We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christopher Montano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christopher below.
Christopher, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with many inspiring and wonderful souls. As a wedding photographer, most of the weddings I’ve worked on have been incredibly meaningful and heartfelt. However, this year has been especially amazing, with projects and weddings I never thought I’d experience so early in my career.
I’ve always loved traveling and photography, so I decided to fully focus on destination weddings to bring both passions together. Working destination weddings in glamorous locations has been one of the coolest things I’ve stumbled into. What makes some of these weddings feel extra special is that I’ve often felt like I was dreaming, especially when I photographed a wedding in the jungle in Mexico. Well, technically it wasn’t in the jungle, but at a stunning resort surrounded by lush vegetation. The wedding planner went all out, styling everything perfectly, with beautiful overhead lighting and magical details. That night, monkeys even ran through the wedding – it was pretty epic. In that moment, I felt like my dreams were slowly but surely coming true.
On top of that, I booked a few more weddings in Cancun, where I got to swim with the wedding party and guests in gorgeous cenotes and crystal-clear waters. It felt like I was part of their family, and the experience was truly magical.
One of the coolest moments in my career so far has been working the anniversary party for The Trixie Mattel Show. I was part of the crew that day and had to sign an NDA, so I couldn’t talk about anything or share any behind-the-scenes content until after the show premiered. It was surreal being surrounded by all the massive cameras, stage lighting, and famous people. I was honestly freaking out when I first walked in. But then something clicked, and I told myself, ‘If you’re here, it means something, so own it and kill it.’ So I did just that. I delivered my best work and got to network with some incredible people.
Seeing myself on TV, even if it was just for about ten seconds, was amazing because I was doing what I love – holding my camera and pursuing my passion. This gig meant so much to me, especially because it was for the LGBTQ+ community, which is a part of who I am. I felt so honored to capture such a beautiful memory, just as I do with all the other meaningful memories I’ve been able to document.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Christopher Montano, also known as Mr. Moonbright. I adopted this name after starting my photography brand—it felt like it just came to me from the Moon. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a camera in my hand. As a child, I was constantly taking photos of people and documenting my memories with my little camera. Now, I have a ‘big boy’ camera, but it still feels the same. I’ve kept that playful approach to the way I document stories, and in a way, I feel like I’ve held onto that essence of who I am.
My background and education are a mix of trial and error, combined with my schooling at The Art Institute of San Diego. That’s where things really started to shift for me. There’s something magical about being formally educated in what you’re truly passionate about. People began to take me more seriously, and I noticed they were more serious about hiring me, too. After a lot of interning, assisting, and free labor, I met a very important person who gave me the chance to shine at the start of my career. She introduced me to her clients and the destination wedding industry, and from there, it was a whirlwind of lessons. I learned things that no school could ever teach me—things I wouldn’t have discovered if I hadn’t taken that leap and just went for it. It was very much a ‘fake it till you make it’ moment.
During the pandemic, I truly rebranded myself and developed the concept of You & The Moonlight Photography. The Moon has always been a source of inspiration for me and a way to connect with others. I feel like the Moon has always been in my favor, always there for me when I looked up at the sky. As cheesy as it sounds, I believe there’s a tribe of us out there, and maybe that’s why so many people feel drawn to me. I love how the Moon creates a mood—it’s sensual yet mysterious, sometimes dark, sometimes light and romantic. These qualities are part of my essence, and I’ve infused them into my brand.
If you look through my work, you’ll see a cohesive style and a distinctive way of documenting moments. The lighting I use creates a mood that almost feels otherworldly. One of the most rewarding yet challenging lessons in my career has been learning how to bring everything and everyone together into a unified style. Although my specialty is destination weddings and maternity photography, understanding this concept has allowed me to explore other areas of photography and connect them all through the lens of the Moon.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The list of reasons for what I do feels endless, but if I had to elaborate, I’d say that as artists, we’re capable of not only showing the world through our lens but also presenting it through a lens of love, and how we imagine the world could be. I choose to document love stories not just because I consider myself a romantic, but because I want to showcase love and capture people’s happiest moments.
I have this theory that when you’re going through a rough patch, what helps you get through it is reflection and gratitude—and this can be powerfully achieved through imagery. I truly understand the value that images hold for us. We live in a world that constantly shows us negative, sad, and sometimes harshly realistic images. But why can’t we see more ‘non-realistic’ images? The truth is, it’s all about perspective. Even if some things seem too good to be true, the one thing we have as humans is connection, and real connection is magical.
That’s why I choose to focus on the beautiful aspects of life and narrate them like a fairytale. One day, we’ll be too old to relive these experiences, and all we’ll have are our memories. I find this to be the most magical part of my journey.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Seeing how my circle has supported me—whether through organic conversations, social media tags, posts, or interactions—has shown me the incredible power of word of mouth and referrals. I love working with clients who are similar to my previous ones, those who’ve helped me build my brand. It feels like a Wolfpack, and I truly value the connection we all share. The best way to support local artists is simple: talk about us, promote us, interact with us on social media, and book us for your most significant occasions. Times are tough, and frankly, tough times will always come, which is why it’s so important to have memories documented. Sometimes, we second guess ourselves and think, ‘Oh, we don’t need photos,’ or ‘It’s too expensive,’ yet we’ll buy a brand new car, an expensive purse, or get our hair done every month. I understand the importance of feeling and looking good, but it’s also crucial to recognize the value that we, as artists, bring to the world.
As artists, we are the storytellers of moments that pass too quickly, the dreamers who capture a world not just as it is, but as it could be. I often think about how the simple act of pressing a shutter can freeze a heartbeat in time—a glance, a touch, a spark of connection that might otherwise be lost to the rush of life. That’s the magic we hold.
In a world that sometimes feels heavy, we can create spaces of beauty, light, and love. So, next time you look at the sky, remember that there’s always something more—something unseen—waiting to be captured. It’s our job as artists to reveal that hidden world, one frame at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youandthemoonlight.com
- Instagram: Youandthemoonlight_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youandthemoonight
Image Credits
All Images belong to You & The Moonlight Photography