Hello ladies of BOLI! I’m Michael Lopacki, owner and lead photographer of Michael John Photography! I’m a fun, outgoing and passionate photographer who truly loves what I do! I believe in romance, true love and enjoying life to it’s fullest. I’ve been a photographer for the past 12 years and truly love weddings and helping my clients have the best wedding experience they could ever imagine. From our first conversation to the big day, to when you pick up your album, I believe in a complete hands approach and will give you the most genuine and unique experience I can. From making the Grooms feel at ease to ensuring mom that I will get her that group shot no matter what it takes. In the end though nothing comes before my brides, you are and always will be the force behind what I do. Your nerves, your excitement, your tears the day of and the first time you see your pictures, I will be there for you to to lean on when you have a question and I will be the one to calm you when things aren’t going exactly as planned. Brides you are the ones who have made me the wedding photographer I am today.
Introduction
The Wedding Industry
I was introduced by a friend into the wedding industry and fell in love immediately! I tell my clients and friends who ask me what I love about my job that it’s the only job people are happy 99% of the time. I love the feeling I get when I know my brides and grooms have had the best time of their lives and I was a big part in making that happen for them.
The Wedding Memories
Every couple is special to me and stands out in their own way, whether it be an amazing speech, to a truly touching moment in a father daughter first look. Each wedding has something that always sticks with me that I never forget. I always love when I see a couple at an event a few years later or when we chat after the wedding and I tell them about that moment that stood out to me. Some of them lead to huge laughs while others lead to whole hearted tears. Every couple is unique in their own way and I look forward to capturing that unique moment with you.
Specialization
This is simple I’m a wedding photographer though and through. I’m versed in all forms of photography from photojournalism to portraiture. I use all different techniques for all different situations, do you want light and airy, I do that, do you like drama, I can provide some, do you like fun natural candid shots, you bet I do. From the first shot of make up touch ups to the last kiss on the dance floor I’m there to capture all the moments and organic reactions that happen through out your day. What my main specialty is though is making my couples happy and making sure the experience I give them was amazing and memorable.
Company History
I first began in the wedding industry 12 years ago as a video assistant and had no idea what I was getting into! After a few weddings they asked me to try shooting some photos. After that night I was told I have an eye. Before the first year of assisting I was already shooting as a second photographer and in less than two years I was was shooting 70-80 weddings a year for a prominent wedding studio and was their lead photographer for 9 years. During the pandemic I finally started my own company and am not looking back. I love the wedding industry and the people in it from the vendors to venues and to all the wonderful clients I have worked with over the years. I want to make MJL Photography a name that resonates throughout the industry as one that has integrity, respect and is known for giving their couples the best experience they have ever had at a wedding.
Personal Hobbies
The list used to be a bit longer until I had my first little one this past year and she has been my main focus outside of work, having a baby is hard! Besides that though I love going to plays, movies and concerts. I also love family time, it’s very important to me and is the driving force in my life. Going out to a nice dinner is always a favorite of mine as well, Nothing like a delicious night out at Maninos in Oakdale! Comedy and laughing though are always at the forefront for me, I love to make people laugh, it’s makes my couples feel more comfortable.
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BOLI Love!
Michael is phenomenal at his work! His engagement shoot was amazing with us as well. He is polite, funny, and will make everyone feel comfortable behind the camera! I seriously would not be able to recommend him enough!
When it came to my photographer, I knew I was selecting Michael John Photography. I had been a bridesmaids in weddings he has done before & I knew I needed him on my big day. He traveled up to the Hudson Valley with me and captured thousands of the most amazing photos for me. He is a true professional, but even more of a gem of a man. I couldn’t have imagined my day without him. We ended up getting rain all day on our wedding day & he was able to get so many photos of us that you would think we were outside when we were not. Run to book him if you need a photographer! You won’t regret it!
Our pictures speak for themselves but WOW. Mike was amazing, he is fun and has a great sense of humor, making hours of photos enjoyable. Mike made us comfortable and directed us when we didn’t know what to do. I will cherish these photos forever.
If you're looking for BEAUTIFUL, timeless photography, Mike is perfect. He kept us laughing and happy the entire day. He found the one window where it wasn't raining for us to get the dreamiest pictures. Our families loved him. His assistant (another Mike) and second shooter (Gabby) were also great.
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Had our engagement shoot done by Michael John Photography and he did SUCH an amazing job! I usually HATE pictures of me - like 99% of the time. ALL of them came out so good! He captured "us" perfectly and nailed the light & airy feel I wanted.
I can not recommend Mike and his team enough. First of all, he is so funny and will make you, your partner and your wedding party feel so comfortable during photos. We truly had a BLAST working with him! He was the most responsive and detail oriented vendor I worked with! He set up my entire timeline with me and kept checking in leading up to make sure nothing changed. He made sure we got all of our shots on our shot list but also let us have our space to actually enjoy our wedding. The sneak peek pictures are better than I could have ever imagined, they are truly stunning.
I can not say enough amazing things about Michael John Photography! He was so sweet and made the entire engagement shoot fun and comfortable! We got our pictures back within three weeks and he was so responsive with letting me know when I will be receiving them! We are looking forward to having him for the day of!
There are no words to describe our love for Mike. We were so picky when choosing our photographer because I’m BIG into taking pictures and Mike blew it out of the water. From our engagement shoot to receiving our full wedding album of over 1500 pics we were beyond blessed with the outcome of everything!!
Amazing experience all around! Professional phenomenal photos!!
Michael was the perfect photographer for our wedding! He did our engagement shoot as well! He knew all the ins and outs of all the venues we took pictures at and by the end of our wedding night was like part of our family! Our pictures came out absolutely beautiful! He made sure to make a list of my ‘must have’ photos and important people/groups we wanted pictures with during our reception. Time goes by so fast so it was great that he made sure to tell me it’s time for your important photo list!
Michael is the best! I used him as a photographer for my engagement photos and my wedding photos. He is kind, punctual, and very knowledgeable. He takes the most beautiful photos and I have loved every single one. He doesn’t miss a single detail. I will continue to only use him for my photos. Don’t wait to book him, you don’t want to miss out!!
Definitely would recommend as a photographer! So awesome to work with!
I am so happy with our decision to hire Mike (& his assistant Hunter) as our photographers for our wedding day! They were so much fun to spend the day with, VERY easy to communicate with leading up to the day, and reasonably priced. He was the most responsive vendor I worked with and he always got back to me within a couple of hours. I am so happy with how my photos turned out!
I had such a great experience with Michael. He was great at communicating and his vast knowledge helped me a lot with planning out my wedding day. He has a great upbeat personality and makes you feel so comfortable but also can blend into the background. He was so great with my kids and even met with us at my house a month before the wedding to get the kids comfortable and familiarized. He was truly a pleasure to work with and I’m in love with the photos he captured on my wedding day. He also brought a 2nd photographer which did an excellent job as well. If you’re thinking of booking him, run!!!
Mike was so wonderful to work with! He was so efficient in getting all of the shots we wanted while also allowing us plenty of time to enjoy time with our guests. The way he was able to remember who was who and everyones role in the day was beyond impressive and shows he cares about his couples and their family/ friends! He made our day so memorable and enjoyable and I really can't thank him enough! 1000/10 recommend!
Michael was an absolute pleasure to work with! He does not miss ANY details! Our wedding photos all came out so beautiful I couldn't be happier!! Thank you so much Michael for being so fantastic on our special day!
