love notes <3
"Monika is someone whose mere presence makes me melt into the softest and truest version of myself.
I asked her if she’d be open to capturing the opening reception of my first solo exhibition and first show in Los Angeles and she captured both the drawings themselves and special moments of connection throughout the evening with such intimacy, joy, humor, and care.
It was such an honor and pleasure to work with her and I’m honestly just counting the seconds until we can work together again. " - JESSIE MAHON
"I am beyond in love with these. I've been such an admirer of your work for years and it is such a pleasure to have finally met you and treat myself with this experience. I always had this negative thought that having my photo taken seemed "vain" - but its really such a beautiful act of appreciation for yourself to sit and have your photo taken. ESPECIALLY by you, because you made this experience beyond comfortable. Loved getting to giggle my way through this with you. And thank you for making me look so lovely <3 I feel so lucky to have these photos and to have created with you." - NATHAN
"Moni took my first portraits EVER. She made the vulnerability feel like a hill rather than a mountain, and after a while, the stress of being in front of the camera melted away. The images she captured were the first time I saw myself reflected in a photo. The experience was healing and full of positivity. For any artist looking to get a portrait taken - Moni is the one! I wish everyone could see the world through Moni's eyes and what a gift it is to be able to experience it through her photography." - CLAIRE
"Monika made me feel safe and secure experimenting with new movements and expressions, encouraging ideas and collaboration! She welcomed me into her vibrant oasis with comfort and ease. During the shoot she was affirming and her direction was super helpful to capture the vision we had in mind. Shooting in someone’s space tells a lot about a person, and her space was filled with intention! I can’t wait for the next shoot where my ideas and our collaborations can blossom." - STELLA
"Working with Monika helped me rediscover my style and personality as a leader and artist after having children.
She is an intuitive guide and leads her photography sessions with grace and a confident hand, which I greatly needed.
The photos she took are not only gorgeous, but they make me look like the best version of myself and what I want to showcase. She's a gift!"
- BECCA THOMAS
"Monika took me through a full-on portal with our photo shoot.
From before we even thought about the photos themselves, Monika pushed me to define my vision and how I wanted my brand to be, look and feel. She helped me pull out the texture of the embodiment I wanted to take at this new level as a creative, mystical entrepreneur and leader.
Monika handled everything and made it so easy - I was really nervous when I arrived because I didn’t know if I could draw out everything we had talked about, but she told me that was her job and now it was just about relaxing and having fun.
I’ve never had a more engaging photo shoot or photographer - Monika knows how to put you at ease, and dig for those gems - and it was literally so fucking fun (she’s hilarious and charming, by the way).
Even the selection process was a gift of truly curating a set of images that showcased my brand, my expression (some just for me!) and my own artistic eye. I know myself and my power much more intimately now, and I love how the photos turned out. I’m so proud of myself.
I’ll work with Monika again and again. Worth every YES." - REBECCA HALL
"Holy Wow I am grateful for you. This is the first photo of myself in a really long time that I recognized myself in. It brought me to tears, and I'm so grateful that I have this to remind myself of who I am when I lose sight of that. Thank you so much." - NATALIE
"It was so nice meeting you! Your work is so beautiful and your compassion for the self was truly a humbling experience! Really enjoyed it. The photos are so cool, at first, not gonna lie, I was nervous because of my self judgment but when I saw them, I felt love for myself in a way that was healing. Thank you for the kick ass experience!!!" - NICHOLAS
"Your gift is how you can make someone feel. Your magic isn't just creating and capturing, it's in helping the other person see the creative, the magic in herself! I caught a glimpse of my magic because you showed me!" - FLOR
"I literally can't thank you enough! The photographs are beyond my expectations - I really can't get over how gorgeous they are. Not only that, but working with you was such a dream." - GRETA
“Moni helped mold the essence of Beach Peach perfectly.
I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted the aesthetic of the band’s branding to be, but Moni created something so beautiful and fun.
These photos encapsulate the energy of our little band so well!
I’m in love with them.”
- LIBBY FRAME
"OMG I love these! So dark and moody. And I can't get enough of the big spread, reach for the sky shot. Megan said, 'It's all of you in one shot'. Thank you Moni. That day sparked a whole creative movement in me and I'm so grateful you put so much work into it." - COLIN
"Moni, these are everything! I didn't want them to stop. Thank you so much for creating an open space of safety and love, and for gifting me these photos from your eye. They are so lovely." - STEPHANIE