February 24th, 2025
Seeing blooming trees reminds me of one of my favorite intimate spring weddings which I was hired to photograph. Check out these gorgeous bridesmaids! The colors and styling of their dresses were divine - the whole wedding felt like a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
I LOVE event photography - the candid moments, the posed groups, the laughter and the significance of these milestones. When I notice and photograph sweet grandma adjusting her grandkid’s flower crown, or the ring bearer dancing on the grooms shoes. There is so much joy wrapped into these events - being hired to capture them for you always puts a smile on my face.
Reach out - questions about my process, or my calendar, or …. I hope to see you soon - either through my lens or out and about.
February 14th, 2025
Need a smile? Take a moment to peek at these sweet babies. Below are a few of my favorite images from cozy home lifestyle newborn sessions over the years. If you have a new family member or are about to welcome a new family member or just want to see more cute baby photos please visit my “Celebrate A New Family Member” page. Stay cozy everyone during these winter storms! And if you have winter babies like I did, enjoy those warm snuggles. Trust me….. tomorrow not only will they be sleeping through the night, but they will also be learning how to drive!
January 13, 2025
COMMUNITY!
I LOVE our community! At the end of last year I was able to participate as a hand model for an amazing project with @flmceramics, @vegarabelsnes, @tcprovisions and @tedmccann17. The “hardest” part of my contribution was when Vegar asked me to spread more butter on the mouth watering bread roll from the gorgeous butter dish created by Forrest. Our mind blowing food experience included caramelized figs collected that morning, fresh handmade pasta and dark chocolate truffles garnished with edible gold leaf. Ted was a great conversationalist as we “pretended to be on a date” while discussing woodworking and NYC. Meanwhile Vegar’s steady and professional set direction made it so easy to be on the other end of the camera - and this video, easily worth a thousand words - head over to @flmceramics to see the full length video.
At the end of the shoot Forrest, Vegar, Ted and I were chatting about how lucky we are to be in this creative and collaborative community of Petaluma. Personally I’m looking forward to much more community collaboration in 2025. To that end, check out my brand new Together We Can Do More page which showcases my recent collaborations, a referrals list of photographers and information about my Client Cheer Circle. HAPPY 2025! Link in Bio
#petalumafamilyphotographer #petalumafamily #petalumafamilyphotography #petalumaportraitphotographer #familyposing #familyphotographer #familyphotos #womeninphotography #petalumanewbornphotographer #motherhoodrising #lifestylefamilyphotography #lifestylefamilyphotographer #eventphotography #eventphotographer#batmitzvahphotography #barmitzvahphotography #seniorphotographer #seniorphotography #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #sanfranciscofamilyphotographer #sanfranciscoportraitphotographer #sonomafamilyphotographer #sonomafamily #sonomafamilyphotography #sonomaportraitphotographer #marinfamilyphotographer #marinfamilyphotography #smallbusinessphotographer
#smallbusinessphotography
January 6, 2025
New Year New Beginnings
Happy New Year! There’s nothing quite like a New Year to make me think of New Beginnings. First of all - Thank you for your support of my photography over the years - creating photography “gives me the happys” - even more so when I’m in my clients' cozy homes meeting a new family member. Here’s a couple of my favorite images from home lifestyle sessions over the years. If you have a new family member, or are about to welcome a new family member please reach out soon!
Once you book a Newborn Portrait Session you and I will connect to create a plan for our session. If your schedule only allows for a few brief text exchanges that’s fine - or if you have the time to meet over coffee beforehand, that’s great too. We will choose a location, your home, the hospital, a local park, etc. For all locations I prefer working with available light - minimal camera gear equals minimal disruption, which means I will show up for your session with a small camera bag. When I come in quietly I can more easily capture the story of your new family member and the relationships which are unfolding. Also, as a mother myself you need to know that if I’m coming into your home, I expect a mess - with maybe one or two areas cleared as an option for our photography - I can even help clear too! - I’m always ready to lend a hand. Celebrating a new family member should be just that - your focus needs to be on this fleeting time, not distracted by me and our session together. Also, the full time slot of our session isn’t just for photography - it allows for breaks, nursing snacks, etc. and the occasional candid photo these breaks offer. Celebrating a new family member is one of my favorite moments to be a part of.
November 19, 2023
TIME SAVING TOOLS!
Check out my new scheduler! It’s been working great - I heard my dear friend loud and clear when she was talking about how overfull her life is and she can only work with vendors who offer online scheduler - this has been a feature I've wanted to offer for a while. Yes, it took some work but I've been able to incorporate this handy tool into my various calendars, photography session calendar, family calendar, Mom Uber calendar, etc. - November was jam packed. I still have some December dates - snag one soon if you can - I’d love to play and make fun photos with as many families and friends as possible
For the moment I've been releasing the calendar dates for the following month around the 15th of the current month. As soon as the calendar is live on my website I email my client list. Be sure to get on my email list here!
Oh and Happy Birthday Dana ;-)
October 20th, 2024
So fun! Sorting through some paperwork and I found these gems - I had such a great time creating, organizing and capturing these Home Lifestyle Sessions for Historic District Life Magazine. These are only a handful of the cover families I had so much fun connecting with. Time to hunt for the rest....maybe after I catch up on my editing pipeline ;-)!
June 16, 2024
Happy Father’s Day to all our amazing Dads and Grandpas out there.
February 14, 2024
Happy, Love Day everyone! One of my favorite local trees is blooming… If anyone would like a photo session celebrating love by this tree DM me and I’m sure we can find a spot in the calendar… In between storms… Or maybe not hope you are doing what you love, with the people you love and celebrating love.
May 21, 2023
Open Field - Open Heart
I feel so grateful for our membership at Open Field Farm. We are always so impressed by the delicious bounty - the flavor and quality of the produce reflect the care and hard work of all the farmers. Whether we are enjoying roasted root veggies or fresh spinach salad or milky oats tea or a tasty steak or a bouquet of heritage flowers on our table - each product has the taste of the earth - our Sonoma County - in it. Thank you, Farmers!
But my newest gratitude toward Open Field Farm is for the peace I find walking the hills. Over the past few years I have committed to a daily practice including a solitary walk in nature combined with a yoga routine compiled of my friends’ favorite yoga poses. This practice was born during Covid with all its change. Too much change really. My mother began to loose her long battle against breast cancer which has been heartbreaking and all-consuming. My old doggie Cosmo passed over the Rainbow Bridge - Doggie Heaven got a good one. And our neighborhood open space meadows of sanctuary were sold and fenced off.
Navigating these changes has been very challenging - I know this is a common story. So many friends and family members have been facing huge challenges. Facing Those-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named battles (I’m reading Order of the Phoenix with my youngest son Jake right now). Too many of us have had to face a new day with new determination again and again. I’m past being surprised by the persistence of these challenges and battles around me. Instead I’m impressed by the resilience I see every day in the smiles and hugs of my friends and family.
And for my resilience recharge I now often turn to Open Field Farm. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. If I hadn’t lost the convenience of our neighborhood nature walk I would never have explored the idea of walking at Open Field Farm. As I turn up the driveway of Open Field I can feel my sadness and heaviness lift. As our doggie Roxie and I start to walk from my car out into the fields I can feel my focus shift. Internal dialogues about daily challenges are replaced with wonder as the Red Tail Hawks circle and call overhead. Sadness and apathy are replaced by gratitude as the sun shines on my face and the wind blows through my hair.
I’ve explored many parts of Open Field Farm. The walk to the pond, the walk to the grandmother oak, the walk to the quarry. The eucalyptus trees always have a glorious group of birds - sometimes I’ve even been lucky enough to spot owls. The seasonal creek has been flowing beautifully with all the rain this winter and spring. I do always make considerations for the farm - I mostly keep Roxie leashed so she doesn’t take off across the meadows chasing jackrabbits, of course I always triple check for the location of the beef herd and I always pick up after Roxie. These considerations keep my time at Open Field peaceful and stress free.
And so to wrap my thoughts of gratitude for Open Field Farm and how it always opens my heart I’d like to share a quote from Thoreau, one of my mother’s favorite authors. My time at Open Field Farm has helped me navigate my grief over loosing her by reminding me that nature has inexhaustible vigor. Thank you, Open Field Farm.
“We can never have enough of nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of inexhaustible vigor, vast and Titanic features, the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying trees, the thunder cloud, and the rain which lasts three weeks and produces freshets. We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander.” — Henry David Thoreau, "Walden"
Happy Fall Equinox. Browsing my portrait portfolio for fall photos I discovered this sweet duo - the first photo is from 2011, the second from 2019#equinox #familyphotography #petalumacalifornia #familyportrait
September 19, 2020
Broken hearts can be given hope - here’s a visual version of “we’ll take it from here!” I’m eager to see what all future generations do following in great footsteps. Harlow for president! #rbg #restinpower
In honor of National Teddy Bear Day here’s a bright spot from last summers backpacking trip. Jakes favorite stuffy Munsty loved the trip, even the lightening and hail storms - but especially the hot chocolate. #dreamingofsmokefreeskies
August 28, 2020
Zoom silliness. Here’s hoping you’ve all survived zoom-filled weeks and that all your weekends only contain challenges that make you stronger. Yes, my lens for life has shifted - No longer do I whistle and skip down flower-lined lanes. Now I intentionally brace myself for the next drama. Life feels like a telenovela. I’m prepared to wake up tomorrow from amnesia and find out Tyler is actually my brother. But I digress. Yes, my sense of humor has returned but a bit more twisted. #toomuchjanethevirginbingewatching #chinupfriends #hugshugshugs
Published by Instagram · August 27, 2020 ·
I’ve loved seeing everyone’s Dog photos. Happy Day after Dog Day #everydayisdogday #wemisscosmo #emotionalsupportanimal
· July 25, 2020 ·
· July 25, 2020 ·
· June 21, 2020 ·
Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing Dads out there as you carry us through these challenging times with your love, support and even yes your jokes. And Happy Birthday Chris - ok its a couple days early but I just love this pic of you and your littlest
Through Autumn's Lens is with Autumn Fuentes.
Published by Instagram · May 19, 2020 ·
Yesterday Dog Heaven gained a great pup. On a bed of rose petals under our magnolia tree surrounded by his faithful family old Cosmo breathed his last breath while I buried my nose in his fur, Ty held us and the boys showered rose petals from their perch in the tree. The wind chime gonged in the breeze, birds chirped and our young pup Roxie licked the tears off my face.
In the quiet moments just before the pink needle Cosmo enjoyed a pan of beef while we recounted Cosmo adventures. Like when he stole a turkey carcass off the counter after Thanksgiving dinner, or when he dove out of a river raft to chase ducks, or when he would patrol outside our tent during backpacking trips, or when he would run with joy in the snow to the point of bloody toenails, or when he caught a baby skunk in the woods (I was a volunteer for a wild animal rescue so I had the pleasure of transporting said shocked skunk in my truck to medical help, and then return it a week later to the spot in the forest where Cosmo had caught it), or when he chased me down during a marathon (what else is a training buddy supposed to do?), or when he wandered off into the woods for two hours (I found him stuck between three logs sitting in a Rocky Mountain stream), or when he got the royal treatment of being carried by sweet strong Ty during our family National Parks road trip last summer.
As I carried Cosmo’s body out to the vet’s car, Ben stepped forward to support his head. Afterwards while we all talked about our feelings Ben sweetly said, “Without death there’s no life and without life there’s no death.” On my first walk without Cosmo this morning Jake suddenly said “Mommy look! A puppy cloud - eating out of its dog bowl.”
Cosmo was such a faithful furry friend - I always felt like he chose me. He seemed to love the life we lead - and he got to share it for 16 and a half years! Thank you Universe for the gift of Cosmo - please take grand care of him…his favorite spot to be scratched is his chest and he loves to run at full speed more than anything else. Photos of me and Cosmo taken by @tylerchartierphotography
· May 10, 2020 ·
Happy happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing mothers out there. This year feels extra..... hmmmm .... ? I’ll let you all fill in your blanks. I cant wait to hug you for reals once this is behind us. Just think how good those hugs will feel photo credit:The amazing @tylerchartierphotography
May 1, 2020
Happy May Day!
We miss the amazing gatherings at Open Field Farm. This shot is from last year when we attended their May Day festival complete with flower crowns, singing and a may pole. Hmmm…maybe it’s time to see if I can make a may pole in my backyard?
April 24, 2020
Holding each other up … talking with friends during this time I’ve discovered that most of us seem to have good days and bad days or good hours and bad hours or good minutes and bad minutes. This time feels like a high mountain storm with moments of heartbreakingly beautiful sunshine mixed with moments of dark terrifying lightening.
Yesterday I was grieving the loss of normal life - the tears wouldn’t stop. But my sweet trio of boys gathered around me and gave me love - they brought me out into the garden and fed me homemade fudge(thank you @peggyknistler) in the flowers, they sent me out for a rejuvenating walk, they held my hand and said lovely things like, “It’s ok to be sad, it’s ok to cry.” They held me up.
I hope you and your loved ones are able to hold each other up. I hope you are able to be strong in the lightening and laugh at the storm together. I hope your moments of sun and lightening alternate within your household so you can keep the smiles going most of the time.
And just now I can overhear Ben in his book club zoom class meeting (he is reading Riding Freedom, a lovely story about an orphan girl with a deep love for horses and an ability to rise above challenges). They are asking each other the question, “If you could meet one character and say one thing to them, who would it be and what would you say?” Ben’s sweet voice answered, “I’d want to meet Charlotte (the heroine) and say, ‘Just because things are looking down don’t give up.’” Parting words of wisdom from my sweet boy Ben. Wishing you and yours a weekend of laughter (lots), tears (healing) and holding each other up.
April 22, 2020
Happy Earth Day!
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass.
It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.
-Vivian Greene
Wishing everyone some lovely dancing in our current storm.
April 17, 2020
Happy Friday! Wishing you a weekend of smiles in your sheltered places. (how I miss seeing your smiles, Engelhardts!)
April 15, 2020
Happy National Tax Day
“Be Cheap, Be Cheap!” say Ben and Jake’s Chicks. Even the chicks are watching each penny….or pooping on them.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised as I’ve made my way through the list of bills to pay - each company has responded to my phone calls with good economic relief support - Credit card companies are offering two months with no late fees, AAA offered a 20% discount and an additional month with no fees, Petaluma h20 offered no fees until May 1….so even though as photographers we don’t have much income during Shelter In Place, at least we can tighten our belts through this and Be Cheap!
April 5, 2020
School Chicks
An invitation from Ben and Jake! Since we can’t go to school here’s our baby chicks pretending to go to school. Please comment with ideas you and your kiddos have for activities for our baby chicks. So far they’ve played chess, hatched early from an egg carton, played in a toy firetruck, played in a toy horse trailer, played on a block castle, had a dance party and played in a sombrero - we will share those photos to brighten days to come. They are growing fast - just like Ben and Jake. #benandjakesbabychicks
April 3, 2020
Post National Find a Rainbow Day
This morning I struggled to get out of bed. This morning the state of the world felt deeply heavy. This morning I cried in my morning cup of tea. This time is not easy. But of course I then tried to remind myself of all the reasons I/we are lucky. And then I noticed it’s National Find a Rainbow Day. Here’s a photo from our family summer road trip of 2019 - we were on highway 50, the loneliest highway in America, summer thunderstorms were marching across the stark barren valleys and then brilliant sun. May you and yours stay save, hug each other and find your rainbows. Don’t forget to let yourselves cry. #nationalfindarainbowday
April 1, 2020
Revenge is so sweet - or salty in this case. These pranksters switched dads coffee out for soy sauce
March 31, 2020
One of my favorite Dad April Fools jokes. - get ready for cooped up pranksters tomorrow! And look out for someone saying “I made brownies!” Might actually be brown “e”s. #silverlining
March 25, 2020
Psa from a lovely family - these amazing humans give so much to our community
“I’ve been crying a lot lately.
1) I cried when my husband and I went over our Will and Trust, and notified the trustees where our documents are and what to do “just in case.” (Thank goodness I’m a planner!)
2) I cried even harder when I told my husband and my two ICU physician friends how I wanted to be cared for if I end up in the ICU and need life support and hopefully they will actually be there if I need help. No one else will be able to see me, not my parents, husband, kids or friends.
3) I cried hardest when I realized that myself and my husband are both going into crazy high risk jobs (medicine and law enforcement) and statistically at least one of us, if not both will likely get this...and the thought of one (or both of us) leaving our young kids brought me to my knees.
If you aren’t thinking about these things then you aren’t scared enough and you’re not doing enough. #stayhome because we can’t. “ - Meadow
March 23, 2020
Happy days from 2019 spring break. The most amazing flower patch ever! And my favorite color!
November 21, 2019
Last Call
H!i Everyone! Happy almost silly season! I've had a couple cancellations due to illness so reach out!
Email me to save the slot for your family!
October 18, 2019
It's Fall Foto Season!
Hello Everyone! It's that amazing time of year - the light is lovely and the holiday season is getting closer. I've got a handful of session slots left for weekend days, but we can also make things work during the week if necessary. Email today to get on my 2019 calendar!
And a huge thank you to everyone who has either hired me to photograph them and their loved ones in 2019 or bid on my photo sessions as silent auction items around Petaluma.
Things already too hectic for the rest of 2019? No worries - I'm booking into 2020 right now too!
And a huge thank you to everyone who has either hired me to photograph them and their loved ones in 2019 or bid on my photo sessions as silent auction items around Petaluma.
Things already too hectic for the rest of 2019? No worries - I'm booking into 2020 right now too!
August 27, 2019
Check out these smiles!
Thank you to everyone who has given me such lovely feedback about my display this month in the window of Copperfields bookstore downtown Petaluma.
This Friday morning I will be taking down the display - sniff sniff, but if you would like to book a session, please reply to this email. The sooner the better! This flower field is at it's best in September. Too soon? No problem, the flowers are still beautiful through November. Come pick flowers and giggle with me soon!
February 6, 2019
Baby Portrait Session Special
Stay warm and cozy with your sweet baby!
I'm offering a special on Baby Portrait Sessions - contact me by Valentine's Day to book your session and save 10%. I can't wait to come to your home and capture these precious moments of love!
I'm offering a special on Baby Portrait Sessions - contact me by Valentine's Day to book your session and save 10%. I can't wait to come to your home and capture these precious moments of love!
December 28, 2018
I hope your holidays have all been filled with laughter!
Here's to a great 2019!
Here's to a great 2019!
December 13, 2018
The Perfect Grandparent Gift!
Get the whole family together to give Grandparents a Family Photo Session. Email me to purchase a gift certificate and I will email you a PDF which you can print from your own desk. BONUS; your purchase would benefit victims of the Camp Fire in Butte County.
November 25, 2018
New Product - Busy Family Photo Session
To celebrate Small Business Saturday yesterday, I created a new product. I'm so very full of gratitude for every one of my clients, from Mommys to Daddys to young couples embarking on a commitment together to the youngest member of a family to the furriest member of a family - each and every one of these individuals fills my work with meaning when they allow themselves to be playful, joyful, vulnerable and connected in front of my lens.
Giving Back
To say Thank You, I'm offering a brand new product. I'm calling it the Busy Family Photo Session. This session is designed for busy families - it includes 45 min. of photography at your home or at a beautiful park location for $300. Through the end of 2018 I will donate $25 to Camp Fire Victims for each Busy Family Photo Session that is booked in my studio calendar (the session itself can be reserved for anytime in 2018/2019. Please ask about products for extended family portrait sessions). And I encourage my clients to match my donation to the organization of their choice. I'm counting my blessings and dear dear clients, you are all blessings of mine!
November 16, 2018
Is every moment of a family portrait session
completely picture perfect?
completely picture perfect?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Fall off desk chair laughing
In the blooper series below Auntie Kim is trying to keep toddler Will (nicknamed Willdebeest by the family) from crashing Mommy and Daddy's sweet couple photo.
And our final image - a precious moment of peace, hard won for them by
Super Aunt Kim.
*Don't worry if you can't bring along a Super Aunt Kim (As a seasoned parent, classroom volunteer, field trip chaperone, soccer coach, and super aunt myself I've got a trick or two up my sleeves for toddler wrangling ;-)
November 2, 2018
It's Portrait Season!
My session calendar is overflowing with lots of lovely families I can't wait to photograph. Let's find a spot for your family soon!
My session calendar is overflowing with lots of lovely families I can't wait to photograph. Let's find a spot for your family soon!
September 19, 2018
Please take a quick tour - throughautumnslens.com
Don't miss the new Love Stories gallery
Check out the love stories of a few of my amazing clients, showing the growth of their family's connection as my camera tries so hard to slow down time!
I'd love to tell your Love Story with my camera some day.
