michelle castro photography

Thursday, July 12, 2012

lexi is two!

I know that I have mentioned this more than once, but I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!  Aside from being a wife and mom, being a photographer is the best job around!!  I’m reminded of how much I love what I do when I get to meet up with a family and capture their sweet little girl!  I met lexi’s mommy and daddy before she was born . . . they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their first baby and we had a great time exploring their sweet neighborhood.  A few weeks later I got to meet that precious girl and capture her in all of her newborn glory . . . lexi was finally here . . . so exciting!  Last year we met at Descanso Gardens . . . so much fun to see how she had changed in that first year!  Yesterday we met in Pasadena . . . first, I LOVE Pasadena . . . there’s actual architecture . . . not just stucco like in my little suburb!   Here are a few that I grabbed for a preview! Isn’t she precious!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Lexi is 2

 

 

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michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

she said, “YES!” | “I do!” | “oh my!” | newborns | kiddos | families
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

courtney & taylor | wedding

Beautiful Bride + Handsome Groom + Amazing Location = HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHER!!!   Last week’s wedding at Villa del Sol in Fullerton was STUNNING . . . AND they offered Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt to their guests as dessert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh my goodness!!!  We were IN HEAVEN!!!  There are so many to choose from, but here are just a couple of my first favorites!!  Thanks so much to Becca for hiring me as her second shooter!  I LOVE working with her and loved this wedding!!!

 

I LOVE THIS ONE!!!  His eyes are closed in anticipation of seeing his bride for the first time!!!

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So, I’m a total traditionalist . . . I love that first look as his bride is walking down the aisle, BUT, I love this . . .
I love the look in his eyes . . . he’s absolutely speechless at the beauty of his soon-to-be wife!!! LOVE IT!!!
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Ok . . . so you know me and little girlies . . . I just can’t help thinking of my three precious ones when I see them!!! 
And these little ones were ADORABLE and danced the night away!!!
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Seriously AMAZING location!!!  So much fun!!!!20120708_018_mcphotography2012_COURTNEYTAYLOR-BECCA_WEB20120708_019_mcphotography2012_COURTNEYTAYLOR-BECCA_WEB



 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

she said, “YES!” | “I do!” | “oh my!” | newborns | kiddos | families
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July!!!

It is an immense privilege to live in this great land!!  We are blessed beyond measure and often forget exactly what it has taken to get us to this point of freedom!  We take it so for granted and I’m thankful for this day where we can pause and look back at the sacrifices that have been made on my behalf so I might live in a land of the free and home of the brave!!  They are not just words written by a man, rather they were penned while witnessing the battles that would lead to our freedom!!

 

It is in God I trust and I’m so thankful that there were many who did as well on that day in 1776!!

 

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

 

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!!!

HAPPY 4TH copy

 

 

The Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Red Egg and Ginger Party | Welcoming Little Dean

On Sunday I met the Liu family . . . they were celebrating the arrival of baby Dean with a traditional Chinese Red Egg and Ginger Party.  I'm sure Dean had a great time . . . although he slept through most of it . . . the rest of his family and friends enjoyed their delicious 10-course meal!!  I just love watching families . . . especially when they are celebrating such a joyous event . . . like a precious new life!!!

The Beautiful Liu Family of 3!!!

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Proud Parents20120701_012_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_008_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_005_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_004_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_006_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS

 

Beautiful Sisters!!20120701_009_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS

Cousins20120701_010_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_011_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_013_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS20120701_014_mcphotography2012_DEANLIU_EDITS

Love this one!!!
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My great assistant for the evening!!! Thanks for helping with the lighting checks!!!

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michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

she said, “YES!” | “I do!” | “oh my!” | newborns | kiddos | families
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

the evolution of a cupcake | a sweet design

A cupcake has to be just about the most perfect treat . . .

I mean . . . it’s size is perfect . . . the perfect ratio of cake to frosting. 

 

I had the privilege of working with some amazing clients . . . CUPCAKES!!!
A Sweet Design in Granada Hills, California to be exact!!! 
We thought it would be fun to do “an evolution of a cupcake” shot . . .
we should’ve timed it, but I’m pretty sure it didn’t take too long to go from whole cupcake to just the wrapper!!!

evolutionofacupcake 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

she said, “YES!” | “I do!” | “oh my!” | newborns | kiddos | families
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

Monday, July 2, 2012

florencia & mike | engaged

I met Florencia and Mike this weekend and am SOOOOO excited for their wedding in September!!! Their reception is going to be at The Los Angeles Athletic Club . . . seriously so excited!!! I LOVE downtown . . . I LOVE a beautiful bride . . . so put them together plus a gorgeous groom . . . WOW!!! Florencia and Mike were a BLAST! We met at LAAC this weekend, checked out the location, and had a little e-sess! Loved them!!!!

 

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I love this one!!  Love the window!! Love the couple!! Love it all!!20120630_005_mcphotography2012_FLORENCIA-MIKE_WEB220120630_006_mcphotography2012_FLORENCIA-MIKE_WEB

GORGEOUS!!!!!

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I LOVE the architecture of downtown!!

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michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

she said, “YES!” | “I do!” | “oh my!” | newborns | kiddos | families
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography