baby balin | preview

There is little sweeter than a tiny little baby!!! This morning I had the privilege of photographing sweet little Balin . . . born just nine short days ago!!!! He was so precious!!! His big sister, Elliana, was just a doll!! She made sure that he wasn’t in need of anything . . . as soon as he cried, she was right there!  She even offered her Princess Rapunzel to him at one point . . . such a sweet sacrifice!  I love to see the difference between boys and girls . . . Elliana was quick to mother her new LIVE dolly!  We even had a fun little shoot with her while baby was eating . . . I just love those sweet moments in between . . . the ones you don’t expect!  She was happy to show me her puzzles and do a little jumping on the bed, if kids knew all that they could get away with when I was around they’d want me there all the time!!! hee hee!!!!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend . . . mine has certainly started off in a wonderful way!!!

 

 

 

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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

What? I can’t have ALL of the images!!!

It is not uncommon for a client to ask me if they can have ALL of the images from our shoot . . . the answer is no and here’s a perfect example why!

Check out this image from the Super Bowl last Sunday!
Not every shot is as flattering as we may hope.
This might be a slightly extreme example, but I think you get the point!

Have a great day!
~michelle

 

 

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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

a sweet moment {personal}

I don’t know what it’s like in your house, but life starts when the girls hear their daddy walk through the front door!!!  I could be creating  something amazing for dinner, washed the floors on my hands and knees, vacuumed the entire house, and topped it all off with cupcakes, but when daddy comes home the squeals of joy and exhilaration are unmatched!!! And to be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way!!!  My girls A D O R E their daddy!!!
Yesterday, he came home early from work and went for a little bike ride (don’t be jealous on the spandex) . . . anyways, the girls were playing outside and Madelynn saw her prince charming (aka daddy) riding up . . . she SCREAMED, “Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!!!” and ran right up to him for a kiss!!!  These are the moments that I want to remember FOREVER!!!

I did have to ask for a reenactment, since, hard as it may seem, I didn’t actually have my camera on me . . . but her joy was just as real the second time around!!!
I am so grateful for my husband and his deep, deep love for his girls!!! They are very fortunate!!!  I know what it is to have an amazing daddy to look up to!! It is a blessed thing!!!

SERIOUSLY, THIS ONE KILLS ME!!! I WILL BE BLOWING THIS UP AND PUTTING IT ON THE WALL!!!

This is the “I only have eyes for my daddy” look!

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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

My word for 2013

GOALS . . . that word!!!  I have them . . . in my head . . . like, my goal for tonight is to NOT get awakened by the dog or a daughter!! I have goals . . . like, I think I’ll cook dinner this week . . . I mean . . . I’m pretty sure I can get that done!  My daily goal is to get the girls to school on time!! hahaha! Too often my “goals” look more like a “to-do” list . . . market, target, pick-up dry cleaning, and so on . . . those aren’t goals!

U

I’ve been trying to nail my goal for 2013 down to one or two words . . . THAT IS NOT MY STRENGTH . . . if you ask for a one word answer from me it will be followed by a slightly longer paragraph! I just don’t know how to be concise! It is not my strength at all . . . maybe that can be my word for 2014! hee hee!  I knocked around a few words . . . organize, efficiency, effectiveness, and while those are all goals that I have I kept coming back to this one simple word . . . PURPOSE!!!   Let me be clear . . . I am not trying to find my purpose in life or anything that philosophical . . . I do understand (to a point, of course) why my Lord has me on this earth . . . rather I am looking at this word as a WAY TO LIVE!!!  I keep coming back to I Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” (emphasis added)  That is my lifelong goal . . . and one that I will not attain while here on this earth, but I can certainly try!  My desire is to do all that I do with a PURPOSE!!!  Whether it be kickin’ back with the family, disciplining the girls (yes, every now and then my angels need to be disciplined ), on a date with my husband, meeting with a client, shooting a family, working my business, even eating or drinking . . . I want there to be a PURPOSE!  I want to live a life of PURPOSE!!!  I want my children to live a life of PURPOSE!!! I want my husband to live a life of PURPOSE!!!  I want to have a very clear PURPOSE for my business!!! God has blessed me with a wonderful family, a business I could’ve only dreamed of, and the FREE gift of Salvation . . . my life already has a PURPOSE, but am I living it?   Initially, I was trying to think of a word that would describe 2013 for my business . . . it became abundantly clear that this needed to be something for all parts of me . . . personally, spiritually, and professionally . . . because, really I can’t separate myself . . . the complete me is all of those components together!  Wow! I think I’ve gotten really deep here!  I still want to be organized . . . oh goodness, will that EVER actually happen???  I want my work to be efficient and effective, but really if I am PURPOSEFUL in what I do, then I can attain those periphery goals . . . right???  So, here I am bearing my soul and heart . . . 2013 is a YEAR OF PURPOSE! 

U

I’d LOVE to hear your goal for 2013!! 
My PURPOSE for sharing this is multi-faceted, but for now, I’d like to hear your goal . . . click “comment” at the bottom and share your goal for this fabulous year!!! It will be interesting to look back at 2013 and see if we attained our goals!!! 

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 Thinking Outside the {Green Box} WORKSHOP

You know that GREEN BOX on your camera . . . the one that you set your brand new, beautiful DSLr camera too and all you have to do is point and shoot?  Well . . . I’d love to help you explore maybe another one or two functions on your camera!  That green box is great and really helpful, but with a  few little helps I ‘m certain you can take your good pictures of those precious children of yours to GREAT!   For years I have been asked if I would teach a workshop . . . for one reason or another it just never worked out . . . well, this year, I’m doing it!! 

The first Thinking Outside the {Green Box} WORKSHOP will be Saturday, January 26th from 3:30-5:30. 

We will be meeting at a park here in Santa Clarita and you will be able to follow me on a little session . . .
watch what I do, ask questions, and PLAY!!!  I have some beautiful models coming for us to use and play with. 

Try out some things that you’ve been wondering about . . . and just have a great time!!!

Here are the details!

 

I’ve extended the $95 registration through Friday, January 25th
as long as you contact me by friday, you’ll get the $95 price!!!

 

Contact me at michelle@michellecastrophotography.com if you would like to register or if you have any questions!!!

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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

What does a wedding cost?

I ran across this interesting blog Every Last Detail . . . Lauren Grove has spent the last year compiling this information and I thought I’d pass it along.  When I got married 15 1/2 years ago I really had no idea how much vendors would cost . . . we were on a TIGHT budget.  Anyways, this is by no means what you SHOULD pay for vendors, but if you are planning your wedding this will just give you an idea of where to start with your budget . . . unless, of course, you don’t have one! :)  You can find the information HERE. 

Full preview of Greg and Corina’s Cabo San Lucas Wedding to come soon!

 

Have a great Tuesday!!
love,

~michelle

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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

Happy Birthday Ron!!! 60 Years YOUNG!!

Tonight I had the wonderful privilege of capturing an AMAZING birthday party honoring a truly wonderful man!  Ron coached my brother’s t-ball team probably about 30 years ago! YIKES!! My family has been blessed to know Ron and Roxann and to call them friends.  Tonight was so wonderful . . . so many people came to celebrate his birthday!!  What an impact he has had on all of those in attendance and many more who weren’t even there.  I think the most touching part of the evening was when his three sons stood up to express their love and admiration for him!!!  Over and over they said that their dad was the same man when he left the house in the morning as he was behind those doors.  A man of true integrity!!  I can’t think of a finer compliment!!

michelle castro photography | michelle@michellecastrophotography.com

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