BEHIND THE CAMERA
Mike Levad
My photography journey began with the best possible motivation—the news that my wife and I were expecting our daughter, Eliza. While I'd always been drawn to photography, becoming a father gave me a crash course in what really matters: capturing the moments that make you smile years later.
What started as an enthusiastic new parent with a camera and a YouTube addiction quickly grew into something more meaningful. I learned that great photography isn't just about having the right equipment (though I do love my gear)—it's about paying attention to the real moments happening right in front of you.
In 2011, I founded Twin Birch Studios here in Minneapolis with a straightforward philosophy: take great care of people, and great photographs naturally follow. I bring patience, attention to detail, and what one bride lovingly called "personal hype man energy" to every session. My goal isn't just to take great photos—it's to make sure you leave feeling amazing about yourself.
When I'm not behind the camera, you'll find me in my garden (I have what is quite possibly the tidiest lawn on the block), playing pickleball, biking Minneapolis's trails, or at the beginning of my ceramics journey where I'm absolutely terrible at throwing pots. Sometimes it's perfectly okay to be bad at something you genuinely enjoy doing.
I believe great photographs should feel authentic and look beautiful—capturing who you really are while making sure you love how you look.
