Harvest is underway!

Since childhood, I have always had a fondness for Fall. Growing up in Northern California can't compare to the harsh differences that our East Coasters get with their 4seasons, yet here in Wine Country we have learned to sense the seasons approaching by more subtle shifts in things other than weather.. tourist influx, the smell of oak burning, neighbors wrapping their avocado trees... 

We aren't picking grapes just yet, but I am looking forward to a Season of Harvest photos with friends this year.

In the meantime, we are busy shooting wine bottles!

Our latest project for the Buoncristiani Wine Company, to shoot their white wines, is the first of many bottles this season.

The Buoncristiani's have recently launched their cave tasting room with the Vintner's Collective, and it's definitely worth checking out!

Roma & Tom

Napa is a beautiful place.

Weddings are a beautiful thing.

Last weekend was a reminder of why I love what I do!
Roma & Tom asked me to be part of their nuptials at the Carneros Inn in Napa, and after meeting Roma and Tom over a glass of champagne during the Kentucky Derby weekend in May, I was happy to be in the saddle for June!
The Ceremony and Party to follow was a beautiful sample of Love and Family and friendship, and I was honored to be tasked to manage the memories.

Tom & Roma Steffanci own a wine label in the Napa Valley named BOYANCI
I have to admit, I already cracked their bottle of Cab (Wedding Guest gift), and it was top-notch! check it out.

Thank You Roma & Tom, may you celebrate your 50th in June of 2063, under a framed photo from a spectacular day!

The two hour drive East from Panama City, to the Darién gap, with my Sister's husband, Juan.

Juan is in the exotic hardwood business, and he's brought me along to experience a day-in-the-life of a Tree Farmer. We set off at 6AM to visit his Teak Farm, meet the indigenous peoples, sample the road-side fare, and time permitting search for wild cacao.

Rule #1, bring your passport. Colombia borders Panama to the East, and so it goes without saying that being an American, traveling with my Canadian brother-in-law and his Mexican associate, we were going to be spending some time being profiled at checkpoints.

Rule #2, bring your camera.

Rule #3, drink water.

One of the many decorated commuter buses.. Panama's version of the "art car".. This one dedicated to "El Patron".

Juan sees the Forest for the Teak

Hitching a ride behind a Toyota "HiLux".. the breeze feels great.

A herd of Brahman going against traffic

A local deep in the forest with his pets

Children of the Forest

We witness a spider wrap a cricket in a matter of seconds

Juan shows me the seed pod of the Panama Tree. The National Tree of Panama.

We ask a Village girl to climb a tree in search of Cacao pods

Juan prepares to catch falling children

Success!

Sonoma Spring time

If you've spent enough time living in, or visiting Sonoma, then you'll recognize the view from Napa Road on your way in to town. I felt it was worth stopping last night for a quick sunset landscape photo.. the "driveway" to Gundlach Bundschu makes for an amazing backdrop to a late Spring sunset. Taken from the "SCRIBE" outlet. Thanks, folks!

San Francisco turns green!

We were approached by the Ireland Office of Tourism last week to photograph Coit Tower and City Hall in San Francisco, both lighted green for St. Patrick's Day. This was a great opportunity to capture a view that has never been seen.. Coit Tower was glowing bright green and was a sight to behold, and Photographed!

This panoramic image was captured from the top of Green Street with a 5dmk2 at 100mm, stitching together 8 vertical photos.

City Hall was equally as impressive. The entire building was lighted green and created an eery glow in the rain.

For more info about the "Greening" project, click here

Amazing Venues...

What an amazing Month, October, and what a busy Summer and Fall season it has been for us!

Some incredible California Venues, from our list of recent corporate events, that we find worth mentioning...

The Pavilion at Vintage Estate... the combination of perfect weather, a relaxed (and thoroughly wine-soaked) group of folks visiting from the East Coast... enjoying dinner on the Pavilion's lawn. This spot is perfectly located in the Napa Valley and has seen a boost of vitality over the last Year... This spot will alwaysbe tops on my list for favorite places to photograph.




The Rubicon Estate
Talk about history, talk about character, this place breathes Old World.. The staircase is worth the visit in and of itself.

The Montecito experience! Variety magazine...

Thanks to all of our Clients and Friends of the Business who have asked about our Blog update, and thanks for your patience! It's been an incredibly busy, and enjoyable Spring and Summer Season, and a personal record for miles logged in the air and on the road.

Among many recent assignments, we most recently have been published in Variety magazine for a private client who is listing their home in Montecito, CA (Santa Barbara).

This project lasted for a few weeks, and after many patient hours of waiting for the Marine layer to clear, we were able to cover this amazing property from every angle.



This property sits right on the Pacific Ocean, and is the quintessential "California" experience... literally just sitting at the beach front seawall and listening to the waves creates a vibe that you can't find anywhere else! This property was a challenge to photograph in that the feeling you get being there is very tough to show in photos.

This image was recorded as a wide-angle panorama, and covers a view of approximately 220degrees.


For more photos of the property, and for information, please visit www.montecitoparadise.com