sixth grade portrait collection | exclusively by michelle castro photography

In August my oldest daughter started her LAST year of elementary school!  I’ve been dreading this since . . . well, basically, since she was born!  So . . . as a photographer/mama I can’t separate the two parts of me and I’m instantly drawn to capturing her and this precious time in her life!  I really can’t think of a time where the changes will be so vast . . . I feel like these first 11 or 12 years have been very dependent, she’s needed me for everything . . . from food, shelter, clothing, all of it . . . we have provided and now . . . she’s getting ready to spread those wings a bit . . . next year, she will be off to junior high and I won’t be on the campus every day, I won’t be asked to help out in the classroom, she will be responsible for more of her work and life, and I will PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, that what her daddy and I have taught her has sunk in and that she will make wise choices!!  Well . . . that was a bit more emotional than I had intended . . . all of that brought me to creating the 6th grade portrait collection!   Although, it is my own daughter who brought me to create this I have yet to do her full session . . . isn’t it always the way! ha!!!  But, here is my beautiful model!  We had the best time!  I’ve had the opportunity to photograph this sweet girl for the past couple of years!  I love her and her family!!! So much fun!!!

 

You can contact me at michelle@michellecastrophotography.com for pricing and scheduling.

Your collection includes a gorgeous 20-page, 5x7, lay-flat photo album!

Who wouldn’t want some fun graduation announcements!  Stand out from the crowd!

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | kids | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

landis family | maternity session | santa clarita valley photographer

The anticipation of a new life is such a precious time!  There is something so sweet about being able to capture those moments of anticipation!  I loved spending the evening with the beautiful Landis family!  They are eagerly awaiting the birth of their second little one and I LOVE that they don’t know if they will be bringing a boy or girl home with them!!! I’m a total traditionalist and I LOVE that sweet moment when you meet your baby AND find out if you have a son or daughter all at the same time!!!  I can’t wait to meet their little one in a few short weeks!!! Enjoy the sweet preview!

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | kids | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

madelynn + mama + disneyland = perfection | disneyland photographer

To say that I LOVE Disneyland may just be a SLIGHT understatement!  It’s not that I like crowds, over priced food, and lines . . . it’s that I LOVE the look on the faces of my kids when we pull up!  It’s priceless!  When I was a kid we went once, maybe twice, a year and we would get there when the park opened and shuffle to the car after the park had closed.  Some of my fondest childhood memories take place at Disneyland . . . every trip would end with my mom and I searching for the perfect figurine to add to my collection.  And then . . . I grew up and a new group of kiddos joined the family . . . I can remember being there when my nieces (now 19) went for the first time . . . the joy on their face was PRICELESS!!!  I LOVE that look!  The look of awe, pure joy . . . the sweet look of  [c h I l d h o o d]!  So . . . I certainly take my older girls out of school plenty and head down to Disney, but sometimes it’s fun to just get away with the little one!  And that’s JUST what we did . . . off to Disneyland/California Adventure we went on Wednesday . . . actually brought the [BIG] camera and documented the day!

 

Oh . . . the many faces of this girl! 

Is there anything sweeter than the laughter of a child?

Oh Boy was it H O T!!!  Thank goodness for the water area in Bugs Land!

Getting Autographs is SERIOUS business!!

 

Oh how I LOVE this precious girl!!!

 

 

Planning a trip to Disneyland or California Adventure?
I’m happy to come along and document your day! 
There are a few options to choose from . . . contact me for info!
michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | kids | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

Day 7 | 12 days of deals

Ooooh . . . Metal Prints!!!
Contact me by Midnight tonight to receive an 8x10 metal print from either your wedding or portrait session!!!

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

Day 6 | 12 days of deals

Day 6 is the day of Canvas Gallery Wraps!!!

Oh I how I LOVE canvas gallery wraps . . . well, book your 2014 wedding with me and you will receive a 16x20 from either your engagement session or your wedding.  Book a portrait session for January 2014 and you will receive an 8x10!!!

 

Contact me at michelle@michellecastrophotography.com by MIDNIGHT tonight!!!!

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

maximus jagger | newborn | los angeles photographer

I love when I get to start my day off with a precious newborn!  It makes me yearn for the days when my sweet girls were little! 

Today I met Maximus Jagger and what a cutie he is!!! He was probably one of the easiest babies . . . he loved being swaddled, was happy, and seemed to enjoy the sound of my camera clicking away! Seriously, he was calmed by it! That’s my kind of baby!!!  I met Mia, Max’s mama, about three years ago and have had the privilege of photographing his brother and sister every Christmas since then! They are a fun family and completely smitten with this little guy!!!  Here’s a quick preview.  Many more to come!

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

a beautiful story of prayer, love, and adoption | los angeles photographer

I met Cheryl, and although she was COMPLETELY decked out in Oregon Ducks paraphernalia, I knew I liked her!  Then I heard a SMALL part of her story and how she and her husband had prayed and prayed for twins . . . and the Lord provided these precious girls!!!  God is so good and exceedingly, abundantly supplies our needs AND wants!!!  She and David received these precious girls when they were 7-months old . . . they are now two and a half and their adoption was made official not too long ago!!!  They are a sweet family and it was a complete joy to photograph them!! It was a rare session because I had my own three girls with me (it’s just plain hard to work AND be mom), but my girls were ready to bring these two home!!!  They all had so much fun!!   This is just your sneak peek . . . more to come!!!

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

nicole & aaron | 25 days until “I do!” | los angeles photographer

I met Nicole three years ago when we found out that she would be our daughter Lily’s kindergarten teacher.  When I saw her for the first time I was so excited . . . she just seemed like the PERFECT kindergarten teacher . . . beautiful, fun, playful, loving, and nurturing . . . I knew Lily would be THRILLED!  I was right!  Lily had an amazing year and I made a wonderful friend! I have a habit of becoming close with my kids’ teachers! I’m so thrilled that I get to capture Aaron and Nicole’s wedding next month!!!  I love watching these two . . . it is so obvious that they are in love!  Aaron would give her the world if she just asked!!! 

 

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography

sadie grace | birth | los angeles photographer

Bear with me for a few minutes while I pour my heart out!  In order to fully share the birth of this precious girl, Sadie Grace, I must first start with her amazing mama!  I have had the privilege to call Lynn, Sadie’s mama, one of my dearest friends for the past six years.  We had known who each other was from church, but had never really spent any time together.  It wasn’t until one day in our mommy and me preschool class, with our now 10-year olds, where she shared what she was currently going through . . . I just knew we were meant to be friends! I loved her from that moment . . . she beared her heart and soul! I have watched her walk through fire and come out shining!  I can’t even begin to express how much I love, admire, cherish, adore this precious friend! She has taught me SO much . . . about patience, love, endurance, TRUST, grace, hope, redemption, and faithfulness, just to name a few!  Two years ago the Lord brought this unbelievable man into her life . . . the first time I heard her talk about him I KNEW . . . I knew her prince had come . . . when I met him . . . well, let’s say I offered to get ordained online just so I could marry them that week!!! Not only was it obvious that Ken ADORED her, but he was completely, head over heels, in love with her sons!  Let’s face it . . . when you are a single mom you want to find someone who will LOVE your kids . . . and, well, Ken has from day one!!!  They were married in June of last year . . . and, on Friday, October 18th @ 6:41pm the Lord saw fit to bless their family once more . . . little miss Sadie Grace made her debut!!!  I was there for ALL of it!  A birth is a joyous event . . . but I kept thinking about the last five years . . . how blessed I’ve been to watch Lynn . . . see Ken come into her life . . . I was balling like a baby . . . when you have the opportunity to see God’s goodness unfold in front of you . . . it is a beauty you cannot express with words!!! 

Thank you Ken and Lynn for allowing me to have a front row seat . . . not just on Friday, but always!

Ken, thank you for loving my friend . . . for cherishing and adoring her!  As a friend . . . it is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!  You make my heart overflow with joy!

I love you both!  And I’m completely smitten with Sadie Grace!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

weddings | families | newborns | seniors
all images are copyrighted by michelle castro photography