Business Details
41 Years
experience
Award-Winning Wedding & Portrait Photography in Madison, NJ
Dean Michaels Studio has been a trusted name in photography and videography for over four decades. Founded in 1985 by Dean Michaels, our family-owned studio combines photojournalistic storytelling, cinematic video production, and timeless portraiture to capture lifes most meaningful moments. With a legacy rooted in editorial and celebrity photography, we transitioned to wedding and commercial work, earning recognition as one of New Jerseys most respected studios. Under the leadership of Alec and Christin Michaels, we continue to deliver award-winning artistry while embracing innovation. Our small, dedicated team of photographers and videographers brings decades of collective experience to every project, ensuring a seamless, personalized experience.We specialize in weddings, portraits, commercial visuals, and school/sports photography, serving clients in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and beyond. Our unobtrusive approach preserves authenticity, while our post-production expertise elevates every image and film. As a business built on trust and tradition, we remain committed to exceeding expectations through collaborative service and cutting-edge technology. Whether documenting a wedding, creating corporate visuals, or capturing milestone portraits, we prioritize emotional depth and technical excellence. Contact us to explore how we can preserve your story with creativity, care, and timeless style.
Services
Wedding Photography
Wedding Videography
Portraits
Commercial Photography
School & Sports Photography
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of experience in capturing timeless wedding photography and cinematic videography
- Our family-owned studio maintains a legacy of excellence while embracing technological innovation
- We provide personalized service with a small team of award-winning photographers and videographers
- Our unobtrusive approach ensures authentic documentation of emotional moments
- We deliver seamless post-production editing that enhances the artistic quality of every image and film
What people say
Stunning photography
Cinematic videography
Personable professionals
Beautifully crafted images
Seamless experience
Services
Wedding Photography
Our wedding photography service combines traditional, candid, and photo-journalistic styles to capture authentic moments. We document ceremonies with an unobtrusive approach, ensuring every emotional detail is preserved. Our post-production team enhances images while maintaining natural aesthetics, delivering timeless keepsakes for couples to cherish.
Wedding Videography
We create cinematic wedding films that blend storytelling with artistic visuals. Our team captures key moments from multiple angles using advanced equipment. The final product features dynamic editing and sound design, transforming your special day into an emotionally resonant narrative that exceeds typical wedding video expectations.
Portraits
Our portrait photography includes family, children, and individual sessions with a focus on emotional connection. We use natural lighting and personalized setups to create authentic, artistic images. The service includes styling guidance and multiple outfit changes, resulting in gallery-quality portraits that reflect each subject's unique personality and relationships.
Commercial Photography
We produce professional commercial visuals tailored to elevate brands across industries. Our service includes product photography, corporate headshots, and lifestyle imagery that aligns with brand identity. Using studio-quality lighting and creative compositions, we create compelling visual content that enhances marketing materials and digital presence for businesses.
School & Sports Photography
This service specializes in capturing school events, sports teams, and student milestones with professional quality. We use dynamic shooting techniques to document action and achievement while maintaining portrait standards. The service includes individual and group sessions, delivering high-resolution images that schools and families can use for official records and personal keepsakes.
People
Dean Michaels
Founder
Founder Dean Michaels established the studio in 1985 after working in editorial photography for major publications. His background includes celebrity portraits and unconventional assignments like underwater weddings. He transitioned leadership to his son Alec in 2017 while maintaining creative influence.
Alec Michaels
Creative Director
Alec Michaels leads the studio with over 15 years of experience, expanding its creative and technological capabilities. He combines inherited expertise with modern innovation, maintaining the studio's legacy while broadening its regional reach and artistic boundaries.
Christin Michaels
Co-Lead Photographer
Christin Michaels co-leads the studio with a focus on client experience and photographic artistry. She brings fresh perspective to traditional techniques, ensuring every client feels comfortable while achieving technically flawless, emotionally resonant imagery.
Questions
What photography services does Dean Michaels Studio offer?
We specialize in wedding photography, cinematic videography, family portraits, commercial visuals, and school/sports photography with personalized service.
How long has Dean Michaels Studio been in business?
We've served clients for over 40 years, established in 1985 by Dean Michaels and now led by his son Alec and daughter-in-law Christin.
Do you serve locations outside New Jersey?
While based in Madison, NJ, we serve New York, Philadelphia, and destination events worldwide with our full-service approach.
What makes your wedding photography unique?
Our unobtrusive style combines photojournalistic storytelling with cinematic artistry, capturing authentic moments while maintaining timeless aesthetics through expert post-production.
How do you handle client consultations?
We offer flexible consultations by appointment, including evenings and weekends, with responsive communication through our main email address.
What experience does your team have?
Our small team includes award-winning photographers with decades of combined experience, many having worked with us for extended periods.
Reviews (5)
Melissa Poccia
Feb 15, 2022
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We used Dean Michaels for our December wedding. Everything from the posted photos to the candid shots were phenomenal. They made sure we got all of our pictures done and still had a great time at our reception. The only complaint I have is that we cannot figure out what photos to put in our album because they were all fantastic. I would recommend Dean Michaels to anyone who is looking for a photographer and am looking forward to using them again!
Shannon Mulvaney
Jan 23, 2022
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I had the best experience with Dean Michaels Studio. My husband and I used the studio for our engagement pictures and for our wedding day. The pictures came out beautiful! Everyone was great to work with. They were patient and kind. The studio answered phone calls and emails immediately. They made picture taking less stressful and kept everyone relaxed which helped me feel more comfortable being in front of the camera. My husband and I are looking forward to using Dean Michaels Studio for future photo sessions.
Megan Pinna Tisdall
Jan 14, 2022
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I really enjoyed working with Dean Michaels Studio and our awesome photographer Kartheek! He was very friendly and we got along very well! He was great about walking through my vision and plan for the day but also great about taking awesome spur-of-the-moment shots. The photos came out absolutely gorgeous and I am so happy we will have them to look back on forever! I'm in love with how pretty they came out!
Joseph Fattorusso
Dec 10, 2021
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I cannot say enough great things about Dean Michaels. They were so attentive to every detail, answered every question I had right away and made sure to capture every great moment throughout our wedding day! Truly an amazing team!
Meghan Ellerman
Dec 07, 2021
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I can not say enough positive things about Dean Michael! The team really helped us stay on time the morning of the wedding which was really important to me. Efficient and effective capturing each shot! Our wedding photos are exactly what I envisioned and more! I would highly recommend Dean Michael for your special day!
