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The Suitcase Studio Blog bio picture

Keeping it REAL...

I'm Michelle Carrillo... owner & photographer of the Suitcase Studio.

I think I see things a little differently than most people. I don't find beauty in perfection. I don't go for the perfectly posed photos, or smiles that have been practiced in the mirrors.  Instead, I'm here to capture the REAL stuff... the moments that happen in-between those poses. The imperfect smiles, the nervous laughter, and even that crazy face you make when you think that no one else is watching.

To help keep it real, I shoot on-location here in Orange County, California. (No stuffy studio!) I travel to where you are... to whatever place showcases you and your style. My goal is to document real lIfe, and thus, I mainly focus on weddings & lifestyle/portrait photography.

From pics of recent clients to thoughts & images of my own life, I'm here to share this journey with you. Keepin' it real... one moment at a time.

Because this is real life. It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. 

 


Photos with the Brown Family

We lucked out SO much with the weather on this photoshoot. The day before had been cold and incredibly overcast, and the day after was pouring rain. But the day of this shoot was absolutely beautiful; warm and sunny. It was the baby bear day (just right) of the week.

I couldn't have asked for better people to work with. The sisters (Brittney, Kelly and Brianna) all seemed to have been modeling since their younger years, and were able to strike all the perfect poses with little direction from me. And their parents (Mike and Bonnie) seemed to really enjoy watching their interactions.

We ended up shooting at a few different locations in Corona del Mar. Here are some favorite shots from the day:

First up was the Sherman Library and Gardens. Now, we didn't actually end up inside the gardens, but the exterior of the building made for the perfect backdrop.

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Next up was in a residential area around the corner; Brittney had discovered this cool looking staircase and wanted to use it. It was GREAT! (The girl has an EYE for this stuff.)

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Across the street was a strip of grass that passed for a little park.

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We made our way down to Little Corona, a gorgeous little beach tucked away from the more populated areas. Plentiful tidepools and rock formations. The only downside is the ENORMOUS hill you have to hike to get up and down to the area. (The going down isn't so bad, but the coming UP is killer.)

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We ended our session with a few more miscellaneous neighborhood shots.

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I couldn't have asked for anything better… beautiful models and beautiful scenery on a beautiful day. Absolutely perfect!

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