" teamwork makes the dream work"
Our motto for our business, our marriage, and life in general
we're michael and laura
We've been shooting weddings together since 2011 and love all things weddings... When we're not working, we are living the exhausting, hilarious, and challenging life of being parents to two crazy toddlers.
When they're asleep, you can find us binge watching Netflix with our sweet pup, Tusker, a craft beer, and a big bowl of homemade guacamole or maybe creating a random project because we not-so-secretly wish we were Chip and Joanna Gaines.
oh Hey There!
Michael
Laura
Niles
Calvin
the Archers
meet the family
eternal optimist, handyman, dad jokes
big dreamer, emailer, crafty
lover of soccer, chickens, and peanut butter
wild, giggly, unreasonably strong
Tusker
naps, eats, circles the backyard tree, repeats
He was born in England, grew up in Kenya, and moved to Virginia when he was in high school.
He absolutely loves soccer and
gets pretty intense when watching a Man U game.
He is a man's man. He rides a motorcycle, works on cars, brews his own beer.. but also one of his favorite movies is Pitch Perfect.. so he is well balanced.
He is always dancing and listening to music.. dancing in the most wonderfully insane way to the most randomly eclectic music choices.
He is an insanely hard worker. It's not unusual to find Michael up at 2am working on his laptop. He makes sure things get done. And sometimes works just a little too hard.
She loves a well designed mug and some coffee (but mostly the mug). Pair that with a bagel and a back porch for the perfect start to her day.
She is all about a DIY project. From wedding cakes to our household decor, and everything in between, she is the most naturally talented person I know!
She's been around the world,
by sea, spending a semester traveling to 12 different countries, like South Africa, Namibia, India, Vietnam, Japan, and Guatemala!
She is obsessed with trinkets for the home. Do not let her pass the home section of Anthropologie unless you have a solid couple of hours to lose.
She serves, and serves, and serves!
She spent 9 years as a public teacher, before focusing all that devotion solely into our clients. But even if you're not a client, she wants to help you have the best experience possible, so ask!
Eight years ago we got married at the most DIY'd wedding possible.. inspired by what you can do with a little sweat equity, we created a blog series to continue our love of DIYs called Monday Crafternoons. Since then we've bought and renovated a huge fixer upper and have taken on countless projects. You can follow along on our Instagram!
DIY Projects
DIY
projects
our
chickens
Juja,
Kenya
Duck,
OBX
bagel sandwiches
We moved to the city and got baby chicks. Totally normal, right? Eh.. normal is overrated. Lovingly named #TheChicksCreek, our little chicks aren't so little anymore. We are definitely not pros, but we are masters at figuring things out as we go. Raising chickens has been no exception.
our chickens
DIY
projects
our
chickens
Juja,
Kenya
Duck,
OBX
bagel sandwiches
Michael grew up in Kenya. He spent 14 years there before moving to the US when he was 17. After we were married, we took a year off and moved to a beautiful town in Kenya just north of Nairobi. Laura taught this group of seven at a remote school in Juja. We also worked with the children's home to create a new website and update all the kid's adoption profile photos. Read more about our time in Kenya.
Juja, Kenya
DIY
projects
our
chickens
Juja,
Kenya
Duck,
OBX
bagel sandwiches
Almost 10 years ago Laura's parents decided to buy a house in Duck, and it's been the most wonderful thing ever. We head to the Outer Banks in the off season and have the beach to ourselves.. and take all the long walks.. and eat all the Duck Donuts.. and it's amazing.
Duck, OBX
DIY
projects
our
chickens
Juja,
Kenya
Duck,
OBX
bagel sandwiches
No seriously, it's our favorite thing. Bagels make the world go 'round.. I'm sure of it. Breakfast is by far our favorite meal. Eggs, bacon, a nice bagel, and huge amount of avocado paired with a hot cup of coffee and you have the best start to the day we can imagine.
Bagel Sandwiches
DIY
projects
our
chickens
Juja,
Kenya
Duck,
OBX
bagel sandwiches
our favorites
a few of
It's important to us that you feel like you know us, and that you like us if you're going to book us. Yes, we want you to like our work, but did you know that you spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than almost anyone else!? Seriously. Between the wedding day, your engagement session, and all the emails/coffee dates in between, we want you to actually enjoy spending time with us.. because it's going to end up being a lot of time.
why is this important?
We actually both went to Japan separately.. and went to Ireland and Belgium on our honeymoon. Eventually we'll make it to Iceland!
We dated senior year, and then connected again in college. You can read the whole story here.
We binge watch with the best of 'em!
There may have been a choreographed dance to accompany it..
We're BOTH lefties!
Click an answer to make your guess!
We may look ridiculous doing it.. but if there is a dance floor, we will be on it.
She taught elementary students for nine years before Niles arrived!
And it will be self-tied. None of this pre-tied nonsense.
It may have been crazy, but it was AMAZING. We drove around Ireland, popped over to England, Belgium, France, and Spain.. then took a Mediterranean cruise!
Best trip ever.
We're obsessed. We go through them at insane speeds we have to pick up a few every time we make a grocery run.
Click an answer to make your guess!
quiz yourself
feel like you know us pretty well?
a. Japan
b. Ireland
c. Belgium
d. Iceland
1. WHICH COUNTRY HAVE WE NOT BEEN TO YET, BUT DEFINITELY WILL SOON!
TRUE or FALSE
2. We first met in high school.
a. Schitts Creek
b. Any Food/Design Challenge show
c. Community
d. All of the above
3. Netflix shames us with the "are you still watching" during which show?
a. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
b. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
c. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall and Oats
d. Your Song - Elton John
8. Our first dance song at our wedding was to..
TRUE or FALSE
6. We are always the first ones on the dance floor.
a. Teacher
b. Baker
c. Camp counselor
d. Accountant
7. Laura used to be a..
a. A hat
b. A bowtie
c. Tennis shoes
d. A vest
4. Michael will always show up to a wedding wearing..
TRUE or FALSE
9. We took a month long honeymoon and everyone thought we were crazy.
a. Milk
b. Eggs
c. Avocados
d. Bread
10. WE'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE GROCERY STORE AND LEFT WITHOUT..
TRUE or FALSE
5. We are both right handed.
Email us
FosteR
Family
We adopted our sweet boy, Calvin, through foster care. We are very passionate about foster care and would love to talk to you about it if that's something you're interested in pursuing or asking questions about. We're an open book on Instagram, DM us or shoot us an email at info@michaelandlauraphotography.com.
We'd love to talk.
Since 2021
Let's be friends
photographers in love, for people in love