Studio Z » Peek Into Our World

San Diego Portrait Photographer | The Van Dyke Family Welcomes Baby Flynn

Michelle Zuniga — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:41:40 +0000

I have just a little bit of history with The Van Dyke family. Which, really starts with my son, Taylor and his elementary & middle school best friend Alex Bayme. That is just the beginning too, because Bailey became friends with Emily Bayme (Alex’s little sister). They danced together, we carpooled and we carpooled, back & forth and back & forth. Jen (A.K.A. Jennifer) is Alex and Emily’s older sister. I had met Jen and talked to her occasionally, but I never really got to know her. I remember her standing at the door watching her little sister, Emily run to my car for dance. I can remember Janine, (Jen,Alex’s & Emily’s mom) always talking about Jen and “Phillip”. I remember ODA, when we had our competition’s in Los Angeles and Jen would be there to support her baby sister, so proud and such a huge smile. A very proud big sister…..

Here we are now, just a few years later, Jennifer Bayme, married to the love of her life; Phillip, only to welcome baby Flynn. I arrived to the beautiful Bayme house on a Saturday morning and it was just like when my kids were young. Everyone, running around with Janine taking care of everything. The only difference was, Alex was running out to go get a burrito with friends and Emily was, well, Emily (the baby) was all grown-up. Just a Junior in high school, but, please, someone tell me, where does the time go? That being said, I was so honored to be asked to photograph Jen’s firstborn. It meant so much to me to be able to capture Flynn as a newborn, so tiny and just so precious. To be able to snatch these cherished minutes, through my vision and my passion.

I will forever hold in my mind the way that Phillip looks at Jen, with such adoration, respect, and so very grateful for what he has at this moment. Embracing life….

Janine walked me to my car and I turned to her an said, “You are a lucky mom. I saw the way Phillip looks at Jen, he truly loves her. It must feel good to know that “your baby” is loved like that.” As a parent, in the end, that is all you can ask for.

Jen and Phillip, Flynn is precious. Soak up every lasting moment, even the ones at 2:30 a.m. for those do not last forever.

Thank you so very much for giving me this opportunity to capture this most precious time of your life. Never, take any moment for granted.~Michelle

San Diego Portrait Photography | Bailey and Her Besties

Michelle Zuniga — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:00:42 +0000

Sometimes, I just have to take a step back and do things for myself, something different. It was my daughter, Bailey’s, 15th birthday and she was having her party/sleepover. We were just going to swim, eat pizza, girl talk, watch movies and of course, Facebook. (Thank goodness Facebook wasn’t around in my day;just saying.) The morning of her party my head starts spinning with ideas, next thing you know, the studio lights & backdrop stand are going up and I get to use my new backdrop that I got at the WPPI Trade show. I was so excited and the girls were even more excited. They were in my room, doing their hair, makeup and wardrobe for over two hours. (You should of seen my room, closet and bathroom-Oh Boy!). Some of you might even recognize the “pink” Betsey Johnson dress, the one that we used for a Studio Z photo shoot in Las Vegas. I just love it, when I get my monies worth out of those “materialistic” things. So, without further ado, here they are, these cute, adorable, energetic, carefree, beautiful girls. ~Michelle

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.”
~Douglas Pagels

This Post Is Close To My Heart

Michelle Zuniga — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:50:30 +0000

A few weeks ago Taylor, Bailey and I went back to Idaho. My parent’s and sister live there. The last time I was out in Idaho was, well, a very long time ago. I think it must be about 6 years ago. Selfishly, I would of liked to of been there during the summer (i.e. the lake, boat, water skiing-my cup of tea) but we had to make our trip this spring for Taylor. He was accepted to Boise State-BSU. We needed to go and scout things out, in order to make his decision. Meanwhile, it was awesome because I got to see and snuggle with my nieces and nephews, whom I have missed terribly. I, of course couldn’t help myself but to photograph all of the cousins. My sister took me to this awesome location and look at the fun images I got.~Michelle

La Jolla Cove Suites 5th Annual Bridal Show

Michelle Zuniga — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:50:55 +0000

Mark your calendars brides to be. On Monday, April 4, 2011 we will be just one of the fabulous vendors at their bridal show. All of the details are below and we would love for you to come by and say “hi” to us and all of the other vendors.

Studio Z does the OSCARS!!!

Michelle Zuniga — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:48:03 +0000

Belinda Mayberry of Pinky’s Pix and David Esquire of Esquire Photography photographed the event under Studio Z. Michelle was out of town and Bill had a wedding to attend, so Belinda and David came to the rescue and NAILED the event!!!!

This time the gifting suite was held at Paramount Studios in L.A.

Lots of you have been asking me about how we get these events to photograph. Well, here’s the short story:

At the beginning of 2010, Michelle and Bill hooked up with Kate Mesta of Kate Mesta Inc. Kate is a jewelry designer out of Laguna Beach who makes edgy belt buckles, dog tags and leather cuffs. Kate’s business has skyrocketed in the past year and she has been repeatedly asked to work the gifting suites at these huge Hollywood events like the Oscars, Teen Choice, Grammys, Emmys, Music Awards and various charity events like the St. Bernard Project.

Every piece of Kate’s jewelry is hand made in her studio in Laguna Beach. She is featured in The Buckle, Caesars Palace, Nordstroms and over 700 HUNDRED boutiques throughout the U.S.

So over the past year or so, Studio Z has been Kate Mesta’s go to photographer for all of their events and product/lifestyle shots. We absolutely LOVE working with Kate and her team!!! We feel so blessed to be able to meet these celebrities and get these opportunities we would otherwise never have the chance to do.

So here’s a handful of celebrities that came through the gifting suite. See how many you can name! – Bill

{Sonal & Roby} Just The Beginning….

Michelle Zuniga — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 04:20:25 +0000

This will be the first time doing this, but I am going to be posting Sonal and Roby’s wedding day in different parts. Two reasons: One, there are so many amazing details to their wedding day and just simply “WOW”, what an amazing day. Bill and I cannot even describe the non-stop adrenaline rush we had today. Sonal & Roby’s wedding was beyond our wildest dreams. A unique and private location where Appalachia meets the wilderness of Southern California. The Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse , “it is like traveling back in time from the wood-plank floors, timber walls and large collection of antiques dating to the 1700′s” (taken directly from The Figueroa Farmhouse website). Enjoy….

Make up: Farah Manekia www.myfairbride.com

Studio Z on Brittany Curran’s Web Site!!!

Michelle Zuniga — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:37:23 +0000

Lately Michelle and I have been photographing lots of fun events with Kate Mesta INC. In the past few months we’ve done the Emmys, The Teen Choice Awards, and this weekend, the Music Awards. We’ve also been invited to various charity events where we photographed some interesting people and celebs! I even had a beer with Efren Ramirez (Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite) at a charity fundraiser for re-building homes in New Orleans.

Anyway, some of our photos are featured on Brittany Curran’s web site. Brittany Curran plays Ray Romano’s daughter on “Men of a Certain Age”. Apparently she is giving away some Kate Mesta jewelry for charity. Check out our photos here:

Brittany Curran.

And here’s a few pics of Brittany Curran and Efren Ramirez: