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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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Chris and Amy…A Jewell of a Day at Monona Terrace

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been experience an unusually crappy spring for weekend weather. So it was no surprise when last Saturday dawned as gray, windy and cold. And of course, Chris and Amy had planned their dream wedding as a rooftop ceremony at Monona Terrace (otherwise known as the windiest place in Madison). Fortunately, they worked some magic (or alchemy) and the weather gradually changed from icky to nice…sweet! Amy’s veil did almost escape into Monona Bay during the ceremony, but Zuri, the best man, snatched it as it tried to fly away. Great grab! Enjoy some images from the day.

Copyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

Copyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding PhotographerCopyright Michael Mowbray, Madison Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

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Dorothy Dodge RobbinsMay 20, 2011 - 9:58 am

What a beautiful wedding ceremony. Best wishes to the bride and groom! Good to see the roommates back together.

Laura and Tim…Love by the Lake

It’s always cool when I have a senior portrait client come back years later and book me for their wedding.  (Wow…they’re all grown up now <sniff>). So I was excited when Laura and Tim chose me for their wedding…I photographed Laura a “few” years back.  We had all hoped for a beautiful May day when we set up their extended play engagement session, cuz it is usually nice in May, right?  Apparently, not this year.  Luckily, the lake side location they picked in Maple Bluff came with its own very cool mansion.  Very convenient.:) So while it blustered outside, we played inside.  When it cleared up a little, we were able to get some really nice lakeside images, too.  Not exactly sunny and blue sky, but pretty cool anyway.

Here’s hoping for a beautiful day in late June when they get married.  C’mon, Mother Nature…you owe us!  :)

Michael Mowbray Madison WI Wedding PhotographerMichael Mowbray Madison WI Wedding PhotographerMichael Mowbray Madison WI Wedding PhotographerMichael Mowbray Madison WI Wedding PhotographerMichael Mowbray Madison WI Wedding Photographer

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A little snow, a little wine with Liz and Greg

When Liz and Greg scheduled their engagement session at Wollersheim Winery, I had envisioned the beautiful rolling landscape, grape vines beginning to green up, the gorgeous old original winery buildings.  But not snow.  Snow?  Really?  Little did I know that Liz matched her outfit perfectly to the snow, so it all made sense.  And we still had the rolling landscape, the vineyards, the old buildings, and a great couple in Liz and Greg.  Phillippe was so kind to let us traipse all over the winery, including the cellars — SCORE!  Without further adieu, here are some of their highlights…

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Becky DuBois (Ellyns mom!)May 3, 2011 - 5:06 pm

Nice photo shoot! Great location!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the tree ones!

Eric and Coby – Hot time in the Arizona desert

I didn’t have to think twice when Eric and Coby asked me to leave frigid Wisconsin to photograph their March 26 wedding in Arizona.  Let’s see…Wisconsin was 26 degrees when I left and Phoenix was 82 degrees when I arrived.  That’s an easy one.:)  Especially since I’ve known Eric since he was a baby (he’s my nephew) and Coby is one of the nicest people you could ever meet.  What a wonderful match, and what a beautiful wedding.  And it was nice swapping the snow and the Capitol for sand, southwestern architecture and saguaro cacti at the Fort McDowell Resort outside Scottsdale.  Check out a few of my favorite images and a highlight video of their wedding photos.

CobyEric getting dressed - Copyright Michael MowbrayCoby - Copyright Michael MowbrayEric and Coby - Copyright Michael MowbrayEric and Coby - Copyright Michael MowbrayEric and Coby - Copyright Michael MowbrayEric and Coby - Copyright Michael MowbrayHitting a hot streak in the casino - Copyright Michael MowbrayThe good, the bad and the ugly (you choose) - Copyright Michael MowbraySunset on the We-Ko-Pa golf course - Copyright Michael MowbraySunset on the We-Ko-Pa golf course - Copyright Michael MowbraySunset on the We-Ko-Pa golf course - Copyright Michael Mowbray

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CasiApril 1, 2011 - 2:45 pm

These are amazing, I especially love the kissing by the cactus image and the bride standing under the big tree… divine!

maureen cassidyApril 2, 2011 - 5:58 pm

Awesome photos! Great location break from WI cold weather!

BeckyApril 5, 2011 - 5:04 pm

OMG…these are amazing! I love ya both!

Bridal Fashion

So what can be done with a model, a fabulous wedding dress from Marah’s Elegant Bridal, one or two speedlites, and about 15 minutes?  Depends on who is behind the camera. ;^)  I’m getting amped up for the coming wedding season…bring it!  Props to my model, KjLyn.

Copyright Michael Mowbray; model: KJLynn; dress: Marah
Copyright Michael Mowbray; model: KJLynn; dress: Marah
Copyright Michael Mowbray; model: KJLynn; dress: Marah
Copyright Michael Mowbray; model: KJLynn; dress: Marah

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Anna AuvaApril 20, 2011 - 11:56 pm

Wow! this is really gorgeous..