Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad always had a camera in hand, documenting every family adventure from Florida to Hawaii. At just ten years old, he gifted me my very first camera, and after shooting roll after roll of film, I knew photography would always have a lasting place in my heart.
That passion led me to pursue formal education at the Hallmark Institute of Photography, where I fell deeply in love with photographing weddings on a quiet horse farm in New Hampshire. It was there that I learned weddings are about far more than beautiful details — they are about connection, emotion, and the people who make a day meaningful.
Now, after nearly two decades of experience photographing people, I am grateful to still love wedding and portrait photography as much as I did when I first began. I am a Missouri wedding and portrait photographer with studios in both Columbia and St. Louis, specializing in timeless, story-driven wedding photography and heartfelt portrait experiences.
As a wife and mother of two, I understand how quickly seasons of life pass. Experiencing both motherhood and marriage firsthand has deeply shaped the way I photograph couples, families, and women — with empathy, intention, and a focus on preserving what matters most. My approach blends a refined, editorial aesthetic with genuine moments, allowing your images to feel elevated yet deeply personal.
I am incredibly honored to document weddings, newborns, families, and women in all stages of life. Whether you are planning a wedding, welcoming a new baby, celebrating yourself through a boudoir session, or simply wanting imagery that feels authentic and lasting, my goal is to create photographs that become part of your family’s history.
I cannot wait to meet you and tell your story through imagery that feels true, timeless, and beautifully you.
I LOVE ALL THINGS ROMANTIC, TIMELESS AND REAL.
With almost 19 years of experience in photography and running a successful business, Catherine is excited to share her expertise with photographers who are looking to grow their own wedding and portrait photography businesses! Catherine has launched and hosted two Destination Wedding Photography workshops and regularly offers One on One Mentor Sessions! To learn more about upcoming educational opportunities and workshops, join our mailing list below!
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Named One of the Top 50 Wedding Photographers in the United States, Catherine is proud to currently be a featured artist on both FearlessPhotographers.com and JunebugWeddings.com. Along with previous work with National Geographic and Extreme Makeover Home Edition Joplin, Catherine Rhodes Photography is honored to have been featured in publications from The Knot to ELLE China and among online features such as Style Me Pretty, The Huffington Post, and The Black Tie Bride, bringing another level of expertise to Midwest wedding photography!