Hey there, milspouse photographer! If Travis AFB is your next stop, this location guide is for you. Kristen Campbell knows the area inside and out – from Fairfield to Napa to Davis – and has plenty of local knowledge to share. Keep reading for her expertise in this Fairfield, CA Photography Spotlight!

What are your top three favorite locations for sessions? Briefly share about each.

UC Davis Arboretum

I love this spot because it’s HUGE and you can get so many different types of images from one location within walking distance. It has redwoods, gardens, lakes, bridges, fall foliage, etc. It does require paid street parking – otherwise the parking tickets are $28 – and has bathrooms which families appreciate. The best place I’ve learned to meet up is the gazebo by the Veterinarian Building.

Meritage Resort

This place is in Napa and offers olive trees and oak trees, as well as vineyard views, white fence lines, dirt paths, and a gazebo. It is beautiful at sunrise AND sunset. There are no bathrooms easily accessible and I like to park at the lookout point and just hop the little stone wall and walk down.

V Marketplace in Yountville

This area seems like a shopping center when you first arrive, but it offers so much more. It’s right near Ottimo, which offers a front and back courtyard, brick tourette, ivy covered walls, and a tree that blooms white flowers in the spring. Within walking distance, there’s also Estate Yountville, which has a courtyard (best during the winter months) and a vineyard on the other side of the Inn, which is again, within walking distance. Easy parking and bathrooms are accessible.

Are there any particularly busy seasons for photographers in this area? Any events an incoming photographer should know about?

Summer and fall harvest are PEAK times for tourists and weddings. Avoid booking anything during BottleRock (usually Memorial Day weekend) and when the Sonoma Raceway is in town.

What should an incoming photographer know about permits in this area?

Not all wineries allow photography, so you will need to call ahead of time and ask each location if you are allowed to shoot there and what their restrictions are. UC Davis is not restrictive and does not require permits, has bathrooms and is again, one of the places I love because of its variety.

What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to an incoming photographer?

Don’t feel like you have to shoot the normal places (Golden Gate, Baker Beach, Crissy Field, Palace of Fine Arts, etc) just because we live in the Bay Area. There are so many places here to explore that are untapped and unconventional.

Any other local expertise you’d like to share?

100 miles is a really long drive depending on the direction you drive… do your research!

Cell phone service in wine country (especially the hills) is hit or miss.

We have micro climates and Indian summers, so check the weather!! Rainy season is typically October through March.

Yosemite is about 4 hours away and requires park permits months in advance, so plan accordingly.

Where can other milspouse photographers connect with you?

Website: https://kristencampbellphoto.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristencampbellphoto

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Are you a milspouse photographer interested in contributing? I’d love to have your insight! Please send me an email at erin@erinthompsonphoto.com and I’ll be in touch with the details!

If you enjoyed this Fairfield, CA photography spotlight, be sure to check out other featured location guides and tips for moving your business!