Manuel Ortega Photography

So honored to win a silver award at the WPPI International print competition! @ Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Looking forward to Monica and Alejandro’s wedding next month at Leal Vineyards! @liveloveleal

8 years in a row! A huge thank you to all of the couples who chose us to capture their special day. We’re honored. #weddingwire

Another year over, and a new one just begun-John Lennon My top 9 from 2019. This year was a beautiful journey for my business. We met some of the most amazing people and accomplished some things I would previously only dream of! From my family to yours, we wish you all a happy and healthy 2020!

People often ask me about the lighting equipment I use. I’ve been using Light and Motion/ Stella Pro lights and they’re incredible. These lights take the technical side of lighting and completely throws it out the window. If your looking for amazing, easy to use lighting take a look at this. https://youtu.be/mler3EjziU8

What an incredible experience to share the stage with some of the biggest names in our industry. Thank you so much to @stellaprolights for trusting me deliver the message and to @george_varanakis , & @suebrycephotographer for a great Portrait Masters Conference 2019. @ Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

So awesome to see my images in Rangefinder magazine Summer travel issue! Scroll to page 50 to see the images and read the article. Thank you Parker J Pfister & Jacqueline Tobin! https://digitalmag.rangefinderonline.com//MobilePagedRepli

Over the years I would see photos in Rangefinder Magazine from photographers I admired such as Andrea Calvery, Cliff Mautner, Scott Robert Lim, Dina Douglass, Kristi Sutton Elias & Bruce Dorn. It is surreal for me to join them as an ambassador for Light & Motion, creators of the Stella Pro Light. I am extremely grateful and honored to be included with such an esteemed group of creative photographers. https://www.lightandmotion.com/ambassadors/manuel-ortega

Bridal session at @chaminaderesort in Santa Cruz CA. To light this gorgeous bride, I used a @stellaprolights Clx8 with a small @elinchrom_ltd modifier. I love using continuous light outdoors. To learn more about this light click this link . https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop... @stellaprolights @lydiaaagraaace @chaminaderesort

Congratulations to Sarah & Jon! Such a beautiful wedding at Leal Vineyards. https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop #lealvineyards @ Léal Vineyards

Here’s more from our session at @chaminaderesort in Santa Cruz. 2 Stella clx8 lights were used in this image. One for backlight and one main for this awesome couple. The light is subtle and looks like natural light. To learn more about these amazing lights click this link: https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop... #stellaambassador @stellaprolights @chaminaderesort @misshayleypaige @sonyalpha @ Chaminade Resort & Spa

Great time shooting at @chaminaderesort. There’s a lot to explore at this property! I used one Stella CLx8 light with a fresnel modifier for fill. To learn more about this light, click this link: https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop... @chaminaderesort @stellaprolights @misshayleypaige @sonyalpha

A bride in a vintage wedding dress in the redwoods. What’s not to love? A simple and very easy to use lighting setup was used in this image. I used one Sella Clx8 with an @elinchrom_ltd modifier. To learn more about this light click this link:... https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop @stellaprolights @cassandramhmodeling

The @rcbacarasantabarbara Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara is one of the best venues I’ve ever photographed. I’m looking forward to shooting a wedding I recently booked in the summer of 2020 at this gorgeous venue. For lighting in this image, I used a Stella CLX8 with an @elinchrom_ltd modifier to soften the light. To learn more about this light click this link https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop... @stellaprolights #stellaambassador @sonyalpha

Bridal session at the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara using continuous light outdoors. The @stellaprolights CLX8 is so easy to use! We love how this has change the way we shoot. Swipe left to see BTS. To learn more about this light, click link in bio. https://go.lightandmotion.com/mop... @rcbacarasantabarbara @aja_jean @ The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Great time capturing this pre wedding session at the stunning @rcbacarasantabarbara (Bacara Resort) in Santa Barbara. We did this session using the new @stellaprolights CLX8, an 8000 lumen continuous light which is absolutely incredible. These lights are making our jobs so much easier! @ The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

So happy to see one of my images in Rangefinder magazine online as the Photo of the Day! https://www.rangefinderonline.com//photo-of-/setting-sail/

Scotland will forever be in my heart. Here’s an image I made of the lovely @andreacalveryportrait using @stellaprolights. @sonyalpha Lighting: Stella ... Location: Bow Fiddle Rock from the cliff tops of Portknockie in Morayshire, Scotland. #scotland #stellaprolights

Duffus Castle, near Elgin, Moray, Scotland. #scotland #castle

Shooting in Scotland has been a great experience. It was hard to leave this beautiful country so I extended my stay. #manuelortegaphotography #scotland #photography

I’m about to embark on an epic journey at a photography workshop in Scotland with the most creative soulful photographer I have ever known. @parkerjpfister I can’t wait to see you my friend! #scotland #photography

Humbled and grateful to @laplayaca (La Playa in Carmel) for asking us to team up with them! We will be their official photographers for guests coming from around the world who want family portraits.

It’s that time of year again! Looking forward to seeing all of my friends in Vegas for the annual WPPI wedding and portrait photographers international conference. #vegas #wppi #photographer

7 years in a row! A huge thank you to all of the couples who chose us to capture their special day. We’re honored. #weddingwire

2018 was our best year by far, and I would like to share my top 9 posts of 2018 with you. A huge thank you to all of the couples who chose us to capture their special day! Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2019!!

This is Lancelot. He was the ring bearer for yesterday’s @Disney themed wedding at Leal Vineyards. @liveloveleal

We had a great time with @palma_school senior @daniel_ortega_15! #seniorportraits #palma

We are beyond honored that the COO of Leal Vineyards left this review for us! Thank you Tiffany! Words can’t describe how this makes us feel when the person that runs some of the most beautiful wedding venues in the tri-county area says these kind words about us. #husbandandwifeteam #grateful

A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty. Author Unknown

Great times shooting this awesome couple’s engagement session! We’re looking froward to their wedding at Léal Vineyards in 2019. Color photos are by me, black and white photos are by my lovely wife Melissa. @mrs_melissaortega #husbandandwifeteam @ The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

I could conquer the world with one hand as long as your holding the other. -unknown @montereyplaza

We had a great time with this awesome family! There’s still time for your holiday family portrait session, but space is limited. @ Monterey, California

So awesome to see one of my photos at the top of the Leal Vineyards website. We absolutely love that venue & we’re truly honored! https://www.liveloveleal.com

Central Park, New York City. pre-wedding session. #newyorkcity #newyork #manhattan #centralpark Sony Alpha Pro @ Central Park, Manhattan, New York City

I love it when Mother Nature gives me a gust of wind when I need it. Beautiful wedding at Leal Vineyards! #lealvineyards @liveloveleal

Lovely ladies.. it’s always nice shooting at Nicklaus Club - Monterey. #beautiful venue @ Nicklaus Club - Monterey

Here’s one from a wedding on Saturday at one of our favorite venues, @nicklausclub_monterey. What @disney movie does this remind you of?

Family portraits in beautiful Maui! So great to meet this awesome family From Canada and capture their family portraits on Kaanapali Beach. #mauiweddingphotographer #mauiphotographer #mauiphotography #mauifamilyphotographer #hawaii #hawaiilife #islandlife

Beautiful wedding at the @svcapitalclub in San Jose.

Great times at @pikeplacepublicmarket for Telley & Lou’s engagement session!

Congratulations to @ulafarga & @davidcastro2836 We are honored to have captured your special day at the Carmel Mission Basilica!

#Repost @taeadams with @get_repost The Adams Family... Congratulations to @taeadams & @_devadams! ... Thank you for choosing @manuel_ortega_photography & @propixmedia to capture your special day! See more

Beautiful wedding at Hyatt Carmel Highlands! What an awesome view at this stunning picturesque venue. @highlandsinn @sonyalpha @sonyalpha @sonyalphagear

We loved working with this couple at the @hyattcarmel! @sonyprousa

Beautiful wedding last month in Monterey. Congratulations to Andreana & Anthony!

Loved shooting this engagement session at Leal Vineyards! @liveloveleal @sonyalpha @sonymirrorless @sonyprousa

Loved shooting this gorgeous wedding at @sycamorecreekvineyards!

Jump! This flower girl was so excited she couldn’t help herself. Love this Leal Property in Morgan Hill! @sycamorecreekvineyards @moose_bella @miaallsup @liveloveleal

An amazing wedding with an amazing couple @sycamorecreekvineyards! Congratulations to Justin @moose_bella and Mia @miaallsup! Also, a huge Thank you to @tmorales_1982 for this incredible honor, thank you for thinking of us.

Slowly transitioning from Canon to Sony. This Sony a7r iii is the best camera I have ever owned. Really excited about this next chapter!

I am very proud to host one of the worlds best photographers at my studio in Monterey CA on August 22-23 2018! For the first time, Roger Tan will be teaching in the U.S., so don't miss this opportunity to elevate your art to the next level. Email me for more info at [email protected]

I’m very grateful for the awesome turnout this morning for my presentation at the WPPI @rfwppi expo! Thanks to all who came to hear what I had to say! Hopefully you took a bit of knowledge that will help you in your own businesses. Thank you to @picprolab for inviting me to speak!

This is the first conference I’ve attended with my family and I’m so happy to have Evan & Melissa here with me! Swing by tomorrow at 11am where I’ll be talking about how I run a profitable boutique studio in the very competitive Monterey & Carmel market! WPPI tradeshow @picprolab booth# 1161

I am humbled and grateful to Alex @picprolab for asking me to be a speaker at their booth at WPPI! Swing by their trade show booth on Monday February 26th at 11AM, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Big thanks to @miguelvazquezphotography. I appreciate you my friend.

One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain. So hit me with music, hit me with music now - Bob Marley We loved shooting this wedding and outdoor reception at the @ictheclement in Monterey!

A beautiful winter wedding at one of the most gorgeous wedding venues which I’m proud to be a part of! Congratulations to Gina & John!

The dance is the poem of which each movement is a word. - Mata Hari We loved capturing this wedding at the @montereyplaza

Such a beautiful January wedding at @holmanranch. A big thank you to this awesome couple who flew in from Calgary Alberta Canada !

6 years in a row! A big thank you to all of the amazing couples who chose us to capture their memories.

Final adjustments before walking to the stunning rose garden @bernarduslodge.

A beautiful father/daughter dance under the evening sky at @nicklausclub_monterey.

With views like this, it’s no wonder why people come from across the globe to get married in the Monterey Bay area. Here’s a wedding we shot late last year @highlandsinn, Carmel. Congratulations to Senator (ret) Marty Block and Julie! Venue: @highlandsinn Hair and Makeup: @muahmakeupandhair Floral: @floraldesignbyreina

Beautiful skies last night for this maternity session. I feel so lucky to have this stunning backdrop so close to home!

Happy 2018 everyone! 2017 was an amazing year! A huge THANK YOU to all of our wonderful clients who entrusted us to capture their memories. Here is my best 9 of 2017 #2017bestnine

To all of my photographer friends who asked me about buying gear etc. I always sent you to Jeffrey Snyder at Adorama. Read the rant below. I refuse to spend another dime with them and I urge you to do the same.

Engagement session in Carmel with a family of 5. What's not to love? This was my first shot of this session with @miaallsup @moose_bella

Amazing sky last night at Carmel Beach for Mia and Justin's engagement session! They brought their 3 fur babies along for the session and this was one of my favorites. Can't wait for their wedding at another gorgeous Leal property, @sycamorecreekvineyards.

Beautiful wedding at the @ictheclement hotel on @visitcanneryrow! Congratulations to @kristineelizondo and Paul!