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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Mike Danen, a wedding photographer & filmmaker in the San Francisco and Monterey bay areas of Northern California, documenting weddings and events locally and at destinations worldwide. I create dramatic images and capture the fun, joy, tears, and excitement of your wedding day. I love clients who enjoy photography and movies, and who like to have fun!

This site features some samples of my recent work below. I'll also discuss photography, and share ideas that could make your wedding planning process easier. Take your time so that you can get a sense of who I am, and my style. Stay a while, bookmark my site, and leave a comment. I love hearing from you, and hope that you enjoy what you see!

Contact me : )
mike@mikedanen.com
~Mike

Monterey Plaza Hotel wedding photography

Monterey Plaza Hotel wedding photographer Mike Danen

WOW!!! What a fun wedding day! You may remember Michael & Melissa from their engagement session a while back at Santa Clara University. They are just the nicest folks. Really meant for each other. Lots of oooh and aaaah moments to this fab wedding day. The Monterey Plaza Hotel provided the gorgeous venue, and shout out to Kui Maluki and her staff for such perfect service. The beautiful cake, the gorgeous dress, a rockin’ wedding party, great family, and the cutest flower girls.

Congrats guys, it was such a pleasure. Enjoy the pics!

~Mike

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Hong Kong East Ocean, Morcom Rose Garden wedding photography

Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant wedding photographer Mike Danen

If there was ever a genuine love story, it would have to be the story of Ken & Ly. Truly a fairytale. What a beautiful couple, and sweet wedding day- I was in awe of all the love and emotion. You might remember their cool engagement session a few months ago- we had a blast!

We started their big beautiful wedding day with a traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony, followed by a western ceremony at Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland. The reception was held at Hong Kong East Ocean, right on the Bay. What a party! A Vietnamese band rocked the house, and Ly’s dad & uncle sang along on stage. Ly changed into a beautiful red and gold ao dai to greet the tables.

Shout out to Ellie Stone and Rebecca Stark for assisting me, you guys rocked it! Nicole Ha created really fresh and original floral designs that were a smashing success- thanks Nicole! And Carolyn Wong made the gorgeous and tasty cake that everyone loved!

Thanks so much for having me guys!

~Mike

Carolyn Wong Cakes wedding photographer Mike Danen

Morcom Rose Garden Oakland wedding photographer Mike Danen

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Vietnamese wedding photographer Mike Danen ao dai

Vietnamese wedding photographer Mike Danen

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Morcom Rose Garden Oakland wedding photographer Mike Danen

Hong Kong East ocean Seafood Restaurant wedding photographer Mike Danen

Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant wedding photography Mike Danen

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Mike Danen wedding photography San Jose Vietnamese Fremont

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Seacliff Beach, Aptos Cement Ship engagement photography

Aptos Seacliff State Beach cement ship engagement photographer

Love is all around!

Hey guys, meet Aaron & Katie, a fab couple from Santa Cruz. These guys got together in High School, and are getting married this Fall. Aaron proposed at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, so we decided to do their engagement session there. We had a blast, especially with their dog (their baby)! Note to clients: If you have a dog….bring em to the session : ) Can’t wait till their wedding for more good times!

Happy Monday!

~Mike

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Mike Danen Photography earns WeddingWire rated award for 2010!

Mike Danen Photography is now WeddingWire Rated for 2010

Press Release on PR Leap

Willow Heights Mansion wedding photography, Morgan Hill

Love was all around us. Lisa and Aaron came up from Los Angeles for their beautiful destination wedding at the Willow Heights Mansion in the hills above Morgan Hill, California. What a stunning day for their stylish wedding. So much love everywhere, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Beautiful family and friends. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of such a special day.

Happy 4th folks!

~Mike

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Carmel Mission & Monterey La Mirada wedding photography

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the newly married Erik & Christine “crowd roars”! What a sweet wedding day. Everything was so right. These guys met at Harvard, and Christine is part of a string of recent brides that I’ve worked with that are doctors (she’s an eye surgeon). So much Love, I was honored to be a part of their special day. Ceremony was set at Carmel Mission Basilica- I love weddings at the California Missions. And what a fun and beautiful reception at the Monterey Museum of Art at La Mirada. Big thanks to Mary Anne Drummond and Barbara Codd at La Mirada for coordinating such a special evening. As usual, Melody King of Fleurish Floral Designs created the most beautiful flowers! Thanks Melody! Patisserie Bechler provided the beautiful and super tasty cake, everyone loved it!

Erik and Christine, thanks again, loved your wedding- and it was truly a pleasure working with you. Have to mention the heartfelt Best Man’s Toast- first time I’ve heard Montaigne referenced in a toast- pure awesome! Enjoy the shots everyone, and leave some blog love below. Prizes for all that do- inquire within.

Happy Monday!

~Mike

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Montara Beach Half Moon Bay engagement photography

“Wow, what a fun, beautiful couple!” -What my wife said when I was finishing up these pictures- and she’s right on. Meet Eric & Karen, who chose Montara Beach in Half Moon Bay for their session. Very dramatic coastline, and we got some dramatic weather- a little dark and moody. They brought their enthusiasm, energy, fun, and helped me make some fun images. I can’t wait for their wedding at the Oceano Hotel & Spa this Summer! It’ll be great to work with Nancy Nerhan and all the great staff there. Thanks for bringin’ it guys!

Happy Wednesday!

~Mike

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San Francisco engagement photography, Baker Beach, Palace of Fine Arts

I heart San Francisco! Such a beautiful locale, so many great places to shoot- especially with a lovely couple, Ken & Ly. These guys are H-O-T fine! We had such a fun time- that water at Baker Beach was COLD. And I get to shoot their wedding this July in Oakland- can’t wait. Big props to Ellie Stone for assisting me on this session, you rocked it! Much Love.

Have a great week everyone, and thanks for takin’ a peek ; )

~Mike

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