Experienced event photographers for high-profile brands.
Trusted by organizations like the Olympics, eBay, and Uber,
we capture high-level experiences with a calm, unobtrusive perspective.
Hi! We're Michaela and Tim.
a Northern California–based photography and video team.
We specialize in corporate events, leadership retreats, and executive headshots across San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, and Silicon Valley. Our work is led by Michaela and Tim, with a trusted team supporting and, for select events, leading under our direction.
We create imagery that feels natural, elevated, and deeply aligned with your brand. From tech summits in San Francisco to wine country retreats in Napa, to on-site headshot studios for corporate teams, our work is grounded in one goal: To document your people and your presence with clarity, discretion, and intention.
Before founding Michaela Joy Photography, Michaela trained in photojournalism, a foundation that continues to shape how we see, anticipate, and capture moments.
We do not over direct.
We do not interrupt the flow of your event.
Instead, we arrive prepared, tuned in, and highly aware, capturing what is real as it unfolds. The result is imagery that feels effortless, editorial, and true to the energy of the room. We understand that many of the spaces we work in are high profile, fast moving, and trust sensitive, and we carry that responsibility with professionalism and ease.
A note on us…
When we are not behind the camera, we lead with kindness, patience, and a touch of the unexpected.
We keep things easy. We make people feel comfortable.
And more often than not…
our clients hug us before they have even seen a single photo.
Trusted by:
What sets us apart:
Effortless to work with
Prepared. Professional. Trusted.
Thoughtful in what we capture
Moments, and the feeling that defines them.
Refined, natural imagery
Guided when needed. Invisible when it counts.
Victoria P., Bay Area
"I hired Michaela for an AI Bootcamp-themed event and she did an exceptional job capturing the essence of the evening. From speaker shots, to audiences engaging with the content, to candid shots from the reception, Michaela did it all without sparing any details. On top of that, she was lovely to work with throughout the process! Would highly recommend her to anyone in the Bay Area."
Our PROCESS
Start to finish, we’ve got you
Step 1
Schedule a quick consult
We'll hop on a call to learn more about your event or session, walk you through the process, and send over a custom quote.
Step 2
Prep and planning
Before the shoot, we’ll confirm the schedule, locations, and anything specific you'd like captured.
Step 3
Photoshoot day
We arrive early, work with your team or planner, and document everything with care and flexibility.
Meet Michaela (as told by Tim)
What impresses me most when we work together is Michaela’s ability to put people at ease - immediately.
She has a rare, intuitive presence that is both grounded and disarming, allowing her to connect effortlessly with everyone from executives to keynote speakers to high-profile guests. In fast-paced or high-pressure environments, she brings a sense of calm, clarity, and quiet confidence that people naturally trust.
I often say she has a gift for drawing people out - even the most reserved, analytical personalities - bringing ease, warmth, and genuine expression in front of the camera.
It is not just about getting the shot. It is about creating an environment where people feel comfortable enough to be seen.
Meet Tim (as told by Michaela)
Tim is the operational backbone of our team - especially for multi-day events and complex productions.
He leads logistics with precision, ensuring everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes - from travel coordination and scheduling to staying aligned with the run of show onsite.
Tim also brings a natural ease that balances every environment. He is calm under pressure, highly observant, and effortlessly personable - the kind of presence that keeps both our team and our clients grounded throughout long, high-stakes days.
He is a musician and composer, a dedicated sports fan, and a lifelong student of culture - from symphonies to cinema.
Meet our team
Lead Filmmaker & Video Editor
Konnor
Konnor got hooked on videography 11 years ago when he took a video production class and hasn’t been able to put a camera down since! He has always liked pushing himself outside of the box, whether it’s exploring new places, creating with different types of art media, or trying new foods. He loves immortalizing special moments. We love having him on our team!
Photographer
Diana
Diana loves photography because it lets her use her endless imagination. She enjoys living in the Bay area for the city and for its hiking and biking trails: it’s where she's found some of her favorite places to photograph. Diana is drawn to small, sweet, and intimate moments and strives to create ease and comfort for the clients she works with. We are honored to have her with us.
Assistant & Photographer
Tifani
Tifani was led to photography as a way to capture life’s beauty, in all its forms: when they smile, nature’s endless bounty, the beauty of our messy but meaningful days… Her dad’s 35mm Canon AE-1 from the 80’s got her going. She brings an additional perspective to the wedding team and a helping hand-literally! Her attention to detail and kindness has no limits.
Our Clients
Who we work with
We have partnered with teams and organizations including BDT & MSD, eBay, Uber, Palantir, Techstars, and United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, documenting everything from large-scale conferences to intimate leadership retreats.
Our clients come to us for work that feels:
Polished, but never stiff
Professional, yet human
Elevated, without being overproduced
The experience
We are known for being both incredibly present and almost invisible.
At some point, you will likely forget we are there -
and that’s by design.
Because when you receive your gallery, you will see it:
Every moment. Every detail. Every connection - captured with intention.
Every photo~hand edited.
we hand select and Hand edit the best photos from your session and deliver them to you - ready to print or publish.
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FHE Founder Morgan is the one who personally touches and edits all our digital images. She is based in San Francisco. Has a perfect eye, loves animals and noodles.
We trust her with your pretty. She has truly changed our lives. We now have more time to run our business, less time editing.
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If we use film during your session, we send it to Southern California to our pals at Richard Photo Lab. They use sustainable practices for their film chemicals.
We love the way the softly edit our film. When we call them, they greet us by name.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We provide curated next day previews, with full galleries delivered within 3-5 business videos within 7-14 business days. Expedited delivery options are available when needed.
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Yes. For conferences and full-day events, we can provide on-site editing to deliver curated, edited images throughout the day via a live gallery.
This allows your team to share real-time content for social, press, or internal use—while the event is still happening.
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We deliver fully edited, high-resolution photos and video as part of our standard service. RAW files are not included, as they are unprocessed and require professional editing to reflect the quality and consistency of our work.
For events that include presentations or stage programming, we can provide uncut footage of onstage moments upon request.
Our focus is on delivering polished, ready-to-use imagery and video that aligns seamlessly with your brand and is ready for immediate sharing.
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All images are delivered through a private online gallery, designed for easy access and seamless sharing.
You will receive a shareable link for your team, along with admin access for key contacts. Admin users can download high-resolution images and curate the gallery as needed. The shareable gallery provides web-resolution images, making it simple to distribute internally or across digital platforms.
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Yes. Our galleries are thoughtfully organized by key moments, sessions, and segments of your event, making it easy to locate specific images.
We also offer AI-powered face search, allowing you or your team to quickly find all images of a particular individual or group. Simply select a face, and the gallery will surface all matching photos - ready to download or share. This is especially useful for post-event distribution, making it simple to provide attendees with relevant, personalized images. Our event planners LOVE this service.
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We operate with a small, trusted team of photographers and videographers, allowing us to scale coverage based on your event - while maintaining a consistent style and experience.
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Yes. We offer mobile headshot setups that can be seamlessly integrated into your event, allowing guests or team members to receive consistent, professional portraits on-site.
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Yes. We accept credit cards, ACH transfers, checks, and Bill.com for your convenience.
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Yes. We carry full liability insurance and can provide certificates of insurance (COI) upon request.
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All delivered images and video are licensed for your internal and marketing use. Extended usage or full copyright buyouts are available upon request.
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Yes. We regularly sign Non-Disclosure Agreements and are experienced working in high-profile, confidential environments.
Discretion is a core part of how we operate. We are mindful of sensitive information at all times and do not capture or share content that could compromise privacy - whether on screens, in the background, or within the environment.
Copyright buyouts are available upon request and can be customized based on your needs. If you prefer to “own the rights” of the photos we take, we will require a Copyright Buyout fee.
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Our standard video coverage includes a highlight film: a 1–2 minute recap designed for both reflection and promotion.
Additional video deliverables are available based on your needs, including vertical edits for social, full-length stage recordings, testimonials, and custom video assets such as pitch or brand content.
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Yes. We integrate with existing AV systems when available and can also provide lavalier microphones for interviews, testimonials, or on-site recordings.
Our approach to audio is intentional - we often incorporate key speaker moments or standout statements to add clarity, depth, and narrative to your final highlight film.
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Yes. We include one round of revisions to ensure your highlight film reflects your key moments and priorities.
Prior to editing, we provide a brief questionnaire to guide the process and align on your preferences - helping us deliver a strong first cut while allowing room for thoughtful refinement.
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Yes! We regularly travel for our clients and are experienced in supporting events across multiple locations. For many companies, bringing the same team ensures consistency, efficiency, and a seamless experience - without the need to re-brief or manage new vendors in each location.
We integrate quickly, operate with minimal oversight, and become a trusted extension of your team wherever your event takes place. Recent travel includes New York, Washington DC, Miami, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, Hawaii, Mexico, London, Paris, and Zurich.
