Get to Know Us: Michael & Laura

Hey friends! We’re Michael and Laura—a husband and wife photography team based in Richmond, Virginia. We specialize in weddings and portraits, but our lives are filled with much more than just cameras and client galleries. If you’re new here (or even if you’ve been around a while but don’t really know much about us), this post is your go-to introduction. We’ve broken it down into three sections: Our Stories, How We Became Wedding Photographers, and Life Today. Grab a coffee (and tune in to our audio version below) and get to know us a little better… Our story, Richmond photographers.

1. Our Story, Richmond Photographers

Michael’s Journey

I was born in England in 1988, but my early years were spent in Kenya, where my parents were missionaries. I lived just outside Nairobi for about 14 years and absolutely loved it—so much so that Kenya still feels like home in many ways. During that time, I spent a year back in England while my dad pursued another degree, and we made occasional visits to the U.S. to see my mom’s family.

Moving to Richmond in 2004 was a big adjustment. I arrived just before my junior year of high school, and honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about leaving Kenya. I kept to myself at first, pretty upset about moving, and didn’t really get involved in school activities. Funny enough, Laura lived nearby at the time, and while we didn’t know each other then, she was supposed to give me rides to school—but that’s a story for another time!

After high school, I stayed local and attended VCU, where I discovered my passion for photography and earned a degree in Photography and Film. Picking that path wasn’t straightforward… I was torn between becoming a veterinarian or a photographer (completely different worlds!), but photography ultimately won out. I loved learning new techniques and diving into the creative process. After graduation, I worked at a publishing company photographing for the Navy, which gave me invaluable experience in the small business scene before going full time in our own small business.

Laura’s Journey – Our Story, Richmond Photographers

Born and raised on the south side of Richmond, I lived in the same house my entire childhood—one place filled with memories and stability. From as early as age seven, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I followed that dream to CNU, where I completed a five-year master’s program in teaching. I was lucky enough to be hired at the same school where I did my student teaching, and I got to loop with the same group of kids for three years… A truly special experience that deepened my love for education and connection. In total, I spent nine years teaching elementary school, which is longer than most (since many teachers burn out much earlier), but I genuinely loved it.

Making the decision to leave teaching wasn’t easy. I wrestled with it for a while because teaching was something I had dreamed of since I was little. But photography kept calling to me, and with Michael already diving deeper into it, I eventually took the leap—and I’m so glad I did. Teaching equipped me with skills that I now use every day: staying organized, breaking down complex ideas, and making people feel comfortable. Plus, it turns out those classroom management skills come in handy during family formals at weddings!

2. How We Became Wedding Photographers

Our photography journey started somewhat by accident. A friend of mine was getting married and needed a photographer. Michael had a camera, and I had an obsession with weddings—I was the person in our friend group always snapping pictures and staying up-to-date on all the wedding blogs. So, naturally, we volunteered to photograph her wedding. Neither of us knew what we were getting into, but we quickly realized how much we loved it. There’s just something about the excitement, the emotions, and the once-in-a-lifetime moments that hooked us right away.

That first wedding somehow led to another—and then another. We weren’t actively marketing ourselves, but word spread, and soon we were balancing photography with our full-time jobs. We shot weddings on weekends, edited late into the evenings, and squeezed in meetings between other obligations. After some serious conversations (and spending a year living in Kenya together), we decided it was time to go all-in. Michael went full-time with photography first, and after a few years, I joined him. It was a big leap, but one we haven’t regretted for a second. Over a decade later, we’re still capturing love stories and loving every minute of it.

3. Life Today

Life now is wonderfully full—and just a little chaotic in the best way. We live in Richmond with our two kids, Niles and Calvin, our dog Tusker (named after a Kenyan beer and adopted from a local brewery event), and a small flock of backyard chickens. We became foster parents in 2021, and our first placement, Calvin, ended up becoming part of our forever family. Our home is always buzzing with activity—whether it’s toddler giggles, a dog barking at the chickens, or us working away on photography projects.

Our house in the Bellevue neighborhood was a labor of love. We spent months searching for the right place, putting in multiple offers, and when we finally got it, we dove headfirst into renovations. We’re big DIY people—knocking down walls, redoing the kitchen, and giving every corner of the house some love. It’s not huge (especially now with kids and working from home), but it’s ours, and we adore it. Our backyard, especially, has become our little sanctuary. We spend countless hours out there, sending the kids to play while we sip coffee or brainstorm our next project.

Richmond is more than just where we live—it’s truly home. We love the community, the local spots, and, of course, the amazing couples we get to work with right here in Virginia. Thanks for stopping by and letting us share a piece of our story. We’re so grateful you’re here!

Want to keep up with us? Follow along on Instagram @michaelandlauraphotography—we’re hit or miss with posting, but when we do, you’ll see glimpses of our work, family life, and maybe even a chicken or two.

Want to hear more? Visit our personal page on our blog homepage for all things us!