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Nathan Sent on 12/20/2024

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Amazing photographer and he makes you feel incredibly comfortable. Cannot recommend enough

Michael is easily the best photographer that I have had the pleasure of working with. We worked with him over several days for my wedding including:
- A multi-site engagement shoot
- Rehearsal dinner
- The wedding day itself

and I couldn't be more pleased with everything. He uses charm to disarm any nerves and makes you feel incredibly comfortable and he has an amazing eye for lighting and angles. He really does the most to ensure you're happy with the shots during the photoshoot and also that you're happy with the edit.

I cannot recommend him enough. Thank you for everything!

+5 photos

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Nathan! Photographing your wedding was an honor! You and Kathy were the best clients and your wedding day was full of true and meaningful moments that showed how loved and amazing you both are as a couple! It was a perfect day (maybe save for the birds:) Please stay in touch! - Mike

Joy Sent on 04/16/2026

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Best Wedding Photographer

Michael was absolutely incredible to work with for our wedding. From start to finish, he made the entire process easy. He was professional, fun, and just felt like a friend who was part of our big day!
His stunning photography speaks for itself. He captured the moments, emotions, grand landscapes, and little details. Plus he turned around our full portfolio super-fast, but without sacrificing any quality.
We can’t recommend Michael highly enough—there simply isn’t a better photographer to capture your special event!

Ashley Sent on 12/17/2025

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Michael Stephens Photography

Michael was the photographer for our engagement photos and our wedding. He came highly recommended by our wedding planner. We couldn’t be happier with how all our photos turned out!! He helped us feel super comfortable throughout the entire process. He was professional, helpful, and fun to work with! We will cherish these beautiful photos for the rest of our lives. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer!! :)

Victoria Sent on 11/03/2025

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Mike is the BEST wedding photographer you can ask for!

Where do I even start? Having Mike as our wedding photographer was one of the greatest gifts we could have asked for. He is truly the BEST, and I’ll sing his praises to anyone who asks. I originally found him online, and after seeing his photos and reading so many glowing reviews, I knew I had to reach out. After working with him, I completely understand why everyone speaks so highly of him.

Mike was such a grounding presence throughout the entire wedding planning process, and I especially leaned on him on the wedding day itself. He’s an absolute artist and a true professional — his passion and creativity shine through in everything he does. On top of that, he’s patient, funny, and so easy to be around.

One of the most common questions we got after the wedding was, “Where did you find Mike?” Through his recommendation, we also found our videographers, and together they were the ultimate dream team. Mike shot our engagement session as well, which turned out beautifully and helped my husband loosen up in front of the camera before the big day.

His pricing is fair and worth every penny. His years of experience were evident in how effortlessly he solved little challenges throughout the day. Communication with him was always easy and straightforward. We just received our final gallery, and we absolutely LOVE it — he captured everything so beautifully.

+2 photos

Madi Sent on 07/11/2025

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The best photographer you will ever hire

Michael and Laura are two of the most talented photographers I have ever met. Not only did they take my DREAM wedding photos, but he got them back to me incredibly quick! My entire wedding raved about how much they loved having Michael as our photographer. When anyone brings up my wedding in conversation, without a doubt, "your photographer was amazing" is said. He made us all laugh, and made me feel calm during times when I would have otherwise been stressed. He was very intentional with the photos, knew how to position everyone and edited them all beautifully. I cannot stress this enough, he is SO patient, especially when trying to wrangle drunk guests into photos). In the process of planning a wedding, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made - having Michael as my photographer was by far the best one. Thank you for everything! I will cherish this day for the rest of my life thanks to the photos I have and the incredible memories that were made and captured.

Vip Sent on 02/23/2025

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An Amazing Photographer

When we first started dealing with Michael we somehow knew he would be the best photographer for our wedding at the Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa. We were not disappointment.

Michael's amazing attention to detail is second to none. That detail will serve you well because Michael does not appear to miss anything when photographing a wedding, or any other event I would imagine.

Michael knows how to stunningly capture an event and what makes him that much more special when doing so is that you barely notice that Michael is even there snapping great photographs. He has an uncanny ability to just sit in the shadows while taking amazing photographs of the event. That is a true talent. Half the pictures he took of my wife and me were taken at times we did not even know our pictures were being taken, which is scare for me in particular as I am not photogenic. Fortunately for me, my wife is extremely photogenic, and Michael was able to balance those disparities incredibly.

Not only is Michael a great photographer with an incredible eye for great pictures, he is also a wonderful person.

If you are looking for a great photographer, look no further than Michael Stephens Photography. A truly amazing photographer well worth the cost.

Thank you, Michael. We are sincerely grateful for your work.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Wow, I’m truly blown away by your kind words—thank you so much! Capturing your wedding at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa was such an incredible experience, and I’m honored that you trusted me to document your special day. It means the world to hear that you felt comfortable and that the photos captured the genuine moments between you both.

Your wedding was absolutely beautiful, and you two made my job so easy with your love and energy. I’m so grateful to have been part of it, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and amazing memories!

All the best,
Michael Stephens Photography

Alicia Sent on 02/03/2025

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Best Day Ever

We couldn’t be happier with our decision to hire Michael Stephens Photography! From our very first conversation, Michael and his team were incredibly professional, warm, and attentive. They worked seamlessly with our videographer, ensuring everything flowed effortlessly throughout the day, making the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable.

Mike’s eye for detail and artistic talent truly set him apart. Every image was beautifully composed and thoughtfully edited, capturing not just the moments but the emotions of our wedding day. His team blended in so naturally with our guests that I barely noticed the cameras, yet we now have the most incredible candid shots to relive every special moment. Our friends and family couldn’t stop raving about them!

A special thank you to Laura, who was such a joy to have with us throughout the day. Her kindness and calming presence made everything feel effortless. Booking Michael Stephens Photography was one of the best decisions we made, and we will cherish these photos forever.

Thank you, Mike and Laura, for making our wedding day so unforgettable! Don’t hesitate—book them now!

Cassie Sent on 11/12/2024

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The perfect fit!!

Honestly could not have asked for a better wedding photographer. My husband and I are not photogenic people and were really nervous that we were going to look extremely awkward in our wedding photos. Mike made all those worries disappear and made us both feel so comfortable and the photos we received back were STUNNING! We had various guests mention to us how well he meshed with our wedding and how much they enjoyed his personality. Mike had all the elements we were looking for: 1) personality fit 2) communicative and professional 3) natural and classy end product.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you so much Cassie:) It truly was an honor to get to photograph your wedding day and you two are beautiful inside and out:) I really enjoyed spending time with you, your families and friends and am grateful for you both! -Mike

Cindy Sent on 06/24/2024

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Look no further...

We recently had the pleasure of working with Mike for our intimate Southern California wedding, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience and the results. From the very beginning, he went above and beyond to ensure every moment of our special day was captured beautifully.

Not only did Mike deliver extraordinary photos, but he also provided exceptional service throughout the entire process. Communication was always prompt and clear, and he was incredibly flexible and accommodating to our requests.
We are endlessly grateful to Mike for his hard work, dedication, and talent. Our wedding photos are everything we dreamed of and more, and we owe it all to him. If you are looking for a photographer who is not only highly skilled but also a true pleasure to work with, look no further than Mike. We wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone in need of capturing their special moments.

Thank you, Mike, for making our wedding day so memorable and giving us beautiful memories to look back on for years to come.

Corrine Sent on 06/12/2024

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Incredible Photographer and Person

Mike blew us away every time we worked with him. From when we met him for our engagement photoshoot to our our wedding day when he got to know our families, important moments, and objects. He captured everything expertly, and he turned the results around quickly too!

His work took our breath away each time and we are so happy to have had this opportunity to work with him.

Molly Sent on 05/11/2024

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Better than Perfect

Michael is incredibly professional and a superbly talented photographer. He's very personable and is great at making you feel at ease in front of the camera. He was also crazy skilled at capturing amazing candids. I knew before we hired him the photos would be good, but little did I know he's worth his weight in gold. Michael if you're reading this, thank you for capturing the magic.

Micah Sent on 05/09/2024

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Six stars if we could give them!

Mike is a great photographer, to say the least, and the outcome of his work creates priceless memories to last a lifetime! We are so stoked to continue sharing our wedding photos with friends and family because they are just SO good!!! We enjoyed every moment shooting with Mike, and he made us feel like models! Overall, Mike is a professional at what he does and it shows in every aspect of our experience with him!

Alicia Sent on 04/25/2024

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He’s a cool dude who takes great photos

I found Mike on wedding wire myself. After checking out his photos and having a conversation with him he was hired! Mike made everyone feel so comfortable and was just fun to hang out with on our wedding day. I got multiple compliments from our guests saying how cool the photographer is. We got married on a Saturday and by Monday I had over 100 beautiful “sneak peeks” in my inbox.

+11 photos

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Alicia! It was such an honor and a blast working with you both on your beautiful wedding day!!! -Mike

Samantha Sent on 12/20/2023

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Michael is A MUST!

He made us feel so comfortable!! I'm so happy with the photos and my wedding Michael. Pictures are perfect, they came fast and are 1000% BEAUTIFUL ❤️ pictures are forever, I highly recommend him!!

S Mouss Sent on 11/01/2023

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Wedding Reception

Mike was very professional. Delivered everything he promised on time. Very pleasant to work with. The quality of work was excellent.

Robyn Sent on 10/26/2023

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Fantastic Photopgrapher!

Michael is an incredibly talented photographer who we were so lucky to have capture both our engagement and our wedding! From the more formal photos to the candids, every single picture has captured the energy and joy of our wedding, allowing to to relive our day again and again! Michael has photographed for our family for multiple weddings and family shoots and we'll continue to have him capture our family's moments in the future.

Griffin Sent on 08/12/2023

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Michael is the absolute best!

Don't bother searching any further, truly.

We hired Michael for our wedding in May 2023. He came highly recommended by two other friends who hired him for their weddings, and it's easy to see why. Not only are his photos amazing, but on the big day, he was more than a photographer - he was a guide that helped us from one step to the next in the busy schedule. His presence is warm and positive, which really put us at ease. He is a pro with group portraits and we were able to knock them out super fast and get back to enjoying the festivities. We are so thrilled with the results and will treasure the photos and memories for years to come. Thank you, Michael!

Mickayla Sent on 07/17/2023

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Absolutely Incredible!

Finding the perfect wedding photographer was high on our priority list, since these photos were going to highlight and capture the most wonderful day of our lives! We chose Michael Stephens Photography, and we were blown away! He is such a joy to be around and work with. At times, I forgot we were even being photographed and he captured so many incredible candid moments. I could not have asked for a better experience and he took so many beautiful photos!

Brian Sent on 05/21/2023

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Perfection

Our pictures were amazing! We could not have been happier with the outcome

Jenn Sent on 04/20/2023

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Best photographer ever!

Mike is a long time family friend who is always there for my husband and I! He took our ABSOLUTELY STUNNING engagement and wedding photos. We swoon over them every time we look at them.
He is very professional and prompt with responses and ideas, and also open to hearing what is important to us and making that his priority.
He is so much fun to work with! Making us laugh, smile, dance and feel free to just be our candid selves. He captured every important, special moment while also helping us stay present and calm.
We love him so much and couldn’t have asked for a better photographer and friend! We will forever cherish our pictures and memories that he did such a wonderful job providing. Thank you so much for making our wedding day so seemless and perfect Mike you are the best!

M M Sent on 04/20/2023

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Amazing pictures and the easiest experience!

Mike was FANTASTIC! From our very first call to the post-wedding follow-up on our beautiful photos, the entire process was easy, comfortable, and stress-free. We couldn't be happier with our photos and the overall experience!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you so much! It was such a blast! You two were the sweetest and you have the best family and friends! It was an honor to be able to photograph your wedding day:) -Mike

Mikayla Sent on 04/13/2023

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Best photographer ever!

My husband and I first met Mike at a local brewery in Paso Robles in 2019 when we were still dating. As we got to know Mike on a personal level we knew we wanted him to capture our wedding even though we weren’t engaged yet.
When we did get engaged Mike was the first vendor we hired for our destination wedding in Oahu.
Mike traveled to Oahu a few days before our wedding and checked out our venue.
He is super easy to work with, gets group and family shots done in a timely manner plus he makes lots of dad jokes.
We are so happy with our wedding pictures
10/10.

+4 photos

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Mikayla! Photographing yours and Tyler's wedding was a definite highlight of my photo career:) Blessings to you both!!!

Ben O. Sent on 09/25/2022

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Fantastic Photographer

Michael Stephens did a fantastic job as our wedding photographer! He was responsive, flexible with our schedule constraints, and perfectly captured all of the best moments of our wedding. We love our photos and would highly recommend him to other couples.

Jaclyn Sent on 05/20/2022

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Amazing Wedding Photos!

We had a wonderful experience working with Mike as our wedding photographer! He is professional, funny and he takes amazing photographs. He was even able to acquire a second photographer, per our request, and they captured some unforgettable moments for us. We are so grateful! Thank you, Mike (and Lindsay)!

Sevan Sent on 04/27/2022

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Amazing and magical

Mike made us feel like we were the best couple in the universe and made us feel so special on our magical day

Matt Sent on 04/14/2022

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A true professional AND a joy to be around...

Let's be honest, if you're considering hiring Michael, you've seen all the awards and accolades - and they're all justified. He's an amazing photographer, I think his work speaks for itself.

Beyond that, he's a great guy. Super chill and funny and worked with us when we had to reschedule due to the pandemic. Most importantly (other than the aforementioned great photos), is that our guests loved him. He got everyone to smile without saying "cheese", made small talk when appropriate, and was just all-around one of those vendors that really elevates the event.

I don't plan on getting married again, but I'd hire Michael in a second for anything that required high-quality photos (or just to have a beer).

Xxsarah_04Xx Sent on 12/08/2021

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Incredible photo's and photographer!

Working with Michael Stephens was an exceptional experience, not just the quality of his work but Michael as well! Michael captured our wedding day perfectly, and his personality fit right in with my now husband and i along with our family and friends. Do not hesitate to have him capture your life moments!

Kelsi Sent on 12/07/2021

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Amazing photos!

Mike is a literal genius! We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our wedding! He is worth EVERY penny! Not only is he an amazing photographer but he is an incredible person! He makes taking photos fun, because sometimes it can be a bit intimidating. He made us feel so comfortable! I can’t wait to see him soon photographing my sisters wedding as well! There are no words to describe Mike and his photography skills! Just book him and you will see what I’m talking about!

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Sarah Sent on 10/29/2021

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Highly recommend!

We can’t say enough good things about Michael! He is an amazing photographer and we’re so pleased with the work he did for both our engagement and wedding photos. He was very flexible and understanding of the constant changes caused by the pandemic. We highly recommend using Michael for any of your photography needs!
-Nick and Sarah

Vevee Sent on 10/04/2021

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Lucky we found mike, truly the best

I think mike was the best part of our wedding. His photos speak for themselves, check out his gallery. We’re not big into photos and don’t have social media so was not expecting to like our pictures so much. We did an engagement session with mike at Monte de Oro and he went over time, taking pictures with so many backdrops. We felt like we had gotten six photos sessions in one. As I mentioned, we are not very good at taking pictures but mike made us feel very comfortable with candid laughs and tips on how to “pose” in a way that was flattering yet natural. He turned the photos quickly and WOW they were freaking fantastic. His photos aren’t just pictures with a fancy camera, mike has a special eye to capture unique beautiful photos that span close ups to landscape views (again, check out his gallery!) In prep for wedding day, Mike had us fill out a questionnaire to ensure we got all the photo variations we wanted and followed the timeline to a tee. Again, super natural and made everyone crack up for candid photos. Every time we had a call with mike, we jived and ended up shooting the sht. Just a genuine guy. Mike was a bit pricier than others but well worth it and to be honest, worth much more than what we paid. We feel lucky he was available for our wedding date and that we decided to splurge to book him vs another basic photographer. Mike has converted us and we will be coming back for more! BOOK MIKE!

Cheyenne Sent on 08/04/2021

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Fun, talented, quality photographer!

Michael made my wedding as great as it was by capturing all the little moments, the big moments and adding a great energy to the whole night. After the wedding, i had so many people reach out and comment on what a great presence he was, and that you can tell he’s experienced in the field. He made everyone so comfortable, and made us laugh. My favorite part of the night was when he went above and beyond to get the COOLEST pictures of my husband and i laying in a boat, in the middle of a pond, using a drone to take the pictures. He was always available when I had a question leading up to the event, and he was so easy going the day of. I would highly highly recommend. 💕

Joseph Sent on 05/25/2021

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The best photographer

Michael is an absolutely amazing photographer. We were so blessed to have come across his page when we were searching for a wedding photographer. He made the entire experience of our wedding even better and we are so grateful he was part of our big day. He has an incredible sense of humor and an amazing eye for beautiful shots. He is the only photographer I would recommend to any of my friends. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for app your help Michael.
May God bless you always.

Michelle Sent on 11/30/2020

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Amazing Photographer

Michael was amazing to work with, and he took gorgeous photos of our little ceremony! He was super communicative and made planning extremely easy. His upbeat and cheery personality really helped break the ice if anyone felt awkward having their photo taken. He also helped guide us in how we should pose to maiximize the perfect shots! I can't express how much we love the photos, they truly captured how special that day was for everyone. Would absolutely recommend him!

Elizabeth Sent on 10/30/2020

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Best photographer EVER!

Michael is the best photographer EVER! We converted our large wedding to a micro pandemic wedding held outside in Pismo at the end of the big fires. The circumstances were tough for sure but he was outstanding. Michael was professional and helpful in so many detailed ways - bringing calm, charm, and laughter to us all. All of our guests asked me where I found him and expressed how much they appreciated him. With Michael as your photographer, you cannot go wrong. Michael - thank you for making our day so magnificent and memorable. You are very talented.

Christa Sent on 10/29/2020

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Photographer Blessing

Note: Review is based solely on my experience and communications thus far with Michael. The year is 2020, and well..... COVID. Unfortunately, my fiance and I were unable to get married as planned this year. We still have Michael booked for our 2021 wedding and are very much looking forward to having him shoot it for us! I did however, want to review our communications and experience with him thus far, because he has been AH-mazing. This horrific year has forced us to reschedule our wedding twice and speaking with Mike has been so comforting. He's been perfectly understanding and supportive with having to move things around so many times. It speaks volume to his professionalism as that has not been my experience with other vendors. He was so willing to work with the difficulties of this year and I'm just so appreciative. I can't wait until our wedding day and to have the ability to look back on such great memories.

Emily Sent on 10/26/2020

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FUN Experience, BEAUTIFUL Pictures!

I cannot express how AMAZING Mike is. From the very moment we spoke with him, I knew that he was the photographer for us. His work is impeccable and can speak for itself.. But even better- His personality and the experience you have working with Mike, makes it that much more special. He makes you feel comfortable and confident, also while having fun. He allows you to be you and does not make you feel too posed or awkward at all during your time together. Also, Mike was able to wrangle our rowdy group and make it easy to get the pictures done efficiently. Something I found truly special was that he made sure to pull me and my husband aside and reminded us and allowed us a moment to enjoy those first few moments as a newly married couple away from the chaos. This was very special and could have been easily missed for a busy day. My husband is one who does not enjoy getting his photos taken and Mike made this an easy task for Jeremy. We have enjoyed working with Mike and will be referring him to everyone we know for professional photography! THANK YOU MIKE!!

+5 photos

Brittany Sent on 10/15/2020

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Great pics without losing focus of the day ;)

Mike was great to work with for our wedding day and I would HIGHLY recommend him. He is great at getting you to look natural and smile without having to force anything. He helped a lot with the flow of the day and took BEAUTIFUL pictures. Of all of our vendors, Mike was our favorite to work with.

Janeczka Sent on 04/01/2020

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Amazing photos! Mike is the best!

We met Mike at one of the wedding expos we attended and felt an instant connection. He is very friendly and down-to-earth! Not only is his work amazing, but he made us very comfortable during our sessions. He was also extremely helpful on our wedding day! He went above and beyond in making the process as easy as possible. Our photos turned out so beautiful and wonderful thanks to him! :)

Claire Sent on 12/22/2019

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Talented, professional and fun!

Mike's so awesome we hired him twice, once for our courthouse wedding in Aug 2018 and again for our larger celebration in Sept 2019. He did outstanding work at both, from preparation to end results.

The first wedding was thrown together 11 days in advance due to an illness in the family. My mom found him, and I couldn't be more grateful for that find and his availability. Mike was there for an intimate ceremony and he was sensitive to the situation yet relaxed and comfortable. He made us laugh and despite the harsh August morning lighting, managed to get incredible photographs in front of City Hall in Atascadero.

We hired him again for his attitude, professionalism and quality of work. He didn't push a second sale on us, because he didn't need to - his work spoke for itself.

At our Sept 2019 celebration, he was again outstanding. Leading up to the day of, he called when he said he would, was responsive and easy to review contracts with. He also gave us smart advice without sounding like an I-know-better-than-you relative.

The day of, he just was a pro in terms of demeanor and responsibility. He even stepped in and helped guide a few other vendors when the need arose. Mike's also creative, and had shoot ideas that were original and easy to execute. He seems like he enjoys his job, as did his assistant photographer.

Last but certainly not least, the quality of Mike's work is unreal. Without being an intrusive photographer day-of, he captured the emotions of us and our guests and the natural beautiful of the venue. The range of his talent is incredible, and we will enjoy looking at his work for decades to come.

Mike is more than an outstanding photographer, he's a pleasure to work with and an all around great guy. If we could hire Mike a third time, we would, but we also don't want to plan a third wedding ;-)

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Adrianne Sent on 12/13/2019

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Simply amazing and extremely satisfied

Michael Stephens Photography is everything that you could ask for and more! He absolutely exceeded our expectations in every way that one could imagine. After my then fiancé proposed to me in Italy, I immediately started to research photographers in the SLO area as my husband and I love photography and we both agreed that our first vendor selection would be a photographer. We both fell in love with Michael’s brilliant eye and the beautiful scenes that he would capture; he was absolutely everything that we were looking for. And, luckily enough, he was at a vendor fair, which made for the perfect opportunity to meet him. He was so funny and he even took the time to leave his booth and introduce us to other vendors...we fell in love! Everything went so well with him as far as communication, contract and discussion of picture ideas. He made me feel so comfortable at the wedding and I’m so grateful for that because our pictures are absolutely everything that we had hoped for and more. Also, his photo booth was a hit at our wedding, do yourself a favor and add it to your booking! We are eternally grateful for Michael and Marc. Please, I beg of you, book your special day, or any special event for that matter, with Michael Stephens Photography as you will be just has satisfied, happy and grateful as we truly are!

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Dannielle Sent on 11/16/2019

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Amazing! Michael is the best!

Michael and his assistant were amazing. They made taking photos look and feel effortless. He was so accommodating to us and I couldnt be happier that we went with him as our wedding photographer. His energy was extremely relaxed and made it easy for us to relax. I cant wait to see the finished product! Thank you for helping make our day that much easier

Ashley Sent on 10/27/2019

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Michael rocked our wedding!

Working with Michael was a dream. He is a really cool guy and immediately sets everyone at ease so that the best pictures can be captured. He was creative with all of the photo options and ensured we got the best pictures possible. Michael photographed our wedding in October, however, we are so happy that we also did our engagement photos with Michael as it was in essence the warm up to the big day! All of our photos turned out beautiful and he captured so many of the special moments during our big day. Not only did he take amazing pictures the day of the wedding but he was also instrumental in helping the day run smoothly. He helped make sure we stayed on time and he even bustled my wedding dress (he is amazing!). Michale is a great photographer and a true professional.

Kristina Sent on 10/16/2019

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Michael's Energy Is Awesome, So Are His Photos!

Michael had captured a gender reveal for a friend, and so I'd always kept that in the back of my mind because it was such a unique and cool way to document the milestone moment. However, I knew it was going to be tough to book Michael for a gender reveal in the middle of a busy wedding season, but he went out of his way to make the only evening we overlapped with availability work. It was such a last minute plan, and the sun was setting fast, but thanks to Michael's knowledge of the area, can-do attitude, and positive energy, we were able to capture such special images we're going to treasure forever, and it was so important to me that I got to see the look on my husband's face when we both found out we were having a Baby Boy. I loev that we had Michael there to capture that moment for both of us and make it feels so intimate at the same time. Michael was the first to know if it was a boy, and he made the who experience one to remember. We had a blast that evening working with him, and his commitment to getting us the edited images and video fast was AMAZING. He worked on them between his weddings and we were blown away by his generosity to include so many images for us. I can't wait to make a special book to share the story with our little one someday. I can't recommend Michael enough. Book him TODAY!

Hannah Sent on 09/30/2019

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Great experience, couldn’t have gone better.

Michael was so professional and had such great humor which made everyone feel so comfortable while he was taking pictures, we felt as if we’ve known him for awhile. Oh and did I mention the photos he took are incredible! If we ever need photos in the future we will definitely be using him!

Josh Sent on 09/29/2019

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Michael is awesome. So fun to work with and really enjoy his job which makes things go very smoothly

I recommend him to anyone. He is awesome

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Wendy Sent on 09/10/2019

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Most Awesome Wedding Photography!!!!!!!

This photography was so fabulous!!!!!!!!!! The moments were captured in the most personal way!!!!!!
You cannot go wrong if you choose this vendor!!!

Lindsey Sent on 09/10/2019

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He is amazing

I would recommend Michael to anyone who wants to work with a perfect photographer. He is attentive, personable, and everyone at the wedding loved him. His photos are amazing and vibrant and we could not be happier.

Amanda Sent on 08/19/2019

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Best experience ever!!!

We had the best experience working with Mike. He made taking pictures easy, relaxing, and so much fun. He knew what he was doing and what to say to capture our natural smile . Mike granted all of our wishes on any special pictures we wanted taken and even went further in capturing other special moments throughout the day. We received our pictures back and OMG!!!!! I cried at how stunning they were and can't stop looking at them. He has made it hard to pick a main one to go on our wall. Its no joke when they say the day will go by fast because it does. And Mike did such an amazing job catching pictures for us of our guests and venue. Thank you Mike. You were the best part of our wedding day and we love our pictures.

Brittani Sent on 05/11/2019

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Perfection

Michael is simply amazing. Not only does he photograph beautiful, but he’s funny and makes you feel so comfortable. My husband and I really enjoy Michaels company and his gorgeous work!

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Maria Sent on 05/07/2019

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He’s the best!

I am so grateful that my wedding planner suggested booking Michael as my wedding photographer. First he came to meet me as I was getting ready and I was immediately taken back by his calm and cool demeanor. His responsiveness, attentiveness, positivity, and calm attitude alone are worth his price. My wedding day was stress free largely in part to Mike being such a chill guy!

Now the quality of the photos are incredible, he captured the exact vibe my husband and I were going for. Mike made me look like a beautiful fairytale bohemian princess because he knew exactly how to capture it! He never made us feel rushed, and even did a great job getting everyone to smile and cooperate in our big family photos.
I’m so so so grateful for Mike, and I highly recommend him!

Andreya Sent on 05/07/2019

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Easy to work with and excellent pricing

We met Michael at a wedding expo and immediately his work and personality stood out in the crowd of other photographers. Both he and Ashley made my husband and I feel comfortable in front of the camera (which is no easy task). We could not be happier with the preview of the photos he has sent us. Definitely would recommend him to others!

Susana Sent on 02/13/2019

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Just Hired

Just hired Michael Stephens, we met through the Central Coast Bridal expo. Very professional and great work examples, we cannot wait to work with Michael at our wedding.

Sean Sent on 12/28/2018

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Michael did a great job!

Michael and his team are AWESOME! We couldn't be more pleased with our experience and his beautiful photos. My wife and I couldn't be happier with our wedding album. As a bonus, he is also exceptionally nice and easy to deal with - a big plus with large and crazy wedding parties!

Bart Sent on 12/11/2018

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Amazing Experience and Beautiful Photos

Absolutely phenomenal experience. The pictures turned out beautifully. Mike was also very quick to respond to any questions we had leading up to the event, gave expert advice on how he'd recommend we do things but was also very accommodating if we wanted to do something differently. He's the best!

Roland Sent on 11/04/2018

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The Ideal Photographer!

We were so grateful to have Michael Stephens document our special day! His 5 star ratings on the Knot, Wedding Wire and Yelp prove that many others feel the same way.

Our first thought is that Michael is SO KIND, calm, patient, and professional. He was instantly like a friend that we wanted around! He has a great sense of humor that makes you feel at ease from the second he walks in, yet he still manages the shoot. This results in beautiful and creative pictues that perfectly document those special moments.

Michael was very respectful of our wedding day timeline and knew that we wanted to hang with our guests. He accomplished all the specific shots that we wanted and captured many more that we hadn't even thought about. He captured shots while blending into the background and we even forgot he was around since he wasn't too much in our face which made for very natural yet incredible shots. To our surprise, we received a preview within two days that just stole our hearts. The pictures were so crisp and creative and completely captured the emotions of the day. Whenever we share our pictures, others can't help but say how beautiful our photos are!

We look forward to using Michael for future opportunities. In the meantime, so many others have asked for his info for their own events. The photographer is THE key documenter of the day. We couldn't be any happier with how he has forever captured our special moments.

Victoria Sent on 10/29/2018

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The Best of The Best

We could not be happier with Michael. We shared a few peeks at his camera the day of our wedding but we had no idea what he had actually captured until we saw the images. Moments in time. He's so adept at capturing that look, that glimpse, that smile. Every person who has commented on our photos remarks about the obvious love that shines through in each picture. Michael captured that and that's what a good photographer does!!!

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Faith Sent on 10/25/2018

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Michael Stephens is worth his weight in gold!

Michael was flexible, gentlemanly and a visionary. Truly he made my day easy and fun. I would never recommend anyone else! Also, he is super funny and got genuine smiles from everyone in each picture.

Vinh Sent on 08/07/2018

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Michael is awesome!!! He was easily our best vendor to work with for our wedding. The planning process can get quite stressful and he made the photography aspect extremely smooth for us, from the beginning until the very end. On our wedding day, he was professional, made us feel very comfortable, and was super funny the whole time. Many of our friends said great things about him prior to even seeing the pictures. We had a traditional Catholic mass and an outdoor backyard reception, and he found great photo opportunities for us to have amazing pictures. He was able to capture our emotions and style perfectly. We got a chance to relive our special day through these gorgeous photos and we will forever treasure these. I highly recommend Michael!

Audrey Sent on 02/06/2018

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Michael Stephens is AMAZING. Our second shooter was Ashley Furtado and they make the best duo ever. The photos are absolutely stunning, my husband and I will cherish them for the rest of our lives.

His professionalism, "go-with-the-flow" attitude, and talent really sets him apart from other photographers. He made family portraits totally painless and the pictures turned out beautiful. He is so thoughtful, even making sure we were hydrated while taking pictures. Everybody loved him so much, my bridesmaid even hired him to do her pictures for her wedding!

The only drawback is that the photos did take longer than expected to come back to us, but it was well worth the wait. Make sure you book him fast! He is popular for a very good reason. Thank you so much Michael!!!

Jamie Sent on 01/23/2018

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Admit it – you’ve spend hours – no, weeks, browsing Pinterest for wedding décor and photo inspiration. You’ve definitely second guessed DIY-ing 80 potted plant escort cards. And you’ve wondered whether it’s possible for your wedding photos to really look THAT GOOD. Well, he can’t help you with all of your impossible wedding DIY’s, but Mike will most definitely deliver wedding photos that are THAT GOOD – no, BETTER!
In all seriousness, Mike was a pleasure to work with and the photos he delivered after our engagement shoot (at Disneyland!) and after our wedding were phenomenal. I am on cloud 9. He edited every photo to perfection and I love that he gave us a few black and white photos too. He definitely knows the right way to present an image.
I also have to give props to his assistant that day. I think her name was Hannah. Very friendly and professional and I felt comfortable with her right away.
Mike was very helpful in developing a day-of timeline. When I gave him my timeline he wasn’t shy about saying he needed more time before the wedding for bridal party photos. We were able to move up hair and make-up and fit in an extra hour or so for photos. This is the kind of thing you don’t know as a bride and your vendors should tell you, and I’m so glad he did.
I will mention that it did take a little longer than “usual” for us to get our photos, which I don’t think is the norm for Mike. We had all the major holidays come up right after our October wedding, which may have been a factor. I know Mike also had some technical difficulties. Fortunately he is a true professional that has backups!! As soon as he did deliver the images I could barely breath I was so excited. I knew 100% that I had hired the right guy!
If it’s a priority for you to have the most beautiful wedding photos you will cherish for a lifetime, definitely invest in Mike. He won’t disappoint you.

Samantha Sent on 12/26/2017

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If you are reading reviews searching for a wedding photographer, your search is over! You will not go wrong with choosing Michael to capture your special day. It took me weeks to research photographers, and finally we chose Michael based on multiple friend referrals, his reviews online and his awesome portfolio. He is hands down the best on the central coast. He is not only a kind and patient human, but his photography skills are out of this world, and you will be thrilled with all of your photos - capturing all the details and best moments. Michael made my husband and I feel extremely comfortable throughout the entire process. He was also able to miraculously corral 9 groomsmen and 9 bridesmaids, and our huge family to get all our photos done on time. His second shooter was Ashley, who was also a dream to work with. Super sweet and takes amazing photos herself, so no matter what you are going to get amazing photos! Working with Michael and Ashley was so effortless and they really put your best interests at heart. I could go on writing how much we love Michael and love our photos, but honestly all you need to know is he is worth every penny, because at the end of the day all you want is someone who will blend in and capture your day beautifully. Michael did all of that and more. Thank you, Michael!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Samantha, Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your breathtaking wedding day. It was an honor. You and Eric are truly epic and awesome humans and I'm glad to know both of you! Congratulations to you both:)

Rae Sent on 11/26/2017

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Michael was an absolute joy to work with! He was professional, kind, flexible, experienced, and made everyone including me, my husband, my bridesmaids and groomsmen, and everyone attending the wedding feel comfortable and cared for. He brought along Ashley as his second shooter and she was also so kind and made the perfect compliment to Michael's skills and gifting. Our photos turned out beautifully even though they had to work around less than favorable lighting conditions. Michael is definitely worth every penny he charges and then some. 10/10 would recommend!

Gabriel Sent on 11/05/2017

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My wife and I hired Michael for our wedding day and we cannot thank him enough! He and Ashley did such an amazing job the day of our wedding...kept things super lively and fun throughout the entire time. They both have a great eye and a keen sense of various photo opportunities. We had our wedding at The Cliffs Resort and the landscape was captured just perfectly thanks to Michael. We hired Michael and his team for pretty much the whole day and there wasn't an opportunity that was missed!
We received our photos within a timely manner and all we can say is....wow! They turned out so great and looking at them truly brought us back to our wedding day. It also gave my wife and I an opportunity to see what we weren't able to see because we were busy or occupied with something else.

Many thanks to Michael and Ashley for capturing our wedding day - truly memorable!

Definitely would recommend!!

John Sent on 10/12/2017

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Michael was amazing, all around. From his work ethic, professionalism, quality of work and final delivery, all were top-notch. Thank you again, you're 1 in a million!

Rosemary Sent on 08/30/2017

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Mike is the best! Our wedding pictures are super beautiful nothing but good things to say about Mike, any concerns or questions we had he was super quick to answer! He made my husband and I very comfortable we normally don't like to be in the spotlight but he made us laugh and just made the whole photo shooting experience super AMAZING!!! I highly recommend him to any couple that's looking to have astonishingly beautiful pictures to have for a lifetime! We truly can't thank Mike enough for all the help and once again for all the stunning pictures!

Lauren Sent on 08/08/2017

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Michael was perfect. His great sense of humor made us calm and relaxed enough that all of our photos look true and real instead of posed. He was incredibly professional and I have heard nothing but amazing things about him from our guests. There is not a single thing I could say about his work or him that I might have wanted different, he is amazing. Michael spent so much time making sure that everything was perfect for us. I cannot recommend him enough! His photos are truly amazing and it is all pure talent, not photoshop. Professionalism, value, personality, and product, Michael is the best photographer in the central coast area of California if not the entire state. Every bride deserves to know that she is getting the most amazing photos of her special day like I did with Michael!

Kristy Sent on 07/27/2017

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I love Mikes work! All his photographs are beautiful and creative. He kept the whole bridal party laughing all night. He was very flexible with his time. I could not have asked for a better wedding photographer. Not only did he make our photos beautiful, but he made me super comfortable getting my photos taken. You will want Mike to be your new friend!

Sydney Sent on 07/08/2017

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I do not have enough great things to say about Michael Stephens Photography. We looked at many SLO area photographers online and chose Michael because we loved his style. From the moment we booked him, he was super professional and was easy to reach. He even sent us a nice card & Starbucks gift card via snail mail to thank us for choosing him prior to our wedding day. Closer to the time of the wedding, we had a nice convo with him on the phone to discuss some details since we were unable to meet him before our wedding day (out of town wedding).
He and his assistant (second shooter), Ashley, were super professional and fun. Mike and Ashley's personalities put us at ease and made our photo sessions super fun. Mike's personality if the type that felt like we had known him our entire lives even though we'd just met. That's how comfortable he made us feel! It was SO much fun. We laughed, I twirled in my gown, and it was a super special time for me and my husband. My husband said Mike really calmed his nerves as I was creeping up behind him for our "first look". I honestly cannot imagine anyone else shooting our wedding after having him there.
As for the photos....they turned out AMAZING!!!! His style is just perfect and exactly what we were looking for. He really surprised us when he pulled out a freaking DRONE for some awesome aerial shots. All of our friends and family have raved about the photos and he took a TON. Our entire experience with Mike was worth EVERY penny.
You will not be disappointed if you choose him as your wedding photographer. Book him, FAST!! Oh, he was also able to set up his awesome photo booth for rent in our friends old air stream which made for an awesome & fun photo booth experience!! Super accommodating.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you! You are too kind:) Working for you and Pat was a blast and I was honored to be a part of documenting your amazing wedding day! - Mike

Alexandria Sent on 04/05/2017

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Mike went above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to being a photographer. Not only did he capture beautiful moments on our day, but he helped out with so much more. Mike was fun, creative, and brought a much needed sense of 'calm' to the bride.

User3015655 Sent on 03/28/2017

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I first met Michael at a bridal expo in my area and I knew right away that he would be a perfect fit for us. When I first mentioned Mike to my fiancé, he was a little hesitant… then we agreed to book Michael for engagement photos… we had such a wonderful time! The day was filled with laughter and it felt so natural, so much so that for weeks we couldn’t stop talking about how much fun we had. We were so sure about the session at the end of it that we were already set on requesting his services again for our wedding. We just recently received our photos back and they came out AMAZING!! We both feel so very fortunate to have met him and we can’t wait to work with him again.

Alyse Sent on 01/13/2017

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I have only wonderful things to say about Michael Stephens Photography. He perfectly captured our wedding day memories. In the days leading up to our wedding he listened to what our expectations were and answered all of our questions with a friendly reassuring confidence that was all we needed to know we picked the most awesome photographer. Our photos came out AMAZING and he and his second shooter made photographing our wedding fun and memorable. I honestly cannot thank him enough. He's also just a pretty cool person to get to know. Send him a message and give him a call... you'll see :)

Gretzen Sent on 01/08/2017

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If you are looking for a GREAT wedding photographer BOOK MICHAEL! Now! You will not regret it!

Michael is professional, super cool, calm and organized. Joey and I went to a bridal show at the Madonna Inn and Michael Stephens made an impression on us. His style of photographing weddings was just what we were looking for: photojournalistic. Also, we were looking for a photo booth, because who doesn’t like those!? So we booked Michael’s Beard Booth in addition to his photography services. He provided a cute album with all the photo booth pictures that were taken.

Michael knows and understands how crazy and stressful it is for the bride and groom on their wedding day and he was so helpful in keeping us calm and on schedule. He made us and our whole wedding party comfortable. He just does his work so effortlessly. We had numerous comments from our guests of how professional and great Michael was at our wedding.

When we received our wedding photos, we smiled, laughed, and teared up while looking through the digital album. Michael did an amazing job capturing our whole day, from our ceremony to the last second of the last song. He captured all the little details. He even posted a sneak peak of our wedding the day after!

Thank you Michael for the amazing photos which we can look back and share with our loved ones.

Armando Sent on 11/22/2016

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Michael is not your "cookie cutter" wedding photographer, he is unique and amazing! The visions he has for the pictures are top notch and come out great! He has a great way to make you feel comfortable when taking pictures, because lets be honest...it can get awkward at time :) . He goes out of his way to make you laugh and feel important. From the moment we saw his pictures we knew...this was the photographer for us! He will email and text you as you are planning your wedding to make sure you don't have any questions and he is also very responsive when you reach out to him.

The most important thing and what he did to perfection....he told a story with the pictures he took. Every single picture my wife and i had a conversation about...isn't that what you want? He made our day that much more special and i would recommend him to anyone!!

Alexandria Sent on 09/19/2016

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Michael was a wonderful photographer. We felt immediately at ease with him. He took our engagement photos at Avila Beach and our wedding photos at El Presidio de Santa Barbara. I would definitely recommend getting an engagement session so you can get used to the photoshoot process. Our photographs were beautiful and we will certainly treasure them for years. I cannot recommend him enough and would suggest him to any of my friends.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Alexandria! I loved working with you and Chris:)

Taelor Sent on 09/16/2016

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Michael was the perfect fit for our wedding! He made us feel extremely comfortable from the moment we met him. He was easy to work with, and always made us feel like we were the most important clients he had. To top it all off, we have the most beautiful wedding photos to look at for the rest of our lives!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Taelor:) It was an honor!

Michael Sent on 09/15/2016

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Michael was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was professional, responsive and polite. His level of service is a model for others. Michael could have a second career teaching people who to interact with clients and potential clients. As for the quality of his work - OUTSTANDING. I mean, really super high-end quality work. His fee was very fair especially relative to the quality of work delivered. Wile we had x amount of time scheduled, he went over and didn't shave minutes or anything like that. You don't have to believe me - check out his website for yourself and you'll see first-and the spectacular quality of his work. We'll definitely try to use Michael again in the future when we need our portraits taken or even for a special event. I should also say we wanted to use one of these wedding pictures for our announcement and he went out of his way to provide us a few options in a couple of days. Thanks Michael for the great service, professionalism and wonderful pictures.

Heather Sent on 08/17/2016

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I met Mike at a bridal fair, saw one photo that caught by eye, and was hooked and knew I wanted him to capture my wedding. What I didn't know was how amazing it would be to work with him! My husband and I are not "photogenic" and over the many years we've been together we only have a couple pictures together so we weren't really sure what to expect with a professional photographer. Mike made the whole process so so easy and natural. We opted to do the engagement session and he immediately put us at ease and made us feel comfortable. I think my husband was more interested in chatting with him than getting our photos taken!
Mike was super helpful in the planning process for our wedding day and gave us great advice on our timeline, as well as being flexible with us and doing everything he needed to get great photos. AND our engagement and wedding photos both blew us away. They are a perfect reminder of our day down to the smallest detail and we can't stop looking at them, even months later!
Mike is a professional, but he's also a lot of fun to work with - plus he made us feel like supermodels. He is amazing and you won't regret working with him!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Heather! I so enjoyed working with you and Mike!!!

G Sent on 08/12/2016

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Working with Michael was one of the best parts of our wedding! Easy going, friendly, will give honest answers, and of course, great photos. We were a silly bunch and he completely rolled with it :) . Really appreciated that he works with a second shooter (Melissa, she was also fantastic) which was especially nice to capture different angles during the first look.

He's great professionally, and at the same time someone we could imagine getting beers with. Very happy that we worked with him. I would reach out to him again for other events.

Sean Sent on 08/08/2016

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My dad is a professional photographer and when we were looking for a wedding photographer we had set the bar high. We found Michael's work and loved his style and how approachable and friendly he is. He was extremely accommodating throughout the whole process and took time to make sure we were on the same page with absolutely everything. On the day of the wedding, he put both of us at ease and made the experience joyous, laughable, memorable, and relaxed. He went above and beyond throughout the whole day making sure he captured everything we wanted, letting us live in the moment. For two people who are uncomfortable in front of the camera, he did such a great job of making everything feel comfortable, natural and fun. After the wedding we received so many comments from friends and family about how personable he was with everyone and how spectacular all our photos turned out. We all were amazed at the incredible images he captured. My dad wouldn't stop singing his praises. We couldn't have imagined getting anyone better than Michael. He is a joy to be around and has a great perspective on how to bring the best out of people. We would definitely recommend him to anyone. Thanks again! -Sean & Janiece

Leslie Sent on 07/22/2016

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I would book in advance and definitely do an engagement session so you have a chance to meet Michael Stephens before the big day. Michael is such a professional, he makes having your picture taken easy and enjoyable whether or not you are a "picture person". After seeing our engagement photos, we couldn't wait for the wedding, and the pictures did not disappoint. I have so many incredible pictures, not just of my husband and me, but also of family and friends. Michael has mastered how to use light and unfiltered surroundings to create breathtaking pictures that look more like paintings and works of art versus typical wedding photos. He is truly talented with an impressive portfolio that speaks for itself. No gimmicks, no props - just Michael, the happy couple and a natural backdrop he brings to life. Seeing our pictures brought me right back to our wedding day (happy tears and all), and I am deeply grateful Michael was able to so beautifully capture these moments. I have nothing but sincere and heartfelt praise for all of his abilities. I would (and already have) recommended him to family, friends, coworkers, etc. And the best part, Michael's temperament is so easygoing and relaxing, you will feel like old friends right from the start.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Leslie and Andy! It was my honor and privilege to photograph your wedding! I loved getting to know you both and am thankful for your friendship! Thank you for the most amazingly kind words:)

Katie Sent on 07/01/2016

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Michael was our photographer for our wedding, and he did a fantastic job. We couldn't be happier with the outcome. He captured our day to it's entirety; everything from the moment we got ready to the moment we left the venue. We each spent the morning in opposite sides of the city, but he accommodated us with an excellent second shooter and didn't skip a beat, capturing both parties. He also did an wonderful job capturing the entire wedding party together of twenty! Beyond his photography skills, he is very professional and personable. He kept everything on schedule and in a kind manner. We felt at complete ease with him, which is something so important when it comes to a day as important as your wedding. It allowed us to be our true selves and our photos are not only stunning quality but also effortless because of it. We appreciate how many images Michael sent us, it is so nice to be able to look at everything and decide what is special to us instead of only getting a small number of photos. We have received countless compliments on Michael's photography of our big day. Would gladly recommend him for any shoot!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Katie! You guys are the best:)

Janine Sent on 05/21/2016

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One word - awesome. Mike was suggested to us by our wedding planner and it was one of the best wedding decisions we made. His level of enthusiasm generally for what he does for a living and specifically for shooting our wedding was the clincher for us in deciding between him and one other photographer. In addition to that, his rate is very reasonable, he's a super nice guy with a cool beard and great taste in beer and, most importantly, his photos are breathtaking.

From the beginning, Mike made things easy for us. My husband and I (my husband in particular) are not super comfortable in front of the camera. So we weren't too keen on taking any kind of photos, let alone engagement photos. Not only would it be an additional day of photo-taking on top of the wedding, but engagement photos always seem to come off as cheesy. Mike convinced us to do it - he said it would really help us get used to him and the camera so on the wedding day, we would feel more comfortable. Genius move. It made such a huge difference on the wedding day. And our engagement photos were almost as cool as our wedding photos!

At the wedding, he and his assistant Melissa made the photo parts of the day go smoothly and quickly. We did some group and family photos after the ceremony - it was fast and organized like an assembly line so we could get to cocktail hour and spend some time with our guests. At the reception, he was like Spider Man, everywhere and nowhere - I don't even remember seeing him around but he was there capturing moments! We got so many compliments from our guests after the wedding - everyone loved him.

And when we got our photos back, I was floored. Absolutely stunning. I can't even pick my favorite 10 - he got off so many good shots I was absolutely amazed. We look like models, thanks to Mike! All in all, an amazing experience with an extremely talented photographer. I'd hire him again in a heartbeat.

Sehyun Sent on 05/17/2016

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Michael Stephens did an awesome photography at our wedding. We didn't request for second shooter, yet he brought one anyway to maximize his time with us. We wanted to have photo booth, and he said he was trying it out for first time, so he gave us a great deal, but I think we got a way too good of a deal for his photo booth.

We also just got our photos back from him in about a month and half (his contract is for 90 days to return the photos back to the couple). The photos are amazing. I love his use of color and geometry in the photos. Simple and yet elegant.

Highly recommend him for your wedding, photo shoot, or just about any other event that you would like to remember by photos.

Vanessa Sent on 04/09/2016

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My husband and I used Michael Stephens Photography for our wedding in February 2016 based on his pictures alone. We loved his super calm presence, which we picked up on just from our first conversation on the phone. He followed up with us two more times before our wedding date and sort of became our Zen Master; whenever we started getting overwhelmed it felt like we could just call and everything was better.

The day of, Mike and his assistant Melissa met us at the hotel. They are both charming, have a great sense of humor and have a way of capturing all the moments without you even knowing they are there. At our wedding we moved through the obligatory family pictures with such speed and grace, that it didn't seem painful or awkward at all. The photo booth ran seamlessly and was a big hit with our guests. We did two more night sessions with just Mike and Melissa focusing on us.

Mike really impressed us with his eye for detail. Nothing too overwrought or cheesy, but every shot we wanted he seemed to get without making us feel silly. We told him after the wedding that if we had met him a year earlier, it would have been tough to decide whether to invite him to the wedding as a guest, or have him shoot it for us. I cannot imagine our wedding day now without him being a part of it. Great photographer, great guy, AMAZING pictures and video that we'll be happily sharing forever.

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

VanDoug! Thank you both for the honor of having me photograph your amazing wedding! I enjoyed getting to know and spend time with you both! It was your love that made the day so amazing! I am still smiling from it:)

Alicia Sent on 03/29/2016

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Finding a photographer for our big day was super overwhelming! All profiles sounded great and what any bride wanted to hear, but Michaels was down to earth. Alex (my now husband) adored his photos and loved what he called "the in the moment" pics. We both wanted someone to help capture our personalities in the photographs but also something that would not look dated in the years to come. Michael and his team did just that! It also helped that when meeting Michael for the first time (on the day of), he was personable, immediately well liked by everyone I talked to, and he knew my special references to Star Trek for my late father. He was professional, had our sense of humor, and we could not be any more happy and beyond grateful for such beautiful wedding photos.

Jessica Sent on 03/22/2016

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Very accommodating, professional and creative wedding photographer!

Mike was an amazing photographer in every way imaginable, going above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy, especially the bride and groom. He also was very accommodating to the entire wedding party and the wedding guests. We received multiple compliments about how quick Mike was to respond to special requests. One member of the wedding party even said she felt bad after about how demanding she probably seemed but said he was awesome and didn't even flinch.

During our engagement photo shoot he had great ideas for locations and poses. We gave him an idea of the look or them we were going for and he took it from there. He gave us multiple location options and helped us paint a good picture of what we would get at each one. He was more than willing to travel with us to multiple locations and even had the groom (who hates taking photos) happy with the pictures.

Mike then followed up after the wedding and kept us updated, we even received the finished photos sooner than we expected. Everyone kept telling us how long it would take to get the finished product but Mike managed to surprise us and deliver sooner than any of our friends experienced with other wedding photographers.

Kaylinn Sent on 12/28/2015

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Michael Stephens Photography did an unbelievable job photographing our engagement shoot and our wedding, hands down. We met Michael at the Madonna Inn bridal faire and right away were blown away with his work, his professionalism, and his easy going and fun personality. We had some problems with our original photographer and luckily Michael was available to step in 2 months before our wedding and save the day! He worked with our crazy schedules and fit us in a for an engagement shoot right before our wedding and our engagement shoot was so much fun! My fiance is a little camera shy but he clicked with Michael right away and we had a great time laughing and canoodling our way through Los Osos Oaks. At the shoot we asked if it was possible to have 2 or 3 pictures for us to use at the wedding (at that point a week away) and he said he would see what he could do. Two days later we had an email WITH ALL OUR PHOTOS!!! My fiance and I were completely blown away by the turn around AND the quality of the pictures. They were absolutely gorgeous and I knew we could count on him to capture our wedding day. And again, Michael didn't disappoint. Michael really knows how to play with the light and composition of the photo to capture sweet moments between his subjects. He is professional and personable and will make any uneasy family member (or husband) light up and bring their true personalities out in the shots. I am so happy we found Michael to photograph our wedding and could not be happier with our photos. BOOK THIS GUY FOR YOUR WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marissa Sent on 12/13/2015

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Michale and Paul are both AMAZEBALLS!!! First time we met Michael at the SLO Bridal Shower what stopped us at his booth was his truly amazing and very talented pictures. When Michael came up to us and my family. He was super friendly and down to earth. The day of the wedding we knew we made the RIGHT CHOCIE!! They were super friendly and funny. Not only did we love them but our family as well did too. We loved all their jokes and sillyness. They made the day so much better. Last night my husband and I looked at our pictures with my side of the family. We all couldn't stop laughing, smiling, saying aww, and amazeballs. They truly made our wedding a wonderful experience. They capture every moment so perfectly. With the beautiful pictures we have something that will make our wedding a beautiful memory for a lifetime!!!! We highly recommended them. I even joke with my husband if we get married again or need a photographer we would love to hire them again and again. One of the best vendors we invested in!!!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Thank you Marissa! It's because of people like you and Brandon that I LOVE what I do! Here's to a lifetime of happiness for you both and please let me know when you need family photos;)

Ashly Sent on 10/17/2015

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Michael was wonderful from the very beginning! I knew he was the one when I learned that he and his wife got married at the same venue I was getting married at in the same year my fiance and I started dating! It was meant to be ;)
Michael's easy going, positive, and friendly personality made our day that much easier. We were able to relax and enjoy our special day because we knew we were in good hands! Michael was very cooperative and flexible through and through. He and his shooting partner arrived on time and stayed till the very end of the reception capturing all the special and unique moments of the day! Michael was great at making my husband laugh because he needs that in order to smile in pictures! We got our pictures back in a timely manner and we love them all!!! Michael was able to capture our day as a professional but also seemed like an old family friend who was a guest at our wedding! Cool guy for sure ;)

Sarah Sent on 09/15/2015

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Michael and his second shooter Paul were simply fabulous. My pictures are romantic, funny, natural, and inspired. My guests and family mentioned that he was very funny and easy to work with during the cocktail hour group shots (my family on the other hand- not so easy to work with!). But even better he is extremely flexible for your unique situation. My wedding was in Orange County, but the only florist I wanted to do my bouquet was in San Luis Obispo- Michael made an extra stop to bring my flowers to me- who does that? Beyond great service. I can't recommend him enough. Also, a plus for me is that he texts and has a quick response. As an on the go bride who travels a lot for work that was very important to me.

Ashleigh Sent on 09/07/2015

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Michael is awesome I couldn't ask for more from a photographer. He's the kind of guy you want to hang out with. He made me feel comfortable and his work was amazing. He showed up on time and took all of the pictures I wanted. You can really tell he cares about his customers and his work. I can't wait to use his services again. Thank you for making our day perfect.

Melissa Sent on 08/24/2015

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Three words: beards, brews, & bacon. Those are the words that Michael Stephens used that made me and fiance (now husband!) sold on booking him as our photographer for our wedding. We met Michael at a bridal fair convention at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, it being Michael Stephens 1st bridal fair! He was calm, cool, and funny! We fell in love with SLO and Michael was the answer to our wedding prayers! He fit right into our budget and man did we get lucky! The composition of his photography will blow you away! It is spectacular! We were so pleased with our engagement and wedding photos. He captured moments that would never be able to be described in words! Not only was his work one that you want to show off, but working with him as our photographer was so delightful and easy! He has became our friend and I am pretty sure my husband loves him! He made us laugh and feel comfortable. He complimented and supported us throughout the whole wedding/photography process! Even our guest let us know how cool they thought Michael Stephens was! ooo and did I mention he has a bada** beard? You would be a dummy if you choose not to have the pleasure of working with Michael Stephens!!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Melissa... Wow! I am still smiling from your kind words. I feel so blessed to be able to spend my time with such amazing and in-love couples like you and Darren. You guys are some of the kindest, most caring and coolest people I have ever met. I can't say enough about the two of you. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a part of your incredible wedding day! I am thankful to call you my new friends:)

Becca Sent on 08/03/2015

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I simply cannot find the words to write about how awesome Mike is. He drove forever to get to both our engagement shoot and wedding, showed up early, and stayed with us all day both times. No really, right to the end of the reception for those "everybody in a circle" songs!
He took every picture we asked him to, talked to us when we were feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, and of course took friggin' awesome shots. I can't wait to see the pictures of our wedding day; I'm not waiting to write this review because I know they are going to be great.
I hope this review has convinced you to book Mike... if it hasn't, go read some of his other 5-star reviews to convince yourself!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Wow! Thank you Becca:) It was an honor and a blessing to photograph yours and Chuy's wedding day! Not to mention you had the most awesome engagement shoot idea ever!!! I am so stoked to know you both:)

May Sent on 06/16/2015

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I am so happy that my husband and I chose Michael Stephens Photography for our wedding photos! Mike did an amazing job photographing all of the special moments on our wedding day. Mike, and his second shooter for the day, Paul Bolger, did a fabulous job on scouting out locations and finding the perfect angle to capture our emotions. He was very well organized and extremely accommodating in order to make sure we got all of the shots we wanted with friends and family before, during, and after our ceremony. There was a quick turnaround between the wedding and when we received our digital copies; Mike edited and stylized the photos appropriately. Many of our guests complimented his work after the wedding. I would highly recommend Michael Stephens Photography to any future Bride & Groom!

Jennifer Sent on 05/11/2015

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WOW! I can't say enough how TRULY awesome Michael Stephens(Mike) was. Seriously, he was the best vendor of all from our wedding. I don't usually write reviews, but I really felt like I had to express my gratitude for such great work. We met Mike at a wedding expo, and where all the other photographers just felt way over our budget and not like folks we could click with, Mike felt like someone we could trust. That came in really handy, because we had a limited budget, and were upfront with Mike about that. He instantly worked with us to com up with a plan where we could afford his really professional work, and he also let me know where I had to be more realistic about time and money in a way that put me at ease. On the actual wedding day, Mike was again such a pro at helping us through the photo taking process, making us laugh and feel our best so that would be reflected in the photos.

I can’t recommend Mike enough! It is just a week after the wedding, so of course we don’t have any pics yet, but Mike did post a few on Facebook, and they just made our day- so wonderful! A great reminder that this was the best day of our lives:) THANK YOU MIKE!!!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Jennifer, thank you for the amazing review! It was such a blessing to work with you, Joey and your sweet family.

Erin Sent on 02/25/2015

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Michael and Paul were amazing! They joined the party and were so much fun to have on our special day. Our photos turned out beautiful and really captured the event.

Mike Sent on 12/18/2014

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When my wife and I first started planning our wedding, we knew one of the most important decisions was to get the best wedding photographer. After the wedding has come and gone 10 or 20 years later it will be the wedding photos that will help us relive the most important day of our lives. I knew about Mike Stephens photography, but had no idea how amazing his work was. When looking through his portfolio it was difficult for me to see myself in other people's pictures. The package I chose to purchase from Mike was the engagement shoot as well as wedding photos; every penny was worth it! When arriving on the location for our shoot my wife and I had no idea how to pose for a camera, where to go, or what to do, Mike was able to take control of the situation and guide us through an amazing photo shoot. He picked the location and knew exactly what to photograph and how to shoot it, I put all of my faith into Mike, hoping he would do a good job. Once our photos were taken, Mike was able to edit them and distribute them to us so quick. When my wife and I opened up the email that included the images of us, we were in aw, we had the biggest smiles on our faces. The photos turned out some much better than I could have ever imagined; everything looked perfect. This lead us to the wedding, I knew my wife and I would already be under a lot of pressure, so the last thing we wanted to worry about was the photos. I had no doubt Mike would do an outstanding job, it was such a relief to know I hired such a phenomenal photographer. Every single one of our photos looked "picture perfect." I do not regret the decision to hire Mike by any means, I would recommend him to any one looking to hire a professional and outstanding photographer!

Melly Sent on 12/02/2014

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I don’t even know where to begin. We had a big wedding at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California with about 250 guests. Having a wedding that size, there are inevitably things that will go wrong, but the saving grace of it all was having Michael Stephens Photography there. We contracted Michael to photograph our event with 2 photographers. He and Paul did an absolutely incredible job of keeping us calm, making sure we had fun taking pictures, and above all providing us with some absolutely STUNNING photos from our wedding day.
I loved that they were creative with poses and backgrounds. Michael has an ease about him that makes you forget he’s even taking photos & Paul did some incredible things with light capture. We were fortunate to receive so many photos that we love, like a really cool photo with the Long Beach skyline at dusk or a great picture of us on the docks with the boats. I’m not one who is very photogenic, or even likes to have my picture taken, but Michael Stephens was the best to work with & my husband and I would recommend him to ANYONE! In fact… my best friend is getting married in January & she’s hired Michael as well!

In the sea of wedding vendors you’re inevitably bombarded with once you’re engaged, Michael Stephens Photography truly stands out for professionalism and quality of product. Seriously – the best photographer and such a wonderful and honest vendor to work with!

Michael Stephens Photography's reply:

Melly ~ I don't have words to express how grateful I am to you and Kevin for the kind words and more importantly for trusting me to photograph your stunning wedding day. I love it when clients turn into friends and I consider you both the best of people and wish you both all the best in the years to come:)

Katie Sent on 10/01/2014

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Seth & I traveled from Utah to wed in Paso Robles, CA. Due to the distance, we didn't have an opportunity to meet Mike before he shot our engagement photos the day prior to our wedding. After email exchanges and a couple phone calls, we were certain that Mike was our guy. His work speaks for itself (obviously brilliant), so the fact that he was professional, prompt and easy to talk to set our minds at ease.

We're both self-professed awkward photo takers and doing the engagement shoot before the wedding was just what we needed to get comfortable in front of the lens and build a rapport with Mike. If you're traveling from out of town, I highly recommend doing a session before the wedding to get comfortable. I think this made a huge difference on the big day. Seth & I ended up actually enjoying photo taking and have vowed to return to Paso, not just for the wine, but for a family session with Mike.

The photos turned out better than we could have imagined. I look at them everyday and think "Mike made us look so good, we could actually be in a bridal magazine."

Leah Sent on 09/23/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
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Professionalism
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Flexibility
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I scheduled Michael less than a week before our wedding, and everything worked out perfectly! He was great to work with over email and phone, and in person. He showed up on time, had great ideas for pictures, and my husband and I both felt comfortable and really enjoyed working with Michael. We got our pictures back sooner than expected and they are beautiful! I highly recommend Michael Stephens Photography.

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Michael Stephens Photography