The Full Story
About me
I'm Andrei Mihalache, a wedding photographer and oil painter based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
My Story
I was born in Romania and have called Mexico home for more than sixteen years. My work has taken me across the Caribbean, Europe, China, and the United States, photographing weddings and meeting people from all sorts of cultural backgrounds.
Over nearly two decades, I've personally photographed more than 1,000 weddings. Some were intimate ceremonies lasting barely an hour. Others were elaborate, three-day celebrations involving several photographers, videographers, and a remarkable amount of coordination.
I also spent several years leading a wedding photography department responsible for more than 1,500 weddings annually. That experience taught me the importance of preparation, adaptability, and keeping a clear head when things don't go quite as planned. And with weddings, there's usually something that doesn't.
My Approach
I enjoy a carefully composed portrait as much as a completely unscripted photograph. A good wedding gallery has room for both.
I like to give people direction when it helps and step back when it doesn't. I pay close attention to light, composition, and the surroundings, but I'm equally interested in making people feel comfortable. I don't think anyone should have to spend their entire wedding day performing for a camera.
Outside photography, I have quite a few other interests. I ride horses, enjoy cooking for friends, and spend much of my free time painting.
I work primarily in oils, prepare my own painting panels and grounds, and occasionally make my own paints. I could buy most of these things ready-made, but I enjoy understanding how they're made and having some control over the process.
Painting moves at a completely different pace from wedding photography. One allows me to spend days reconsidering a detail; the other requires me to make decisions in fractions of a second. I rather enjoy both.
If you're planning a wedding in Puerto Vallarta or somewhere farther afield, I'd love to hear what you have in mind.
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