A Little About My Journey

My love for photography started when I was 18, when I picked up my first camera—an Argus CR1 with a Vivitar Series 1 Zoom lens. What started as a passion grew into an early photography business, where I had the opportunity to photograph people and create artist album covers. My "working" career later took me around the world, and wherever I went, I found myself carrying my camera and looking for something worth capturing. Photography remained a passion throughout my years; continuing as a hobby and creative outlet through travel, family, and many different photography projects.

Some of my most meaningful photography experience has simply come from doing what I enjoy. For many years, at the request of my mother-in-law, I photographed her grandchildren each summer—both as a group and individually. Those sessions became something we did year after year and gave me countless opportunities to photograph families and children in a natural setting. She also inspired my studio name... MichaelJ as that is what she always called me.  I’ve also spent years photographing and working as a videographer for youth sports and church productions. These experiences have helped me develop the patience, timing, creativity, and ability to anticipate a moment that I believe are essential to good photography.

What I Enjoy Shooting

Today, I enjoy photographing the things that bring people together and tell a story—family portraits and memories, children and youth sports, and boutique products that deserve to be presented in their best light. I also offer real estate photography as a service, creating clean, inviting images that showcase a property's character. Whether I’m capturing a family connection, an athlete in the middle of the action, or the details of a beautiful product, my goal is simple: create images that feel real, look great, and preserve something worth remembering.