MICHAEL BAMBUCH
Hello :)
My name is Mike and you can probably tell that my knees are hurting in this image. Don’t get old folks. I’m just kidding with you. I’m beyond lucky to be in my 18th season as a wedding, engagement, boudoir, and portrait photographer. I’ve seen so much. I’ve learned so much. All for the benefit of you. From the most intimate affairs of just two people, to 600 guest grand weekend celebrations, I’ve experienced it all. That’s what I bring to the table when photographing your wedding. I’m a well oiled machine that has a duty to make you gorgeous images, manage expectations, and mitigate any uncertainty. I’m here to metaphorically hold your hand through the entire process. It’s going to be a great day with me.
Some quick facts
Wedding photography can be a long stressful day. It’s always important to make it funny. Like this picture of my colleague Kyle and I. Photo by Jon Pivko
Education
Oddly enough, I went to school for psychology and music. Also oddly enough, I use both those degrees heavily in photography. I’ve also studied at the School of Museum of Fine Arts in Boston(for photography).
Broadway
I tried out for Wicked. No, I didn’t but I am a classically trained singer(Baritone) and a voice actor.
Polombian
Should be a word in the Oxford English dictionary. I am both Colombian and Polish. I embrace both those cultures remarkably seriously but I stink at both languages. Jak się masz mis amigos?
Mental Health
I am a huge mental health advocate and member of NAMI. We need to support all receiving these services.
LGBTQ+
You are loved here. This is a safe space. I see you and I hope I can do all in my power to amplify your voices and be an ally, but more importantly a co-conspirator.
Canon
My cameras and gear are all tools and they don’t necessarily matter in the grand scheme of things but I use Canon mirrorless cameras and lenses. I also photograph on film with medium format Mamiyas and 35mm slrs.
A little philosophy…
On your journey to find a photographer, you’ll encounter an exceeding amount of people trying to be relatable. They will talk about Netflix and tacos and try to make it sound like they want to be your friend. Their photos will be passable. They will throw out words like “timeless” “documentary” “photojournalism” “light and airy”. They will expect you to be wowed by mediocrity. All there images will be carefully crafted and right before golden hour. They will be safe and easy. With the technology of the day it’s hard to take exceedingly bad photos. But the distance from passable photos to your memories is farther than you think. Wedding photography specifically is a skill set few people actually have. Some are born with it. Some make every mistake in the book. The latter has been my experience. I am a much more competent photographer because of it.
Are you going to feel comfortable? Great photos are one thing but if it’s a painstaking process to make them, is it worth it? I want your experience with me to be as joyful as the day you planned. I have such an awareness that people don’t get professional images of themselves regularly. It can be daunting and anxiety inducing. Let me help you leave those feelings off the table.
Your day has many moving parts and I’m well aware I am only one small gear in that day. But, I am also the gear that is with you for most of it. I must seamlessly understand the flow and nuance of your day. I must be there to help you manage the expectations of photography. The expectations of how your day will pan out. I am the record keeper of your memories. There’s nothing else I take more seriously. Well, maybe pastries.
Photography above all has been my personal slogan for a long time. If you're interested in hiring me it's because you care about it as well. I seek out clients that make it a priority to have beautiful images. I seek out people that want to tell a story with what I create for them. Most importantly I seek out people that want to invest in quality work. I care about every moment I am with someone making images. Their happiness and vision is my calling. So if you care about photography as much as I do, let's talk, because I know I can give you gifts that will outlast most commodities in life. Thank you!
-Mike
Michael Jacobs Photo LLC
New York and New Jersey
(919) 355-6823