Adam Michaels is a wedding photographer who knows how to tell a story — his lens captures every detail, candid conversation and some of the most wanderlust-inducing moments of a couple’s big day. On a balmy spring afternoon, Michaels, owner of Adam Michaels Photography , sits in his studio setting up for the day. The South Side Flats studio is an arsenal of inspiration, featuring prominent lighting in hues of fuchsia and cobalt, along with abundant natural light streaming through the large windows.
The space can convert from a photo shoot area to an art studio or a podcast lab. Uniquely curated art pieces adorn the walls, all hand-selected by Michaels, who brings nature into his space with greenery that serves as art in its own form. One wall can reverse to a lighter color and become the backdrop for an envy-worthy headshot.
Sneakers are displayed across the wall like a streetwear store. Michaels, 36, says he does not have to search for inspiration — he’s always ready. Art didn’t come naturally to him, and neither did weddings.
After moving back to Pittsburgh in 2019 from California, traveling a bit following a career as a financial planner and multiple compliments from friends on his photography skills, he began to take it seriously. “I learned a lot shooting the city. That’s how I learned to do long exposures and different things,” he said.
Getting a consistent clientele didn’t come easily either. In the beginning, Michaels would pay folks to take their pi.
