Iowa · Sweet 16 Parties
Sweet 16 Photographer in West Des Moines, IA
MacroSnaps photographers and videographers cover Sweet 16 celebrations in West Des Moines and across Iowa, with published hourly prices you can book and pay for online.
- 750+ conferences · 2,200+ weddings
- Rated 5 stars
- Insured by State Farm: $1M / $2M
- Published prices, book & pay online
MacroSnaps in West Des Moines
Sweet 16 Parties in West Des Moines: photography & video
A Sweet 16 is a party that's planned around one person and her friends, and it moves quickly: the grand entrance, the candle-lighting, a father-daughter dance, a slideshow and hours on the dance floor. MacroSnaps photographers and videographers cover the full evening, from portraits before guests arrive to the last group photo with friends, so the family can enjoy the party instead of filming it on phones.
West Des Moines is a growing city in Iowa, home to roughly 64,000 people. We cover Sweet 16 events in banquet halls, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and private homes throughout West Des Moines and nearby Clive and Urbandale.
We keep coverage relaxed and natural. Sixteen-year-olds and their friends are often more comfortable when the photographer blends in, so we balance a short set of planned portraits with plenty of candid photos from the dance floor, the photo backdrop and the tables. If there's a theme, a special outfit change or a surprise performance, tell us in advance and we'll make sure it's covered.
For a typical Sweet 16, clients in West Des Moines book about 4 hours of photography ($550) and 3 hours of videography ($700). Photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour; videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, with a 2-hour minimum. The first-hour price includes travel, so West Des Moines costs the same as anywhere else we work, and there are no quotes to wait for.
What we capture
Key moments we photograph and film in West Des Moines
Portraits before the party
A short session with the birthday girl or boy, the outfit and the venue, before guests arrive and the room gets busy.
Grand entrance
The entrance, sometimes with a court or a group of friends, and the room's reaction.
Candle-lighting
Family and friends called up one by one to light a candle, each with a short dedication, photographed in order.
Family dances
A dance with a parent or grandparent, covered for both the moment and the people watching.
Friends and the dance floor
Group photos with friends and candid shots on the dance floor, which are usually the photos teenagers share most.
Cake and toast
Singing, blowing out the candles and any toasts from parents or siblings.
Theme and details
Décor, the cake, the sign-in book and the backdrop, photographed while the room is still empty.
Pricing
Sweet 16 Parties photography & video prices in West Des Moines
One published hourly rate for everyone, with a 2-hour minimum. No quotes, no negotiating: choose your hours and book online.
Photography
$250 first hour
+ $100 each additional hour
Typical sweet 16 parties coverage: 4 hours = $550
Every photo edited and retouched, online gallery in about a week.
Book PhotographyVideography
$300 first hour
+ $200 each additional hour
Typical sweet 16 parties coverage: 3 hours = $700
Highlight video set to music you choose, delivered in 2 to 4 weeks.
Book VideographyTypical for an evening party, starting with portraits before guests arrive.
Minimum 2 hours · $250 first hour + $100 each additional hour
2 Hour Photography
$350
- 1 photographer
- 2 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
3 Hour Photography
$450
- 1 photographer
- 3 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
4 Hour Photography
$550
- 1 photographer
- 4 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
5 Hour Photography
$650
- 1 photographer
- 5 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
6 Hour Photography
$750
- 1 photographer
- 6 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
7 Hour Photography
$850
- 1 photographer
- 7 hours of coverage
- All pictures edited and retouched
- Online gallery of high-resolution pictures
- Raw pictures delivered on request
- Turnaround time: 1 week
Local to West Des Moines
Sweet 16 Parties around West Des Moines
Tell us your venue when you book. If it needs a certificate of insurance, we send it before the event: MacroSnaps is insured through State Farm with $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate coverage.
Also serving nearby
- Clive (2 mi)
- Urbandale (3 mi)
- Des Moines (6 mi)
- Johnston (7 mi)
- Norwalk (7 mi)
- Waukee (9 mi)
Near West Des Moines
Best photo & video spots near West Des Moines: in Des Moines
Looking for a scenic spot for portraits or B-roll? These favorite photo and video locations are in Des Moines, IA, about 6 miles from West Des Moines.
- 01
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- 02
Iowa State Capitol
- 03
Gray's Lake Park
- 04
Principal Riverwalk
- 05
Water Works Park
To add a portrait or filming stop, book the extra hours and note the location for your crew. Some parks and landmarks require a permit or have set hours, so check before the day. Book online · Photographers in Des Moines, IA
Our work
Planning tips
Planning your coverage in West Des Moines
Plan a short portrait session
Ask the guest of honor to be ready 30 to 45 minutes before guests arrive. Portraits are much easier in an empty room, and the outfit and makeup are at their freshest.
Book 3 to 4 hours
Most Sweet 16 parties are well covered in 3 to 4 hours, starting before guests arrive and finishing after the cake and candle-lighting.
Think about lighting
Party venues are often dim with colored lights. We bring lighting for dark rooms, but if you have a choice, schedule portraits and candle-lighting before the room goes fully dark.
Add video or a photo booth
A highlight video captures the entrance and dances with sound, while a photo booth gives friends something to do and a set of digital photos to share.
Professional photography doesn't have to be expensive
Why West Des Moines clients choose MacroSnaps
13+ years, 750+ conferences, 2,200+ weddings
MacroSnaps and our parent company MacroHype have been photographing and filming for more than 13 years: over 750 corporate events and conferences and more than 2,200 weddings and private events. West Des Moines gets the same experienced crews and standards we bring to every city we work in.
Prices published, not negotiated
Many vendors price by how much they think you can pay. We publish every rate: photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour, videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, with a 2-hour minimum. Everyone pays the same price.
Insured by State Farm
We carry $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate liability coverage. If your venue needs a certificate of insurance, we send it before your event.
Our own network, not a marketplace
We are one company with our own photographers and videographers across all 50 states, Washington, DC, Ontario and Quebec, so the quality, editing and delivery standards stay the same wherever you book.
Book and pay online in minutes
Choose your service and hours, pick your date and pay securely. Your slot is reserved the moment you book, and your crew is confirmed by email.
Every image edited
All photos are edited and retouched and delivered in a private online gallery in about a week. Highlight videos are delivered in 2 to 4 weeks with music of your choice.
Simple booking
How booking a Sweet 16 Photographer in West Des Moines works
- 1
Choose your package
Pick the service and number of hours. Every price is published, so there are no quotes to wait for.
- 2
Book & pay online
Enter your date, start time and venue, then pay securely by card. Your slot is reserved the moment you book.
- 3
Your crew is confirmed
We assign a MacroSnaps photographer or videographer for your city and confirm the details by email.
- 4
Receive your gallery
Every photo is edited and retouched, then delivered in a private online gallery in high resolution.
FAQ
Sweet 16 Parties in West Des Moines: common questions
Do you have a Sweet 16 Photographer near West Des Moines?
Yes. MacroSnaps has its own photographers and videographers working across Iowa, and we assign a crew for your Sweet 16 in West Des Moines as soon as you book. We also cover nearby Clive, Urbandale and Des Moines. You deal with one company, with 13+ years of experience behind it, from booking to delivery.
How much does a Sweet 16 Photographer cost in West Des Moines?
The same as everywhere we work: photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour, so 4 hours is $550. Videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour, so 3 hours is $700. The minimum is 2 hours and the first-hour price includes travel to West Des Moines.
How many hours should we book for a Sweet 16?
Most families book 3 to 4 hours, which covers portraits, the entrance, candle-lighting, cake and a good part of the dance floor. The minimum is 2 hours.
How much does Sweet 16 photography cost?
Photography is $250 for the first hour and $100 for each additional hour, so 4 hours is $550. Videography is $300 for the first hour and $200 for each additional hour.
When will we get the photos?
Every photo is edited and retouched, and your online gallery of high-resolution images is usually ready in about one week.
Do you offer a photo booth?
Yes, a photo booth is available and is popular at Sweet 16 parties. Ask about it when you book.
Can you work in a dark party venue?
Yes. We bring lighting suited to dim rooms and colored DJ lights, so the photos stay sharp and skin tones look natural.
Sweet 16 Parties near West Des Moines
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Clive, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Urbandale, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Des Moines, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Johnston, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Norwalk, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Waukee, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Grimes, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographer in Ankeny, IA
- Sweet 16 Photographers in Iowa →
- Sweet 16 Photography & Videography →
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Book your Sweet 16 Photographer in West Des Moines
Same published price for every client. Choose your hours, pick your date and pay securely online.