MEET MIKE

Some people can take pictures. I’m a life artist™ that uses a camera.
Real life ~ That’s my passion.

What do you get when you mix a commitment to keeping it real with good ‘ol fashioned values and a love for southern hospitality & country living, an adventurous drive, the spectacular coastline of California, the warm tropical beaches of Hawaii, the refined appreciation for luxury, and the right brained, artistic drive?

Hi there. I’m a destination lifestyle wedding photographer based on the Monterey Peninsula in CA. I’m surrounded by a gorgeous place, with Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, & more, all in my backyard. In addition to being a wedding photographer in one of the most gorgeous places in the world,  I travel everywhere & fully enjoy what I do for a living. From Napa Valley to Boise to Miami to Seattle to Maui, and then some. Shoot, I’ll even go to Madagascar. It’s an incredible honor to photograph your special day & have an all access pass to capture the incredible moments and details that make it up. I love telling your story in my Raw & Refined™ style. I have an “unobtrusive yet gently persuasive when needed” approach. Your images will be natural and beautiful, bold and sometimes edgy. Most importantly, they will reflect you.

Sometimes I’ll guide you through it, other times you’ll be just fine on your own. I like to use natural light as much as possible, & don’t have a problem manipulating it. And of course there are times to use a flash strobe, & you’ll be sure to see me using one when necessary. But the bottom line is this: whatever it takes to tell Your story & capture who You are, that would be my style.

I also accept a limited amount of non-wedding photography commissions each year, including commercial photography, advertising & modeling photography, family portraits, and more. These help me to always keep a fresh perspective.

So who am I really?

I’m an artist. I’m a husband. I’m a father, friend, & lover of life. I have a refined & expensive taste. I’m a country boy at heart. I’m stoked to not be stuck in a box, not fearful of the unknown, yet honestly sometimes concerned. I am a happily married man for more than 10 years to my high school sweetheart & am obsessed with my two little boys (baby JT and rockstar JK). My life rocks. I have a great wife, great kids, great friends, a great God, & I get to work with the raddest clients. I love what I do & I like to share what I know. I like to stay one step out of my comfort zone. I like challenges. I also enjoy shutting down & savoring a pina colada on a warm tropical beach. Or a beer.

I love people.
I dig good music…all types. Yes, I even love country music.
I am full of energy, always.

I believe life is too short to not make new friends. I love when people are real: when people allow their passion to pour out of their pores. I am hungry for authenticity. I embrace technology to it’s fullest, but still think a handshake & your word should be enough. I enjoy sharing life over coffee. Or beer. I know how to appreciate fine wine & dining, yet also can get down and BBQ Texas style. I love country, and the country. I also love city life and the busy-ness of the rat race – just as long as I’m in it & not of it.

I don’t know it all, but sometimes I think I do. It’s then that the Grace of God smacks me on the head & I gain wisdom. I’m eternally grateful for the Love of God through Jesus, & also for the love of my wonderful bride Gina. She has been & continues to be such an incredible backbone of support & encouragement no matter the day. I am truly blessed & more rich than I could ever be.

This is just a quick one page intro but I hope you get a glimpse of my passion. You can also click here to view more of a “formal” About Me on my website, & a more “personal” glimpse on Facebook here. (WARNING: I’m kind of addicted to Twitter, which updates my Facebook status frequently, so you’ll get to know me pretty quick).

Thanks for stopping by. I want to meet you & hear all about your story, so be sure to drop a line, email, text, twitter, etc and let’s connect.

God Bless.

Mike