Wine Spectator photos! California Rhone, Sonoma County

I had a great time shooting images for Wine Spectator's California Rhône article in January! Beautiful Sonoma County grapevines filled with wintry vines and mustard flowers, delicious French-Northern Californian food, and lots of lovely things to photograph.





The day started off at Hudson Vineyards, which is not open to the public, so it was an extra treat to wander the vines with Lee Hudson and his dogs. I'm pleased with the way the shot the magazine selected incorporated Lee's Texas background (and puppies!), and here are some other of my favorites:



















Then, yum, off to the girl and the fig restaurant in downtown Sonoma for lunch and more shooting! It's a hard life I have, I know. Restauranteur Sondra Bernstein is so likable, it was hard for me to stop asking her a million questions while taking her picture. But she did great! I can't believe I passed up dessert, but after the burger, fries, and salad I ate, I had to keep myself from slipping into a pregnant food coma on the drive home.

















I love doing assignment shoots when I get a chance. I'm always lucky to discover or get to know a wonderful location and friendly people in the place I live through my photography. Oh, and I should point out that the girl and the fig caters weddings and other events, and they have a great new space called Estate in downtown Sonoma.
Now, who wants to go to the fig cafe with me for brunch?

Proof that my clients are the coolest!

Remember Alex and Rich's vintage-car-roller-derby-Napa wedding from a few years back? It was definitely a favorite of mine and all kinds of folks, including the Bridal Guide, Offbeat Bride and lots more. And I love Facebook because I have gotten to keep in touch with Alex as she has worked on the Whip It movie as a roller derby consultant, appeared on Oprah, and now published her book The Insider's Guide to Roller Derby. Go, Alex, Go!

In case you don't remember the fabulousness that is having your wedding's usherettes on roller skates in elegant Napa - here are a few favorites from their wedding:







So much more goodness from their wedding here. And lots of new photos coming shortly!

Nancy and Joe, Yountville Chapel and Villagio/ Vintage Inn, Yountville

(Click on the image above for the slideshow)

Nancy and Joe were married in a small, New Year's Eve wedding at the Yountville Chapel. I love these kinds of weddings, and I was so honored to be a part of it!



Here's the bride's brother helping by holding the bouquet:







While the church staff searched out a unity candle, Joe chimed in with some spontaneous piano playing:













This is an unusual shot, but I just loved the way the track lighting cast multiple shadows:





Holiday season weddings are so beautiful! Yes, I'm biased (we were married 12/15/05) but still.





Something about this funky painting on the wall really called to me:







This little girl was secretly a part of the wedding! What a cutie. She was snuggled safely in her carrier and didn't make a peep, and came out afterward to be a part of the family portraits.





Next we moved to the wintry vineyards behind the Villagio for some shots with the mustard. Vineyards in the winter aren't the green, grapey things people might think of when they think of Napa - but, to me, the mustard that often fills in between the vines in the late winter is one of the best parts of living near so many vineyards!





I love this shot because it reminds me of my own goofy husband!





Nancy and Joe both have beautifully blue eyes, and their outfits and accessories complemented them so well:





And Nancy owns a jewelry store - named - wait for it - Devon! - in New Jersey, where they live. So the blingy sparkles were numerous! I'm predisposed to love anything with the same name (and spelling) as my husband, not to mention things that shine so prettily.



And here's the little pup again:











Nancy and Joe, thank you so much for having me be part of your lovely wedding day! Come back to Napa anytime : )