the Value

Testimonials and Reviews from Past Couples

Real stories from couples who valued an unobtrusive, documentary wedding photographer in Western North Carolina. See Why Couples Trust Michael Freas Photography

Terran Ward

Michael is an awesome photographer, one of my favorite photographers in the Asheville area. If you’re looking for someone who is detailed oriented, friendly, and all around awesome photographers he’s your guy!

Tonyia Bobik

We could not have picked a better photographer for our elopement! We aren’t from the area so we had no idea of places, times or weather. Michael was absolutely on it! He called the sunrise perfectly and when the storm tried to ruin our sunset picture that evening he found… Read more “Tonyia Bobik”

Virginia

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Michael did an amazing job capturing such an important moment in our lives. He was professional, discreet, and made us feel completely comfortable. The photos turned out absolutely stunning and perfectly reflect how special the day was. He froze a moment in time for us to remember and relive… Read more “Virginia”

Adam Steinlauf

What an amazing experience working with Michael!! From the moment I spoke with Michael, I knew I was in good hands. Michael was able to accommodate a short notice photo shoot for my proposal and I could not recommend him enough! If anyone is looking for photography needs in the… Read more “Adam Steinlauf”

Olivia Forshaw

Michael is insanely talented, just the previews for our wedding pictures look so magical! He’s a great guy that really adds to the fun!

Alexis

Michael’s not only an expert behind the camera, but was also an incredible presence and joy to work with both up to and throughout our wedding day. He navigated all the pivots of the day with us—from weather-related changes to shifting photo plans—and did it all with professionalism, flexibility, and… Read more “Alexis”

Stephanie Stegemoller

I believe choosing a photographer for your wedding is one of the most important steps of your wedding journey. The photos are how you’re going to relive the best day of your life. I found Michael on Instagram after going through TONS of photographers. As soon as I found his… Read more “Stephanie Stegemoller”

Liz Dawson

Michael made his our day so amazing!!! He is an incredible photographer and equally amazing person! We had so much fun with him. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else!!

Elise Stahl

Michael went above and beyond to make sure we had the most perfect experience for wedding photos. He knew countless great spots in the area and knows how to manage the light in difficult settings. Could not recommend him more for anyone looking for a wedding photographer in the Asheville… Read more “Elise Stahl”

Kendall Earnshaw

Mike from Freas Photography truly made our wedding day memorable. He treated us like family, not just clients, and his expertise and professionalism helped us capture our dream wedding. Throughout the planning process, he was always available to answer our questions promptly, whether by phone or email. What stood out… Read more “Kendall Earnshaw”

kflipscomb

As a native of Florida I knew I wanted my wedding in a cooler weather and more nature-filled location. The mountains of North Carolina have always been a special place for me, and when I decided our wedding would be there I was a bit overwhelmed finding an out-of-town photographer.… Read more “kflipscomb”

James Nix

I’ve had the joy of working with Michael Freas as a second photographer several times, and I’ve also been lucky enough to have him as my second photographer on multiple occasions. Michael is hands down one of the best photographers I know, and I know quite a few! What really… Read more “James Nix”

Melanie Harriss

It was a pleasure working with Michael for our corporate launch event! The photos were delivered in a timely manner and his creative touch was showcased through our shot list and beyond. Highly recommend using him for your next event!

Victoria Magee

Michael!!!!!!! We feel so lucky that Michael captured our beautiful weekend. From the moment we first contacted him until the final delivery of our photos, Michael’s talent and passion shone through every step of the process. Michael has an unparalleled ability to capture the magic of each and every moment.… Read more “Victoria Magee”

Michael Beck

Looking for a reliable, one of a kind photographer? Look no further than Michael! Looking for a wedding photographer and planning a wedding was stressful, but I knew looking at Michael’s photos, he was the one I wanted to capture our special day! From day one he was so good… Read more “Michael Beck”

Taylor Brinkman

Seeing Michael’s work is impressive, but experiencing it is truly special. His creative vision is a genuine gift, as he has a unique perspective on the world around him. During our sessions, he would occasionally share previews of what he was capturing, and I was consistently amazed by his ability… Read more “Taylor Brinkman”

Marie Vogt

We used Michael for our engagement photos in the Blue Ridge Mountains and they turned out to be stunning photos! Michael has an incredible eye and talent for getting the perfect shot. He is great to work with all around, personable and easy to talk to! After such an amazing… Read more “Marie Vogt”

Kate K

He was my first choice after seeing the photos from my best friends wedding 3 years ago. He spent time making sure lighting and locations were perfect. He has such a unique perspective on the spaces we used. Incredibly talented and so much fun to work with!

Sean Murphy

Michael is the best out there hands down !! I hired him to shoot my proposal and we came up with the best plan. I originally wanted to do it at a different location and he gave me great insight to that place. We then decided on a better spot… Read more “Sean Murphy”

Paul Caruso

This man is like a Rockstar of photography. Brings a tremendous amount of energy and the skill to match. Rarely do I have such high praise for those in the photography profession, but Michael has an eye for the perfect shot, the perfect lighting, and combines both with perfect timing… Read more “Paul Caruso”

Ashley Tisdale

Michael Freas is the best photographer we could’ve possibly chosen. He is easy going and yet also professional at the same time. If you are looking for some quality photos where the color pops and stands out, along with some fun candid photos, you found the right person! As soon… Read more “Ashley Tisdale”

Jonathan Crane

My daughter was recently married and choosing Mike Freas as our photographer to catch life time memories was the absolute best decision we made. The professionalism and connection with the entire wedding party and guest couldn’t be duplicated. Mike is who you want to assure the bride and groom are… Read more “Jonathan Crane”

TAYLOR ALBERT

Once I found the Instagram of Michael Freas Photography in my early stages of wedding planning, I knew I had to inquire quickly….because I knew due to his quality of work, his schedule would book fast! He was my first vendor I booked early in my planning process, but with… Read more “TAYLOR ALBERT”

Jordan Gularte

If you’re looking for a photographer that takes the time to get to know you and your partner and captures the most special moments throughout your day then look no further! Mike is truly incredible at telling a story rather than taking posed photos. He goes above and beyond and… Read more “Jordan Gularte”

Kelsey

Michael was so amazing to work with! We are so happy we had him as our wedding photographer in Key West. He really went above and beyond. He listened and went with what was important to us, but also guided us and kept us on schedule. He knows his stuff… Read more “Kelsey”

Lauren Elda

Michael was an absolute rockstar to work with. Not only is he INCREDIBLY talented, but just an amazing person. He does pretty much anything to get that perfect shot, and is a magician with lighting. He is the best of the best! Super flexible, but also is sure to do… Read more “Lauren Elda”

Michelle Weber

Michael was such an amazing photographer to work with. We were originally attracted to some of the photos we saw on his Instagram page- they were unique and stunningly beautiful especially the way he captured scenic backgrounds. He did not disappoint when it came to our photos. We not only… Read more “Michelle Weber”

George

Michael did a fantastic job for our elopement! He went above and beyond to make everything perfect. We came from out of state to elope and get some beautiful pictures out in the Appalachian mountains. Before the elopement he hiked the trails to recon the best spots and send us… Read more “George”

Ariel Orellana

I highly recommend Freas photography. I hired Michael for an engagement shoot and he went above and beyond to help me plan and create a beautiful moment for me and my fiancé. The photos are amazing and great quality. He is a little bit more on the pricier side but… Read more “Ariel Orellana”

Julia Briley

From start to finish, Michael was wonderful to work with. I appreciate that he not only wanted to take excellent pictures, but also get to know us as a couple. He was professional, fun, and above all, an AMAZING photographer. Wedding guests who saw previews of our pictures all said… Read more “Julia Briley”

John De Carlo

There’s really not anything I can say that hasn’t been said by other reviewers. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Michael to bring the vision of our wedding into reality after a nearly three year Covid delay! If you choose anyone else to shoot your wedding, I can… Read more “John De Carlo”

Victoria Higgins

If you are looking for a photographer to hire look no further! Michael was a pleasure to work with. He was beyond friendly and attentive from day one. He took the time to get to know us before our big day which speaks volumes of his dedication to his work… Read more “Victoria Higgins”

Lauren Smith

Once I saw some of the stunning images online, I knew I had to hire Michael for my Key West wedding…we booked him before we even booked the venue. Mike is someone you kinda wanna hang out all day with…he just has this easy going way about him that makes… Read more “Lauren Smith”

Mikhail Habib

Michael did our proposal at biltmore and he was great!! Not only did he know the best spots for photos, but he also just let me and my fiancée just be ourselves for the photos- nothing felt forced or staged which made the photo session so fun and authentic!!! Not… Read more “Mikhail Habib”

Bianca Carabello

Michael was very responsive from day one. He was able to book and then upgrade our session all within a short amount of time, which we really appreciated. Michael even scouted the area we were going to shoot our photos in the days prior to our session, so was very… Read more “Bianca Carabello”

Keeshia Cimaglia

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.… Read more “Keeshia Cimaglia”

Wes Seat

Michael was incredibly easy to work with from the first video chat we had. Extremely personable and professional and made our wedding day a blast. He’s the kind of person you want there with you spending your special day with you. He handled all of the wedding drama like a… Read more “Wes Seat”

Samantha Gomez

Absolutely incredible amazing photographer. Captured every moment we asked for. Really captured our personalities in the photos as well. He stayed very relaxed and has amazing energy throughout the whole day!

Tate Finley

Mike captured my wife and my wedding on November 21, 2020. 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… Read more “Tate Finley”

Mark sergio

If you are looking for a wedding photographer look no further- Michael is your guy! We could not have better things to say about Michael, from the planning process to the wee hours of wedding night. He worked his butt off in this Florida heat and his pictures did not… Read more “Mark sergio”

Kimberly Carter

BEST photography you could have ever asked for. He always went WAY above and beyond giving advice and very responsive before our wedding. He did more than his job description. He was so friendly and outgoing my whole family LOVED him. When we met it it was like we have… Read more “Kimberly Carter”

Gian Carlo Alonso

My wife and I absolutely love Michael Freas! We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer. He is very friendly, yet very professional. We also loved his responsiveness and commitment to excellence. He is very easy to do business with! We highly recommend Michael and we plan to continue using… Read more “Gian Carlo Alonso”

Yoselyn Alonso

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… Read more “Yoselyn Alonso”

Mysha Browning

I could not recommend Freas Photography more highly! Michael has an amazing eye and he genuinely cares about making your wedding special and it comes through in his photos. If you want a photographer who is truly going to capture the story of your special day, Michael Freas is definitely… Read more “Mysha Browning”

Jorel Luyando

We had our wedding on 2/29/20, in Key West. We’re not from the area, so we had to plan everything remotely – and Michael made it super easy to do. He is a very genuine and direct person, which made it easier to navigate the whole process. He would text,… Read more “Jorel Luyando”

Erin LaSala

When we first began looking for a photographer for our elopement we didn’t quite know what we wanted, but after looking at Michael’s website we knew he was the person we wanted to work with. I hate super posed photos and wanted our portraits to really be “us,” not cookie-cutter… Read more “Erin LaSala”

Genna Brooks

Mike was definitely my first choice when picking our wedding photographer! He has such a unique style and (personality to match!). He was easy to work with and quick to respond in the months leading up to the wedding. Mike takes the time to get to know his clients in… Read more “Genna Brooks”

Shaylee Pedersen

Michael was an absolute blast to work with during the planning process and during the shoot. We were not from the area so had no input to give on locations but Michael had amazing spots already picked out. He is personable, easy going, and fun to be around. My Husband… Read more “Shaylee Pedersen”

Evan D

Michael just shot my wedding and he was absolutely amazing! His creativity and experience trump everything I’ve ever seen. Also his dedication to capturing the perfect pictures and going above and beyond truly made this night perfect. Highly recommended!

Shana Mullen

We cannot say enough good things about our experience with Mike as our photographer. We were married December 2019 at the Hemingway House in Key West, FL. Mike was an obvious choice as his work spoke for itself. His portfolio displayed the exact vibe we were going for — effortless,… Read more “Shana Mullen”

kayla dickerson

We absolutely LOVE Michael Freas! He was referred to us by a friend and it was honestly one of the best matches in this entire wedding process. He is so organized, and his authentic self which makes the process of getting to know each other fun and easy. He truly… Read more “kayla dickerson”

Thais Lage

Where do I even begin with Mike and his work? Mike shot my wedding in Sorrento, Italy. He was incredibly professional, informative, and helpful throughout the whole process. My husband and I are quite awkward in front of a camera, but with Mike’s humor and guidance, our pictures came out… Read more “Thais Lage”

Lauren Nolan

Michael was a pleasure to work with, answered all of our questions almost immediately. He was entertaining and seemed to genuinely enjoy his work. The final product was absolutely amazing. Our photos came out perfect Michael is grisly very talented!

Ashley Santaite

My husband and I truly cannot say enough how happy we are that we chose Michael Freas Photography for our wedding. From the day we hired him it was easy, efficient, and smooth sailing. Michael really cares about each of his clients and is extremely talented. On the day of… Read more “Ashley Santaite”

Tara Vickrey

Absolutely the best. Michael Freas is so easy to work with. He’s kind, funny and makes you feel comfortable instantly. He knows you to genuinely make you laugh for a great photo or how to disappear in the background so you don’t even notice he’s snapping away. He truly gets… Read more “Tara Vickrey”

Paige Anderson

Michael took absolutely beautiful photos of our family while we were on vacation in Key West. He was able to schedule us last minute and helped us find a perfect location to have our pictures taken. This was a once in a lifetime vacation for our family and to have… Read more “Paige Anderson”

Rachel Osborn

Mike goes above and beyond the role of just a photographer. His artistic ability and creative mind allows him to truly capture the essence of your wedding day. Mike is professional, easy going, and extremely talented. We have loved the work of Freas Photography for years now, and when it… Read more “Rachel Osborn”

Jaylin Morawski

There are not enough words to describe my experience working with Mike. Mike is an individual who truly loves his craft, and is always looking to push the boundaries when it comes to wedding photography. From the very first conversation we shared, our engagement photo session, to the very last… Read more “Jaylin Morawski”

Erin Gardella

Michael is professional and quick to follow up and follow through (which is everything when you’re planning a wedswed). He’s always thinking a few steps ahead on how to get the best shot and capture your day.

Bridget Smith

Made my wedding day truly magical. Easy to work with and an expert in his field with his creative work. Highly Recommend!

Kathryn Kaufmann

Mike Freas is a fabulous photographer and makes the whole experience so much fun. We used him for our engagement photos and our wedding and could not have been more happy. He has a great eye and is super creative. Thanks for amazing photos and a great time!!

Ashley Reeves

I cannot keep count of how many times someone has told me that our photos are the best wedding photos they’ve ever seen. Just yesterday I was looking at the photos in a public place, and a complete stranger said, “Those are the best wedding photos I’ve ever seen. Seriously,… Read more “Ashley Reeves”

Robert Clark

Mike is a true professional

Cindy S

Mike is very friendly to work with. He is very quick at responding emails. Funny, patient, knowledgeable, and professional. We had a fun day together. We trusted him to capture our day, and we are very happy how the pictures turned out. I would recommend him to anyone.

Shelby Jo Luce

We were referred to Mike by a friend of ours and within seconds of meeting him, I felt like we had known him for years! He is an amazing photographer, and his work illustrates just that. He gets to know you as a couple and is able to easily incorporate… Read more “Shelby Jo Luce”

Say Yes In Key West Weddings

Michael Freas is a wonderful photographer! He is very talented and Mike’s work is absolutely exceptional. We love working with him and highly recommend his services to everyone!

Tischa Roberts

Mike is a true artist. He made our day fun and brought tons of energy. The end result was far beyond our expectations.

Tischa Roberts

Mike is a true artist. He made our day fun and brought tons of energy. The end result was far beyond our expectations.

Elizabeth Capela

There are pictures that capture a moment, and then there are pictures that go beyond that and capture a feeling. Mike Freas is that kind of photographer- the one you cross your fingers, pray to God, and wish upon a star for because you are counting on him to be… Read more “Elizabeth Capela”

Key West Sisters

We work with Mike on a regular basis and he is wonderful! Always on time, very accommodating, extremely pleasant. He has a keen eye for photography and his photos show it. The turnaround time on his photos you can beat either. We highly recommend using Freas Photography, you won’t be… Read more “Key West Sisters”

Laurie McChesney

Mike takes the most amazing pictures of our properties. It’s so important to have great pictures to properly portray the features of each property and Mike does an excellent job. He is very easy to work with and accommodates our demanding schedule without any hesitation. I highly recommend Mike Freas.

Brian Tinsman

Mike is a top-notch photographer and knows all of the best photo angles and locations for Key West. He also wants YOU to be happy and involved with the process, so he hears out whatever ideas you might have, then has the perfect place to make that happen. He rolled… Read more “Brian Tinsman”

Victoria Dwyer

My fiance hired Mike back in August to come along on a boat ride with us, posing as a travel photographer, for a surprise engagement shoot. Not only did Mike do an excellent job at playing along with the surprise, he captured the most unbelievable pictures of the event. From… Read more “Victoria Dwyer”

Hebert Kathy

My husband, son, and I were in Key West this past spring celebrating our ten year anniversary. We wanted to mark the occasion with professional photos. Mike was amazing. He captured the essence of our family in beautiful shots that incorporated the FL landscape. I highly recommend him. We were… Read more “Hebert Kathy”

Jamie Roszel

My wife and I were married in Key West in July and, after looking for awhile on the internet, we decided to go with Freas Photography for our ceremony at Fort Zachary Taylor. We couldn’t be happier with our choice; Mike is a consummate professional. He took our ideas and… Read more “Jamie Roszel”

Emily Andon

Mike accommodated our request to more of a “lifestyle” shoot for our engagement photos. We brought our boat down to Key West and he went out on his boat and we took pictures out in the beautiful waters of the Keys and by an island -in and out of the… Read more “Emily Andon”

Tanya Borges

Mike was completely amazing to work with. He is so enthusiastic, professional, and creative; and he really does capture such beautiful candid moments throughout the entire day – and he became part of the family! From the first moment we spoke with Mike, he made us feel completely comfortable and… Read more “Tanya Borges”

Shelby Sharp

Mike is so much fun to work with! He did an amazing maternity shoot for my husband and I while we were on our babymoon in Key West. He made us both feel so comfortable and had great ideas for poses, backdrops, etc. We are so happy with the photos… Read more “Shelby Sharp”

christian johnston

We just got married in Key West, Fl in March 2015. Mike was helpful throughout the entire engagement and captured the shots we wanted on our wedding day. Very professional and easy going. Highly recommend!

Kimberly Gaines

Oh Mike….what can we say about Mike that everyone hasn’t already said? He is outstanding! We had the best time with him since the day we met. It was like love at first sight hahahaha His personality really took us both in and we were happy with every step to… Read more “Kimberly Gaines”

Alex Socha

Mike photographed my wedding in early 2016 and did a great job. He had help from his assistant, Stephanie, who dis a fantastic job of posing my wife and I to get just the right shot. His photos turned out fantastic and he has a very quick turn around time… Read more “Alex Socha”

Emily Sinclair

Imagine everything you want in a photographer and then think beyond that, that is was you will get with Mike. Mike made planning an intimate destination wedding a piece of cake. Any questions I had, he answered. Any vendors I needed help finding, he had recommendations. Not only, did my… Read more “Emily Sinclair”

Christy Miller

Mike is absolutely phenomenal! He made us feel comfortable immediately and kept us laughing throughout the entire session. Our family photos turned out beautifully. What a wonderful way to capture our love for each other and this beautiful town!

Shannon Maska

Incredible photographer! I have worked with Mike for a variety of photo shoots and he is always amazing. He’s the best!

Tommy Mack

Responsive. Sharp. Quick turn around. Image quality second to none!

Alex Kennedy

Mike was so fun to work with. We wanted a very laid back and silly engagement session and he gave us just that. From making noises to make our dogs look at the camera to being totally on board as my fiancee flung me in the air a la dirty… Read more “Alex Kennedy”

Kimberly Zirkle

Mike did a great job of capturing our two teens individually and in our family photos. He was fun to work with and picked an amazing location. The variety and quality of the photos was fantastic. Thanks Mike!

Michael Shanley

He was great. Very low key, no pushy and very interested in possibilities and professional. That is, he didn’t come in with a set way of doing things. As a result, the photos turned out natural, fun, not forced and cool. I highly recommend him if you are looking for… Read more “Michael Shanley”

Allison Marley

Words fail me….. As a bride getting married on a beach you keep your fingers crossed for good weather. The entire time my family, finance and I were in key west it was gorgeous. Until my wedding day. Mike was incredible. He was in constant communication with the local weather… Read more “Allison Marley”

A bride and groom embrace and kiss outdoors by a wooden fence, surrounded by lush greenery and distant Blue Ridge Mountains at sunset—captured beautifully by a Blue Ridge Mountains wedding photographer.

Want to experience what our CLIENTs rave about?

Let’s talk about your wedding plans and working with me as your documentary wedding photographer in Western North Carolina