Give me all the wild, wiggly kids! My approach to family photo sessions | Napa Family Photographer

I get it. You have invested in a family photo shoot. You’ve put time into coordinating everyone’s outfits. This has been on the calendar for weeks. You arrive and your kids are all over the place, no one is listening, the little one instantly falls in the dirt the moment you step out of the car. It may seem chaotic to you, but this is my jam. Here are 5 tips to think about your family photos in a different way, that can make ALL the difference…

1. Start introducing the session a few days before. Remind your kids that “we are meeting up with my friend Margy on Saturday to play in the vineyard! She is bringing her camera to take some photos of us playing together!” This approach goes much further than asking for good behavior at the session. I want your kids to be excited to go play vs. seeing it as a chore or undesirable task.

2. Have a snack before, bring snacks for during, and make plans for a snack or fun trip afterwards. There is always one child that needs a little break during photos, and a quick snack is a great way for them to reset. A plan for an ice cream outing post-photos, or a promise to make popcorn at home after as a family afterwards helps keeps them focused during the session, and gives them something go look forward to.

3. Wait until you arrive at the session location to put final clothing on for little ones. Leave the house in a play shirt, and when you arrive, pop on their photo shoot shirt as you’re getting out of the car.

4. You think your kids are misbehaving—I call it spirited ;) I encourage kids to run, play and be silly. Yes, I will do my best to get a shot of everyone looking at the camera, but that is not my goal. My goal is to get images that show your family being yourself. I will never say “SMILE!!”…and you won’t need to either. I will ask your kids if they like french fries, or mac and cheese. You would be surprised how much genuine joy appears on your child’s face when they are just having simple conversation. This also helps avoid the dreaded strained and pained “toddler smile” . Lol.

5. No matter how stressed you feel, take a deep breath and go with the flow. I will direct and run the session. I promise that parental energy during a session makes all the difference. See it as an opportunity to play with your kids, and everyone will shine.

**I have been photographing this family for years now, and they ALWAYS come to play. It never goes according to “plan”, but honestly, what does? Their galleries are some of my favorites, because there is so much life and love within them.

What's Happening in the Vineyard - Pruning | Napa Vineyard Photography

During the winter months, grapevines are resting in dormancy. It prepares them for the new growing season - start of a new vintage.

Pruning is the act of trimming growth from the previous year’s canes. Usually about 90% of the wood is removed, to balance the buds. that will help to maintain health and future production of the grapevine over time. When a vineyard is pruned depends on the site itself, and is always differnt. Factors such as well as grape variety, rootstock are taken into account, and the pruning is modified to these variables.  Fruit quality and production quantity all begins with how a grapevine is pruned. The number of shoots or positions on a vine are decided during pruning—controlling the cluster size, count and the overall quality potential of the grape being grown.

With grapevines, there are two main ways to prune:

1. Spur Pruning: This is done on vines that have one or two bilateral arms (a permanent cordon) trained along a trellis system. These are the classic "T” shaped vines that come to mind when thinking about a dormant grapevine.

2. Cane Pruning: These vines consist of a vine trunk, head and multiple canes from the previous years that are left behind when pruning. Those canes are laid down and tied to the training wire.

At the end of the growing season, those canes are removed, and new canes will replace them for the next vintage.

Salvador Preciado - Farmer Project | Napa Vineyard Photography

Salvador immigrated from El Grullo Jalisco, Mexico in the early 1970s. He began his journey in the vineyards working for Emmolo Nursery where he gained his grafting knowledge. He was able to start his own freelance grafting business in the mid ‘70s. In the 1980’s, phylloxera infested many of the vines in Northern California, threatening its entire wine industry. For over ten years, Salvador and his crew played a crucial role in grafting over infected vines with resistant rootstock, preventing the collapse of the local grape production in Napa and Sonoma valleys. His incredible skills have taken him throughout the worlds most prominent wine regions, traveling to work in France, Spain, Italy and South America.
Salvador has raised his family in St. Helena, and over 40 years later is still grafting and consulting for some of the top wineries in the area. Not only is he a master and pioneer grafter, but he is a highly respected man in his community and the wine industry as a whole.

Spring Family Photos > Fall Family Photos? | Napa Family Photography

A couple months ago my friend and talented photographer Justine DiFede and I were talking and she said she thought it was funny how everyone always wanted family photos in the fall when everything was dying. She thought spring photos would be so much better. So true!! That got me thinking…Don’t get me wrong, fall family photos are always a favorite. The rich, deep colors of fall can seem unparalleled, and its perfect timing to send out an updated photo of the fam for holiday cards, but I really think people should consider switching to spring family photos.

This year in California, spring seems to have sprung a month early, and I have done some family shoots in the last couple weeks and I am obsessed with them! The green grass is vibrant, flowers are blooming. The sun feels so good, so everyone is happy to be outside.

• Everyone isn’t all stressed out with all the holiday travel, present buying, wrapping and sending. You aren’t meal planning to have the entire family over to your house.

• The last thing you feel like doing is getting everyone dressed and out the door to family photos!

• My schedule isn’t packed to the brim so you have more choices for dates and times.

• Everything in the air is fresh, new, and flowering.

• It isn’t fire season.

• It isn’t harvest.

• Need I say more? Click below if you’re ready to learn more!

The more I think about it, spring family photos really should really be the new fall family photos. Just sayin’.

***Side note: This beautiful family was supposed to do fall photos, but long story short, it got pushed to February, and I am not sad about it. I think it all worked out for the best. Look at how stunning they are!!

What to Wear to your Family Session | Napa Family Photography

One thing most clients struggle with is choosing outfits for the whole family! I have put together five tips to hopefully take the stress out of dressing your fam for your session!

FIVE TIPS TO DRESSING THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOR A PHOTOSHOOT

1. MOM—PICK WHAT YOU’RE WEARING FIRST! Choose something you love and feel beautiful and comfortable in! Then build the rest of the family outfits around what you’re wearing!

2. SMART FOOTWEAR! Hey, I’m all about the cute heels, but keep in mind that we may be in a vineyard or on uneven ground, or it could have rained the day before (hello mud!)…either way, just be conscious about what footwear you choose—for yourself and your kids! I often have the kids run and play during the session! Of course, you are always welcome to bring two pairs of shoes to mix it up.

3. STICK TO NEUTRALS! Neutrals blend together well—if someone is wearing a ultra bright color and everyone else is in neutral tones, they stick out and the eye is drawn to them in every photograph! You certainly don’t have to match…but my best advice is to blend :)

4. NO LOGOS! Logos or any writing on your clothing is distracting and takes away from the connection and love that is being shared in your photographs!

5. CHOOSE AHEAD OF TIME! Do the outfit picking a week or two ahead of time! The last thing you want is to realize someones shoes don’t fit, or a shirt is “too itchy”! Set yourself up for success and decide on everyones outfits with plenty of time to spare.

Frank Leeds - Farmer Project | Napa Vineyard Photographer

In 1926, Frank’s grandparents, Apolonio and Emily Chavez acquired the Helios Ranch in Rutherford (including the Ink House) and added Petite Syrah and Zinfandel to the existing vineyard. During prohibition, vines were replaced with walnut trees, only to be returned to grapes from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. In 1984, Frank’s uncle passed away, leaving Frank and his siblings to take over the property.
For the next six years, Frank maintained his job as an aircraft mechanic, and learned everything he could about dry and organic farming from his venerable Uncle Roy (Chavez). The family ranch has never had irrigation, the grapes rely only on annual rainfall for the crops moisture needs. The soil is cultivated specifically to store winter rains to sustain them throughout the growing season. Many in the industry look to Frank and the Leeds family for organic farming guidance, as he is a pioneer in the field. He has been instrumental in the development of programs focused on sustainability, organic farming, and proactive pest management.
Today, Frank and his eldest daughter, Lauren, manage the family ranch together as well as other properties. They follow the same farming practices as the generations before them. Frank is currently the VP and director of Vineyard Operations at Frog’s Leap Winery, where he has been for 30 years. He is active in many organizations including Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Rutherford Dust Society.

ESB Mastermind Program | Photography Business Mentoring

I just got home from an incredible weekend in Seattle for the ESB Mastermind retreat. For the past six months, I have been learning, growing and working with a group of women from all over the world to build up my brand, business and overall quality of life. Elena S. Blair put together a diverse and dynamic group, and last weekend I got to meet everyone in person. It would be impossible to write out everything I gained from this mastermind, but I thought I would put together a list of takeaways and advice I had from the program and the experience.

INVESTMENT

• Make a commitment to put in the time and effort. No one else is going to change your business for you—SHOW UP. At the time I started the Mastermind, I had a full time job, and lots of irons in the fire. I did my best to be present for all the group coaching calls, and I think it made all the difference. Some moms had their babies on their laps pretty much every meeting — they came honorary members! Other women made sure they had a babysitter on meeting days to hold themselves accountable. Let’s be real, we all have busy lives, but I do think making the commitment to be present and participate made a huge difference! You can say “I don’t have time…” but I believe there is time is a choice and you can have time for everything you want—but you have to make time for it.

  Originally, the investment seemed like a lot of money—in retrospect, we received more than I could have ever imagined. All the information, meetings, speakers, Elena’s time/knowledge/availability, the retreat, the friendships created…I could go on. But let’s just say she could have charged a hell of a lot more for the time and heart she puts into this group. If you’re thinking about joining and are on the fence, do yourself a favor and get on the waitlist and apply anyway!

COMMUNITY

• Yes—the information and group are handed to you once you’re in the Mastermind, but the community is what you make of it. I am proud to say that our group crushed this part. We had “Working Wednesdays” every week at 5:30pm, and a standing Zoom link that anyone sitting at their computer working could jump on and have some company. Photography—especially during busy season—can be so isolating, and I found it motivating and less daunting to get editing and other business done during that time instead of putting it off.

• Of course its a little awkward at first when you’re on video with a bunch of people you really don’t know, but soon enough you know everyone’s kids, pets and husbands by name!

• Everyone is in a different place in the business as well as their life. I found it fascinating that regardless of where people stood in their business or life, each member can help or contribute to yours in some way—even if you don’t know it yet.

• Some friends and family thought I was a little cray for flying off to Washington to meet and stay (we all shared a Airbnb) but I felt completely comfortable with these women I had never actually met in person—and since we all put in the time and effort to bond beforehand, when we got to the retreat we all felt like we had known each other for years! We stayed up late talking, drinking wine and enjoying everyones company.

ELENA AND HER TEAM ARE THE REAL DEAL

• Elena surrounds herself with GOOD, loving people, and brings the same people into her. Mary Vance is her CEO and business queen! Everyone could use a Rachael Ann in their lives to keep everyone together, organized and uploaded to Teachable haha! They all run their own successful businesses while making Elena’s run like a well oiled machine. I couldn’t believe how well we all got along—it was inspiring, fun and I would do it over in a heartbeat!

  …………

Here are some highlights from the retreat weekend…

Image by Mary Vance — Headshot exchange party! We all took turns taking photos of each other. It was so fun to watch everyone work and take a turn in front of the camera.

Foreground: Elena taking shots of the amazing Emily Feinsod. Background: Me fixing the hilarious Samantha McRoy’s hair :)

We were so lucky to get to watch the amazing Chloe Ramirez work her magic with a couple in studio. I loved watching her work and how she runs a session.

Images above by Danielle Douglas, my fellow Mastermind friend!

Image by Danielle Douglas. Elena did a breastfeeding/newborn shooting demo with Rachael Ann and her baby boy.

Venue: Northlight Studio, Seattle, WA

—-COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION—-

What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography? | Napa Newborn Photographer

What in the heck is lifestyle newborn photography?? There are so many photography genres these days it can get confusing! I call my style of newborn photography “Lifestyle Newborn Photography” and I wanted to highlight what that means, and what a session with me looks like.

• WHERE— A newborn session with me takes place in hour home. Having photos done in your home is safer and more comfortable for the entire family! You have everything you need for your baby at your fingertips. It also allows me to capture the personality and uniqueness of your family by doing it in your own space.

• WHEN—Whenever your are ready!! While some photographers prefer you schedule your session when the baby is 10 days old or less, I do not require this. The baby does not need to be asleep or awake—my session will be run the same regardless. You can reach out to me and let me know when you are due, and then we can secure a date once the baby has arrived and you and your family are ready for your session.

• WHO—Who can be present for the photoshoot? My newborn sessions are geared towards immediate family (parents and sibilngs!) However, I understand sometimes grandparents or other extended family will be there visiting or to help. I am happy to include them if you wish, but my main focus will be the immediate family.

• WHAT—What can I expect from my in-home newborn session? Your home doesn’t have to be perfect-I mean you do live there! I will poke around your house in search of the best available light and can easily move anything I think will be distracting. I always aim for images of baby alone, baby with each parent, baby and siblings, and whole family together! Wear something you feel comfortable in! I run baby-led sessions, so if the baby needs to eat, they eat. If they need to be changed, we take a break.

• WHY—Why should I have newborn photos done?? Because they’re only this tiny once. And everyone I know who doesn’t have images of their kids as newborns wishes that they did. You think you’ll take enough, but not everyone will be in them—usually mom. Make sure your kids have photos of you in them too! :)

Mustard Flower Mini Sessions | Napa Family Photographer

The time is here! One of my favorite seasons in the valley is mustard season. The fields are painted with yellow everywhere you look, bringing life and color to winter.

MUSTARD MINI SESSIONS

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MUSTARD MINI SESSION:

• Choose clothing with colors like navy blue, creme, rust or beige. Since we will be in the mustard during these sessions, you want to choose a color that compliments yellow! Avoid logos and large words on your clothing.

• Proper footwear for yourself and especially your kiddos is a must! I have them run and play during these sessions, and there is no guarantee that the ground won’t be soft or muddy. Boots/rain boots or closed toed shoes are highly recommended.

• Please arrive early! Let your kids stretch their legs and get used to the surroundings! I run these sessions back-to-back, and since we do them at golden hour for best light, we need to keep on schedule!