Are You Looking For Experienced, Award-Winning Minneapolis, MN Wedding Photographers?
Michael & Joanie were inducted into The Knot “Best of Weddings” Hall of Fame in 2015.
As award-winning Minneapolis wedding photographers, Joannie & I have more than 30 years of experience providing the best wedding photography. As a husband and wife wedding photography team, we have photographed hundreds of weddings in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area and all over Minnesota. We’re also destination wedding photographers, having created wedding photos all over the United States, including in beautiful Hawaii.
9 years in a row and 12 out of the last 14 years!
You have dozens of things to worry about, your wedding photographers shouldn’t be one of them. Joannie and I believe that before, during, and after your wedding day you should “Experience the Experience.”
For the 5th year in a row, Joannie and I have been recognized by WeddingWire as among the best wedding photographers in the United States.
We do everything we can to make sure that you have a fun and enjoyable wedding day. We just happen to create exceptional wedding photographs with you at the same time!
For the 5th year in a row, we’ve been selected as one of the best wedding photographers in Minneapolis, MN!
Joannie & I have been selected as one of “The Top 10 Wedding Photographers in St. Paul, Minnesota” in 2020 by WeddingRule!
Trust Us With Your Big Day! Contact Us Here.
Our Wedding Photography Package Prices can be found here
Experience & Trust – We offer you something that is very rare in wedding photography.
Very few wedding photographers have anywhere near the many years of actual wedding photography training, real-life wedding experiences, and the knowledge that Joannie and I have. There are even far fewer wedding photography studios that even have a husband and wife wedding photographers team at all.
Joannie & I are the world’s only light painting wedding photographers that light paint entire scenes at weddings.
A pretty light painting of Bryan & Emily at The Pavilion at Lake Elmo.
A Difficult Decision Made Easy
As a bride and groom, we know it can be challenging to choose any wedding vendor let alone your wedding photographers. There are simply too many options out there and unfortunately, many of them are here today and gone tomorrow. It can be especially difficult if you don’t have a referral from a friend or that friend had a bad wedding experience. The latter is actually helpful because at least you can take that wedding vendor off your list.
Many times for any type of buying decision, when you can’t see a difference or don’t know that one exists, the purchasing decision is then made based on price. When in reality, that’s the last thing you should look at. These are your wedding photographs, they cannot be redone at another time if they didn’t work out that day or the photographer was a jerk. It’s got to be done right the first time.
Of course, you should be realistic when it comes to your wedding budget, make sure you look at the big picture (pun intended) and get as many facts as you can before you choose any wedding vendor. Saving a few hundred dollars and hating your wedding photographer or worse, your wedding photos, certainly won’t be worth it for you in the long run.
The Top 20
You need to look no further than the fun and informative article that I wrote entitled “The Top 20!”
These are just twenty of the many reasons that set our wedding and portrait studio, Michael Anderson Photography, apart from the rest of the Minneap0lis and Edina wedding photographers out there.
In addition to The Top 20, there are many more significant differences between our high-quality full-time professional photography studio and many of the big internet wedding photography companies out there.
Wedding photography with us is very, very different from the big, low budget wedding photography companies. I have been a full-time professional photographer and the studio’s owner since we opened our photography studio in September of 1986. Joannie & I put our personal touches on every portrait and every wedding we photograph. We are not a “for hire” subcontractor who has no commitment to the company or to you the couple.
Many times with the companies you find on the web, you won’t even meet your wedding photographers until the wedding day! How silly is that?
To maintain the strict quality standards we do not send part-time photographers or subcontractors to photograph your wedding.
Unlike many of the wedding photography companies you see, we shoot only RAW files with our cameras, never compressed jpeg images. With some of the “big box” companies, because they do everything over the internet, their part-time wedding subcontractors can only submit compressed images back to the company. This results in a huge loss in the potential quality of YOUR wedding photographs!
The difference in final image quality between RAW vs. compressed files can be very, very noticeable. Many times, it’s the difference between an OK wedding picture and an amazing wedding photograph!
There is another major item that sets our wedding photography apart from those big web guys. Many of those companies have shooting restrictions on their wedding photographers. One local Twins Cities wedding company says no more than 100 images per hour of coverage and the National chains have a preferred maximum of 120 images per hour of coverage (and theirs are all in jpeg format).
We Want You To Look Perfect In Your Wedding Pictures
And finally, you will go through a lot of effort to look the best you can on your wedding day. Hair, makeup, the perfect dress, flowers, decorations, and much more. Why wouldn’t you want your wedding photographs to look their best too?
Here at our studio, I personally retouch and enhance every single print the studio produces for you and your entire wedding storybook too. You probably will not find any other wedding photographers anywhere that does that. It takes too much time or they simply don’t know how to do it. Here at our studio, it’s included for all of our custom prints and wedding albums.
Linh and Dang’s finished light painting at The Van Dusen Mansion is amazing!
Many other studios have it hired out if they even do it at all. How would you like it if someone who wasn’t even at your wedding was making decisions about how your wedding photographs looked? You can enjoy some great examples of the type of enhancements that we make to our client’s wedding photographs in our special Wedding Photography Before and After gallery.
Quality And Value For Your Money
If you are serious about having a really fun wedding day and also getting a lot of really awesome wedding photographs too, you owe it to yourself to check out our wedding and portrait studio. Joannie & I have been considered as some of the best wedding photographers in Minnesota and the Minneapolis area since 1986. You will not be disappointed.
Trust Us With Your Big Day! Contact Us Here.
Wedding Photography Testimonials
Joannie and I have had the honor of photographing weddings all over Minnesota, from Edina to Brainerd, and from Rochester to Two Harbors. We’ve also created destination wedding photos in many other states; including Hawaii, Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, and Iowa.
Below is a small sample of what brides & grooms have to say about their wedding day experiences with Joannie and myself as their wedding photographers. We have many, many more testimonials all over our website. Look for more on our “Best Wedding Photographers in Minnesota“ page and on our “Wedding Day Memories” page too.
“AMAZING! AMAZING!!! AMAZING!!!! There aren’t even words to describe how happy I am to have found Michael and Joannie to be our wedding photographers!!!
I had Michael Anderson Photography as one of my Facebook friends and already knew I loved the pictures they produced. I was a Personal Attendant at a girlfriends wedding and saw how amazing they were to work with and just knew that I had to have them for our wedding! As soon as we had a date I set up an appointment to meet with Michael, he responded fast and set up a meeting. We booked on the spot and it was the easiest and best decision I made the whole wedding!
A great image of Eric and Amanda’s wedding party in the pretty fall colors.
Our engagement session went flawless (even with including our two kids). I didn’t have a place in mind but Michael did, and the pictures are beautiful! In the process, all emails were answers quickly and my questions were always answered!
The day of our wedding, I receive a text that they were on the way and the rest of the day went as perfect as it possibly could! They took pictures that brought tears to my eyes. The day goes by so fast that you forget some of it and Michael and Joannie caught so many memories that we will be able to enjoy forever!! Not to mention the beautiful light painting that they did!!!
I received our pictures back in record time, I was just blown away! I would recommend Michael Anderson Photography over and over and over until I am blue in the face! Thank you so much for being part of our day! We are customers for life!!!!”
Amanda & Eric – The Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club Wedding in Prior Lake, MN, posted on WeddingWire
“Michael and Joannie were fantastic photographers! I was impressed with their professionalism, charismatic personalities, and keen ability to get the best photos.
LOVE!
One thing that was special about their partnership is Joannie’s ability to capture candid photos while Michael focuses on the posed images. They play extremely well together and have fun while doing it. Hands down would recommend them to anyone searching for the best photos to celebrate their special moments.”
Chris Banken & Chris Johnson – Orchestra Hall wedding in Minneapolis, MN – posted on Google
“Michael Anderson and his wife Joannie was the dream team to work with! We found them through the Knot and WeddingWire when I started my initial search, and surprisingly they were one of the first ones I stumbled upon and said YES to right away! I knew it was meant to be!
We were looking for someone who lived down in the Twin Cities that we could meet with and take engagement photos, but still had the most knowledge and experience of the Minnesota North Shore where we were going to get married. They did not disappoint!! Michael & Joannie were extremely knowledgeable about locations in both the Twin Cities and the North Shore which made me feel 100% confident that our pictures would turn out amazing.
A classic wedding portrait of Brycen and Aleksandra with the famous Split Rock Lighthouse in the distance.
After our first meeting with Michael, he made us feel confident and excited for the next two sessions we would have (engagement & wedding day). We also met Joannie the night Brycen & I met Michael at our first meeting, which made our decision that much easier to have Joannie included in our wedding package and be there to help photograph our big event- she was so kind, warm, and both of them felt like our family members while getting ready- I did not even hesitate about anything!
Our engagement shoot was a fun, relaxed, and an exciting experience! Afterward, Brycen and I both looked forward to our big day the following Autumn. After seeing our wedding photos, we both could not be more blown away! Michael and Joannie were so much fun to have a part of our wedding! They made us feel so comfortable and were so fun to hang out with all day! Everyone in our wedding party was thrilled to have them take photos us of and show us some great location spots! it honestly meant the world to us!
There were so many last minute things going on since it was an out of town wedding, but you were the ones who helped us enjoy every moment!”
Aleksandra & Brycen – North Shore Destination Wedding at Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, MN – posted on WeddingWire
“My husband and I cannot praise Michael & Joannie Anderson enough!! It took me a while to write this review, and I normally do not, but I have to let other brides and grooms know about how amazing, professional, fun and fantastic they are as photographers. They helped to make our wedding day so unforgettable & with the beautiful photos that they took it truly will be unforgettable!
Da Boys!
They were truly professional but they also made you feel so comfortable. Our wedding photos are gorgeous. They take the time and listen to your wants/needs in your big day. We are so blessed that we were able to snag these two for our big fairy tale wedding.
Thank you guys so much!!”
Kate & Andrew – Mount Olivet Lutheran Church Wedding and Profile Event Center Wedding Reception in Minneapolis, MN – Posted on The Knot
“Don’t look any farther for your wedding photographers! Michael and Joannie are the best. We loved working with them – they went out of their way to get to know us and listen to what we wanted from our wedding photos. They are incredibly skilled and we love all the photographs and stylized shots from our big day. It was very hard to choose which prints we wanted to order!
A pretty pre-sunset moment all alone.
Michael & Joannie did a great job communicating with us in the months prior and the week of the wedding and helping us figure out everything that needed to be planned. They fit right in with our guests, too!
They were incredibly prompt with finishing the photographs and sending them to us after the wedding. I know this is something many brides & grooms worry about, so there is no need to worry about this when it comes to Michael and Joannie. They will put your mind at ease and you will be confident in their skills and expertise.”
Gretchen & Clint – Saint Paul College Club Wedding in St. Paul, MN – Posted on The Knot
“Michael and Joannie are incomparable! We went with them because they were clearly passionate, they have made an investment in their equipment and seem to have new techniques all the time. However, all of that doesn’t compare to how they made us feel on our wedding day.
The outdoor first look and ceremony went out the door when it down poured the entire day. Michael and Joannie were so flexible and were a bright light in keeping everyone calm and making amazing photos still work with the weather. We were able to take pictures under a shelter, with the fall leaves still visible, and then after the ceremony when the rain let up we took advantage and got some amazing dusk photos.
Steve, Sarah and their wonderful wedding party staying dry on a rainy day.
The pictures we took inside were lit beautifully, as they brought the sunshine to us, and they look outstanding! We have received a ton of compliments on how great our pictures look. They were really fun to work with and I would recommend them to everyone!”
Sarah & Steve – Minnesota Zoo Wedding in Apple Valley, MN – posted on The Knot
“Michael and Joannie are professional and very fun! They shot our engagement photos as well as our wedding. We couldn’t have asked for better photographers as they were very easy to work within which there was never a dull moment. You can tell they take what they do seriously and it was obvious to us they loved and enjoyed what they do as well.
During some of the posed photos we took, I myself would run out of ideas on how to pose or where to put hands etc. and Michael always had something up his sleeve to make each shot great. Also whatever we were up for to get a great shot they were up for as well. Even well after their duty as photographers were over on our wedding day they pulled their gear out at the end of the night to capture the wedding party and guests jumping in Lake Superior.
Full moon!
I would recommend these two to anyone looking for a fun and professional photographer and we will be using them again in the future.”
Kaitlin & Steve – Superior Shores Resort and Conference Center Destination Wedding in Two Harbors, MN – posted on The Knot
“We have nothing but good words to say about Michael and Joannie! They are the best photography team I have ever met and their work is simply fantastic!
John & Lindsay enjoy a beautiful sunset!
We started with beautiful fall engagement pictures and ended with a beautiful summer wedding. They are caring, professional and efficient. We had such a great day with them. They captured every moment and more- we also had a lot of compliments from guests and family members.
We highly recommended Michael and Joannie!”
Lindsay & John – Historic St. James Hotel Wedding in Red Wing, MN – posted on Google
“Michael and Joannie Anderson are truly the best photographers out there! Not only is the quality of their work unmatched, their fun and infectious personalities will make all the difference in your event!
We had so much fun working with Michael and Joannie on our wedding day, and I know our guests did too, as many of our family and friends commented on how great they were.
Da Boys!
If you want to have a photographer who truly cares about you and your event, keeps the energy high but the atmosphere relaxed, and end up with some truly amazing photographs at the end of it all, you’ve found your team!
Thank you again, Michael and Joannie! You guys are the best!”
Brett & Haylee – Brackett’s Crossing Country Club Wedding in Lakeville, MN – posted on Google
“Michael & Joannie Anderson are honestly the BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS! Jay’s side of the family had about 70 people and they took enough time to ensure everyone was seen, eyes open, and smiling. I cannot tell you how many people came up to us and told us how much they appreciated the time they spent on them.
Sparklers!
My favorite part was the sparkler photos. I told them we wanted a “sparkler exit” of which they took amazing photos. But they did not just stop there, they ended up trying some other cool things out with just Jay and I. It was magical.
Everyone who asks me, I say go with Michael & Joannie Anderson. They are 100% worth every penny if not more! Seriously, your best decision will be to pick them!”
Vanessa & Jay – Rusty’s Hitchin’ Post Event Center Wedding in New Richmond, WI – posted on Google
“Michael and Joannie are phenomenal!
Nighttime at the TPC Twin Cities.
They are all-star photographers who worked efficiently and diligently to make sure that we got all of our desired photos, and more! We could see evidence of their years of experience in their creative vision to “see” shots that none of us could, their time management, their top-notch equipment, and their zest and passion for photography.
This duo is the real deal, and I would recommend them to EVERYONE!”
Michelle & Adam – Christ The King Lutheran Church Wedding in New Brighton, MN and TPC Twin Cities Wedding Reception in Blaine, MN – posted on The Knot
“Michael and Joannie made such a great team photographing our wedding. We did not know what to expect of the day and we did not know how to start. Michael did a fantastic job explaining options to us about how to do photos for the day.
Dave and Gina getting a little quiet time.
I was very apprehensive to do photos before the ceremony, I wanted our first look to be something special. My husband wanted photos before so we could get as much done before the ceremony as possible so we could do some fun photos after the ceremony. Michael explained how he would do the first look with just the two of us. It worked out WONDERFUL! The photos turned out so amazing. They really know what they are doing as a team.
We could not have asked for better wedding photos from the day. We wanted a photographer who knew the lighting of the Profile Event Center. It has some crazy fun lights and we wanted to make sure we would have the best photos of the day. They had been there before. They did such a great job getting photos of families, candids, and the ceremony.
We cannot wait to go back for more photos in the future! :-)”
Gina & Dave – Profile Event Center Wedding in Minneapolis, MN
Patrick and Brittany in the wine cellar just before their wedding at the Semple Mansion.
“Michael and Joannie photographed our wedding, and they were absolutely wonderful! These two are true professionals who gave us the photographs we were dreaming of. Having the two of them there taking pictures provided us with an exceptional amount of both traditional and candid shots, and they really captured all of our memories throughout the day.
In addition to being excellent wedding photographers, Michael and Joannie are wonderful people to be around. Getting to know them during our engagement pictures, wedding weekend, and photo review sessions was truly a joy. They effortlessly made us feel comfortable during our photographs and got along extremely well with our family (all of whom raved about how wonderful our photographers were at the wedding).
We could not have asked for two better people to share our once in a lifetime weekend with, and will definitely be using them again for photographs in the future!”
Patrick & Brittany – Semple Mansion Wedding & Reception in downtown Minneapolis, MN.
Here’s to us!
“I’ve been married for just over a month and was just lamenting today that my wedding was such a whirlwind that I don’t remember lots of it. But then I came back and looked at the photos from Michael Anderson Photography and it all came back to me. They take such beautiful photos it was like getting married all over again.
We were supposed to get married outside but had to go to our backup plan due to rain. Michael and Joannie, however, were super flexible and accommodating. We even got to have some pictures taken out at the vineyard where we were supposed to be wed. That involved changing cameras and lights and things, but they wanted us to have great pictures.
At the church, they had to change lenses and the like again, but again it was a non-issue. Michael and Joannie kept us loose and relaxed throughout the whole stressful, rainy process. ur happiness is evident in the photos.
I can’t recommend Michael Anderson Photography highly enough.”
Laura & Max – St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church Wedding and Cannon River Winery & Vineyard Wedding Reception in Cannon Falls, MN
Terry and Angie enjoy the sunset on the swing at Hope Glen Farm (before).
“Michael Anderson of Michael Anderson Photography provided exceptional coverage of our outdoor wedding and reception. Michael was always taking photographs but never felt overbearing or in our face. He was able to adapt to constantly changing lighting situations as the clouds moved in and out at a moments notice.
We found him to be a great communicator and listener as he directed us and as we suggested our own ideas.
Michael had a great photographic vision and was very willing to try our ideas, too. He was always conscious of our needs which made for a relaxed experience. Michael had a great rapport with us and our families throughout the day putting everyone at ease. He was great with our shy flower girls and ring bearer… making them laugh and smile all day.
Overall, we would highly recommend Michael Anderson Photography.”
Angela & Terry – Hope Glen Farm Wedding in Cottage Grove, MN