Pichetti Ranch Engagement Photos | Mountain View Engagement Photos
Pichetti Ranch Open Space Preserve & Winery is one of the many local gems in the beautiful California Bay Area. Pichetti Ranch features 3.7 miles of trails amid orchards and woodlands and a beautiful winery. On multiple occasions here we have spotted beautiful wildlife including baby deer, a peacock (!!!) , wild turkeys, and an array of beautiful birds.
We head out to this gorgeous location for a couples photoshoot with these two sweet lovebirds. Vivian and Jajuan met through mutual friends. Jajuan is a Californian native, and Vivian hails from Nigeria.
The location was beautiful, but the lighting was certainly a challenge! Due to scheduling restrictions, we shot these photos around 1:30pm. As you probably know, all photographers prefer to work during the Golden Hour, right before sunset or right after sunrise, because the lighting is soft and gentle and beautiful. Shooting at 1:30pm was certainly a challenge, but through a combination of shooting strategies and postprocessing techniques, I was able to capture these stunning images, despite the challenging lighting. (For a peak behind-the-scenes as I worked with this lighting, be sure to read all the way to the bottom!)
When planning for a session with multiple children, I highly recommend checking out my checklist filled with 30+ tips for great family photos! In this checklist I cover everything from what to bring, how to plan, how to dress, and what to expect. It is an invaluable resource for families planning photoshoots.
Vivian’s beautiful blue dress was sewed and made by her aunt from Nigeria. I adore that she wore it to honor her rich culture and heritage during this photography session. Her aunt is clearly very talented!!
This trail is a great option for photoshoots with families with older children and couples because it is a relatively short walk, (no more than a mile), with only a few slight hills. There are also bathrooms on the premises which is good news! The stroll features a few beautiful paths, a medium-sized pond, and a grove of interesting trees.
Forever one of my favorite types of shots. I hope they cherish this photo for decades to come.
Vivian rocked these gorgeous heels during some of her shots, which isn’t always easy to manage on gravel or dirt paths! As an added hazard, there were also sections of mud because it had been raining heavily the week before. If you want to wear heels during your shoot, I encourage bringing a different pair of shoes to change into while we walk between spots. Or wear flats, that’s fine too!
These rich trees arch over the path, adding a canopy of branches and leaves when you reach the top of the hill. There are also gorgeous 360-degree views from up there!
We also took a moment to capture the beauty of stunning Vivian, though if you only notice her beauty, you would be missing out on an amazing story and resilient person! Not only is she a certified personal trainer, but she’s also in school to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy! Strength, Beauty, Brains…what a combination!
“i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful
before i’ve called them intelligent or brave
i am sorry i made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is all you have to be proud of
when you have broken mountains with your wit
from now on i will say things like
you are resilient, or you are extraordinary
not because i don’t think you’re beautiful
but because i need you to know
you are more than that”
As you can see, sweet Vivian is clearly beautiful!
For a sneak peak behind-the-scenes at my strategies and techniques as a photographer, check out the images below.
SOOC (Straight out of Camera/ Unedited Image), demonstrating the fundamental principle that LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING! These two images were snapped only seconds apart. As the sun moved from behind the clouds, I realized my original lighting had totally changed, so I had to readjust my shooting strategies and techniques. Learning to watch my lighting was once of the most crucial skills I learned in my journey becoming a photographer.
This image has proper, even lighting, which was no small feat for shooting at 1:30pm in the afternoon, well outside of Golden Hour! This image is professionally edited to meet the high standards of Iris and Lace. Sometimes clients ask me if they can see the rest of the unedited photos, and this is a great example of why I don’t share them. Clearly the image on the left is sub-standard, and not worth including in my finished gallery. I only show the best images, and I’ll spare you the rest :)
Have you ever been to Pichetti Ranch Open Space Preserve? What is your favorite hike there? Be sure to share and let me know!!
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