Shane Michael StudiosContact

St. Louis & destination wedding photographer

What your
wedding photographer
should handle.

Photography is only part of the job. I'm also working with your planner, DJ, officiant, venue staff, and family to keep my part of the day moving without constantly dragging you into it.

I know how to read people, keep portraits organized, get what I need without being an ass about it, and make decisions without turning every little problem into your problem.

You've got enough going on. I'll handle my end.

Bride and groom beneath sunlit stone columns on their wedding day

Hundreds of weddings

2× WeddingWire Couples' Choice

Award-winning journalist

Shutterfest speaker

Photography educator

Groomsmen in gray suits toasting with carved wooden mugs among the flowers

My approach

There's a time to direct. And a time to let things happen.

Portraits need direction. Family photos need organization. Ceremonies and receptions need me paying attention instead of constantly interfering.

If the light is bad, I'll fix it. If the location gives us nothing, I'll find another angle or build the shot. If something worth photographing is happening on its own, I'm not stopping it to pose you.

The goal is simple: strong photographs without turning your wedding into an all-day production.

Wedding rings detail
Couple kissing behind a cowboy hat on a porch at sunset
Bride and groom kissing on a footbridge
Bride and groom kissing across a stone arch bridge bordered by dense evergreens

Local

St. Louis weddings

From historic venues to modern spaces, I photograph weddings throughout St. Louis and the surrounding areas. You get local experience, quick communication, and a team that knows how to make the day run smoothly.

Explore St. Louis weddings
Bride and groom on a rocky shoreline beneath a cloudy sky

Travel

Destination weddings

A destination wedding gives me more than a different backdrop. It means unfamiliar locations, changing light, travel logistics, and usually a tighter window to figure everything out. I arrive prepared, scout what I need to, and build the photography around the location instead of forcing the same shots I'd make anywhere else.

Explore destination weddings

Featured weddings

Selected weddings

View full portfolio
Tristan & Maddie: the full wedding story
Bride and groom sharing their first dance, seen from above on a dark wooden floor

THE BARNETT

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Bride on a balcony in afternoon light

CHANDLER HILL VINEYARDS

DEFIANCE, MISSOURI

Bride and groom standing on a wooden footbridge, each looking away from the other

SMALL & INTIMATE

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Wedding rings resting on dark fabric

Wedding coverage & pricing

Let's get the coverage right.

You shouldn't have to guess how many hours you need. I'll look at the timeline, locations, travel, ceremony, reception, and how the day is laid out.

If six hours makes sense, I'll tell you. If you need eight, a second photographer, or additional coverage, I'll explain why. The goal is to cover the day properly without selling you hours you don't need.

Wedding coverage
starting at

$3,500

Destination weddings

Custom Quote

Based on coverage, location, and travel requirements.

Before you book

Wedding
photographer
FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about wedding coverage, travel, timelines, and booking.

Bride and groom at the altar in a glass conservatory, layered with a portrait of the bride in a flowing veil

Wedding inquiries

Tell me about
your wedding.

Have a date and venue in mind? Send me the details, and a little about what you're planning. I'll confirm availability, go over the coverage options, and answer any questions before we move forward.