Hey everyone! my name is Michael Freas. I’m the guest you didn’t invite to your wedding, but you’re so glad that I came.
I grew up in Western North Carolina but got my start in the Florida Keys. I’ve spent the last 15 years living and traveling all over Florida and the East Coast. It molded me to understand different personalities, which allows me to get to know couples better.
Having a new appreciation for the simple things, I unlocked something inside. I’d always been the loud one, the athletic one, but never the CREATIVE one. Turns out, that creativity was in me all along. I found a new way of seeing life, and what really matters. The genuine moments, without the fluff.
I now call Key West and Asheville home, but I still love to travel. I consider myself a global citizen, as I follow my couples around the world, capturing every meaningful moment. I have an empathetic and genuine approach to every couple’s relationship. I deep dive, because that’s where the beauty is.
“We worked with Michael for our engagement shoot and wedding day, and he exceeded our expectations with our photos! We had to postpone our wedding date due to covid and he was very flexible and understanding of our change.
When wedding day came around, Michael made photo-taking fun and stress-free. He’s an incredibly talented photographer, who doesn’t settle for posed pictures. He makes a point of getting to know the couples he works with, so he can better understand how to capture their special moments.
He’s a storytelling photographer, and it definitely showed in the final product. We can’t recommend Michael enough, so if you need a photographer for your special day…look no further!”
-Keeshia & Joe
“My husband and I are blown away by Michael’s talent. He made our wedding day the most special day of our lives! From the moment we met Michael we knew he was the one. His work speaks for itself and he has a way of brining the day to life with his eye for magic and his warm and refreshing personality. I personally hate taking pictures but our wedding day was my one exception, thanks to Michael making me feel so at ease.
I feel Michael has a supernatural gift for capturing once in a lifetime moments and he keeps it fun, professional and spectacular all the way. He is a genius at what he does and I’m so happy to see someone who is so talented and gifted, using their gifts to bless the world.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💕”
-Yoselyn & Gian Carlo
“Leading up to the wedding day Mike communicated with us perfectly to show how prepared and professional he was for our big day. This is an important step in capturing a wedding. Most people look over the hard work that goes on before and after the wedding day. The results speak for themselves.
As a photographer Mike excels in capturing candid moments in time while playing with light and composition. As a fellow photographer that is all I asked for. Looking back on our photos it takes us back to the wedding day and brings back all the emotions we experienced. That’s what you get when you hire Mike and we couldn’t be happier!”
-Maggie & Tate
Any wedding photographer can stage a few formal family scenes, snap a few shots of the happy couple dancing and cutting the cake, and then call it a day. But that’s just the beginning of the process of telling the story of your wedding.
I’m a wedding photographer, but really I’m a photojournalist and a storyteller who just loves weddings. (Like really loves weddings.)
Or to be more honest, what I love isn’t so much the wedding so much as awesome couples coming together to create something special.
You don’t want a stranger running around on your wedding day telling you where to stand and when to smile. Instead, you want a friend — and trust me, by the time you get married, we’ll be connected through social media, we’ll have talked a bunch online and/or in person, and we will be great friends! — who knows how to capture every special moment, glance and smile, and will be on hand with perfect timing and expert touch to catch the true beauty that is your wedding, for you to have and to hold for generations to come.
As a wedding photographer I’ve helped hundreds of couples over the years capture and keep all the special moments from their special day. Here are some samples of my work. I have lots more. Let me know if there’s anything specific you would like to see and I can pour through the wedding photography blog.
Any wedding photographer can stage a few formal family photos, snap a few shots of the happy couple dancing and cutting the cake, and then call it a day. But that’s just the beginning of the process of telling the story of your wedding. As an Asheville and Key West Wedding photographer, it’s my job to create high-quality images that can help grab your attention from a distance. My goal is to truly know you as a couple prior to wedding day!
You don’t want a stranger running around on your wedding day telling you where to stand and when to smile. Instead, you want a friend. Someone who knows how to capture every special moment, glance and smile, and will be on hand with perfect timing and expert touch to catch the true beauty that is your wedding, for you to have and to hold for generations to come.
Michael Freas captured beautiful mountain top and valley weddings in the Asheville North Carolina area and has been both awarded and critically acclaimed for his one of a kind picturesque shots.
Learn About My Asheville Wedding Photography Services
Asheville is a one of a kind place to have an elopement wedding. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful historic buildings, there are plenty of opportunities to capture lasting memories on your special day.
Learn About My Asheville Elopement Photography Services
No matter where you're from, there's nothing quite like getting engaged in scenic Asheville and the Western North Carolina Mountains.
Learn About My Asheville Engagement Photography Services
Michael Freas is one of the leaders in wedding photography in Key West. As a Key West resident himself, he knows all the best spots to take that perfect wedding photo in paradise.
Learn About My Key West Wedding Photography Services
Looking to capture a destination wedding or elopement in the Keys? We've helped hundreds of couples capture their "I Dos" in the tropics.
Learn About My Florida Keys Elopement Photography Services
Whether you're planning on posing the question you want to take photos after the fact we can help your once in a lifetime memories of your engagement.
Learn About My Florida Keys Engagement Photography Services
My first priority is to see if we are the right fit for each other and have a conversation to see if we are simpatico. Why? Because not all wedding photographers are alike. EPIC wedding images come from the best relationships with couples. It gives me meaning and purpose for capturing your day.
“Michael is the type of person who you feel like you’ve known for years. Having TRUST in your photographer is so important!!!”
“It was like having a friend/relative with us the whole day….The end result far exceeded our expectations.”
First, we start with a fun conversation. No matter if it’s a wedding, a family session, or even a headshot you’re planning for, I want to know who the important people are in your life, and why they are important. I want to learn what passions you have, and how that has helped create the person you are right now. My goal is to capture your best possible self. I want you to see that in each photograph. Get ready. You may learn some more things about me!
My style in my words is artistic journalism. To most it’s called candids and real moments. I started in photojournalism in high school and a few free papers in my late 20’s early 30’s. I use that same vision to photograph your wedding day as it unfolds naturally without interference. I add artistic elements to what I document and put a lot of energy and time into creative portraits of the two of you. I also like to be on the dance floor!
In addition to all your creative and documentary photos, your parents can rest assured we will produce beautiful, traditional family photos, bridal portraits. I’ll even get photos of your food, flowers and fashion, to do justice to all the amazing design details you worked so hard on!
With the amount of Zoom meetings I did in 2020, I feel like I am a professional at them too. I have quarterly meetings via FaceTime or Zoom. You can also send me emails or texts for quick questions.
I will book my own airfare, hotel and transportation, so you don’t have to worry about anything. If your planner is arranging shuttles, or prefers to book my room for me, great! Whatever is easiest for you.
Yes, I’ve photographed engagement sessions all over the world, and I am happy to come to your town or meet you somewhere that is special to you. Just reach out and get the conversation started
Absolutely! I take all the photographs you would expect from a wedding and go beyond to give you photographs that you never even imagined, and have storytelling value.
One of my recent couples said it best: ““He was a true guy’s guy, and my husband actually had fun throughout the entire process!” The only time you really notice a camera is during the family group photos and creative portraits. During this time, I keep you relaxed and am there every step so you can just be yourselves while I capture the magic.
Because my imagery is more than a wedding photographer taking an image, I make a point to talk with each of you quarterly, and even your parents if possible, a month or so before your wedding to get to know you better and build that trust. By wedding day, we will feel like old friends when we meet in person. Want to take it a step further? Opt in for photography for your rehearsal dinner or welcome party. You can form quick relationships with your fiancé and guests before your wedding day. Just that small fraction of time can be the difference that creates EPIC images.
I adapt to any situation and have already discussed a backup plan with you prior to the wedding in case of rain. You just worry about you as a couple, who is happy and in love, which will show in your photos. That is why my favorite wedding photos have a lot more to do with your personalities and your chemistry as a couple. I’ve taken some of my best images in a gas station parking lot. Backgrounds dont run my images, they serve as filler content.
When you contact me about photographing your wedding, I will send you a full gallery of a real wedding. You will see that my coverage includes photos of your dress, jewelry, shoes, flowers, food and reception décor. A shot list is great for family group photos so I don’t miss anyone important. For all the rest of the photographs any bride would expect, I got your back!
The second photographer is chosen from a short list of very talented people I work with regularly. I also shoot for them. The second photographer helps photograph the getting-ready time and details, provides a second angle on the ceremony and reception, and me with lighting.
I try to have a first sneak peek of your images ready 1 week after the wedding. The editing process for your full gallery takes 8-10 weeks. Once that is ready I produce an album layout, slideshow, and then send your personal online gallery.
Use the contact tab to reach me with questions about pricing, and availability. Once we have spoken about your wedding, I will send you a password-protected site where you can sign your contract and pay your retainer. Everything can be done online in less than five minutes. As soon as your date is booked, you can count on me to be there ready to capture the most anticipated day of your life.
Tell me a little about you! What’s most important to you, who is most important to you, what plans you’ve made for your wedding already – really anything that you would like to share to get us started.
Simply fill out the contact form below to check if I have your date available then we can set up a time to meet and see if we’re a good fit! If you don’t hear back from me within 24 hours please call 305-896-6314 or send me an email at info@michaelfreas.com
Micayla and George are just the kind of people I like to hang out with, spontaneous but laid back, outdoorsy, and with a great sense
PHOTOGRAPHING DESTINATIONS WEDDING IN ITALY The more destination weddings I photograph, the more of the same theme is present; the couple gets to spend quality
Growing up in the North Carolina mountains, fall was always a big part of my families year. We would always take a weekend, usually after
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