Close-up of a blue-eyed baby lying beside a laughing child on a white surface.

Not perfect poses. Just your real, beautiful chaos.

I don't photograph stiff, matching outfits, or kids forced to stand perfectly still for a lens. My passion is capturing the honest, raw connection and the messy, beautiful way your family holds each other right now.

Smiling baby with blue eyes in a white crib wearing a red star-print outfit.
Close-up portrait of a newborn baby with blue eyes wearing a pink floral headband.
Newborn baby grasping mother's finger, close-up of tiny infant hand holding adult finger with wedding ring.
Adorable newborn baby wearing a pink knitted hat with wide blue eyes and tiny fingers near face.
A mother tenderly holds her sleeping newborn baby in her arms, gazing down with love.
A smiling mother holds her yawning newborn baby against a white background.
Peaceful newborn baby sleeping with tiny fist near face, wearing white onesie in soft warm light.
Black and white photo of two hikers climbing rocky terrain, one helping the other up against a coastal backdrop.
Child playing in ocean waves with mountain backdrop in black and white photography.
A mother hugging her toddler on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.
Family walking hand-in-hand on a sunlit beach at sunset with golden reflections on wet sand and coastal cliffs in background.
A bearded father holds his blonde toddler girl on a sunny beach, as she reaches up to touch his face.
Grandmother and young boy holding hands in ocean waves at sunset beach with mountain backdrop.
Black and white photo of three generations of women playing joyfully in ocean waves on a scenic beach.
Couple embracing and dancing on a reflective beach at sunset with calm ocean waves in the background.
Black and white photo of an adult helping a toddler with sandals while the child stands on tiptoe.
Mother breastfeeding her newborn baby while relaxing on a couch, wearing a black nursing bra.
Close-up of a newborn baby breastfeeding, tiny hand resting on mother's chest in natural light.
Woman holding young child on sandy beach at sunset with ocean waves and colorful sky in background.
Couple holding hands at sunset on a beach, man in cowboy hat, woman in floral dress, romantic golden sky.
Young child in brown jacket kisses a black and white calf on a lush green farm at sunset.
Black and white photo of a smiling toddler girl in a hoodie outdoors near a tree.
Two women and two young children playing outdoors in a park during autumn, surrounded by fallen leaves and trees.
Black and white photo of a laughing woman holding a young child outdoors, sharing a joyful moment together.
A toddler girl smells a pink rose in a sunlit autumn park, wearing a brown hooded cape.
A young girl stands in golden sunset light in an autumn field, her hair catching the warm glow.
Mother laughing joyfully while holding blonde child in golden autumn sunlight.
Cute toddler girl in brown coat holding flower near dog in warm sunset light.
Father in hat holding young child in brown coat near colorful autumn tree.
Mother breastfeeding newborn baby in close-up intimate portrait shot.
Grandfather helping granddaughter walk on sandy beach with ocean waves behind them.
Man spinning young girl on sandy beach with ocean in background on cloudy day.
Grandfather lovingly holds a smiling young girl on a sandy beach by the ocean.
Smiling family with young girl on a beach with ocean waves in the background.
Happy family walking along a scenic beach with sand dunes under cloudy skies.
Happy blonde child laughing outdoors in a blue shirt on a sunny day.
Smiling young boy with freckles wearing a green shirt outdoors on a sunny day.
Mother breastfeeding her newborn baby while relaxing on a couch.
Happy family of four posing together on a sandy beach at sunset.
Romantic beach couple photography session on the Gisborne coast NZ
Woman in white dress standing on sandy beach with two dogs near ocean waves under blue sky.
Happy couple embracing on a beach, woman laughing with ocean waves behind them.
Romantic couple embracing on sandy beach with small dog nearby and ocean waves in background.
Romantic beach couple photography session on the Gisborne coast NZ
Blue-eyed baby and smiling mother lying together, captured in an upside-down perspective.
Toddler girl touching bearded fathers face while being held on sunny beach.
Smiling mother holding her newborn baby close in a warmly lit room.
Black and white photo of an adult helping a toddler with shoes.
Newborn baby lying on white bed wrapped in a soft pink knitted blanket.
Smiling mother breastfeeding her newborn baby by a bright window in soft natural light.
Close-up of a sleeping newborn baby resting against a mothers chest skin to skin.
A small child with a pink backpack stands in an autumn meadow surrounded by colorful fall foliage trees.
A father joyfully tosses his baby into the air against a cloudy sky with trees in the background.
Close-up black and white portrait of a young child with wet hair and long eyelashes, eyes closed peacefully.
Woman in white dress walks with young child through lush green meadow with coastal mountains and cloudy sky.
A toddler in a blue rainsuit sits on a sandy beach with green hills and cloudy sky in the background.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a sunlit forest path surrounded by bare winter trees.
Man and child playing outdoors near a large tree in a scenic field, with a dog visible in the background.
A woman sits on a rocky riverbank surrounded by lush greenery and a winding river under a cloudy sky.
Young boy with curly brown hair wearing a navy jacket, looking thoughtfully to the side outdoors.
Two people sharing a warm embrace outdoors in a park during autumn, with the woman smiling joyfully.
A smiling mother sits with her joyful baby at a first birthday party with pink balloons and ONE banner.
First birthday cake smash style family photography session in New Zealand
First birthday cake smash style family photography session in New Zealand
Outdoor children portrait photography session in Gisborne New Zealand

 

"The most beautiful, chaotic, and honest family photos we have ever had taken. Mónica has an incredible gift for finding the art in everyday chaos. No forced smiles, just pure love."


— THE DAVID  FAMILY | GISBORNE  SESSION

 

Get In Touch To Book

 

FAQ

 

We love your raw style, but we are incredibly awkward in front of the camera. Will you guide us?

Almost every single couple featured on my website told me they were "camera-shy" before their session. I don't use stiff prompts or artificial staging. Instead, I focus on the connection between the two of you. We will go for a walk, share a laugh, and let things unfold naturally. Within five minutes, you will forget there is even a camera there.

Since you don’t use social media, how do we receive and share our images?

You will receive your fully edited, high-resolution stories in a private digital Pixieset gallery. From there, you can download everything with a single click, print them, or securely share the private link with your inner circle of friends and family. Your moments stay completely yours.

 

How long does it take to get our photos back?

 

know how eager you are to see your day. You will receive a curated handful of "sneak peek" images within 48 hours of your wedding so you can relive the immediate high. Your complete, fully polished digital storytelling gallery will be delivered to your inbox within 6 to 8 weeks.

Just Focus on Each Other

Wear clothes that let you breathe, laugh, and move freely. If you force yourself into stiff, formal outfits that don't feel like you, that discomfort will show up in your expressions. Choose textures that feel wonderful against your skin—soft linens, heavy knits, denim, or silk. When you feel entirely comfortable in what you are wearing, you can completely forget about the clothes and focus on each other.

Comfort Over Perfection

What should we wear to our session?

Your only job during our time together is to love your family out loud. Hug tightly, tickle the kids, whisper jokes, and enjoy the moment. Don't worry about looking at me unless I explicitly ask you to—just focus on each other, and let me handle capturing how it truly felt.

Should we match our colors

Please don't. Matching outfits can look rigid and unnatural. Instead, focus on complementing each other.Pick a loose, earthy color palette (like warm rusts, olives, creams, charcoals, or muted blues).

Let everyone choose an outfit within that tonal family.Avoid clothing with large logos, harsh fluorescent colors, or tiny, busy patterns (like pinstripes), as these can distract from the real emotions in the frame.

Can we do an outfit change?

For full lifestyle sessions or elopements, you are more than welcome to bring a secondary option. A great trick is simply adding or removing a layer—like throwing on a favorite leather jacket, a cozy oversized cardigan, or a warm hat halfway through. This changes the entire mood of the images instantly without interrupting the natural flow of our time together.

 

The Lighting Philosophy: Chasing the Light

(and Happy Moods)

What is the best time of day for our family session?

When it comes to family sessions, the best time of day is whenever your children are happiest. While I love the warm glow of late afternoon light, I prioritize real, joyful connections over a specific sun position. For families with little ones, we will almost always aim for a mid-morning session—usually around 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM. They have had breakfast, their energy is up, and they are in the best mood to play.

Can we do an "In-Home" lifestyle session instead?

Absolutely. If you want a completely stress-free experience, an in-home session is an incredible option for mid-morning. We don't have to worry about the weather or travel logistics. I will simply document your family baking together, playing in the living room, or reading books on the bed. Your home holds your family's true history..

What if my baby or toddler needs a feed during our session?

We lean into it. Caring for your child is part of your real, beautiful everyday life. There are absolutely no extra fees if we need to slow down. Whether you need a quiet moment to nurse, bottle-feed, or simply offer a comforting snack, I can keep documenting those tender moments, or we can simply take a breath. We move entirely at your child's pace.

What happens if my child has a meltdown or refuses to look at the camera?

There is absolutely no pressure. Toddlers have big emotions, and a new environment can sometimes feel overwhelming. I never expect children to sit still or force a fake smile. If a meltdown happens, we don’t panic, and we never rush. We simply slow down.We might play a game, go for a quick walk, or let them take a comfort break in your arms. Some of the most honest and memorable photographs happen when a child is just being comforted by their parents. I am entirely in your corner, and our session is a completely judgment-free zone.