DIGITAL AND FILM STORYTELLING IN MINNESOTA
Heirloom photography, rooted in art and emotion
Crafted in Minnesota, created wherever love and light live
Heirloom photography, rooted in art and emotion
Crafted in Minnesota, created wherever love and light live
Every single frame of your life holds a frame worth capturing. Many of them, in fact.
Some are quiet and quickly glimpsed: the way your fingers trace the rim of a glass during a toast. The morning light skipping across your kitchen table while your kids recap the wild adventures they went on in their dreams between bites of toast. The focus that flickers across your face when you’re deep in your craft.
Others are monumental: the moment you exhale those vows before God and everyone who knows you best, the breath the world seems to hold right after, the wonder that follows your child’s first laugh. The day you open the doors of your business, air charged with possibility.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
film. fine art. feeling.
I create fine art and film photography that remembers the real life of it all— the timing and the texture of the everyday that becomes the story you’ll tell for years to come.
your real life, rendered as art
An editorial photography approach blending digital and film storytelling
The art already exists. My job is to notice it before it disappears.
Film slows me down enough to feel the weight of a moment; digital keeps me moving. Together, they tell the story exactly as it was—honest, textured, and true to life.
Whether we’re in a Minneapolis loft washed in window light or in your childhood backyard as the sun disappears into the horizon, the goal stays the same: to make something real enough to last.
I don’t take photographs of you; I make art with you. Together we build a visual narrative that’s tailored, composed, and deeply personal, so that years from now, your story still feels like your own.
click for a poetry break!
If my life were a movie, it’d be part La La Land and part Minnesota-cabin-film—equal parts color and quiet.
I’m a fine art and film photographer based in Minnesota, and a multi-medium storyteller who believes the best stories are lived first, then photographed. I’m married to my best friend, Jake, and we’ve built a life in Saint Paul that feels a lot like my work—warm, artful, and deeply rooted in the everyday. Most days you’ll find us at a local coffee shop (homemade maple latte with sea salt on top, thanks), or hosting dinner parties lit by dripping candles and life-giving conversation.
I’m endlessly inspired by craft, by the turning of Minnesota’s seasons, and by people who choose to be fully present in the one they’re in.
This work—the art, the stories, the people—has taught me to do the same.
hi, i'm michaela
& you can call me mich
Most days you’ll find us at a local coffee shop (homemade maple latte with sea salt on top, please and thanks), or hosting dinner parties lit by dripping candles and life-giving conversation.
I’m endlessly inspired by craft, by the turning of Minnesota’s seasons, and by people who choose to be fully present in the one they’re in. This work—the art, the stories, the people—has taught me to do the same.
If my life were a movie, it’d be part La La Land and part Minnesota-cabin-film—equal parts color and quiet.
I’m a fine art and film photographer based in Minnesota, and a multi-medium storyteller who believes the best stories are lived first, then photographed. I’m married to my best friend, Jake, and we’ve built a life in Saint Paul that feels a lot like my work— warm, artful, and deeply rooted in the everyday.
stories, in every form
& it’s that same kind of presence that shapes every experience I create
couples & engagements
Engagement sessions are the warm-up to your wedding day, the permission to slow down and see yourselves as you are right now. Whether we wander through your favorite corner of Minneapolis or chase golden hour through the prairie grass, the photographs become both practice and preservation: a study in ease, intimacy, and anticipation.
Learn more
weddings
Weddings are where everything I believe about art and story meet in real time. I photograph with a hybrid film-and-digital process that is best described as editorial, and emotion-forward. You’ll find direction where it’s needed and invisible presence where it’s not. Each collection is personalized and deeply personal, designed to tell your story as it actually felt.
Learn more
families
Art lives in the everyday—the soft chaos, the familiar light, the routines that make a house feel like home. My family photography is both cinematic and real: true-to-color, emotion-rich, and grounded in the beauty of what’s ordinary (and sometimes incredibly messy).
Learn more
branding
Your brand deserves the same level of artistry as your craft. I create editorial, fine art brand photography that captures the emotion behind the work—the hands, the process, the purpose. Each session is individualized and collaborative, designed to translate your vision into imagery that feels as intentional and distinctive as your work in the world.
Learn more
couples & engagements
Engagement sessions are your permission to slow down and see yourselves as you are right now. Guided by a cinema-inspired approach, we build scenes, follow movement, and let your story play out like a small, joyful movie. Whether we’re wandering your favorite corner of Minneapolis or chasing golden hour through prairie grass, the photos become your narrative in motion.
Learn more
weddings
Weddings are where everything I believe about art and story meet in real time. I photograph with a hybrid film-and-digital process that is best described as editorial, and emotion-forward. You’ll find direction where it’s needed and invisible presence where it’s not. Each collection is personalized and deeply personal, designed to tell your story as it actually felt.
Learn more
families
Art lives in the everyday—the soft chaos, the familiar light, the routines that make a house feel like home. My family photography is both cinematic and real: true-to-color, emotion-rich, and grounded in the beauty of what’s ordinary (and sometimes incredibly messy).
Learn more
branding
Your brand deserves the same level of artistry as your craft. I create editorial, fine art brand photography that captures the emotion behind the work—the hands, the process, the purpose. Each session is individualized and collaborative, designed to translate your vision into imagery that feels as intentional and distinctive as your work in the world.
Learn more
A fine art approach to honest heirloom photography
THE HEART BEHIND THE WORK
Great photographs live somewhere between direction and discovery.
Some moments need a little structure: a shift toward the light, a pause before you move, a hand placed just so. Others just need space to do what they do best— to be lived. My job is to know when to step in, and when to step back.
.
What we create together is meant to last—imagery that could hang in an art gallery, but feels just as right taped to your fridge. It’s art that remembers, in every sense of the word.
A fine art approach to honest heirloom photography
THE HEART BEHIND THE WORK
Great photographs live somewhere between direction and discovery.
Some moments need a little structure: a shift toward the light, a pause before you move, a hand placed just so. Others just need space to do what they do best— to be lived. My job is to know when to step in, and when to step back.
.
What we create together is meant to last—imagery that could hang in an art gallery, but feels just as right taped to your fridge. It’s art that remembers, in every sense of the word.
every single aspect of working with Michaela was incredible.
"She was so attentive, responsive, and helpful on the day of the wedding. She absolutely went above and beyond, and it helps that she is such a lovely person! Most importantly, the photos turned out amazing. I cannot recommend her enough!"
The quality of her work speaks for itself.
"From engagement shoot to our wedding day (and maternity/newborn photos), Michaela made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. She perfectly captured every moment of our day, going above and beyond to ensure that my husband and I were relaxed and ourselves, and let us be “us”! I hope everyone gets the chance to work with such a sweet, wholesome photographer."
She was a true blessing— hire her!!!
"Michaela made us feel SO comfortable and at ease. She makes it feel like a fun date day and she captures the most special natural moments!!!! I am so excited to frame our shots and put them in our new home. She makes things fun, lighthearted, and even steps in to help when things felt chaotic on my wedding day. She was a true blessing— hire her!"
you will not find a more delightful human being on this planet.
"You will not find a more delightful human being on this planet. Just knowing her is enough, but then to have her take photos of you?! A blessing and a half, to say the least!
Michaela took my branding photos on film for my brand and web design studio, and it is safe to say I have never felt so seen for who + how I am. Anytime Michaela's lens is trained on little old me, I feel so comfy cozy and so confident in Mich and her artistry! She truly brings an eye unlike any other, and I could not possibly recommend her any higher if I tried."
"Just knowing her is enough, but then to have her take photos of you?! A blessing and a half, to say the least! She truly brings an eye unlike any other, and I could not possibly recommend her any higher if I tried."
These photos are more than memories — I will treasure and hold them close forever!
"Michaela has a rare gift for capturing not just moments, but emotion... I’m instantly transported — I feel the joy, the love, the quiet in-between moments that made the day ours! I appreciate her eye for detail, beautiful editing, and ability to tell a story through her lens. Michaela’s heart for photography is truly special. These photos are more than memories — I will treasure and hold them close forever!"
your life is the masterpiece
minnesota fine art & film photographer
Photographs are more than proof you were here. They’re how you’ll remember the way it felt—when the room went quiet before your vows, when your newborn’s fingers curled around yours, when the light hit your studio just right and reminded you why you started in the first place.
Whether you’re planning your wedding, building a business, or documenting life at home, I want to help you see your story as art worth keeping.
"Forever a sweet seeker, hauling out the beautiful understory in the plainest of narratives— the undertow beneath the waves. I'll forever believe that everything isn't simply two dimensional, but in every moment, a story is being mysteriously orchestrated with purpose by the great hands of our Creator."
the apricot memoirs
tess guinery
the apricot memoirs
tess guinery
