About michaela Joy Photography
Fine art inspired documentary photographers & filmmakers based in California.
Hi! We're Michaela and Tim. Seen here during our own vow renewal.
We love to travel and tell stories.
Our goal is to keep our clients feeling relaxed and comfortable during their session so that their true emotions and joy can shine through. As documentary photographers and filmmakers, we unfold time to artistically capture small details and big moments as they happen. When you look back at your images we want you to remember what it felt like to be there.
We learned our photographic craft both in university, and more importantly, through mentorships with some of the most talented professional photographers in the industry. We have degrees in art and business, with a focus in hospitality. Ask Michaela about the first wedding she “photographed” at age 14, and Tim about documenting NYC as a teenager.
Michaela Joy Photography is honored to have received national and international recognition, as well as earning awards from our peers in WPPI, Rangefinder, The Knot, Junebug weddings, and many others.
What makes us different:
Husband & Wife Team
People say our energy together is dynamic. It makes us stand out among others, while blending in with crowds.
The Experience
We create a comfortable environment so you can feel beautiful and confident in yourself.
All The Extras
We take care of everything from styling to the beautifully printed finish. So you don't have to.
Kristin & Karin, Napa Valley
"Michaela and Tim made us feel very relaxed, enabling us to get the pictures that best represented the joy and love in our hearts."
Our PROCESS
Let’s have fun together.
Step 1
Get Acquainted
We allocate time to get to know our clients before a photo session so that we can capture their portraits organically, having established trust and comfort ahead of time.
Step 2
Documentary Style Session
During the session or event, we anticipate the sweet “in-between” moments and capture them in a photojournalistic style without interfering with the action.
Step 3
High Quality Products
We hand-edit all the imagery and individually design all printed artwork. Our goal is for every family to have gorgeous images that your children’s children can hold in their hands.
Meet Michaela (as told by Tim)
When you marry someone obsessed with cameras, horses, music and travel, you are in for quite a treat.
Working together on a marriage and a small business simultaneously is an enjoyable challenge, and I could not be happier that I get to embrace that challenge with this amazing soul. Michaela’s friends know that she is the rock that they can depend on. I learn from her daily and bring her compassion and empathy into my relationships as well.
What impresses me most when we work together is her ability to instantly form a bond with our clients. Her warmth and understanding immediately translates to the bride, or the groom, or maybe the panicking Maid-of-Honor, calming their nerves and getting them focused on what’s most important that day: the love for their partner.
Meet Tim (as told by Michaela)
After over a decade of knowing each other, there are a million little things that make Tim the most awesome human.
He’s a gifted tennis player who can play the drums and pick up a song on the piano by ear. Tim wouldn’t be Tim without sports ball, although Formula 1 is a thing now too. His brilliant mind will have him on Jeopardy soon. I love that he is the best travel agent, a perfect cinephile companion and hiking buddy. Oh, and he’s one hell of a cook.
My favorite moments are when a groom will exclaim, “Hey, your husband is awesome, hilarious, super-fun, the best, so easy to be around, kept us chill, made us excited, tall etc, etc.” I grin. Ultimately, my favorite thing about Tim is that he makes me want to be a better person. He gets everyone around him to be who they are, and to be their best selves.
Meet our team
Photographer
Diana
Diana loves photography because it lets her use her endless imagination. She enjoys living in the Bay area for the city and for its hiking and biking trails: it’s where she's found some of her favorite places to photograph. Diana is drawn to small, sweet, and intimate moments and strives to create ease and comfort for the clients she works with. We are honored to have her with us.
Lead Filmmaker & Video Editor
Konnor
Konnor got hooked on videography 11 years ago when he took a video production class and hasn’t been able to put a camera down since! He has always liked pushing himself outside of the box, whether it’s exploring new places, creating with different types of art media, or trying new foods. He loves immortalizing special moments. We love having him on our team!
Assistant & Photographer
Tifani
Tifani was led to photography as a way to capture life’s beauty, in all its forms: when they smile, nature’s endless bounty, the beauty of our messy but meaningful days… Her dad’s 35mm Canon AE-1 from the 80’s got her going. She brings an additional perspective to the wedding team and a helping hand-literally! Her attention to detail and kindness has no limits.
Every Photo~Hand Edited.
we hand select and Hand edit the best photos from your session and deliver them to you - ready to print or publish.
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FHE Founder Morgan is the one who personally touches and edits all our digital images. She is based in San Francisco. Has a perfect eye, loves animals and noodles.
We trust her with your pretty. She has truly changed our lives. We now have more time to run our business, less time editing.
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If we use film during your wedding or session, we send it to Southern California to our pals at Richard Photo Lab. They use sustainable practices for their film chemicals.
We love the way the softly edit our film. When we call them, they greet us by name.
Our Products
Heirloom Albums
To this day, our favorite thing to do is look at our parents wedding album. This leather album embodies a traditional, classic look that stands the test of time.
OUR PRODUCTS
Wall Art & Fine Art Prints
Relive the moment every time you walk by your beautiful images framed on the wall or displayed in your home. Our Giclee prints meet gallery and museum standards for longevity & archival performance.
Journal
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