THE MV BLOG
A collection of my work,
adventures and more.
Grab yourself a chai latte
and stay a while!
Monica in Madrid | The Backstory
“There’s a lot to be said about pursuing your true passion,” read a comment on one of my first social media posts announcing the launch of Monica Veles Photography. I replied back to my mom’s cousin Lorenzo and I thought about what he said…
A Rainy Day Gig Harbor Family Session
You know when you meet people and can instantly tell that they’re genuine? That’s exactly how I felt when meeting Ali and her family! From the moment I stepped into her and her husband Brad’s home for their session, the whole family was so kind and welcoming.
Fort Steilacoom Family Session
For the past 3 years, I’ve hosted a portrait session giveaway to celebrate another year in business! The winner is always randomly selected, so I feel especially lucky that the winners have been such fun clients to work with!
Jenna + Michael | Engaged
I love seeing couples incorporate what’s special to them in their portrait sessions. From including their adorable dog to showing off their favorite football team, Michael and Jenna did just that!
Waterfront Inn Family Session
I’m always so happy when a client reaches out and says they’ve been wanting to get pictures of the whole family for a long time and they are finally making it happen…
Katy's Grad Session | Palma Sola Botanical Park in Bradenton, Florida
I haven’t been to very many states, but this year I got to check Florida off the list when I visited my good friend Katy! I had the most amazing time eating great food, visiting beautiful beaches, swimming in bright blue water…
Hannah + Alex | Engaged
To celebrate my two-year business anniversary, I hosted a session giveaway on Instagram and Hannah was the winner! She chose an engagement session for her and her fiancé Alex. It’s so fun to see people celebrate exciting seasons of life…
Family Session at Wilkinson Farm Park
If there’s one word I could use to describe this family, it’s joyful! When you look through their images below, I think you’ll agree. As soon as I met up with Heide, her husband Andrew and their four kids at Wilkinson Farm Park…
Seattle Family & Maternity Session
It was orientation week at Seattle Pacific University and I was excited, exhausted and slightly overwhelmed. Cue answering “where are you from?”, “what are you studying?” “which dorm are you in?,” etc. at least 100 times…
Hannah's Senior Session | Fort Steilacoom Park
I love photographing senior sessions, especially at rustic locations, so when Hannah said she wanted her senior portraits taken at Fort Steilacoom, I was really excited! This location has tall, grassy fields and old barns that make for the perfect country aesthetic.
Riley + Josalyn | Proposal at RoozenGaarde Tulip Fields, Mt. Vernon, Washington
This was going to be a fun, first-time at the tulip fields in Mt. Vernon on a Thursday afternoon. At least that’s what Josalyn thought it was. Little did she know, her boyfriend Riley had reached out to me weeks earlier to schedule a surprise proposal session.
Mom & Dad 35th Anniversary Session
In a small floral frame, there’s a portrait of a 23-year-old couple on their wedding day. They’re standing in a small chapel in Nevada. It’s March 24, 1987. I wonder how that day felt for them. If they thought about all that was ahead of them—kids and later grandkids, the highs and lows of the future, and all the memories their life together would bring.
Downtown Gig Harbor Family Session
I’ve known Laura and her family for several years now, and when she mentioned wanting to use my services for family portraits, I was so excited! It was just a matter of finding a time when the whole family would be together. It had been years since they had professional pictures taken as a family…
Everett + Shayna | Couples Portrait Session
I’m so excited to share this cute fall session on the blog! When I mentioned to Shayna that I was looking for a couple to model for me, she was all on board and I was thrilled! Shayna and her fiancé Everett are seriously the sweetest, so I knew we were going to have a great time.
Gavin's Senior Portrait Session | Gig Harbor High School
We had the most perfect evening for Gavin’s senior portraits! It was a warm and sunny fall day that felt like summer. For the session, we went to Bella Bella Beach on Fox Island.
Sunrise Beach Park Family Session
This family session was so special to me! Emily and I have been friends for years, and it’s been fun to see her two adorable boys grow. We went to Sunrise Beach Park in Gig Harbor for the session. Rather than heading down to the beach, we spent our time in the grassy park area. I loved the outfits that Emily chose for her and the boys!
Photo Adventures: Washington Lavender Farm | Sequim, Washington
Ever since I got my first camera in high school, I’ve had a list of locations for photo adventures saved in the Notes app on my phone. If I drive by a cool place, I add it to the list. See a picture of a pretty location online? It goes on the list. Find a hike with iconic views on the Washington Trails Association Trail Finder? It’s definitely on the list.
Elevate Your Work from Home Space
Let’s be honest, working from home isn’t always easy. If you had to start working from home because of the pandemic, it probably sounded more appealing pre-COVID times, and now that work is home and home is work, it’s not as glamorous as it once seemed. I get it.
Wilkinson Farm Park Family Session
I was so excited for this family session! Vicky had first reached out to me back in November about a family portrait session since her and her husband Dennis were going to be in town visiting their kids. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out schedule-wise, so we planned to reschedule sometime in the future.
Kristen's Uptown Gig Harbor Senior Session
Thinking of this senior session makes me so happy! I’ve known Kristen and her sister Katy since we were little kids, so when Kristen reached out about senior portraits, I knew it was going to be fun!