I remember my first real trip up to the Bay area, and I remember I wasn’t a huge fan. Maybe because it just wasn’t home and I feel like Northern California is so different from Southern California and everything I was used to seeing. Over the last couple years I’ve had the opportunity to visit different places all over Northern California and now am really wondering why I didn’t absolutely fall in love with it on my first trip years ago. Driving around the different parts of Napa Valley, Sonoma County and all those surrounding areas, it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t scream to me “Take photos here!!” I am a photographer that is mostly inspired by people and their environments, and I totally love the settings that can be found up there because they are so different from what I am used to seeing.
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of driving up to Santa Rosa for Liz and Chris’ engagement session and to visit with friends. I knew the shoot was going to be so great because Chris is a photographer himself and had a great concept for the shooting locations. Photographing another photographer is honestly a bit intimidating, but Chris was so awesome and his trust in me to photograph his engagement session (and soon his wedding!) is so great. We had so much fun experimenting with different spots in and around Santa Rosa and I’m so happy with the photos we were able to get!
We started in an area of Santa Rosa called Railroad Square, which I loved! Liz and Chris knew they wanted a shoot that was part rustic industrial, part natural, and this was the perfect place to capture the more rustic, industrial imagery.
The exposed brick was everywhere and so much fun to shoot against.
Then to the railroad tracks. I just love this shot.
This one is out of focus… and sometimes that just feels good.
Then the three of us set out on an adventure to find the perfect field of mustard flowers before we lost too much light. We drove and drove down a winding country road through some of the most beautiful hills covered in vineyards, but kept passing them by because we just didn’t feel they were perfect… We almost settled for a less perfect place just to shoot before we lost even more light, but we continued down the road determined to find an even better place. Chris and Liz’s shared sentiment about not being okay with settling was so inspiring and motivated me to want to find that perfect field even more. Lo and behold, just around that corner, there it was… the perfect hilly field of mustard flowers over looking the Rochioli vineyards, which just happen to be Chris’ favorite. As anyone who knows Chris will tell you, he is particular about his wine, and has more than once told me that Rochioli produces the finest Pinot Noir. Was this location just meant to be? I think so…
A definite favorite…
Is this place gorgeous or what?
Their dog Blue came along for this portion of the shoot. He was a little more interested in exploring than being photographed, but I did get this slightly cheesy family portrait of the three of them. I just love Blue’s expression and that he is looking directly at the camera! This moment was very short-lived… and seconds later he was off to explore some more.
A cute moment.
Another favorite.
Once we thought we took advantage of all the light we had to use, we hopped in the car and continued down the road on our way back home. We came across this old barn that Chris had seen before and absolutely loved, so we stopped for a few more shots post-sunset. This was the barn Chris originally wanted to shoot in front of earlier in the day, but I think this lighting makes it especially cool. Again, meant to be…
Love…
Liz and Chris- thank you so much for your trust and making that afternoon so fun and effortless! I cannot wait for your fabulous wedding next year! xo
