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  • Hello & Welcome!

    Recently named International Gold Photographer of the Year, Master Photographer Michael Mowbray owns and operates Beautiful Portraits by Michael. Along with his team of 5 associate photographers, Michael serves Madison Wisconsin and beyond. Michael is best known as one of the Midwest's leading wedding photographers, but he also applies his talents to portraiture for high school seniors, families, newborns and children, fashion and model portfolios, and business headshots.

    More info can be found on the main Beautiful Portraits web site.

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February 18, 2012

HOT new product…Facebook timeline photo collages…Madison WI portrait photographer

Posted in: babies and chidlren, senior portraits

Boy, do I have something cool for you if you have switched to the new Facebook timeline profile and have struggled to find just the right photo for the panoramic header.  Check out my new Facebook timeline photo collages!  Just pick 3 or 4 images from your session, wedding, engagement — whatever — and for a limited time only I will create a timeline collage for just $49.  That’s a steal of a deal, Camille (or Kristen…or…well, you get the point.) What’s the catch?  It’s for a limited time only…and the pics need to be from your package, which should be cool cuz they were your faves anyway and they’re already retouched!

Here are a couple of samples.  Your purchased timeline collage won’t have the big “Team Michael” logo on it.  That’s just for my high school senior spokesmodels.  Instead, it will have just a small, tasteful logo as is shown on the baby sample.  Orders yours today!  Just give me a call at 608-846-5319, or click the “Contact” button and send me an email.  

Posted in: babies and chidlren, senior portraits
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February 8, 2012

Seeking Class of 2013 Spokesmodels!

Posted in: senior portraits

Want some of the hottest senior portraits ever taken by the International Gold Photographer of the Year? (That would be me.) Want to be the first senior on your block to post Facebook images and make everyone jealous? Want to experience all of the fun of an ANTM photo shoot without the Tyragrams? Want to earn MAJOR discounts on your senior portrait package and have a chance to win a $500 scholarship? Then apply for my senior portraits spokesmodel program and you, too, could have a chance to join TEAM MICHAEL. Your initial session is FREE plus there are all sorts of goodies that go along with it: FREE proofbook, FREE accordion books, FREE Facebook pics and highlight video, FREE DVD…and much more!

To apply, just follow this link to fill out my online application. Tell me why you would be the bestest spokesmodel ever. If you’re chosen, we’ll schedule your studio session right away. That’s it. It really is just that easy.

In the meantime, check out a handful of images from some of last year’s spokesmodels. There’s also a highlight vid at the bottom featuring images from the Class of 2012.


Posted in: senior portraits
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January 12, 2012

How to look your best on your wedding day.

Posted in: engagement photography, wedding photography

Exciting news! Today is the official release of my new DVD “Body Language: How to look your best on your wedding day”. It’s a brief video that provides helpful tips to brides and grooms on how to look fabulous on the most important day of their lives. In this video I guide you through the 4Ps – position, pose, posture and poise – plus a whole lot more. How much does it cost? Here’s the best part… It’s FREE! I’ve partnered with Nedrebos, Marah’s Elegant Bridal, and The Petal Patch of McFarland to bring you this valuable advice absolutely free. Just stop by any one of our booths at this weekend’s bridal show to pick up your copy.  We’ll be at booth #417.  See you there!

Here’s a quick snippet:

Posted in: engagement photography, wedding photography
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December 14, 2011

Windy City engagement session just flu by…Michael Mowbray…Madison WI Wedding Photographers

Posted in: engagement photography, wedding photography

When Tricia and Chris opted to have their engagement session in downtown Chicago, I thought “Cool! I can get out of Madison for a day and shoot something different.” Although I did shoot several weddings in Chicago this year. But I digress. I was even thinking of a little jaunt over to IKEA. So the big day arrives and I am on day two of the flu AND the weather called for 50mph wind gusts in Chicago. Of course. But, do I reschedule. Of course…NOT. It was part “get it in before the weather really changes” plus “let’s see if I can gut it out and shoot while whiny and mildly delirious”. The answer was “yes” on both counts. From the Kinzie Street bridge to the L to the financial district to the skyline I think we nailed it. Special thanks goes to Krystal who braved the roundtrip car ride and the shoot with Mr. Sickee. Her reward? She got it the same thing a week later. Ah, the sacrifices we must make for our craft.

For maximum viewing pleasure, please select the “full screen” viewing option in the lower right hand side of the video player.

To view and purchase prints from the complete session, visit their online gallery.  Plus, you can order a DVD of the highlight video for just $95.


© Michael Mowbray, Chicago engagement session

Posted in: engagement photography, wedding photography
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November 23, 2011

Kayti and Jake…Country wedding at Badger Farms…Michael Mowbray…Madison WI Wedding Photographers

Posted in: wedding photography

I do enjoy my city weddings, but it’s nice to get out in the country for a change.  So I enjoyed my first opportunity to photograph at Badger Farms, even though it was pretty muddy from the SNOW we got that week.  Snow??  I guess it is Wisconsin.  Rather than risk trekking through the mud, we hopped a ride on a hay wagon, held on for dear life, and bumped and bounced our way out to a beautiful willow tree at sunset.  We shot some really cool images there with Kayti and Jake…with nothing but rolling fields surrounding us. It’s good to be in Wisconsin!  Then it was a bumpy ride back to the converted barn for the reception and dance with food catered by Blue Plate Catering and music by Jukebox Bandstand.  All in all, a great way to end the wedding season.

For maximum viewing pleasure, please select the “full screen” viewing option in the lower right hand side of the video player.

To view and purchase prints from the complete session, visit their online gallery.  Plus, you can order a DVD of the highlight video for just $95 (look under “view all products”).




Posted in: wedding photography
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