We often become friends with our clients (occupational hazard). We love them and hear that they love us. I can’t even tell you how happy this makes Michael and I! We believe it makes life (at least wedding day life) much easier on our clients. Just think of how much of the wedding day is spent with the photographer(s)! We feel it’s not only our job to take amazing pictures, but to also be people you can feel calm and happy around on your big day.

We are blessed with a funny little 7 year old man Grant, a sweet big dog named Jack, and an attention starved cat named Leo, all of whom make the occasional appearance on our blog. If you’d like to know more about us and our work, that is a great place to catch up on all our latest work and play!

Thank you for taking the time to check us out! We can’t wait to hear from you!

With a background in music his passion, vision and imagination sets him apart time and time again. Michael’s belief that capturing the soul of the photograph is essential to the consciousness and personality of every moment and every story.

His love of photography goes beyond taking pictures, but sharing his knowledge with those eager to learn. He has conducted workshops and education sessions for photographers and students in the USA, Canada, and Malaysia.

Phototerra Studio, which Michael founded in 2003, has locations in Montreal, Toronto,  and will soon be opening in New York.

Michael and the studio have been recognized globally, as he has been the recipient of the 1st place prize for photojournalistic photography two years in a row, winning the most awards in various categories in 2009, and winning the Grand Award in 2010 at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Association (WPPI). In the past three years, he has had over 60 accolades of excellence at the WPPI, and he’s been voted as on of the top ten 10 wedding photographers in Canada.

To be let into the lives of a couple, on one of the most important days of their lives, is such an incredible honor. To be given the responsibility of capturing this day, including every emotion, detail, and important moment, is an even greater privilege. We value this privilege and in exchange, we strive to deliver photos that tell the story of the day in a unique and creative manner.

Our passion for what we do drives us… and we love that we get to share it with each other!

I feel privileged to be able to make art every day and to share it with amazing couples in love.

I was given my first real camera at age 12 and I was hooked for life. Through the twists and turns of fate, I shot my first wedding at 19 and have never looked back.

My approach to photography is intuitive and emotional, influenced by photojournalism, fine art and fashion. My goal is to make images that bleed passion and color, seep humor and excitement, and expose the beautiful, whimsical, spontaneous moments of real life and love.

I will travel anywhere and love to meet new people.

About Larissa Cleveland:

Larissa is an award-winning photographer based in San Francisco, CA. An artist at heart, she has a bachelor’s degree from Kendall Collage of Art and Design in photography, and a master’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in Imaging Arts. Larissa’s photographs have appeared in The Knot, Photo District News, San Francisco Bride, Camera Arts, Billboard, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, Mooncruise Magazine and various books and ad campaigns. Her fine art work has been shown in galleries nationwide and internationally.