The Heart Behind the Camera
Hey there! I'm Mitchell Lopeman, a professional photographer in Omaha, Nebraska, specializing in senior portraits, family photography, and portrait sessions. Based in Waterloo, I bring a unique perspective to every shoot, blending creativity with my background as an Air Force firefighter and a longtime volunteer firefighter since I was 18.
Photography has always been my passion, whether I’m capturing stunning Nebraska landscapes, authentic senior portraits, or meaningful family moments. I believe every photo should tell a story, and I work to create images that truly reflect your personality and style.
Beyond the camera, I’m an adventurer at heart—hiking, skiing, and swing dancing fuel my love for movement and exploration. My goal is to bring that same energy into your session, making the experience fun, relaxed, and unforgettable.
If you're looking for a skilled Omaha photographer to capture your special moments, let’s connect! Book a session today and create something amazing together.
My Journey
My love for photography started at a young age when I would "borrow" my mom's camera to capture anything I found interesting around the house and yard. Little did I know those early snapshots would ignite a lifelong passion for photography. As I grew, I started experimenting with sunset photography, timelapses, and creative videographyusing my phone and my first action camera (a Sony Action Camera, similar to a GoPro). Eventually, I upgraded to a drone for aerial photography—though, I'll admit, I crashed it more than once!
My real turning point came when I realized just how much I loved capturing unique perspectives with my camera. I spent hours fine-tuning settings, learning techniques, and pushing myself to improve. Even after joining the Air Force as a firefighter, my passion for photography never faded. While stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I found a Canon Rebel T6 on Facebook Marketplace and decided to give photography another shot—literally. After diving into research and refining my skills, I fell in love with photography all over again.
What started as a hobby quickly became something I couldn't ignore. Every paycheck went toward better cameras, lenses, and editing equipment. I upgraded to a Canon 5D Mark II, then a Canon 5D Mark III, building a collection of professional lenses and photography equipment to take my work to the next level. I would stay up late, teaching myself everything I could about photography — not because I had to, but because I truly loved it.
After leaving the military, I decided to take a leap of faith and turn this passion into something more — Lopeman Photography was born, offering senior portraits, couples photography, wedding photography, and family photography across Omaha, Waterloo, and the surrounding areas.
Lately, I've also been expanding into wedding photography in Omaha, and I couldn't be more excited! I have two upcoming weddings booked this year, and I'm looking forward to capturing every heartfelt moment, from the first look to the last dance. If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Omaha or beyond, I'd love to be part of your special day!
Here are some of the photos I captured while stationed in Wyoming, along with images of the cameras that helped shape my journey. Photography is more than just a job—it's my passion, my art, and my way of telling stories that last a lifetime.
My Philosophy
I believe photography is more than just clicking a button — it's about telling your story in the most authentic way possible.
Whether it's a high school senior stepping into the next chapter of their life, an engaged couple celebrating their love, or a family making memories together — every session is an opportunity to freeze time and capture what makes your story unique.
My approach is simple — I want every person in front of my camera to feel comfortable, confident, and truly themselves. I'm not just here to take photos — I'm here to create an experience where you can relax, have fun, and walk away with moments that you'll cherish forever.
What Sets Me Apart
I'm not just another Omaha photographer with a camera — I bring my entire journey and passion into every session.
✔️ I know how important these moments are — because I've been the one behind the lens trying to capture every little detail.
✔️ My background as a firefighter taught me how to handle high-pressure environments, stay calm, and focus on what matters most — and that's exactly how I approach every session.
✔️ I genuinely care about the people I photograph. I'm not rushing through sessions or treating them like a transaction — I want to create images that make you feel something every time you look at them.
✔️ My goal is to capture authentic, timeless images that reflect your personality, not just pose-for-the-camera smiles.
I'm constantly pushing myself to grow and learn — not just to take better photos, but to give every client the best photography experience in Omaha.
Why Choose Lopeman Photography?
If you're looking for someone who will hype you up, make you feel like a rockstar, and capture your most important moments in a way that feels authentic, vibrant, and full of life — I'm your guy.
But don't just take my word for it — my clients' words speak for themselves.
👉 Check out what they have to say on my Client Testimonials Page
👉 Or see my work for yourself at www.lopemanphotography.com
Whether you're searching for senior photography in Omaha, couples photos in Nebraska, or a wedding photographer near Omaha, I can't wait to help you capture something unforgettable.
Let's create something amazing together.
Behind The scenes
Capturing Moments in Action
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 I’m photographing high school senior portraits, family sessions, or even weddings! These candid moments provide a glimpse into my process and the dedication I bring to every session.
I’m passionate about capturing authentic, meaningful moments that tell a story, whether it’s a senior celebrating their final year, a family making memories, or a couple on their big day. With two weddings booked this year, I’m also growing my wedding photography portfolio and excited to take on more!
Seeing the excitement and joy in my clients’ photos makes this job so rewarding, and I can’t wait to create more incredible memories together!
Client Testimonials
"Mitchell is a fantastic photographer! We absolutely love the senior photos he took for my son—hands down, the best photo session we’ve had. He is professional, easy to work with, and truly talented. Highly recommend!"
-Gia Felix
“Mitchell was able to catch the perfect images for me for all my branding purposes! I needed a photo for my book cover and for a few other business branding! He knocked it out of the park and I got them back within 48 hours!!!! His pricing is very reasonable for any package you need.”
-Angie Hanson
"Mitchell has done an exceptional job capturing events for the Village of Waterloo. His setup was perfect, and the final images were outstanding. We’re grateful to have Lopeman Photography in our community!"
-David Rochford
"Mitchell captured beautiful photos of our daughter with her palomino. His eye for detail and composition is remarkable. Highly recommended!"
-Lisa Glidden
"Mitchell has a great eye for photography. He did a fantastic job capturing images of our volunteer firefighters. Thank you for preserving these important moments!"
-Heather Witt
"Mitchell did an incredible job with my son’s senior photos. He is personable, professional, and made the experience enjoyable. We will definitely be booking a family session soon!"
-Jen Thiel Menzie
“I loved all my photos!!! I highly recommend Lopeman Photography and they have a lot of patience and professionalism, thank you Mitchell!!”
-Idalie Aleyda Barnes
“Mitchell is professional, punctual, and his work speaks for itself. The photos exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier. With more graduating seniors in the family, I will definitely be booking him again. Outstanding experience!"
-Paul Golden