Jan 27
Meet this beautiful family. We met the sunrise on a gorgeous winter morning and discovered a few things. Chilly winter mornings cause serious runny noses. Pulling wagons bring out big smiles. Trampolines make everyone happy. And this family loves each other very much. Oh…and I love my job. I discover that last one each and every time I go out and shoot.
A cool day spent in San Francisco laughing & enjoying each other…reminiscing of the day they were first engaged. I can’t wait for their summer Sonoma Valley wedding!
It was such a warm & lovely morning spent photographing this beautiful family! I couldn’t get enough of that sweet pooch’s wrinkles or little boy giggles and always a compliment when a photographer as talented as this momma asks me to document her family. enjoy.
Last night the Cameo theater was packed full for the sold out screening of the dynamic documentary MissRepresentation. This powerful film, Co-sponsored by Clinica Verde and the St. Helena Women’s Center showed the misrepresentation of women in the media and the drastic negative effects on young girls. I strongly urge everyone to see this film; eye-opening, empowering & important!
View the trailer here: http://missrepresentation.org/the-film/
To find out more about Clinica Verde’s important work: http://www.clinicaverde.org/
Dec 3
Love. True Love- it’s beautiful to witness. It’s magical to share. It’s a dream to photograph.
On this beautiful fall afternoon we had all of the parts to make beautiful images – beautiful light, warmth of spirit & lots of love. These two girls had me smiling from the moment we met. Thank you for sharing your joy with me!
On this beautiful fall afternoon we had all of the parts to make beautiful images – beautiful light, warmth of spirit & lots of love. These two girls had me smiling from the moment we met. Thank you for sharing your warm spirit with me!
Nov 24
From an engagement that began with David riding up on a white stallion in full knight’s gear to a wedding laden with elegant fanfare, this was a wedding was a fairy tale! Stephanie of A Dream Wedding went all out with this couple, planning a weekend that their guests would never forget.
Special thanks to Megan Clouse for second shooting this incredible day with me!
Coming soon- Rehearsal Dinner Images & more details from this wedding to remember!
Design / Coordination: Stephanie Cole – A Dream Wedding
One of my favorite ways to get new clients is from warm referrals. Although Napa Valley is a beautiful place to live and photograph, it’s always fun to have an excuse to play with new locations and light. I met this beautiful family near their hometown and we explored a bit of Tiburon. I adored these children- full of energy, curiosity & a bit of spunk…my kind of kids!
My message to parents
It seems only yesterday when I photographed a beautiful wedding between the parents of this little one. Now, I smile at the sight of this sweet couple with their little boy. Eager to explore with his shy smile, he is a delight!
Nov 9
This past month as I’ve been challenged to some new & exciting projects, I have realized something about myself. Early on in my career I remember a professor demanding that photographers will never make it unless the specialize. Focus. Narrow down the scope. I’d leave his lecture visualizing looking down a long road and the destination is perfectly clear.
There is just one problem. I’m not so sure that I want to go down just one path. I love the little tugs for me to wander to the left. The giant push for me to leap up to another hillside. The sweet breeze that catches my attention just long enough for me to notice something beautiful off to my right.
Focused? Yes, I am… but narrowed? No, instead I feel as though I am stretching. Reaching. Widening my scope. I am inspired…and that inspiration breaths life into my dreams.
I’ve got many more roads to travel and the destination is so very far away…this journey is too much fun to even contemplate arrival. 
.things to do on a crisp fall day…
….. 11. go outside . breathe deeply
12.. run into the arms of someone you love
13. explore & discover the beauty around you
14. hold the hands & swing bravely high into the air
…..
thank you little Noe for bringing us out into a crisp fall day; I enjoyed every moment!
I love those first moments when I meet a couple in person. We’ve been emailing and speaking on the phone for months and at last, the wedding day is here and I get the fortunate experience of witnessing & documenting these ‘firsts’. The first ‘first’ is the bridal suite where Lauren was surrounded by her girls, Mom & Sister. Everyone is happy nervous and the anticipation is palatable.
From moment to moment the day unfolds and memories are created. Lauren rides in the limo with her father, Paul’s groomsmen provide humor and support and the last finished details are placed as the guests arrive from near and far.The ceremony in the Catholic church is personal with the priest coming from their home town to do the service & complete with marriage advice from the ‘experienced’ in the room.
The couple is whisked away and finally their day is celebrated; their first moments as husband and wife; laughing, teasing, nervously holding each other.
It is these images that always my favorite. We wandered the Olive Grove at Auberge and then visited a nearby vineyard laden with grapes ready for harvest.
The night ended with warm toasts by their amazing family, fantastic music by the Brian Cline Band, and a final ‘first’ dancing as husband & wife!
This gorgeous wedding wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the following awesome professionals:
Wedding Coordination: Suzy Berberian Weddings & Events
Reception: Auberge du Soleil
Hair / Makeup: Katie @ It’s a Date at the Powder Room
Flowers: Tesoro
Cake: Perfect Endings
Ceremony Music: Wine Country Piano Music & Strings
Cocktail Hour Music: Mike McCall- Accoustic/ Spanish Guitar
Dinner / Dancing: Brian Cline Band
When Andy & Angie and I began our discussions about their wedding day, I knew from the first moment that this day was going to be a whirlwind of celebrations. They had friends & family who traveled from far and they decided to incorporate both families’ traditions into the day. We began at St. Eugene for a full mass and then went on to St. Francis for a wine tasting & charcuterie lunch. Then, we moved on to Ledson Winery for a beautiful outdoor sunset ceremony. The guests enjoyed touching toasts, a dramatic moon rise over the mountains followed by hours of photo-booth and dancing fun! It was a challenge to choose a selection from the day for this post but I hope these images tell the story of the amazing wedding of Angie & Andy! Congratulations to you both!!
As usual I must say thank you to the amazing team of vendors who make my job so much easier on such a grand affair as this:
St. Eugenes Catholic Church, Ledson Winery, St. Francis Winery
Park Avenue Catering
Aaron Lee Films
Fluers De France
Wine Country Piano Music & Strings
It’s a Date at the Powder Room
Perfect Day Events- Photobooth
ATL Events- Lighting
A Dream Wedding by Robbin Montero
Today is a good day.
As many of my followers know, we spend a month in Guatemala last spring documenting for Constru Casa (a non-profit organization offering basic housing to families living in extreme poverty.) It is a story of success and one that needs to be told. BUILDING HOPE photo essay
This week I was able to put my work into action with the photo essay appearing on the Photo Philanthropy’s website. This morning I would love for you to enjoy this site ( and look at all of the essays). Please take a look at the good work people are doing around the world and the shinning photographers that are donating their time to tell these NGO’s story. It is a brilliant way to begin the day!
Nancy Farese, Photo Philanthropy’s founder writes, “…engaging photographers to create high quality photography to inspire people in a variety of ways. We also believe in people’s interest in knowing more, in understanding better, in seeing the story, which can then lead to action and involvement. We believe we can make a difference by bringing these communities together for social change. We are excited to be part of this new movement, existing as it does in a universe of evolving media use, changing roles for photographers, and funding challenges for non-profits. In this universe also lies compassion ignited by a powerful image, the human drive to connect with others in need, and the generous act of giving of our talents to effect social cause. This is our universe, and we intend to make a difference. We encourage you to get involved with your camera, your intellect, your support. Join our movement.”
Since I began my photography career, it has been a goal of mine to have a strong philanthropic arm to my business and today I can see that goal is one step closer to being realized. One step at a time. One photo at a time.
Enjoy my photo essay. I hope it inspires you to get involved with a cause that speaks to you. http://photophilanthropy.org/gallery-posts/building-hope/
And thank you to all of you who helped us get to Guatemala; we couldn’t have done it without you!
Nannete & Bruce had a very specific wedding day plan- to have fun! And believe me, fun was had by all. With bright colors & lots of love & laughter…it was a wedding to remember! From Castello di Amorosa to Calistoga Ranch- the venues were exquisite, their smiles were frequent and they just kept surprising their guests!
Here, Nannete’s friend describes the weekend in full beautiful detail:
“Once upon a time in a magical land called Napa Valley, on a weather perfect weekend, there was a stunning couple whose constant smiles and laughter were only surpassed by the apparent love in their hearts. And on this weekend they summoned their families, longtime friends and closest business partners…
The first night they assembled at an authentic Tuscan Castle , Castello di Amorosa. 5 towers, Church, Courtyard, Stables, 107 distinctive rooms, a drawbridge with moat, 8 levels, a dungeon and torture chamber, wine aging cellars in a grand barrel room and of course surrounded by a magnificent vineyard….
After castle tours and merriment, the guests joined the lord and lady in the Great Hall. Seated in red velvet thrones at the head of long candle-lit tables, knights and maidens adorned the walls in storytelling murals of extraordinary size. Hundreds of glasses held flights of wine as each course was served. The evening crescendoed with an emotional performance by the Three Tenors of Napa. They delivered long stem white roses to the ladies who swooned to their Italian love song serenades.
But wait, we are just now getting to the “event”.
On the opposite side of the valley, tucked away in the foothills is the Calistoga Ranch. There the long awaited day was finally upon the bride and groom as he was replaced in his retreat by five giddy girlfriends starting bride prep at 10 a.m. The crowd started arriving at five as they were ferried up the mountain side by six seater golf carts. The groom and his male family members, all in white tuxes, led us across a bridge adorned with hundreds of brilliantly colored fresh flowers. We found the outdoor wedding archways over looking the lake with a mountain panorama. Once again the lady guests in their finest evening attire escorted by their tux wearing sweeties gathered under parasols and waited to the sweet sounds of a string quartet. And then she arrived, her chariot was a cream colored Packard convertible. You could tell by the look on his face the dress was a complete surprise, dazzling emerald green. Time stood still as they exchanged their vows. Our chests swelled with joyous emotion as tears filled our eyes.
Back to our carts and up the mountainside to the Wine Cave . Candles and flowers made this unique structure fitting for our fairytale wedding party. As the photographer memorialized the joyous occasion, we shared Napa valleys finest wines and tasty tidbits while viewing a slide show of their first year together. A transition was in play as the wedding site was transformed into an outdoor dinner party. After much toasting, family sentiment and fun stories we dined under the stars.
We followed Mr. and Mrs. Abrams back up the hill to the Wine Cave Disco complete with live band, unique wedding cake alcove and mall style photo booth. Guests made fun photos behind the curtain, mounted them on a scrapbook page, added guest type commentary and put them in an album for the happy couple to cherish always. The festivities continued as all were delighted to surround the special couple with various forms of attempts at dancing, some were really, really great and some not so much HA but no one cared and Life was Good.
So now as our story comes to a close, the newlyweds are on their way to Hawaii for the honeymoon and the next chapter in their new life together. Our sole mates have a plan to treat every day as a new adventure. “
Wedding Planner: Stephanie Cole . A Dream Wedding
Rehearsal Dinner – Castello Di Amorosa
Wedding – Calistoga Ranch
Caterer: Elaine Bell / Calistoga Ranch
Florist: Fleurs de France
Make-up: Beauty Bar
Hair: Karen Echols
Transportation: Pure Luxury
Music: Angela Takeishi, WCPM&S, All Star Jukebox
Linens: La Tavola
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
