Tourists in San Francisco

This past weekend my husband and I played "tourists" and headed 45 minutes south from our home to stay at Cavallo Point in Sausalito.  It was a fabulous lodge and I would highly recommend it, the views were breathtaking and the ambiance was spectacular.  The lodge is actually in Golden Gate Park and is tucked right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge - from our room we had a view of the City and the bridge.  I told you it was spectacular!  Although I typically do not post personal photos on the photography blog, I just loved these images too much to not share :)

We walked the bridge on Saturday morning and it was fun to hear about it from more of an engineering perspective, since he is a Civil Engineer :)  Here is my Damon next to the massive marvel and beauty of the famous red bridge... 

  

I received a new lens for my camera two weeks and was anxious to try it out outside (the only other time I had used it was at the Garden Party), it is a big ol' zoom lens and I took the following photo about 40 feet away...it will certainly come in handy for photographing my clients upcoming weddings!

  

During another one of our walks around the property, I glanced up at the bridge and saw a family of bikers, I only had time to shoot two frames, but I was pleased to capture exactly what I was hoping for...the silhouettes of the bikes on the bridge, framed by the light poles.  

  

Even though I grew up one hour north of San Francisco, I never took a tour of Alcatrazand after spending four hours there on Saturday I am even more disappointed that I had not gone earlier!  It was absolutely fabulous and the weather turned out perfectly.  Damon and I decided to drive into the City and walk around Pier 39 before our tour departed.  I had not been down to Fisherman's Wharf in years, and the people watching did not disappoint :)

Welcome to the rock!  

  

   

Damon and I both learned alot during the audio tour and through all of the brochures that I kindly asked for him to purchase, one fun fact that was new to us was that the lighthouse on Alcatraz was the first lighthouse on the West Coast.

  

  

I was so excited when the evening sky on Saturday night was clear and was able to test out a different kind of photography skill...landscape images with long exposures.  Typically you would want to use a tripod, but I used my car hood, a 'tripod' of CD cases and my camera's self timer mode.  It is always good to be resourceful.  The following images of the skyline and the bridge all have at least a one second shutter speed, allowing for the vibrant full colors of the lights and movement against the dark sky. 

I love them.  

  

  

Surrounded by Beauty

Sometimes it is hard to see through the little things in life that keep us in "tunnel vision" mode, but, the reality is, we all need a reminder to take a moment to realize that we are constantly surrounded by beauty. 

As a 5th generation Sonoma County resident, I am proud to say that I have been able to call this gorgeous place my home for the last 27 years.  When I moved away for college and had a job as a Summer Orientation leader at Chico State, we had to introduce ourselves each morning to the incoming students and their parents.  During my introduction, I would proudly proclaim "My name is Melissa Anne Cambra, I am a junior business major studying human resources and I am from the beautiful Sonoma County."  Not Santa Rosa, where I was born, or Windsor, where my family and I moved when I was in third grade, but Sonoma County.  Honestly, those were the words I started each morning with.   Yes, in case you were wondering, I embrace my inner "nerd" on a regular basis.

In light of the springtime that is quickly approaching, I wanted to share a few scenery images from sessions during my last few months, with the hopes that they inspire you to open your eyes and enjoy the view.

   

  

  

  The last image is from the Bissig photo session in Fresno - I was so happy that I was able to switch my camera lens quick enough to capture the double rainbow stretched across the sky.  Just gorgeous!

May you each take a moment and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.  xoxo

Weather - Sonoma County Photographer

Rain + thunder + lightning + flooding = weather, lots ands lots of Sonoma County weather from the last week. 

We needed it, but I missed the sun.  On Friday afternoon the sun started to show again and I jumped up and down with joy, grabbed by trusty camera and walked 10 steps out my backyard to capture the following images.  It was beautiful.    

 The rain soaked ground has already filled up our lakes and creek - much needed news - and has created new color throughout the scenery.  On a drive yesterday through the county I smiled enjoying  the green grass, the new mustard fields showing and the rain rolling clouds moving through the sky.  I feel so blessed to call this beautiful county my home.

Personal - There is No Place Like Home

I am feeling sentimental, and restless, today.  Taking photos and creating a inspiring image is what inspires me.  It inspires me to stretch, to bend, to dream and to remember.  Images hold within them sounds of laughter, smells of summer and feelings of love.  On days when I am feeling sentimental, or restless, I turn to what comforts me best. 

The following images were taken in the same evening in September of 2009 on the ranch where my husband grew up.  To state that they inspire me is an understatement.