About michaela Joy Photography
Fine art inspired documentary photographers & filmmakers based in California.
Hi! We're Michaela and Tim.
A photo and video team based in Northern California
We specialize in capturing corporate events, leadership retreats, and professional headshots in a way that feels relaxed and honest. Whether we’re working at a tech summit in San Francisco, a corporate retreat in Napa, or photographing headshots at your company’s office, our goal is always the same: to tell the story of your brand and your people with clarity and care.
Before starting Michaela Joy Photography, Michaela worked in photojournalism, and that storytelling approach still guides everything we do. We don’t over-direct or over-style. We show up prepared, stay aware of the flow of the day, and photograph what’s real—without getting in the way.
We’ve worked with teams from Google, eBay, Uber Eats, Palantir, Techstars, and Artis Ventures, and we’ve documented everything from fast-paced conferences to quiet leadership retreats in wine country. We love helping companies walk away with photos and video that feel polished, professional, and personal.
When not focusing our lens…
We focus on kindness, patience & being unapologetically authentic (aka a little weird). That’s how we get you to smile. Our clients tend to hug us before they even see any photos.
We excel at being stealthy.
At some point you will hardly notice we’re there… until you get your photos, and
we captured all the things.
What makes us different:
Professional yet approachable
We show up early, communicate clearly, and get to work without getting in the way. You won’t have to micromanage us or worry about whether the photos will reflect your brand.
We focus on the right details
We capture more than just speakers on stage. From branded signage and team huddles to casual moments during breaks, you’ll have a full gallery that tells the real story of your event.
We don't make it awkward
Our documentary-style approach keeps things natural and low-pressure. We know when to step in and when to hang back, so everyone looks and feels their best.
Victoria P., Bay Area
"I hired Michaela for an AI Bootcamp-themed event and she did an exceptional job capturing the essence of the evening. From speaker shots, to audiences engaging with the content, to candid shots from the reception, Michaela did it all without sparing any details. On top of that, she was lovely to work with throughout the process! Would highly recommend her to anyone in the Bay Area."
Our PROCESS
Start to finish, we’ve got you
Step 1
Schedule a quick consult
We'll hop on a call to learn more about your event or session, walk you through the process, and send over a custom quote.
Step 2
Prep and planning
Before the shoot, we’ll confirm the schedule, locations, and anything specific you'd like captured.
Step 3
Photoshoot day
We arrive early, work with your team or planner, and document everything with care and flexibility.
Meet Michaela (as told by Tim)
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)
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.
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
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!
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.
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 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.
