hi there! i'm michelle, southern california based photographer and curator of the coco gallery.

welcome to my blog where i share my life, my latest adventures, photo projects, random nuggets and the occasional stray thoughts.

for clients: to view my portfolio just click on this link - theCOCOgallery.com. to book sessions please send me a message through theCOCOgallery.com or contact me via michelle@thecocogallery.com | 949.734.0604



Thursday, February 25, 2010

mila | newport portrait photographer



sometimes the stars are aligned and i'm surrounded by angels.


i have soooooo much information crammed in my head about anything and everything.  some of it is useful and some of it is just silly.  but just like a good garage sale, another person's junk is someone else's treasure.  and me... i'm a pack rat that likes to "share".


i met michael arick at one of the photog shootouts.  and he was heaven sent fo sho!  i don't even remember what he was picking my brain about one day but i guess whatever it was, it was useful to him.  to say thanks, he offered any help in future for printing.  talk about timing!  i was stressing about how to get ready for the bridging the gap exhibit and here was the answer!  michael-godsend-arick lent me a mega giant pro printer and i was able to put together my first exhibit ever!  



  • a moment for the shameless plug..
    • the exhibit is still up (all of feb).  stop by the tranquil tea lounge.  take in the vision.  contribute to the cause.  all proceeds go towards the charity.  also, i had to buy supplies for the exhibit and to fund the expenses i'm offering a few people the opportunity to print out enlargements of their work.  get your photo printed onto a 24x36 luster sheet for $25.  the offer is only good if you are local.  i'm too scared to deal w shipping that ginormous print.  email me if interested michelle@milaphotography.com
back to the topic at hand... my godsend michael.

michael called me a couple weeks ago to say he needed head shots for his blog.  two hands up high i volunteered for the job.  he's so photogenic i didn't even need to spend 5 minutes to get 120 great pictures.  it was easy peasy!  he's a budding photographer and an accomplished artist.  check out his work at 26 gallery.  also, if anyone needs a 2nd photographer he's looking to shadow people for weddings.  give him a holla!

here's some of the 120 great photos.









Saturday, February 20, 2010

mila | sideshow . shaadi studio opening

a good friend of mine, ahmed of AACreation, just opened his studio in orange!  i'm so proud of him.  he, along with a crew of vendors have just setup a one stop shop for all your south indian and pakistani wedding needs.  he invited me to setup a sideshow at the grand opening.  everyone was sooooo nice and accomodating about doing fun crazy stuff for the pregnant lady with the camera.


here's some of the shots from that night... of course, i always test out the lights on curtis first ;)
















these two really made my night.  









Thursday, February 18, 2010

mila | mission san juan photographer . omar + alexis engaged

california missions.... from the first date to the proposal and now the engagement session.  in the time they've been together they toured all the california missions.  the san juan capistrano mission was the last one on the list to visit and it was the location omar and alexis chose to have their engagement photo session.  i love full circle stories don't you?!?!?!


btw... the cream shirt that omar is sporting in some of the pictures is called a barong tagalog.  it is the formal garment worn by men in the philippines.  alexis is filipino.  i love that omar is taking on the tradition.
















Wednesday, February 17, 2010

mila | newborn . dylan

i've told you guys about one of my bestest friends jenny.  the one who spiked the water and spread the preggo germs.  as in.... 7 out of the 16 girls at her baby shower were pregnant!  she was the first to release one into the world....

meet dylan.  he's gonna be kaya's regular play date ;)  jenny had dylan last month and we finally got to visit!  isn't he just ADORABLE!?!?!?!?






to my clients, if you fall in love with these photos i can't blame you.  he's super cute.  i am however, no longer available for newborn and maternity photos.  i decided late last year that it was time to narrow my photographic scope.  i know some amazing photographers that specialize in both maternity and newborn photos.  if you are interested in that information just drop me an email and i can direct you to their amazing talent.

michelle can be reached at 949.734.0604 or by email michelle@milaPhotography.com  |  www.milaPhotography.com