The Heart Behind the Camera

Man in black hoodie smiling in front of brick wall

Hey there! I'm Mitchell Lopeman, a 26-year-old photographer based in Waterloo, Nebraska. With a background as an Air Force Firefighter and a volunteer firefighter since I turned 18, I've channeled my passion for capturing awe-inspiring landscapes and captivating people into my photography business. From portrait sessions to senior portraits, and even family photos, I love creating beautiful and meaningful images that tell stories. When I'm not skillfully framing shots, you'll find me hitting the slopes, exploring nature's wonders on hikes, or even gracefully dancing to the rhythm of swing. Adventure fuels my soul, and I'm committed to leaving a positive mark wherever I go. Life's too short to remain idle, so let's embark on an incredible journey together and uncover the beauty of the world!

Why I Do What I Do:

My love for photography started at a very young age, when I would "borrow" my mom's camera and take photos around the house and yard. Little did I know that those early moments would spark a lifelong passion. As I grew, I started capturing sunsets, timelapses, and videos. I even got my first action camera (Sony Action Camera), which was basically a GoPro, and took photos with my phone. Over the years, I moved on to a drone (and yes, I crashed it—not once, but twice!).

But something changed when I began to realize how much I loved photography, especially with that drone. I spent hours fine-tuning the settings and capturing thousands of images. I thought I had left photography behind when I joined the Air Force, but I quickly found myself craving it again. While stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I found a Canon Rebel T6 on Facebook Marketplace and decided to give it a shot. After some research and learning the ropes, I fell in love with photography all over again.

I didn't start off being great, but I never stopped learning. From astrophotography to long exposures, I immersed myself in understanding my camera, and eventually, my passion grew into a career. I brought my camera everywhere—even to the fire station where I worked as a firefighter—capturing anything I could. My passion for gear quickly escalated, leading me to upgrade to a Canon 5D Mark II. Not long after, I invested in the Canon 5D Mark III and began acquiring lenses and accessories, constantly expanding my toolkit to elevate my craft.

When I left the military, I thought, "Why not turn this passion into a business?" Sure, there were a lot of photographers out there, but I knew I had something unique to offer. Now, I’m here—still learning, still growing, and capturing unforgettable moments for clients like you. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here are some of the photos I captured while stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. You'll also find images of the three cameras I used during that time, each playing a part in my photographic journey.

Long exposure photo of highway at night with car light trails
Canon cameras and lenses on a wooden desk with a TV in the background.
Parachutist descending with American flag under a parachute.
Urban night scene with a motorcyclist in the foreground and a lit building in the background.
Night view of Mount Rushmore with illuminated walkway lined with flags, couple standing in foreground.
Jet aircraft performing aerial maneuver with smoke trail against clear sky.

Behind The scenes

Photographer taking a picture of a person in a large industrial-style space with string lights and wall art.
Person taking a photo of a seated man in front of a barn
Smiling person with curly hair sitting on a chair, wearing a purple shirt, in a blurred indoor setting.
Person taking photo of a colorful car and another person standing near it in front of a barn labeled "Skymore Farms."

Though it doesn't happen often, I absolutely love and treasure the behind-the-scenes photos my clients share of me in action, especially when capturing meaningful moments like high school senior photos!