A bride and groom walk hand in hand down the aisle of an outdoor wedding setup with empty chairs on each side, surrounded by trees. The photo is in black and white.

Two women, dressed in elegant attire, are touching foreheads and smiling at each other at a wedding reception. One woman is in a white, sparkly wedding dress with her hair in an updo, and the other in a black suit with a flower boutonniere, holding a

A bride holding a bouquet of pink, peach, and purple flowers, surrounded by greenery, in a wedding setting.

Emotional Photography

Bold,

Honest,

that lets you relive moments you never want to forget

Based in Des Moines • Serving Iowa, the Midwest, & Beyond

A bride and groom standing closely together outdoors on a green lawn, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. The groom is embracing the bride from behind, both with gentle, affectionate expressions.

A woman with shoulder-length curly hair, wearing a black pinstripe blazer over a black top and a delicate necklace, smiling at the camera in a dimly lit room with string lights on the ceiling.

Group of five children sitting outdoors on fall leaves, smiling at the camera, wearing jackets and colorful clothing.

A group of nine women and one man standing outside in front of a wooden building with large glass windows, all smiling, dressed casually in black tops and jeans or leggings.

A happy couple on their wedding day, embracing outside a building with brick walls and flower beds.

Corporate

My husband & I cannot recommend Amanda enough. She is sweet, personable but also so fun! We found ourselves chatting and laughing even after our session ended! Love the authentic pictures she takes as they show so much love. Highly recommend!

—Cait Anderson
Amanda has such a gift for finding the perfect shots, and our wedding video was everything we could have hoped for and more. At the end of the night, everyone joked that I looked like an actress finally getting married — that’s how cinematic and high-quality her photos and videos are. She is truly AMAZING!

—Kristina Cook
We’ve worked with Amanda a few times and she has been so great to work with! She’s flexible, helpful, and so kind. Her photos are timeless and gorgeous. We will definitely be working with her in the future!

—Jade & Ivy Events

A woman with short brown hair smiling, wearing a cream lace top and maroon jacket, sitting on a brown couch with a cream throw blanket and a dark green background.

A woman with short brown hair, tattoos on her right arm, wearing a brown sleeveless top and blue jeans, standing and smiling in front of a large brick wall with the word 'FOOD PRIZE' carved into it.

A woman with short brown hair and tattoos on her arm is standing next to a bed, taking a photo with a camera. She has a focused expression, wears a brown sleeveless top and black pants, and has a black fanny pack. A colorful bouquet, sunglasses, and a plastic container are on the bed. The background includes a dark wood headboard, a gold-framed mirror, and a lamp.

Hey there!

I'm Amanda, the Des Moines photographer behind Sweet Story Photography, and I believe in the power of visual storytelling. I’ve spent the last 16+ years behind the camera, and I truly believe that behind every photograph, there’s a unique story waiting to be shared. Whether it's freezing a moment in time or being able to be in the perfect place to document emotion, I capture the beauty and depth of each frame.

From the beginning of my journey, I’ve taken pride in making sure my clients are comfortable, they receive beautiful images, and that we have a great time together. If you’re looking for a photographer that loves a plan but can also go with the flow, who’s been through her fair share of toddler meltdowns, and knows how to balance timeless portraits with gorgeous in between moments, let’s chat.