Barbara and Dave contacted me regarding a couples photo session while they came to visit from Texas. As soon as Barbara mentioned blue hair and tattoos, I knew they were my kind of people!
There is so much beauty here in the Russian River they decided on doing a session above the redwoods as well as the Sonoma County Coast. Once I met them I quickly came to the conclusion they would fit in great here in Northern California. Funny thing is they will actually be moving to this area for work soon and I am so excited to welcome this fun, outgoing totally in love couple to the Russian River!
I had so much fun showing them one of my favorite locations above the redwoods and having Barbara conquer her fear of heights hiking down the pathway to one of my favorite beaches…she was a true trooper!! I loved how much we all laughed and adored capturing the pure true love these two share. If you would like to schedule your own couples session please contact me here.
Ok, you found a photographer that matches with your style and you’re all scheduled for photos, now what? What to wear? Will my kids cooperate? Will my spouse cooperate? Should I go on a diet? So many questions are now making this whole thing you wanted to do a bit stressful. I am here to tell you no more of that! This does not have to be and should not be anything to get you panicked over. I have photographed children and families for over 4 years now and I have some inside info to make this smooth sailing!
Choosing a Location:
I live in Guerneville, Ca and I love this area. I have fell in love with photographing in the serene sunset light as it spreads across the beautiful backdrops here. The river, the redwoods, the coast, open fields, mountain tops we have it all here! While I love this area I am happy to accommodate an area special to you/your family, just ask.
What to wear….
It is important to put thought into your outfit planning however, I also very much encourage you to not stress too much. Keep it simple and comfortable. If you wear dresses and heels fairly often by all means wear your dress/heels. If you’re a jeans and boots kinda girl, do it! I want everyone to be themselves in photos. If you’re uncomfortable it will show then I have to get all “hey, none of that grumpy face stuff here” during the session ;). I do have some easy Do’s and Don’ts that will help you choose your outfits
Do:
-Plan ahead
-Choose neutral colors (gray, brown, blue ect)
-Think head to toe (hats, scarves, shoes,)
-Layering is an easy way to look more put together (vest, cardigan, jean jacket)
-Accessorize! little embellishments can make big improvements (jewelry, hair clips, headbands, suspenders, hats)
-Dress for the weather
-Consider your location in your outfit choice. Think not only color but setting too, choose colors that contrast the surroundings, I want you to stand out not blend in to the area.
-Coordinate colors of family members outfits so they look nice together. (remember the color wheel you learned in art class)
-Remember to consider textures of things, different textures can really add dimension to your photos.
-Match everyone in the same outfits (Don’t worry I’m guilty of it too, but let’s live and learn from that fad)
-Wear clothes that are too big or too small
-Force your kids into something they don’t like. Instead offer them color choices and let them help especially older children/teens.
-Don’t wear clothing with logos,words, or busy prints.
-Avoid neon colors.
-Don’t experiment with makeup you do not normally wear.
Ok on to the next big issue that almost every parent worries about for the photo session…their kids! First of all let me say this I have 4 boys..yes 4! Ranging from 7-18 and I have seen a lot of interesting things from them so please do not worry about your kids being kids at photo sessions. Anyone who photographs kids knows that kids are not perfect little statues that sit and smile. I promise your child is not the only one to cry, run away or give me the stink eye lol. However, at some point they end up thinking I’m not so bad and that’s when I put my ninja/photography skills to work and get awesome photos. FYI all this applies to husbands too or maybe it’s your wife who knows, right? Regardless of who or why, I get it and I won’t judge, I promise. I actually see it as a challenge and want to work even harder to make sure they end up being the one they want to call next time photos are needed. I love what I do and I like everyone around me to be in on the fun I’m having.
Last I want to chat woman to woman with all you ladies reading this. Women are all too often so incredibly hard on themselves. Here you are in a photo with your amazing family and you find something wrong with yourself in it. Stop it, please…pretty please 🙂 Cherish the beauty of the whole picture. You’re beautiful! You are incredibly lucky to have this family whether it is 1 person or 20 beside you, they love you! Rest assured that I use various techniques such as lighting, poses and the right lenses to flatter you and your family so everyone looks their best. If you tell me ahead of time any specific concerns you have I will be extra aware of that and ensure you look your very best. The best photos come when you relax and trust me to capture you being the beautiful person you are naturally with your family.
Ps years and years down the road when your babies are grown they won’t care if you’re overweight, too thin, bad hair style ect. They will simply see a photo of their family. The same way you cherish photos of your loved ones, you too are loved and cherished for who you are not how you look. 🙂
I hope this helps take some of the pressure or worry out of your next family photo session. Please feel free to comment below any other questions you may have. Also if you have a great photo session tip please share.
I knew right away when I met Joyce and Natalee their wedding day was going to be beautiful. They both radiate happiness, love and fun. Their chosen wedding venue Armstrong Woods. Armstrong Woods is an exceptionally beautiful California State Park right here in Guerneville. I had met with Joyce and Natalee when they came up to visit the park a few weeks before the wedding day. We planned out areas they liked and we talked about the best time for lighting of their photos. I was super excited for their big day!
I remember waking up the morning of Joyce and Natalee’s wedding day to the sounds of down-pouring rain. I can’t speak for all photographers but I actually welcome and embrace various weather and situations as it pushes the creative side in me to create something new and exciting. However, when it comes to weddings I do not ever want my couples to feel stress on their day from rain or anything else. Luckily the skies dried up and aside from a minor move around some giant puddles for the ceremony all worked lovely!
Wedding Ceremony in Redwood Forest
The ceremony looked like a fairytale under the majestic giant redwoods.I loved the way they included the children in their ceremony. The light came shining through the trees like clockwork as if shining extra love on to the vows they said to each other. It was absolutely perfect!
Let the Adventure Begin
In case gorgeous sun light, 2 beautiful brides, 2 beautiful children and the redwood forest aren’t enough awesomeness for you…I give you the adventure!
Joyce and Natalee are so awesome! When I mentioned going to the top of a mountain for photos they both agreed and I was stoked! I had a vision of how it would go. However, the settling rain clouds and golden hour light way surpassed my expectations to highlight these gorgeous newlywed wed ladies! They were such good sports, so in love and willing to hike to the edge of a mountain for these beautiful photos. I could seriously post their entire gallery on this blog because I love it that much! I try to stick to the highlights though and leave the entire gallery private. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.
Thank you Natalee and Joyce for having me capture your amazing wedding day! I wish you and your family the very best life full of fun and adventure.
Are you looking to get married here in the Russian River Valley? Guerneville has beaches, Rivers, Redwoods and so much more and I would love to photograph your elopement or intimate wedding. Please feel free to contact me here
Meet the Murillo Family! I have wanted to do a session for some time now out at the Russian River in West Sonoma County. It is such a fun and gorgeous place we are lucky to have this gem so close by. When mom Alysia was into the suggestion at our pre-session consult I was super excited. We discussed the perfect spot and then went over outfits and accessories to compliment the location.
The day finally arrived and we had the most perfect weather to go with everything else we had planned. It was not too hot, not too cold and just enough breeze to add some great motion to their hair and mom Alysia’s dress.
Working with the Murillos it was clear that their little girl is the light of their lives. I really enjoyed capturing the love they have for each other.
Little Sofia was a photographers dream not only adorable but happy, playful and willing to be directed in her play to make for some fantastic images! Here she is enjoying the cool water on her toes.
Life is too short to stay clean and dry when their is fun to be had so mom decided to join her. I could have dedicated their whole session to this sweetness.
As the sun set there was a natural magical light that arrived which I could not help enhancing with a little fairy magic :)
I could not have been more happy with the way this lovely family session turned out. Thank you Murillo family for trusting me to document the joy of your family.
Want your own Summer Fun Photo session at the river? You can contact me here to schedule. I look forward to capturing the magic of you and your loved ones soon!
Calming breezes brush your cheeks and whisp your hair gently, the sweet aroma of lavender fills the air along with the low hum of buzzing bees that almost can lull you to sleep. It must be June in Sonoma County, California and you most likely are strolling through the breathtaking gardens of Matanzas Creek Winery. Last year in the late Spring I went to visit the winery, I was greeted by a friendly and welcoming staff. I really enjoyed not only the wine but the grounds are absolutely breathtaking. Northern California’s wine country is full of beautiful estates but I really feel this one stands out. The estate grounds at Matanzas Creek are filled with unique family friendly areas to enjoy and explore. Some of the highlights include a Bocce Ball court, fountains, peaceful picnic areas, sweet little wooden bridges, rustic barns and of course one of the most prestigious lavender fields in the Bay Area. When you become a wine club member you gain exclusive priority access to visit the winery and discounts to their more than impressive events such as Days Of Lavender and Wine. I could go on and on about this gorgeous place but instead I will say I highly recommend the next time you have some free time go experience it for yourself.
Now that I have told you all about the location let’s get to the super fun part…the amazing unique photo sessions that I offer here. Having access to this location is an absolute dream. I offer a very limited amount of sessions here while the lavender is vibrant and in it’s full bloom. This peak blooming time occurs at the end of June and into early July each summer. I am happy to provide you a professional, fun, quality experience that gives you images that you will love and cherish forever. Here are some beauties from last years sessions. As you can see from my images I strive to capture emotion and who a person is in my images, no boring poses and overly bright flashes in your childrens eyes here. It is not to late to contact me and schedule your one of kind experience with Jessica Collins Photography. Happy to be your premiere West Sonoma County Photographer. I look forward to capturing the magic of your life in the lavender fields this summer!
The Lovely Miss Aubrey
Sweet Miss Holland
Beautiful Sisters, Miss Carissa and Miss Alexis
Adorable Sisters Miss Aria and Miss Shelby along with their gorgeous mommy.
I will be honest I am not much of a camper. It is a lot of work to pack up and prepare for lack of everyday living essentials with a big family. So it really is not my idea of a vacation to say the least. My family however are all well seasoned campers who really love it so I tag along once and awhile. This year we went for mothers day weekend which also happened to be my youngest brothers birthday. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed myself on this trip. I think it is no coincidence that now both my brothers families and my parents all have campers which had room for myself and my boys lol. I am telling ya “glamping” is the way to go!
This is the view of the cove right at the campground. We had a blast exploring this area.
Our first trip down into the cove.
My boys and I arrived on Saturday around lunch time. Everyone else had been there the day before. (remember I said I am not a camper lol) We dropped our stuff at the campsite and took off to the cove to explore. We had the whole place to ourselves, such a treat!
After we explored a bit we headed back to the campsite to find the rest of the family. The boys apparently got hungry and decided to roast up some hot dogs and marshmallows around the campfire.
Fun around the campfire!
It was not long before all the cousins were off and playing. Climbing and racing around the campground.
Climbing, riding and running free!
The kids all decided that we had to return to the cove as the tide went out so we went back down to explore together. They spent so much time down here having the most fun! They flipped over rock after rock each one just as exciting as the last. Lots of squeals and shouts of finding “the most crabs ever”, sea snails and anemones. They has buckets full of little crabs (released back into the areas they had been found when done of course).
Exploring the tide pools in the cove
If you ever want to entertain kids of all ages..tide pools!
A few of the tiny crabs we found and a hermit crab
After all the tide pool exploring the kids were ready to head back to camp. They caught a ride with the guys coming back in the campground from a day of fishing. The kids apparently caught more than the fisherman this day 😉
Campground fun.
What is camping without an attempt to pop jiffy pop on the fire, right? Our first try was an epic fail but after a long wait and smoked filled eyes we managed to have success!
As the sun was getting close to setting we decided to explore the other side of the campground. Who would have known we were about to discover a scene out of a fairytale. We found the coolest area a little bit off the path full of trees that seemed to form an enchanting hut like play structure. Grown ups and kids alike all had so much fun here.The wood grew in all sorts of fun twisting and turning ways. One of my nieces even said it was like “Alice in Wonderland”.
Exploring the magical coastal trees
Breathtaking what mother nature creates.
Believe it or not this was the best photo I could get of all of them together haha!
After lots of fun we decided to head back to camp. We were lucky enough to find a special little lady bug on our way. Ladybugs are very special to our family so I had to include it.
We got back in time to watch the most amazing sunset right from our campsite.
Nothing better than an sunset over the ocean!
You would think after all this in one day these kids would be tired…but no such thing! Now it is time to attack the birthday boy! haha
After a good nights rest we were now ready to head down one last time to the cove for some fishing before we left. Grandpa was teaching the boys how to fish while the rest of us explored and collected beach treasures.
Wind Sailers had washed up all over the cove that morning
another peek at the coves tide pools
All in all I think it is safe to say a fun time was had by all! I can not wait to return, even if I am not a “camper” this was a blast and may have converted me. I highly recommend you go check out Ocean Cove if you ever need a place to camp on the Sonoma/Mendocino Coast. The place was well maintained, family friendly and the staff I met was very nice and helpful. If you are interested in having your own camping trip or vacation documented feel free to see more info here on documentary sessions. I would love to tag along and capture your family fun! Ready to schedule now? Click here
Attention local High School Juniors, yes you class of 2017!!
I am currently looking for outgoing, interesting, stylish, social and fun students to join my Senior Rep program. If you think this is you hurry on over and APPLY HERE. Applications are accepted until April 30th, but the sooner the better. I will be looking for students from all Sonoma County High Schools. Neighboring Counties can also apply.
You will get the opportunity to earn discounted sessions, product credit, prizes and even cash! Who can’t use a little extra cash, right? All you have to do is help spread the word to all your friends and classmates about your experience with Jessica Collins Photography.
I will be announcing the chosen reps on May 1st! I can’t wait to meet all of you and be part of such an amazing time in your life as you finish such an important chapter.
session…their kids! First of all let me say this I have 4 boys..yes 4! Ranging from 7-18 and I have seen a lot of interesting things from them so please do not worry about your kids being kids at photo sessions. Anyone who photographs kids knows that kids are not perfect little statues that sit and smile. I promise your child is not the only one to cry, run away or give me the stink eye lol. However, at some point they end up thinking I’m not so bad and that’s when I put my ninja/photography skills to work and get awesome photos. FYI all this applies to husbands too or maybe it’s your wife who knows, right? Regardless of who or why, I get it and I won’t judge, I promise. I actually see it as a challenge and want to work even harder to make sure they end up being the one they want to call next time photos are needed. I love what I do and I like everyone around me to be in on the fun I’m having.
