Meet Christopher Montano

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Montano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to create a brand that truly reflected me—something that felt authentic yet was also a sustainable business. From the start, I was conscious of balancing demand and quality while figuring out what would set me apart in the industry. With a background in fashion and advertising, I’ve studied what makes brands and clothing sell, and I’ve found that photography shares a lot of those same principles.

That’s why I decided to merge everything I’ve learned into You and The Moonlight. Styling and clothing play a huge role in my work because they have a significant impact on each shoot, and they’re often something my clients seek guidance on. I put a strong emphasis on these elements to elevate the experience and results.

What I love most about my work is the symmetry and cohesion across all my shoots—whether it’s editorial, wedding, maternity, or even a sultry boudoir session, it all aligns with the YATM aesthetic. I see my brand as a fashion magazine where anyone can be part of the story—not just professional models. At the end of the day, we all want to feel like a model or a movie star, and that’s exactly what I strive to create for my clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a dream woven in moonlight, a vision where reality and fantasy blur into something cinematic, something untamed. As a destination luxury wedding, editorial, and maternity photographer, I chase the extraordinary, capturing love and beauty with the eyes of a storyteller and the soul of a dreamer.

I have been lucky enough to carve my path in breathtaking resorts across Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, places where the ocean hums its eternal song, where the sun spills golden light onto endless possibilities. But I am always reaching higher, stretching my hands toward the stars—toward Europe, where new landscapes and love stories await.

What sets me apart is my approach: every photoshoot is a fashion campaign, every client a muse. I want people to feel like movie stars, like the icons they’ve always imagined themselves to be. That’s why I create mood boards, craft concepts, and design each session as if it belongs in the pages of a high-end magazine. Because deep down, we have all dreamed of that moment—of stepping into a world where we are the art. My work is about making that dream tangible.

Nature is my ultimate collaborator—its winds, its tides, its golden-hour glow. I don’t just photograph people; I place them inside an ethereal world, a place where reality bends into something more. That’s the essence of You and The Moonlight. It’s not just a brand—it’s an experience, a portal. My Wolfpack and I don’t just take photos; we step into another realm, where time slows and beauty reigns.

But getting here wasn’t easy. The road to creating art on my own terms was paved with uncertainty, with moments of doubt, with lessons only learned through risk. I’ve had to believe in my vision before anyone else could see it, had to trust that my love for storytelling through light, fashion, and emotion would carry me forward. And it has.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s this: you are art. You always have been. My job is simply to show you. To create a space where you don’t just see yourself—you feel yourself, in all your power, all your beauty.

And for those who dare to step into the moonlight with me, I promise—we will go somewhere otherworldly.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For this category, Describe Your Perfect Date?—if you recognize this reference, do yourself a favor and follow me on Instagram, because trust me, we have more in common than you think. I live in movie quotes, pop culture nods, and references that half the room might miss—but if you get them, we’re already speaking the same language.

So, here it is—brunch somewhere in Venice Beach, strolling along the boardwalk, maybe stopping at Great White because, well, it never disappoints. A drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, windows down, music up, chasing the kind of sunset that feels straight out of a cinematic masterpiece. But honestly? My idea of a perfect day is escaping—trading the city lights for the quiet of the mountains or the vastness of the desert. That’s where I reset. And if I’m not out there, you’ll probably find me inside, embracing my inner couch potato.

Not the most thrilling answer, I know—but hey, even movie stars have their off-screen moments.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, the greatest shoutout I can give is to my support system—my Wolfpack, the You and The Moonlight Wolfpack. I believe we are all lone wolves until we find our people, and that’s exactly how I see my supporters. My clients aren’t just clients; they are the heartbeat of this dream. They are the ones who keep me in business, who lift me up through word-of-mouth, who speak about their photoshoot experience with passion.

They are the ones who wade into the ocean, even when the water is ice-cold. The ones who wake before the sun, getting hair and makeup done for a fleeting two-hour moment. The ones who cross state lines, who fly me across the world just to create something beautiful together. They are the ones who trust my vision, who embrace the unknown, who make this more than just a job—it’s a way of life.

I can’t thank them enough. No words could ever do justice to the gratitude I feel. To be surrounded by people who believe in me, who are excited to work with me, who make this path not just possible but magical—I truly feel like the luckiest man alive. This past year has been the happiest of my life, and not for one second do I take it for granted. This is the dream I’ve carried since I was a kid, and now, I get to live it.

Not alone. But with my Wolfpack.

Website: https://Youandthemoonlight.com

Instagram: youandthemoonlight_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youandthemoonight

Image Credits
All images belong to You & The Moonlight Photography