Sauvignon Blanc harvest for Sbragia Family Vineyards

I just returned from the Dry Creek wine country where I went down to photograph the Sauvignon Blanc harvest for Sbragia Family Vineyards as well as a family portrait for them. I was also lucky enough to wake up to an amazing sunrise that I photographed on my way to the shoot. It is an amazing time to be in wine country right now. Harvest is in full swing and if you're lucky you will have the opportunity to see the grapes being crushed right before your eyes. Watching and photographing the Sauvignon Blanc harvest has to be one of the funnest things I've photographed in awhile. Fifty or more workers were literally running through the fields to get the grapes harvested as fast as possible so that they would arrive in good condition to the winery to be crushed. All in all, it was a great morning.

"Sunrise in Dry Creek Wine Country"

"Barn in Dry Creek"

Harvesting Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Wine Country for Sbragia Family Vineyards.

The Sbragia family. Photographed on their Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard in Dry Creek just outside of Healdsburg, CA.

Bodie, CA - A real live California Ghost Town!

Yesterday my girlfriend Regina and I took a drive down Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra Nevada to check out a place I've been wanting to photograph for sometime, Bodie, CA. Bodie is a ghost town located just south of Bridgeport, CA. It was a great way to spend the day. I will definitely have to go back to photograph this location again. All the old buildings, vehicles and equipment just letting time have its way with them in an unbelievable setting was a joy to photograph! Every photographer should visit this place.

"Cruising Through Time"

Does Expensive Gear Make You a Professional Photographer?

I was just in an online forum where an aspiring photographer asked if having expensive gear makes you a professional photographer. Several photographers said absolutely while others had mixed opinions. It's an interesting topic of discussion so I thought I would put my response on my blog. My answer is as follows: Creativity and execution is what makes a great photographer. You do need a certain amount of "good" gear to get the job done but that isn't where it ends. Take a stroll into the gallery of the late Galen Rowell in Bishop, CA. Most of his images were taken with a 35mm film camera. Sure you can see the grain in a lot of photos but some of the images are so stunning so who cares (oh and they sell just fine too). Work with what you can afford and let your creative vision dictate the market for you. If you produce something new and interesting, chances are it will sell. With that said, the true definition of a "professional photographer" is someone who makes his/her living off of their work. With such a saturated image market these days you had better come up with something creative to set yourself apart from the crowd.

"Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe"

Mossbrae Falls, Dunsmuir, CA

I finally had time to go through and process some photos I took at Mossbrae Falls up in Northern California about a month ago. The falls flow out of a hillside and are fed by a natural spring. Because of this, they flow year round. The atmosphere and location of the falls is absolutely unbelievable. Another wonderful thing about the waterfalls is that they aren't advertised. Many locals in the area know about the falls but you won't find directions to them in any tourist pamphlet.

"Mossbrae Falls" (1)

"Mossbrae Falls" (2)

"Mossbrae Falls" (3)

A Beautiful Afternoon and Sunset at Pyramid Lake, Nevada

On my way to photograph a geothermal power plant in the Nevada desert for Nevada Magazine, I stopped by Pyramid Lake and was lucky enough to photograph some of the best afternoon light and one of the most beautiful sunsets that I've seen in a while. Pyramid Lake is located about an hour north of Reno, NV and is an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day photographing, fishing or simply just lounging around. The lake is named for the large pyramid rock formation located on the lake's east shore seen in the photographs below.

"Pyramid Lake" (1) "Pyramid Lake" (2)

"Pyramid Lake" (3) "Pyramid Lake" (4)

Sbragia Family Vineyards BBQ - Dry Creek Wine Country

This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing at the Sbragia Family Vineyard and Winery located in the fabulous Dry Creek Wine Country in California. They hosted a BBQ and wine tasting on their beautiful outside patio that overlooks all of Dry Creek. Along with the delicious burgers and amazing wine, The Tom Finn Band provided great live music. For all of you who are unfamiliar with Dry Creek, it is located west of Napa and Sonoma. It is home to some of California's best wine production. Unlike Napa and Sonoma the vibe in Dry Creek is mellow. You won't see stretched limos taking large groups of people from winery to winery. Instead you'll find a much more relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds that affords some of the best wine tasting in all of California. It is an experience not soon forgotten. I want to give a big thanks to the Sbragia Family for inviting me to photograph at their vineyard!

"Ed Sbragia greets guests at his tasting room in Dry Creek"

"Sunset at the Vineyard"

"Golden Light"

"Fall is on the Way"

"The Tom Finn Band played a great live set for the BBQ"

"A couple hangs out on the Sbragia's beautiful outdoor patio overlooking Dry Creek"

It is the beginning of September which means the grape harvest and crush is just around the corner for all wine makers in California. I have been lucky enough to have been invited back to Spragia Family Vineyards and Winery over the next few weeks to photograph this great event. Stay tuned for new photos of the crush!