Michael Riddell’s career as a photographer started out with a near-disaster. Trying to shoot a National Geographic-worthy photo in the woods near his childhood home in Connecticut, he climbed a tree to get an interesting perspective on a beaver lodge. Before he could get the shot, though, the branch snapped and his camera was smashed. But Michael was undeterred, dusting himself off to forge a career that now has him working with wedding couples as well as magazine and commercial clients - and still going out on a limb (metaphorically now) to get a great shot.

When photographing weddings, Michael enjoys connecting with the people and sharing his artistic vision. His style is characterized by a painterly feel for light and composition, combined with a photojournalist’s desire to tell a story. To get natural-feeling photos, Michael works as unobtrusively as possible, allowing the energy of the celebration to drive his shooting agenda. And he takes a lot of pictures. He likens the process to shopping for a wedding dress. “There are a lot of dresses that could work,” he says. “But if you keep searching, you will find ‘the one.’”

                     

Michael’s studio is in the Mad River Valley, home to great skiing, biking - and a thriving enclave of wedding professionals. This community offers numerous chances for collaboration and a constant source of inspiration. In addition to giving back to his community through his work as a photographer, Michael serves on the local school board, coaches lacrosse, and is a husband and the father of two. It’s a busy life, but one that fills him with the energy he needs to keep shooting and, if the situation requires, climbing the occasional tree.