Sunset Family Session- Sonoma County Family Photos

There is this magical spot in Sonoma County where you are blessed with the most gorgeous sunset in all the land. This spot is perched above the Petaluma Valley, so you get to watch the sun drop down bathing the valley in the most beautiful golden light. I absolutely love this park for family photos. In the fall you have the most beautiful palate of wheat and lichen colors. In the spring the park is bursting with all the shades of green mother nature has to offer.

This gorgeous family chose the magical sunset for the backdrop of their family photos this year and I just love the way they turned out! Their last family photos session was in Napa Valley at a winery, which is another favorite spot of mine.

These gorgeous oak tress are dripping in lichen all year long. I love the way the light hits the tress perfectly bathing the family in the golden glow we all look for in sunset family photos.

Are you thinking it might be time to update your family photos? If you would love pictures like these with the gorgeous sunset and pastoral views, contact us here for your free consultation. Sonoma County really is the perfect backdrop and your photo art will look so gorgeous in your home!

Vineyard Family Session- Santa Rosa Family Photographer Angelika Mitchell

My favorite color is fall, and fall lasts a really long time in Sonoma County. We do eventually lose our leaves, but they can stay almost to Christmas. This family session was in early December, and while we were on the back end of the colorful vineyards, we still got stunning colors. 

Dad is a winemaker, so when this young family thought about updating their family photos, they wanted the vineyards of Sonoma County to be the backdrop. Vineyards really are such a beautiful location, and they rival beaches for my absolute favorite spot to do family portraits. I feel so lucky to live in an area of such diverse beauty. We can be on the beach, in the forest, in the mountains, and in the desert all within a short drive. This particular Vineyard is right in my home town of Sebastopol. 

Just like fall is my favorite color, toddler is my favorite child. So many clients worry that toddlers and young children won't cooperate for photos, and in some ways they are right! That's the beauty of the toddler though. Everything happens on their time and serves their needs. When we had our family photos done and my little one was 2, she decided the whole photoshoot was actually a hike, and she just kept going. What makes toddlers so magical, is that they infuse fun into every moment. I love the way their carefree energy lightens the mood, and how playing with them and having fun makes for the very best portraits. I am always thrilled to learn a new client has young kids. I just know that the adventure we have together will be infused with fun and the wonder of early childhood. 

Now that the rainy season is upon us, I am longing for the warm colors of fall. We just took down our Christmas tree, and that time is always a little sad for me. Knowing that it will be so long before the fall and holidays are back. I know as soon as the flowers start to bloom in Spring, I will be so thankful for longer nights and the burst of new life. Such is the wheel of time. 

Halloween Vampire Session- Santa Rosa Child Photographer Angelika Mitchell

Happy Halloween from Angelika Mitchell Photography! We actually do a lot of costumes over here. We have a never-ending imagination and lots of clients who are keen to see their favorite story come to life. I am often asked if I can pick a favorite, and the answer is a resounding NO! I really truly can't. There is nothing I love more than a fantasy world come to life. 

I think that often times boys feel a little left out when it comes to photos and styled storybook photos in particular. They don't need to though! Boys have just as much fun dressing up and love to see their fantasies come to life. Superheroes, or magicians, or Peter Pan and Pirates. The opportunities are endless. In honor of Halloween I had a very special boy play dress up with me. (my boy, so I am biased) He actually loves dressing up. We never get rid of his Halloween costume as you just never know when a ninja is going to show up to do homework. I once got a text from my husband while doing laundry that read, only our son has a separate laundry pile for costumes. He is terrible at going out to take portraits with me, but if I ask him to dress up and do a concept shoot- he is amazing! So, noted. 

This year he picked this gothic Vampire costume. He wanted to be a vampire for Halloween, but was super clear it was NOT the count Dracula kind of vampire. This costume comes from Chasing Fireflies and is called the Vampire of Versailles. I think it's perfect. So we dressed up for a costume party this weekend, but right before we stopped by an old cemetery and made a little vampire magic. 

Have a super safe and fun Halloween tonight! And if you live locally, sorry about the rain. (but it's a drought, so we can't actually complain)

Cinderella Storybook Session - Santa Rosa Child Photographer Angelika Mitchell

A sweet little girl was turing two, and wanted nothing more than a photoshoot inspired by her favorite movie, Cinderella. Her Mom and I had so much fun designing her shoot! I just love how it turned out. There is nothing more magical than the imagination of youth; the hard held belief that if you wear the right dress, and play the right music, and you have courage and be kind, you can really truly be a princess! Happy Birthday Sweet Cinderella! 

Maternity Session- Santa Rosa Maternity Photographer Angelika Mitchell

I love photographing impending motherhood. There is no more magical time in a woman's life then when she is growing a person in her body. Having been pregnant three times, I know we don't always feel magical. Often times we don't document this time as we are grumpy, or ill, or feel like we don't like our shape. I don't have any maternity photos of myself, and I really regret it. Now I am on a mission to help moms to be see the benefit of a few beautiful photos of themselves in this wondrous and fleeting time. 

As with Angelika Mitchell Photography's styled children's sessions, we have an ever growing closet of maternity gowns for our clients to borrow, free of charge! We are sure to have a style for everyone, so when you inquire ask for details.