my favorite escape

Big Sur! Oh how I love thee! Packing now...here we come!!!!

Big Sur Beach landscape in black and white

Cass House Inn Photo Shoot, Cayucos, California

I am always so inspired to work with the very talented Laurel White from Adornments Flowers & Finery. When she approached me about her ideas for this shoot my reply was YES!!!!!! The only requirement I asked is that she bring her adorable curly haired cutie, Gabby, to play as the flower girl model. So much beauty and gorgeousness throughout this shoot! 

A little something written by Laurel about this shoot:

floral forward.  There's always something new to discover, and with fashion it can be as simple as a common element interpreted in a fresh way.  No other material in fashion equals the nuances of flowers.  How we adore them!!  Every shade, petal and scent are natural stars that can complete a style. 
With all the details that make up your wedding - you will soon find that it is a day truly represented by your style.  The tradition of bridal attire;  be it vintage-charm or modern-chic-couture, can be an opportunity to beautifully reinterpret timeless elements. 
Flowers. Whether you desire a vibrant or muted shade - a look of sophisticated tailoring, simple whimsy or theatrical brilliance, this very feminine accessory will enhance your moment that is unquestionably you. They are the crowning accent to a perfectly presented ensemble for this most important day.  Shine!

To feature our inspirations we chose The Cass House Inn - a carefully tended garden full of lush organic goodness and enchanted beauty.  How fun for us to be surrounded by such first class dedication to seaside luxury!  The models were a dream with hair and makeup by the infinitely talented Rhyan Townsend who applied the right blend of drama.  Capturing it all with passion (and patience) was the extraordinarily gifted Michelle Warren Photography.  My heart is full of thanks for my friend Kierna Terrisse/Beautymark Marketing who's my encyclopedia for all things girly!  I am happily humbled by all the fantastic possibilities for the future.
Models:  Cassandra Danae, Meagan Haneke-Hopps, Savannah Juel, Ava Terrisse, Kyla Hall and Gabrielle White

bridal floral headpiece - san luis obispo florist - adornments flowers & fineryBridal Floral Headpieces - Adornments Florals & FineryBridal Floral Headpieces - Flower girls - San luis obispo floristBridal Floral Headpieces - Flower girls - San luis obispo floristBridal Floral Headpieces - Flower girls - San luis obispo floristBridal Floral Headpieces - Flower girls - San luis obispo florist

Big Sister Poem

Big Sister

My little eyes are watching
All you say and do
And when I grow up big and tall
I want to be like you.

My little ears are listening
To everything you say
I am learning how to grow up
To be like you someday.

So be careful how you teach me
To be the person that you are.
You’re the best friend that I could have;
You’re my brightest shining star.


sisters photograph - central coast kids photographer
Santa Ynez, San Luis Obispo Family and Children's Photographer

On to Baby! {Published Online!}

Happy Easter everyone! HOP on over to On to Baby to see this full feature we did of these adorable girls in their easter dresses! 

Santa Ynez Kids Photography - Easter Photos - On To Baby

Outdoors Santa Ynez Children and Kids Photography!

Kind words from my clients

Very nice testimonial from my couple:

"The most daunting part of Wedding planning for us was not only putting faith in others to re-create our dreams, but more so...conceptualizing how we would go about capturing them, to have and to hold from that day forward and more so, for loved ones that could not be there to witness our day, to feel like they were... To bestow that responsibility, to place that level of trust with someone was never a concern because of Michelle Warren! Her sheer gift and pure passion is what we could only dream of! Thank you for being on that next level of awesomeness as a person (your assistant and partner in crime/husband; Ben too) and for not only capturing our moments but creating memories for us... We can honestly only hope that others have the opportunity to experience your talent and gift :)"

Erin & Parker - Wedding in Park City, Utah October 20, 2012

Adornments Inspiration Floral Headpieces

"Someone told me there's a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair." -Led Zeppelin {Going to California}

Adornments Inspiration Bridal Floral Headpieces

Floral design by Laurel of Adornments Flowers & Finery. Hair and Makeup by Rhyan Townsend.

San Luis Obispo Engagement Photos

Wow! Our shoot with Sierra & Adam was so FUN! Loved working with these guys on this gorgeous ranch in Pismo Beach (Thousand Hills Ranch)!

Engagement photosSan Luis Obispo Engagement PhotosSan Luis Obispo Engagement PhotosSan Luis Obispo Engagement PhotosPismo Beach Engagement PhotosPismo Beach Engagement Photos

Vineyard Wedding Bridal Portaits

Bridal beauty in the late fall at the Murrieta's Well vineyard in Livermore.

Vineyard Wedding Bridal Portraits

Rider and Mommy

I started participating in a group online where we have commited to photographing our kids every week which was inspired by another blog called You Are My Wild. In doing this I've realized how hard it is to cut down to just one image to share! So I must share more here on my own blog! 

My intention was to capture Rider's beautiful green blue eyes that he inherited from his mommy. It's the one trait that out of both my boys I know this came from me and me only! Ben and Cash have eyes that are as brown as can be! And so I was trying to photograph us both and got a bunch of blurry shots while he was climbing in and out of my lap and he was trying to grab the camera. I set the focus on manual to it's tightest setting and held it out in front of us. This was the outcome. :) Makes me smile bigtime.

mommy and me self portraits - kids portraiture

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Wedding!

Thanks to Project Wedding for publishing this Classy and Elegant Wedding from The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel! Read the full story HERE!

beverly hills wedding

Santa Barbara Maternity Photos

Just a few from my most recent maternity photo session in Santa Barbara. The window light was killer. My client is only a week from her due date and so Stunning!

Santa Barbara maternity photographer michelle warren

Happiest Holidays to You!

This year has brought our family many joys, many exciting new opportunites and at times, many tears. We continue to be very thankful for all of the blessings that surround us. Wishing you and yours a memorable and love filled holiday season. Hold those near to you tight...now and always.

kids photography

Vintage Portrait Session

Virginia and Rob wanted something a little different for their holiday photos this year. Hair and makeup by Jessi Skipton from Bluebird Salon.

vintage portrait session

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