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, December 23, 2010

mila | families

i didn't realize just how fast they grew.  i mean... i said it all the time when i caught up with my favorite families but now that i have my own... seriously.  you blink and the year is gone.

making memories with some of my favorites..




happy holidays everyone!

Friday, December 17, 2010

mila | playing model

i HATE being on the other side of the camera.  i feel awkward, self-conscious and these days... fat.  i would say 8 out of 10 clients can relate to this feeling.  and that's why i do it.  i need to know what it's like.  to learn how to pose people better i need to understand what makes the uncomfortable cross over to comfortable.  for me it's posing with someone else .. curtis or kaya.  if forced to get a solo shot my next comfort zone is sitting down or fidgeting with my feet.  whatever works for me i use to help my clients.  and so the exercise begins.

playing model for my amazingly talented friends.

michael and candace magoski own violethour in fullerton.  it's an amazing studio filled with their amazing art.  together they bring photography to a whole different level.  we took these photos a few months after kaya was born.  talk about self conscious!  candace did such an amazing job styling me and michael was so relaxed about it all i just had such a blast.


the photos above were edited by me, these next few came straight from the artist himself.


i met katya nova at a workshop this year and was just blown away.  everything about her oozed sensuality and talent in the most gentle and genuine way.  i was thrilled when she offered to take pictures of me and c.  couldn't jump on that band wagon fast enough.  down in laguna with the tide rising this girl battled the waves coz she was so caught up in our photo moment.  our friend regis has this insane shot of katya under a wave splash with her camera aimed at us.  the girl would not quit!




i am truly fortunate to be surrounded by such amazingly talented friends.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

mila | 8.9.10 wedding

i'm late!  sooooo late!  ... in posting this 8.9.10 wedding.  it was a monday and a really special one.  alexis and omar got married.  what a party it was.  i was alternately dancing, laughing and tearing up.  i swear it was the love boat and they rocked it.




matt saville (my second that day) got this rad shot of omar on his way to the church


while she was getting dressed, alexis assured me she wasn't a cryer.  omar, she said, was the emotional one.  mmhhmmmm... one step into that aisle and they're both in tears.  made me blur my vision.
i love that the kids gave their blessing to this union with full participation

ok i really don't think this dance routine was rehearsed... for this event.  i think it's been done over and over and over.  coz they had it DOWN.  college buddies unite!

i'll have you guys know that when i dance... i rock the facial expressions too.