Being a creative photographer and hired to express the ambitions and the joy of the Napa experience is beyond words. We have been honored to support many individuals in their transitions in life through birth to their children’s celebrations, from weddings to honoring a life’s journey. Equally we are grateful to the owners and staff of the businesses who have entrusted us with their visions, their branding, and their personal stories that they want to share to the public. We seek to tell a story that is remembered long after the words are forgotten.
As the cover and editorial photographer/writer and contributing editors for Napa Valley Life Magazine since 2001, we have a unique access to the heartbeat and engine of what makes Napa Valley exciting and special for our guests and those of us who make Napa Valley home. Cover photography requires a different mindset than that of a photojournalist assignment. The Cover photo seeks to express an entire story in one photograph. Photographing a Belted Galloway is different than photographing Peter Mondavi, a architectural building, a landscape or a wild, young and beautiful painter straining against a late afternoon winter wind while holding her cabernet inspired 6×6’canvas painting against a living backdrop of a vineyard showing signs of bud breaks and wild with mustard flowers.
AltaMed, the largest healthcare organization for Latino’s in Los Angeles, commissioned us on the recommendation of Amelia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards, to photograph In Their Own Words: Latino Contributions to Wine Making in the US. For this book, we photographed the winemakers in Napa and learned how their unique and vital contributions have made the legendary Napa Valley wine possible. Then we were commissioned for AltaMed’s second book, In Their Own Words: Latino Contributions to the World of Fine Cuisine, written by Sergio C . Muñoz. The series of stories, portraits and food photography expressed the inspiring visions and diversity of Hispanic chefs of the Los Angeles region.
How fortunate we are to be telling the stories of Luna Vineyards, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Jean-Charles Boisset of Raymond Vineyards, Grgich and Hill Vineyards, Mi Sueno Vineyards, Platypus Tours, Napa Valley College, Queen of the Valley Hospital, River Terrace Hotel, Westin Verasa, and supporting the V Foundation and other non profits in the region. Many years ago we documented the beginning construction and realization of Dario Sattui’s dream – Castello di Amarosa in Calistoga. Witnessing the stone masons masterfully build this monumental dream and realize Sattui’s vision was phenomenal. This inspiring work was something only witnessed hundreds of years ago. How fantastic it is now to document the experiences and stories for Sattui’s guests!
