family and saturdays

I love this family so much! These cute boys got a new sister & we wanted to capture them as a new family of five. They were wild and crazy and soooo sweet. 

This session actually happened a year ago, yet it's still one of my all-time favorites! I feel like you can really see their bonds and personalities. 

xo, Michelle

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.
See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

if you’re interested in a session with me for you and/or your kids in Orange County, CA, visit my website or email me! maryandluna@gmail.com

#yeahfieldtrip 3.0

Three weeks ago, I was in the middle of one of my most favorite experiences each year. Tucked away in El Capitan Canyon, just north of Santa Barbara, over 400 photographers gather to connect and to learn from each other and to play. We call it Photo Field Trip.

I’m having a harder time this year finding words for my week at field trip. I think I was more present. I was busy and I was over-stimulated with new information and socializing and the fresh air and the lack of sleep, but my mind seemed to stay quieter, in a good way. I focused on connecting with old friends and new friends and being comforted by the fact that these people are kindred creative spirits. I took some practical classes and some live-shoot classes. I scribbled notes and documented what I could while remaining conscious of the experience of it all. I navigated among the familiar settings and new faces with a little bit more ease. I laughed a lot. I took some deep breaths. I looked at the stars, guided by an astronomer. I talked to people about my hopes for my creative business and was greeted with encouragement. I asked questions. I listened and watched more than anything. There are so many options of how to fill your time at field trip, but even if you love what you chose to do, there’s always a trace of FOMO. But I very much enjoyed my time and the friends I’ve made through this wonderful community. The words and feelings I’ve collected from all three years at field trip have stayed with me and have deeply become a part of my business and philosophy. I’m so very grateful.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the week!
(click to view my posts from year 1 and year 2) 

the big dipper!

learning video from the cana brothers 

the magnificent yan palmer, doing her thang. 

family photography gurus: Brooke Schwab, Posy Quarterman, Yan Palmer, Becky Earl, and Kristin Rogers. 

live shoot with wolves! with Logan Cole

photo of me snapped by Amy Gray

photo of me snapped by Amy Gray

photo of me snapped by Sabrina Hounshell

photo of me snapped by Sabrina Hounshell

photo of me snapped by Sabrina Hounshell

I always wish I had more time. I wish that I was better at socializing. But I did my best to learn and I have good conversations with interesting people and get some images that I love. And that's more than enough.  

xo, Michelle

P.S. I did a little illustrated portrait project while I was there and I’m still working on it, so I will share those when I’m finished :)

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.
See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

if you’re interested in a session with me for you and/or your kids in Orange County, CA, visit my website or email me! maryandluna@gmail.com

photoshoot: a new sibling bond.

I'm so excited to share this adorable photoshoot I did last week!

My first newborn session, and big sister was so so cute with her new baby brother. We shot for almost 2.5 hours in the park, and while baby didn't want to curl up tight (that's ok!), I still managed to capture his sweet face and his beautiful sister's vivacious personality, and  the sweet new bond between them. These photos made me smile the whole time I was editing them! :)

I really love how these came out. I always say it, but with every shoot I do, I feel more and more confident in my ability to execute my vision and how I see people. I'm studying constantly. I see the improvement from one session to the next. I feel so good about my future. Art + photography + babies= my heart is constantly bursting! And I really love that I can give this art to families and they'll proudly display these moments I captured.

Here are some of my favorites!

xo, Michelle

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

if you're interested in a low-rate portfolio-building session with me for you and/or your kids in Orange County, CA, email me! maryandluna@gmail.com