Where it all began...
My love of photography started in 1991 after taking my first photojournalism class in college at UW-Oshkosh. After developing my first roll of film and making my first print with an enlarger I was hooked! I forgot about writing and dove headfirst into photojournalism. A couple years later I was the Assistant Photo Editor for my college newspaper, "The Advance Titan." After graduation I worked part-time for "The Oshkosh Daily Northwestern" as a staff photographer. As a photojournalist I have had the opportunity to photograph presidential speeches, hypnotists, state wrestling tournaments, cross country meets in below zero temperatures, and everything in between.
My Road to Weddings...
Even though I had photographed a dozen or so weddings in the first few years after college, I felt like the constricting nature of using film was hurting my creative control over the final images. When photography went digital and rapid improvements came every year I ventured back into wedding photography and fell in love with it. I was not just taking a photograph and hoping things turned out--I actually could "develop" the photograph to my liking with the new digital darkroom. Sometimes I think I enjoy editing wedding images just as much as taking the photograph!
I dove into wedding photography again with renewed vigor--reading books, subscribing to publications, and shooting as much as I could! And the cherry on top was getting to do something I loved while being my own boss.
Lastly...things I Am Proud Of
I am proud of where it all began--as a staff photographer getting my work published for both weekly and daily newspapers. I was honored to win seven consecutive (2011-2017) Bride's Choice Awards from WeddingWire. I have had the privilege to get published in a national magazine (Running Times, Jan/Feb 2010). Portraits I have taken hang in law offices and hospitals. Wedding vendors such as The Crystal Ballroom, Nedebro's, The Wedding Channel, Jasmine's Bridal and The Season's Bistro have all used my photographs.
But maybe the thing I am the most proud of is knowing that people have put their trust in me to create photographs to tell their wedding celebration story for generations of their family yet come.
Call Mike @ 920.659.0787 to discuss details of your big day!