A little more about your photographer: I'm Michelle Vila!
Let's start from the beginning, shall we?
Somewhere in the 80's • Yours truly was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida 🙃
2005 • I picked up my first DSLR camera from Best Buy, dove head-first into this new exciting hobby, and also began working in their camera department for the following four years.
2006 • I began working with various webzines and magazines photographing all types of rock concerts and festivals. I just so happened to meet my husband at one of them at the House of Blues in Orlando!
2007 • My husband and I chose to elope in the romantic city of Paris, where we captured our wedding portraits. And yes, I wore my dream Vera Wang gown!
2008 • I photographed my first wedding on the beautiful beaches of Fort Lauderdale. Despite a serious sunburn, those images led to a dozen more bookings soon after.
2012 • I graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, earning the Best Portfolio award. I also served as a peer tutor throughout the program, helping fellow students excel in their photography skills.
2016 • My daughter, the light of my life, was born. Now 8 years old, she’s my closest companion, and I’m proud to be her homeschool mom.
2020 • My family and I relocated to Orlando with plans to rebrand and expand. However, the global pandemic had other ideas, prompting me to explore new ways to support my family during uncertain times.
2021 • I earned my teaching certification and became a photography and art instructor at a local charter school, sharing my passion with the next generation of artists.
2023 • After realizing that teaching wasn’t my ultimate calling, I returned to my true passion—photography. I fully rebranded as Michelle Vila Photography, focusing on weddings, events, portraits, and boudoir in Central Florida.
2024 • Achieved a lifelong dream by securing a position in Disney's Fine Art Photography department. It’s a perfect blend of my love for photography and storytelling!
🎶 These are a few of my favorite things 🎶
• coffee
• disney
• halloween horror nights
• shows/movies/books about time loops & travel
• outlander
• cheese
• wedding cake
• harry potter
• back to the future
• anything fantasy themed
• 80s music
• all types of metal
• cats
• breakfast food
• the beatles
• and yes, i'm an anglophile
• weddings
• musicals & plays
Random Facts 👻
- I spent over a year playing Magenta in a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast.
- My gallbladder's gone, and I say good riddance!
- I homeschool my daughter.
- I was named after a Beatles song, and I made sure my daughter’s name followed suit.
- Pregnancy ended a bit early for me, wrapping up in about 7.5 months.
- I got a B in my Color Film Photography 1 class at University because I took too many pictures of my cats. Thanks, Peggy Nolan, I'll never forget you!
- Moving to Orlando was a no-brainer—I needed Disney right in my backyard.
- I've been to over 250 concerts, but I couldn't name 10% of the bands.
- I met my husband at one of those many concerts.
- Coffee didn’t become a staple for me until I hit my mid-20s.
- There was a time when I had 5 cats, 1 dog, and a baby all under one roof.
- Now, it's just 1 cat, 1 dog, and 1 kiddo.
- If a story doesn’t have sci-fi, magic, or fantasy, I’m not interested.
- I’m an introverted extrovert.
- I'm currently in my 4th year with MomCo, which was once known as MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers).
- I’ve got a psych degree, just because, why not?
- My favorite cruises are Disney cruises. Just take my money!
- I refuse to have social media apps on my phone!
I can't wait to hear from you!
Thank you for contacting us!