Profound photos for heart-led humans celebrating love.

Buffalo, NY + Beyond

DESTINATION + INTIMATE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

You want badass photos that look and feel refined without being stuffy.

You don’t need just any wedding photographer. You’re seeking someone who will be there for you every step of the way. (Also, you’d love to find someone your wedding party actually likes  and who will capture your day beautifully and accurately while making  sure you have fun doing it.)

You want (and, let’s be honest, need) to reconnect with each other even in the midst of wedding planning chaos. 

You’re planning the best freaking day of your life with your favorite human, but are also kind of losing your sh*t over how much you have to get done before you can just chill and get married.

You’re passionate about embracing the daily adventure that is life, and that means finding a wedding photographer that gets you, whose photography will be the perfect expression of your relationship. 

I’m guessing you’re here because…

Let’s make sure your memories are captured!

Whether you’re planning an elopement or inviting 75 of your closest friends, you’re in the right place if you’re seeking a photographer who is equal parts organized, driven, diligent, and professional but also spunky, outgoing, warm, and welcoming.

When you book The Richardson Collective, you’re getting me, your guide, your shoulder to cry on, your wedding bestie, and a trusted friend who will do everything from help you decide if you should have a first look to holding your veil.

If you are a little non-traditional, a little adventurous, and are considering being actual real life friends, then you are 100% my people! I never want our time together to be a chore, I want it to be an experience that you can look back on and smile about over and over again.

It’s my passion to anchor couples to the people, places, and things of memory through photos. After all, a wedding day happens once and it goes by in the blink of an eye. 

Your vision, brought to life in warm, intimate, memorable photos

Direction, guidance, clarity, and ease throughout your wedding experience

The opportunity to truly reconnect with your partner during the wedding planning process

Confidence that you will have every detail photographed so you will always remember your best day ever

A super chill, fun, laid-back, heartfelt, personal day, with the wedding photos to prove it

A forever photographer, by your side for it all

Here’s what you’re getting when you book with me:

After booking with me, I’ll send you a date night questionnaire. Not only does this help me get to know you, but you’ll have the opportunity to make a date night out of it. Instead of a boring old questionnaire, you’ll reconnect over how you met, your fav music, and wedding day details that mean the most to you.

Next, we’ll plan your engagement session by discovering the locations, outfits, and overall creative vibe we want to achieve at your session. Whether you’re a planner who wants to share your inspo with me or you want me to take it off your plate and plan the whole thing for you, I’m here for you, friend.

After I share your engagement session gallery, I’ll get to work planning your wedding timeline to ensure your people, places, and things are captured exactly how you want them.

Before those wedding day jitters kick in, we’ll have another check-in call to ensure everything is ready to go. I’m always an email away when you have a question or just want to squeal with excitement over your upcoming wedding.

Let’s freaking celebrate! It’s your wedding day! I’ll capture all the important details, moments, and memories, getting back to you with a sneak peek gallery and then the entire gallery within 12 weeks.

How it works:

Now booking 2024 weddings. Collections starting at $4,700.

You can fully relax and enjoy your day knowing that I will capture every single moment.

“She stepped up to the plate when some last-minute changes (including the weather) came up at the time of our engagement photos. She had plenty of ideas and a backup plan to her backup plan to make sure we had the most gorgeous photos. When it came time for our wedding, Michaella went above and beyond. She worked with us to create a timeline and to coordinate the day to go smoothly. Along the way, she certainly had my back as the bride when it came to things being exactly what I wanted. Our entire family and bridal party were so impressed by how helpful, friendly, professional, and downright fun she was. Our photos turned out perfectly. Michaella truly saw my vision and helped me document it so I can save it forever. 10 out of 10, 5 stars, however, you rate her, she is 110% the best. She is definitely my forever photographer.”

Danielle + Mitchell

“To say I was blown away by her work and her commitment to making my vision come to life would be an understatement.”

“I couldn’t possibly dream up a better photographer to have for a wedding. “Photographer” isn’t even the right word. More like wedding planner, side kick, nerve calmer, bouquet holder, dress bustler, you name it! She’s this little built in *sober* best friend for your wedding day, seeing as though your real best friends aren’t usually sober. Michaella constantly has your best interest at heart. She’s never pushing her own ideas or her own timeline on you. It’s like she’s trying to get inside your brain, see your wedding day exactly how YOU see it, and then somehow makes it happen!... I look at my wedding photos every single day because they are BEAUTIFUL and they captured the day to a T!...  I can’t possibly talk more highly of The Richardson Collective. If you’re on the fence about who to choose, definitely reach out to Michaella. After one phone call you’ll know who to choose."

Cathryn + James

“I’ve been looking forward to writing a review on Michaella since the first phone call we had with her!"

“Michaella has shot our proposal, engagement session, and will be shooting our wedding and any other major life milestone or any possible occasion we may need a photographer (if she will have us!!). She is one of the kindest, most talented, and hilarious humans we have ever met. She made us feel SO comfortable and SO loved throughout our sessions and I will be forever grateful for the amount of respect and professionalism she showed us. Her quality of work and ability to get the perfect shot no matter what she has to do to get it are truly unmatched. The sneak peeks you will receive that will make your heart race are ABSOLUTELY a foreshadowing of some of the best dang photos of yourself you will ever receive!! You will have our business and our recommendation for LIFE!!”

Sara + Bryan

“The best dang photos of yourself you will ever receive!!”

“I cannot recommend Michaella enough! She goes above and beyond for her couples throughout the entire process! She does everything she possibly can to not only make sure she provides you with beautiful images of your special day but to also make sure you have the most perfect day possible! You can fully relax and enjoy your day knowing she is going to capture every single moment!”

Madison + Paul

“Looking back at our photos is like reliving the day all over again!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you photograph destination weddings?

Yes! I love to travel and love when couples want to have a unique experience on their wedding day! If this is your plan, we can chat about creating a custom package for you!

Are the people featured on your site models?

For the most part, no. While I am lucky enough to work with such beautiful humans, the majority of the images shown on my social media pages are clients who have no modeling experience! In other words, you don’t have to be a model to get beautiful images of yourself!

We've never had photos taken before - will you tell us what to do?

Absolutely! A majority of the couples I work with have never had their photos taken before working with me. Don't worry - you won't be holding stiff poses and wondering what you should do with your hands!

How do we reserve our wedding date?

Start the process by contacting me via my contact form. I’ll get in touch to schedule  a call for us to get to know one another and make sure we’re a great fit! A 50% retainer and a signed contract is required to lock in your date with the remaining balance due the month before your wedding. Now you’re officially part of the collective!

Photographs that help you remember. 
An adventure you won't forget.