Arizona's Mike Olbinski Photography: chasing storms and capturing hearts

Updated Oct 12 2015
meggyfin
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You might remember our Arizona-based sponsor Mike Olbinski as the storm chasing wedding photographer. We've already talked about how he's a total badass adventurer who's willing to take chances to get amazing wedding photos, so now let's talk about the more romantic side to Mike Olbinski's photography.

Here's the deal: while Mike may know how to chase storms, he sure as shit knows how to capture emotions. From cheers to tears, these latest wedding photos absolutely tug at my cold dead heartstrings.

Before we dive in, maybe let's learn about Mike through this adorable video featuring his even more adorable family:

My wedding was the best day of my life, and my daughter's birth was the second. I've never shot a wedding where I didn't get at little choked up during the father-daughter dance. And that sappiness is due to my wife, who instilled in me a fantastic sentimentality that runs deep in her family. They are criers, and I've officially become a member.

Welcome to the emotional fold, Mike. Your wife-induced softer side is probably the reason you could capture such a beautiful moment as this:

That moment you see each other for the first time.
That moment you see each other for the first time.
That moment when you're all, "Holy crap! I'm a bride!"

Mike also does a great job of explaining why his emotional side helps him shoot weddings:

Weddings are a huge deal. The moments within them are even bigger. You hear about a funny moment when your brother did the splits on the dance floor, but you missed it. Or that welling tear brimming in your father's eye. The laughter. The fun. The experience.
That's why you hire me. I'm there for all of it. I capture those memories for you. From start to finish. And we have a lot of fun along the way.
I love the romantic Gone with the Wind vibe of this photo!
I love the romantic Gone with the Wind vibe of this photo!

We already know that a few Tribesmaids have definitely been having a blast with Mike as their photographer. For you nervous brides out there: one Tribesmaid shared her pics with us and noted that the engagement shoot was "not nearly as awkward as I'd feared. We were just ourselves, and Mike was just a dude with a camera. We're both really happy with the results!"

It's easy to be all smiles when you're not worried about your wedding photos.
It's easy to be all smiles when you're not worried about your wedding photos.

Last but not least, Mike Olbinski makes your wedding photography super-duper easy by including a second shooter in all of his packages. He also loves to travel! (What else would you expect form a storm chaser?)

So wipe the tears of happiness from your eyes, check "hire photographer" off of your "to do" list, and book Mike Olbinski ASAP!

Megan Finley Horowitz

When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine!

@meggyfin @thedashanddine @meggyfin

  1. "not nearly as awkward as I'd feared. We were just ourselves, and Mike was just a dude with a camera. We're both really happy with the results!"

    That was me. Mike is awesome. He was only too happy to drive us three hours each way from Phoenix, up a twisty, icy mountain road to the observatory we work at, and take photos at the top of a mountain next to a bunch of telescopes.

    Here are the results, for the curious:

    http://www.mikeolbinski.com/theblog/2013/01/amali-gautham-engaged/

    This one's my favorite:

    Reply

  2. OK, these are all some awesome pics (and I love the one in the comments too) but that one where the bride is starting to cry totally made me tear up over here.

    Reply

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