Richmond’s Michael Simon Photography Mixes Old School and New School in the Best Way

Why not hire a New York Times published photojournalist for your wedding?

When new sponsors join APW, we usually ask them to describe their business in a few words. Michael Simon’s words? Easy-going, diligent, feminist, lgbtq-friendly, photojournalist. Which I’m pretty sure is exactly what you want out of a guy who has been shooting weddings since the ’90s. Having recently relocated to Richmond, Virginia after over fifteen years of working in New York as a professional photojournalist (getting published in tiny local news rags like the New York Times), Michael Simon Photography is the perfect combination of old school skills and new school attitude. (He may even be the first dude sponsor we’ve ever gotten who described his business as feminist, so bonus points for that.) Oh, and did I mention his rates start at $2,500? Yeah, you may want to make yourself comfortable, Richmond. You’re probably going to be here for a while.

When I say Michael Simon has more experience as a photographer than I have doing… anything ever, I mean it. Michael explained:

I have been pursuing photography as a career since I was accepted into the photography program at The Savannah College of Art & Design in 1995. Upon graduating I moved to New York City and assisted some of the best photojournalists of our time at the legendary Magnum Photos. I began to work regularly with some of the top regional newspapers like the Star Ledger and the New York Times. My work has been published all over the world in books and magazines.

Working for newspapers and magazines taught me to get the job done right the first time. I learned to manage chaos, remain calm and clear, and to anticipate the moment. I did this kind of work for years, until I found wedding photography.

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I love telling the story of a wedding day with pictures. It’s such a perfect way to convey the emotion of an incredible event. I look for emotion. During a wedding day it’s everywhere. On the faces, in the way the couple holds hands, in the way a father looks at his son, and of course in the way a couple embraces each other in front of all of their best people.

The thing about Michael, is you’d expect all of that experience might go to his head. Maybe he knows more about your wedding than you do? Except, not even close. Michael’s portfolio shows that while he takes his work seriously, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. So yeah, you’re going to get thoughtful moments like this:

But you’re also going to get great, silly moments like this:

Michael is also exceptionally good at photographing details in a way that doesn’t feel like they were shot for a magazine (instead, they look like they were actually part of your day):

In short, every one of Michael Simon’s clients describes him as laid-back, professional, and generally awesome:

You know when you speak to someone for the first time and you just click? In short, that’s Michael Simon. From the first time we spoke, Michael understood who were we as a couple and totally understood what we wanted to capture on our wedding. The day itself was amazing. Looking through our album we saw completely natural pictures of ourselves and our family and friends enjoying a series of perfect moments, which brings me to his style. He’s very journalistic. He found a way to capture every moment without intruding, and what we ended up with was an entire album filled with favorites, not just a few stand out pictures. By the end of our day, it was a growing joke that if my husband had met Michael earlier, Michael would have probably been the best man. He’s a great guy with great talent and we loved him and consider him a friend to this day.

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Now here’s the kicker. Michael Simon could charge a ton for his work, and it would be totally worth it. But since he mostly just wants to make sure he’s working with couples who are just as awesome and laid-back as he is, Michael’s prices start at just $2,500 for five hours of coverage within fifty miles of Richmond, Virginia (or for eight hours, packages start at $3,500). And every package includes a password protected online gallery, plus a USB of your hi-res image files. Michael adds:

BUT! A lot is possible with a conversation. Let me know if your wedding is on a Friday, or a Sunday. Perhaps it’s at a fantastic location that’s super exclusive? Perhaps you only need two hours of coverage? Is it during the wintertime? I’m always down to discuss your budget.

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And! As if that weren’t enough, Michael is offering 20% off all 2015 weddings in the Richmond area. And for any 2016 weddings booked between June 1 and September 1, 2015, Michael’s including a free engagement session (must take place around Richmond, Virginia) or a 13″ x 11″ proof book with any regular package.

I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for photojournalists-turned-wedding-photographers. Because ultimately, they get that their job isn’t about their ego or their art; it’s about making sure you get the best images from your wedding, and that you never have to sacrifice the wedding itself to get them. And Michael Simon Photography in Richmond might just be the poster boy for that.

Michael is offering 20% off all 2015 weddings in the Richmond area (Plus a special treat for 2016 weddings booked before September 1st). Click HERE to get in touch with Michael today!

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