism
  • Traditional
McClanahan Studio offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • Second Shooter
  • Wedding Portraits
McClanahan Studio offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Prints
McClanahan Studio is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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