WHAT MAKES ME UNIQUE?


WHAT MAKES ME UNIQUE


Choosing the Right Photographer for You

Finding the right photographer is crucial for capturing meaningful moments that align with your vision and style. A comfortable rapport ensures relaxed shoots and authentic photos. Their expertise handles technical challenges creatively, documenting your family's story. Personal connection fosters trust, genuine interactions, and the preservation of precious memories. Choosing wisely establishes a lasting relationship, ensuring consistent quality across all milestones, from maternity to family portraits and beyond.


There are so many photographers!

So, by now, you’ve probably noticed that everyone seems to be a photographer. This is great for you as it gives you more options but with so many options out there it can be quite overwhelming to choose the right fit for your family’s needs. That’s where my extensive experience and dedication come into play and is one of the main reasons for offering a complementary initial consultation. Before we begin, it’s essential to me that we explore together whether I'm well-suited to capture your family’s unique story and to help assist you accordingly!


BUILDING A CONNECTION


Being married going on 12 years, I understand firsthand the importance of capturing one of the most important moments in your life! So I know that it's not just about hiring a photographer; it's about finding someone you can connect with, who understands you and your family dynamics, and who can bring out the best in everyone. Building a rapport with your photographer ensures a comfortable and relaxed environment, where genuine emotions and interactions can shine through in your photos. This connection is crucial for creating images that truly reflect your family's personality and tell your unique story.


With over a decade of full-time experience in photography, you can trust that you’ll receive more than just high-quality results that far exceed your expectations. My stability and consistency are a testament to my dedication and reliability. I have worked hard to build the skills and expertise required to bring your vision to life.



What Sets Me Apart:

  • Over a Decade of Experience: With more than a decade as a full-time photographer and having a start working for award-winning studios and very experienced professionals in an industry where 85% of businesses fail within three years, my extensive background track record ensures that I will be there to capture your moments perfectly. My longevity in this challenging field reflects my stability, consistent quality, and the trust you can place in me to be there, especially considering many photography businesses have had to sadly close down without warning in recent years due to the economic climate.


  • Full-Time Dedication: The nature of this business means that many photographers are hobbists and/or have to juggle other jobs and responsibilities. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and this is how I started as well. But thankfully, I'm blessed to be able to be a full-time photographer for over the last decade and that means your photography journey is my main focus, ensuring you receive my full attention and priority that you deserve.


  • Full-Time Commitment: As I'm not a large studio with multiple levels and personnel, I offer a direct, personalized photography approach. From our initial meeting to consultation, capturing your moments, and final delivery, I'm dedicated solely to you. This ensures you recieve the attention you deserve without any added hassle, miscommunication, extra costs or loss of focus. All photos you see are captured by me, eliminating any concerns about inconsistency from staff turnover. You'll experience a streamlined and seamless photography journey with direct communication and personalized service at every step.


  • Personalized Experience: I’m committed to providing a personalized experience that meets your unique needs and preferences. I take the time to get to know you and understand your vision, ensuring your images truly reflect your personality and style.


  • Comfort and Direction: I know being in front of a professional photographer for the first time can be intimidating. I’ll guide you through the process, making you feel comfortable, confident and authentic, while helping you look your best in every shot.


  • Cultural Expertise: With extensive experience in photographing weddings from various cultures (Indian/Pakistani/Desi, Arab, Somali, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, Nigerian, Senegalese, Kenyan and more!) and experience in weddings with a fusion of cultural traditions, I understand the nuances and importance of capturing those unique and beautiful moments.Your cultural heritage will be artfully and authentically depicted in your photos, and I delight in incorporating ideas from diverse cultures to offer you a wide array of options and inspirations!


  • Constantly Improving: I stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and trends in photography. Using state-of-the-art equipment (with backups!) and advanced editing software so your images will be of the highest quality.


  • Full-Service Studio: Beyond capturing stunning images, I offer prints, albums, and wall art, all designed to bring your images to life as you see fit. You’ll have a range of options to display your beautiful memories.


  • Genuine Care: Most importantly, I truly care about you, the images I create for you, and the overall experience you recieve. Photography is not just about taking pictures; it’s about capturing the essence of a moment and telling a story that you’ll treasure for years to come. Its about the human connection at the end of the day. Its about what makes you unique and different.


So, if what I have mentioned fits what you need in a photographer, partner and professional who is skilled, dedicated, and passionate about their craft, I’m here for you. Contact me today to learn more about my services and how I can help you bring your vision to life!


Why Hire Me

Personalized attention & customized experience


Don't worry, I will take care of you. I'll work closely with you to create a wedding day that covers all the bases and lets us preserve all the memories important to you. With over a decade of experience in working with many, many brides with diverse backgrounds and wedding styles, I have the unique expertise to offer you personalized guidance and a range of options to bring your vision to life. Let's make sure your special day flows smoothly and that every moment important to you is captured!

Capturing

LASTING MEMORIES


It's important to me that all your lasting memories are recorded in a way that captures the story of your special day. With a wealth of experience photographing in diverse locations, lighting scenarios, and couples from many different backgrounds, I'm confident we can create timeless images that will be treasured for a lifetime!


I also am a huge proponent of having your images printed so you can view those memories rather than have them stored in some digital dungeon! That's why I offer a complete full-service photography experience from prints, to albums, to wall art I can design it all for you!

EMOTIONAL CONNECTION


Your wedding day is filled with emotions, and I want to make sure they're all captured in a way that resonates with you. Whether it's a warm embrace or a joyful laugh, I'll be there to preserve every special moment.


And not just that, you're getting someone who can create an experience that fosters a meaningful connection between you, your loved ones, and the moments that matter. With my passion for capturing the essence of your unique story and my dedication to providing a comfortable and supportive environment, you can trust that your images will reflect the emotional depth and significance of your special day.

Guided Directing


Don't worry about feeling stiff or awkward in front of the camera - I am here to guide and support you every step of the way. Whether you're a seasoned pro in front of the camera or feeling nervous and unsure (which is 99% of my clients), I'll be there to help you look and feel your best. My style and directing techniques are designed to make you look and feel natural and relaxed while capturing your unique love story and connection. I will provide gentle coaching and advice on how to pose and interact with each other so that your love and happiness shine through in every image. Trust me, your pictures will be timeless and full of emotion that you will cherish for years to come!

CONSISTENT LOOK


With me, you'll have the convenience of working with just one person from start to finish. From your initial consultation to the final delivery of your albums and prints, I'll be the one you'll be working with every step of the way. This eliminates the hassle and confusion of dealing with different people at each stage of the photography process, ensuring that your vision and preferences are consistently understood and captured.


Additionally, I have the freedom to be flexible and responsive to your needs, delivering personalized and attentive service that you won't find in a studio or large photography company with multiple middlemen. Rest assured, with me as your photographer, your special day will be captured in the way you've always envisioned it!

Exceptional Experience


I take pride in offering a personal touch that makes your day all the more special. To start, I'll take the time to get to know you both and understand what matters most to you. Whether it's capturing those intimate moments, or showcasing your unique style, I'll be there every step of the way to make sure your day is captured just the way you envisioned.

On your big day, I'll be fully present and attentive, ensuring that I capture all the meaningful moments that matter to you. And, I'll work with you to create a custom photography plan that fits your schedule, preferences, and budget. Whether you have specific requests or concerns, I'll always be available to address them, making the entire photography experience tailored to your needs and preferences.

In short, I'm here to be your partner in preserving the memories of your special day, and to do so in a way that's personalized, attentive and tailored just for you.

CREATIVE FLAIR



I can add creative flair to your photos in a number of ways. I love to try out new things as every wedding and couple is unique so I suggest unique angles and compositions, as well as creative locations for your photo shoot that will make your photos stand out. I even love your input, some of my favorite images have been with clients who wanted me to try something different for them and the results were amazing!


I also encourage natural interactions between you and your partner to capture authentic and candid moments. Finally, I use specialty lenses and advanced techniques to create visually stunning images that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

With my artistic vision and expertise, I'll make sure that your wedding photos are both beautiful and distinctive!

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS


I believe every wedding day is filled with unforgettable moments, and I want to make sure they're all captured. I'll stay attuned to the moments that mean the most to you and create images you'll cherish forever. To ensure that we don't miss a thing, I'll work with you to create a comprehensive list of portraits and important moments that you want to be captured. Some of my couples like to have a second or even a third photographer this way, we'll make sure that every special moment is captured in a way that tells the story of your big day, from start to finish!

FAMILY AFFAIRS



Something that is really not considered but I personally think is very important is your family portraits. Coming from a very large family I know firsthand that dealing with family and relatives can be tricky and a bit stressful. However, many times weddings are one of the rare occasions when they are all together dressed up and looking great, so don't worry - I'll guide you through family portraits and keep family dynamics in mind. With my experience having photographed both small and very, very large families [Indian, Hmong, Cambodian, etc Weddings :) ] You can trust me to handle all family interactions with care and respect.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY


I know photography can be expensive, but I'm here to help. I offer customized flexible packages and payment options based on your needs, and I'll do my best to find a solution that fits your budget.

I take pride in providing exceptional value for your money. I strive to exceed your expectations by giving 110% effort.


With that said, I also love working with unique weddings, venues, and locations, and am always exploring ways to ensure the satisfaction of everyone involved.

Want to know more about me?

My Style


My focus is to capture your special day in a way that is true to your unique story. I prioritize real, authentic moments and use lighting and simple direction to create beautiful imagery while keeping you at ease.


My editing style is classic and timeless. I would describe it as Neutral skin tones, with a hint of warmth, crisp whites and deep blacks, high contrast & vibrant colors that are bold and true to life.


I do love taking cadids, but I also feel there is a place for posed portraits and I want my couples to have both.


For those more techically suited,

I love to use zooms, primes and macor lenses. I have a pletura of gear as artistic goals but also as redudncies. I love to be creative and having a varity of gear to use give me a chance to really show case what I can offer.

My Personality


I take great pleasure in providing assistance and guidance in planning not only your wedding day but also the photography portion of your event. It's one of my favorite things to do with couples because it allows me to create a custom wedding photography experience that is tailored specifically to your needs and priorities.


Being an extrovert, I enjoy directing and guiding my couples and helping them with planning, posing and creating moments, rather than simply instructing them to stand and smile for the camera. I am always happy to address any questions or concerns they may have, including the age-old query, "What do I do with my hands?" Additionally, I take great pleasure in helping to organize and pose families for group portraits, and advising on technical aspects such as the best locations for the first look, couples' photos, cake cutting, and first dances, if necessary.


I usually tell couples that I will guide them on where to stand, find the best lighting, and arrange a good composition, then provide simple prompts, and it's up to them to bring their chemistry and create that magical spark in front of the camera!

My EXperience


I have had the privilege of collaborating with some highly acclaimed studios such as Studio 220 Photography in the Twin Cities, among others, during my decade-long career as a photographer.

My expertise lies in guiding couples through the process of planning their wedding day, helping them with posing and creating a structure that is tailored to their preferences.


Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to have captured weddings of all types and styles, ranging from summer, winter, fall, and spring seasons, to various locations such as boats, homes, backyards, farmhouses, beaches, scenic spots on the north shore, as well as indoor and outdoor venues, both bright and moody settings, hotels, destination weddings, and more!


In addition, I have photographed traditional weddings of various cultures, including American, Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, Chinese, Neapales, Cambodia, and Nigerian as well as Muslim, Christian, and Jewish weddings. One of my favorite experiences is shooting mixed weddings as it allows me to combine my knowledge and experience from different cultures and provide my couples with the best options to suit their preferences.


Through my extensive experience in various settings, I have been able to refine my skills, develop my unique style, and build my confidence. While I understand that every wedding is unique, my diverse experience has provided me with the ability to offer a better experience for my couples by leveraging the overlapping aspects of different wedding types.

Hear From My Clients

Meghan McAfee & Iain Dove Lempke

“We absolutely loved having Makeen shoot our wedding a few weeks ago! Not only are the photos beautiful, but everyone (family and the wedding party) loved working with him. He makes the whole process really fun and relaxed. I highly recommend Makeen!”

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Let me help you today!

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