Some photoshoots happen quickly. A spark of an idea, a free afternoon, and suddenly we’re shooting. Others take time. They wait, quietly, for the right place and the right moment. This collaboration with Stacey Chen was one of those.
We had talked about it for a while. Life and schedules kept moving the date forward, but when the timing finally worked, we chose Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. A place that feels like stepping into a story. Italianate gardens, stone steps, vine-covered walls. Every corner carrying history, light, and atmosphere.
The mood of the day was festive. Stacey’s smile, her warmth, her presence all carried us from scene to scene. We explored four settings, three outfits, countless moments of laughter. What unfolded was a photoshoot that turned into a celebration.
Playfulness at the Love Temple in the Italianate Garden
We began at the Love Temple. White columns towering, cypress trees lining the path in perfect rhythm. Stacey wore a short green dress, playful and confident, silver heels catching flashes of sunlight.
She leaned into the column with ease, softening the structure, then stepped onto the pathway, radiant in the garden light. It felt like the perfect opening to the day. Elegant, yet full of joy and promise.
Joy on Stage at the Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre
From there, we wandered into the open-air theater. Empty rows stretched around us, the stage waiting at the front. Stacey slipped into a white dress. Timeless. Clean. Understated.
She brought the quiet space alive. One moment reflective, her gaze drifting beyond the frame. The next, leaning forward with her chin in her hands, smiling wide. What could have felt vacant instead felt full, like the performance had already begun.
Strength in Stillness on the Poet’s Walk
Next, the stone staircase. Leaves scattered across the steps, light flickering between the trees. Stacey stayed in the white dress, and it felt right for the space.
Sitting midway up the stairs, she carried both strength and ease. In heals. Her background as a Bodybuilding Bikini Pro Champion was there in her posture, her poise. But so was her openness, her warmth. When she rose and waved with a smile, the scene felt spontaneous, unposed. A moment caught in motion.
Glamour Around the Villa
We ended near the villa itself. Balconies and vine-wrapped walls framing the final sequence. Stacey stepped into a long green gown covered in sequins, and everything shifted. Regal. Cinematic. Timeless.
She leaned into columns, pulled back curtains, paused by tall windows. At times serious, at times playful, always authentic. The gown was bold, but she never disappeared behind it. Instead, she made it her own, carrying glamour with a smile.
About Stacey Chen
This shoot felt right not only because of Villa Montalvo, but also because of who Stacey is. She’s a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, based in Los Gatos, representing some of the most beautiful properties in the Bay Area. How fitting that she was photographed at one of the Bay Area’s most stunning estates.
She’s also a former Bodybuilding Bikini Pro Champion with the WNBF. That mix of strength, discipline, and joy was visible in every frame.
And today is her birthday! The perfect time to celebrate her journey, the photoshoot we created together, and the great things still to come. I am deeply thankful to Stacey for being part of this project. Happy Birthday, Stacey!
Photoshoots like this remind me why I love photography. It’s about people, places, and the connections that spark creativity and joy. I can’t wait to share the next location we’ve chosen, another story waiting to unfold.
Photoshoot Credits
- Model: Stacey Chen [Coldwell Bank] [Facebook] [Instagram]
- Photographer: Paul Tocatlian
If you’re a brand, designer, model, or creative looking to bring your story to life through photography, let’s connect. I’d love to collaborate on photoshoots and runway coverage that capture not just style, but soul.
© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.
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