the backstory
How an English degree and years of architectural work ended up shaping everything I do.
I'm Mike Sears, the photographer behind Mike Sears Photography. I grew up in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but Exeter, New Hampshire is home now. It's a great little town, and I share it with my wife Paula, and our daughter Abigail. When I'm not photographing weddings, you'll find me reading (I was an English Literature major, which is basically a degree in relaxing with a good book), exploring New England's back roads on my motorcycle, fly fishing, browsing bookstores, or seeking out quaint inns and the smell of a good campfire, or stopping to pet any friendly cat I come across. I still shoot architectural work throughout the year, which keeps my technical eye sharp, and I'm the kind of person who eats everything and enjoys learning something new every day. But what I love most is photographing weddings. It's this incredible blend of photographic genres all compressed into one day, and it never gets old. I consider it an honor every time someone welcomes me into their life to document their wedding. My goal is simple: show up like a friend who's been invited to something meaningful, and capture the moments you’ll want to remember most.
what you can expect
A stress-free experience, exceptional images, and a photographer who genuinely has your back.
When you work with me, the goal is to make this entire process feel easy. I foster a relaxed environment where I can blend into the background, which means the focus stays on you and the celebration rather than on staged poses or rigid photo sessions. You get to be present, enjoy your day, and trust that I'm anticipating moments and capturing them as they unfold. What you'll receive is a collection of images that go beyond traditional wedding photography - these are powerful visual narratives that freeze genuine emotion, raw beauty, and unbridled joy. They're timeless works of art that authentically tell the story of your day and reflect the true essence of your connection. From the nervous excitement of getting ready to the tears of joy during vows, I'm in your corner making sure every moment is carefully preserved. You deserve images you'll treasure for a lifetime, and an experience that lets you actually enjoy getting them.
making it all work for you
Engagement sessions and wedding coverage designed around exactly what you need
I shoot engagement sessions and weddings, and I tailor coverage to fit what you're actually planning. Some couples want eight hours, others need more. Some want a second shooter for larger weddings, others prefer the intimacy of working with just me. We'll talk through your day, figure out what makes sense, and build something that works. I'm not interested in selling you things you don't need. I'm interested in making sure you get exactly what you're looking for. Most couples invest around $6,100 for full wedding day documentation, but pricing varies depending on your specific needs.
take a look
Real weddings, real moments, and the kind of images that hold up over time.
Every wedding is different, but the approach stays the same: honest, unobtrusive storytelling with a classic, film-inspired feel you won’t get tired of revisiting. Whether you’re curious about how an engagement session unfolds or want to experience a full wedding day from start to finish, the portfolio offers a clear look at how I document moments as they naturally happen. Take a look and see what resonates.
'Mike is who you want to be your photographer!"
He has a special talent for connecting with people, making you feel comfortable, and getting amazing photos. His philosophy is to tell the story of your wedding through photos and he definitely achieved this when I look back now. Mike was friendly and communicative from the start. He asked what style of photos we wanted and he delivered on our vision. Everyone at the wedding including family and the vendor was raving about how great he was. I am so glad we chose Mike and we now have these photos to remember our wedding. Both my wife and I highly recommend!
"Mike was attentive to detail and went above and beyond to help us capture our vision for our wedding day."
The thing that drew us to him was his extensive portfolio that allowed us to see his work going back to 2016 and seeing how his work has developed over the years. It was clear from the start that he was experienced and we would be in good hands. After reaching out to Mike, we set up a phone call and he walked us through what our wedding day would look like with him. This part was especially helpful because it was obvious that he had a systematic approach after years of experience. Closer to the wedding day, we met in person to go over details and the itinerary for the day...
"Mike's work is stunning. And his passion for photography was obvious once we spoke with him."
He took so much time talking with us, getting to know us, and explaining what to expect. He was incredible at our engagement shoot, making us feel comfortable in front of the camera and sharing his photography knowledge. And, THE MOST FUN! The wedding day came and we were even more thrilled. We already knew how great Mike was, but one of the top comments we've been hearing about our wedding from our guests was how awesome the photographer was. He made my family laugh, and feel comfortable and is so incredibly kind and relatable. So many positive things to say!...
"My first impression was that he was thorough, candid, and communicative."
We did both an engagement shoot and our wedding with him, so I can say with absolute certainty that Mike is a truly excellent photographer. I've almost never done professional photographs, and the ones I have were always awkward with posing... Not with Mike! He knows how to pose and direct you into natural shots. Mike also takes risks with his photos which results in stunning photos that you'll cherish forever. For the day of the wedding, he was punctual and organized. He took control of the shots and did exactly as we asked. He was almost invisible, too - he was never in the way of anything and blended in so well with the events....
"Mike ensures he gets your bridal parties and families and other "staged" photos, but he does so in a way that makes them feel natural and not "posed"."
My husband STILL raves about Mike and the photos a month after our wedding day. Mike shoots in a way that makes the subjects feel relaxed; he is insanely funny and we were constantly entertained... It can be difficult and awkward working closely with someone you don't know, but Mike immediately makes you feeling comfortable and like he is an old friend. At that moment in time, my beauty girls were late starting my hair and I knew that we were behind schedule, but as soon as Mike walked into the room, I knew that everything was going to be fine. He told me he was there and would handle everything -- and he did....
