Beginnings:
Patty, Erin, and their sister Cathy Wilson, were always interested in the visual arts, even during their school years. Their father took artistic and candid photos as a hobby and then gifted Erin and Patty with their first cameras. They each developed their own passion for photography: Erin, in fact, was studying to receive her teaching credential but decided to fully pursue a photography career, while Patty completed a Biology degree.
Their Story:
Patty (Wilson) Grube and Erin (Wilson) Monahan were born and raised in Coronado. Erin started her photography business just after college in 2001 and has been photographing weddings and families all over San Diego for 10 years. Patty started her own photography business in North Carolina where she and her family lived for about three years until they moved back to Coronado. Two years ago they decided that it was “crazy” to be running separate businesses in the same town while managing to raise their children – seven between them!
Both photographers love capturing the natural expressions and feelings of their subjects in order to convey their mood and emotions. They also empathize with families want to capture this moment in their children’s’ lives and get excited for their clients when they’ve captured it in the photography.
Humorous Moment:
Apart from a stressful moment of a car breaking down JUST in time for a wedding (don’t worry, it all worked out), Patty and Erin recounted a story that involved taking pictures of entire families on vacation in North Carolina. It was hot and humid on the beach in North Carolina and after 30 minutes of trying to get young children and hot, sweaty adults to sit still, they decided to move to a more wooded area with some shade. As they set up, the families were attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes and so Patty and Erin have to reschedule the photo shoot.
Favorite Spot in Coronado:
Erin loves to shoot photos at the dunes on Coronado beach as well as the docks at the yacht club. Patty loves the dinghy dock on the bay and below the bridge as a unique location for portraits.
Reason to Cross the Bridge?
Patty and her family love to go to Blacks beach as it’s somewhat hidden away and it feels like they are on vacation. Erin loves Big Bear and other mountains close by but otherwise sees little reason to cross the bridge (her husband hasn’t crossed the bay for over 50 days now and counting).
Island Light Photography is located at the ‘Little Yellow House’ at 1109 Ninth Avenue. They offer all photographic services including weddings, events and professional head-shots. They specialize in family photography including newborn, maternity and senior pictures both in studio and on location. In addition to snapping photos, they have a full service photography studio offering specialty products including canvas, metal and acrylic prints, coffee table books, birth announcements and Christmas cards.
For more information, visit their website at www.IslandLightPhotography.com.
A portrait of a very cute baby. See more.
A rare shot of both sisters (Patty and Erin) in front of the camera.
Inside the newly renovated studio at 1109 Ninth Avenue.
A ‘before’ shot of Island Photography prior to the renovation of Maryam Cleaners.
The ‘after’ photo of Island photography.
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