An Interview with Monica Vigna
Monica Vigna’s work is currently featured in an exhibit titled “Central Coast Allure” at the Stanton Center in Monterey.
Good morning, everyone! Today, I am very excited to announce The Peninsula Report’s first interview. My conversation will be with one of our local Monterey County creatives, Monica Vigna.
An established photographer, her work specializes in inspiring pictures of Carmel and Big Sur that really pull you into the moment.
Read along as Monica gives us a look into her inspirations and artistic process.
A lot of your work features Carmel. What attracted you to this area?
I started coming down to the Central Coast when I was a little girl. My uncle had bought a house down here in the 1950s, so naturally, as a family, we would all come down here for vacations and to escape the hustle and bustle of Oakland. While here for vacation, we wouldn't just stay in Carmel, we would explore the surrounding area too.
We loved going to Carmel Beach, which was just a block away from their house, but also Carmel River Beach. On some days we would all pack into the cars and drive to Point Lobos or Big Sur. It was in these places that time stood still for me. It was the only time in my life when I had felt that. I felt myself slowing down and seeing the beauty that this area had to offer. That is why I've chosen this place as my home and have captured it with my photography.
That description of your family outings brought such nostalgia to my mind. I think some of your photos capture that feeling too. It’s very comforting.
Are there any favorite or “secret spots” that you frequent, that you keep to yourself?
My favorite place to photograph is Carmel River Beach, especially in the winter once the lagoon breaches to the Pacific. At this time of the year, the topography of the beach changes day by day because of how the water carves through the sand, sometimes revealing rocks. Every time I go there during this time, it's new and different, yet equally awe-inspiring.
Another place I like to frequent is the Garrapata region of Big Sur. That, too, is another place that I can go to over and over again as nature is always changing the vista, especially when it comes to the flora throughout the year. You can experience a kaleidoscope of color. At one time of the year, there are the poppies and the lupine, and at another time of the year, there are Yarrow, Ladies' Tobacco, and Douglas Irises blooming. I truly love it.
I find that these changes always bring me excitement at any time of year. That is why these are some of my favorite places to be and to photograph. I would love to share these places with others since nature is for everyone and can be enjoyed by everyone.
That’s a great mindset to have, to not think of it as “my secret spot” but “everyone’s spot”. Photography is essentially a way to share your perspective of life at that moment in time. Is that what you capture in your photos?
With my photos, the perspectives I see are always moments of beauty that take my breath away, that I want to capture. From a young age, I was taught that nature is free to all. I was taught to slow down, be present, and savor these special moments. The beauty of having a camera is that I can capture them and share them.
How has your experience in photography influenced other parts of your lIfe?
By capturing these moments, printing them, and creating a small locally driven business, I have been able to support my daughter, Bella, and her passion for martial arts. In May, she just got her first-degree black belt in Seibukan Jujutsu.
Also by sharing these moments, I hope to give people a moment of beauty, tranquility and peace. A reminder to slow down and savor the beauty of a single moment.
Is it a challenge to capture those moments of beauty?
Because they present themselves to me, there is no challenge. I guess the challenge is getting them to touch you like they touched me.
You have a print in your Etsy shop called “Perfect Wave”. How long does a shot like that take before you feel confident in titling it “perfect”?
For that shot, that particular day I was at the beach, watching my daughter build sandcastles. It was just one of those days where every set seemed to curl just perfectly. Within that day, I was able to capture many photos of waves, yet that one in particular to me was perfection.
Because you take pictures mostly of nature, is it difficult to get the lighting just right? Or is that part of the fun?
I love to capture light reflecting on the water, especially when the sun sets. Most people will go directly for the classic sunset shot, but I am into the water. I’m into the sun reflecting on it, mixing with patterns that the water makes as it moves to the shore. Light can dance on water. I love capturing those shots.
Many times when I try to take a picture of an amazing scene, particularly the sunsets here, they don’t come out nearly as breathtaking as they do in real life.
Is there a scene that was just too incredible to be captured in a photo, but is imprinted in your memory?
I do have one breathtaking image in my memory that comes to mind that I could not capture. My friend and I were in the Eastern Sierras in the Mono Lake basin, where there was no light noise present. It was about 1:00 AM and my best friend and I were laying on the hood of my car during the Perseid Meteor Shower. At that moment, I had never seen so many meteors shower down from the sky. That was an experience that I will never forget but there’s no way I could’ve captured it. It’s as if the mothership was right around the corner…
That sounds magical.
I’ve heard people talk about how Carmel, and a lot of Monterey, used to be a very hippy, artsy community, as if it’s gone away. I see the new-style architecture that’s being built and I can understand where they’re coming from. But I’m not so sure it’s true.
From West End Festival in Seaside, to mural painting all over Salinas and Santa Cruz, our counties are alive with art!
What are your thoughts on art culture here? Do you think the cities have lost some of that special culture?
No, actually I find it to be thriving. Our art culture ebbs and flows like the Pacific! I feel that the area brings out creative spirit. From the beautiful plating at Cella Restaurant in Monterey, to the driftwood teepees built at Carmel River Beach, I find Central Coast art being represented at all levels and constantly growing.
Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you and/or your work?
I would like to remind the readers of The Peninsula Report that we live in what I think is one of the most beautiful places in the world. These moments exist in our everyday lives, and if we don’t choose to slow down from time to time and be more present, we are missing some of the best parts that the universe has to offer.
I totally agree with that. It’s so easy to get caught up in your everyday life and forget to appreciate what a unique place we live in.
For anyone who wants to support your work, what’s the best way they can do that?
Currently, my cards and prints can be purchased at
Beachwood Home at Carmel Plaza
Blackbird at the Doud Arcade
Bee, Bark and Moss in San Carlos Square
Big Sur Vineyard’s tasting room in Carmel Valley
And the soon-to-be reopening gift shop at the Lodge in Pebble Beach.
Lastly, they can follow me @beinthenow1 on Instagram.
You can also view her work at the Stanton Center in Monterey through the end of October.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to share your experience with us!