Napa, CA Photography Conference
I spent last weekend in Napa and Sonoma California with a bunch of cool wedding and portrait photographers. This is the second year in row we’ve gotten together to hang out, take pictures and learn from each other.
The drive down took me 12 hours, basically sun-up to sun-down. The mountain pass as you go from southern Oregon into northern CA was sun and snow covered ~ basically a beautiful drive. 
The sunrise as I was pulling out at 7am:
Mt Shasta through the windshield at 75mph:
I stayed in Sonoma with my new friend Trevor Meeks, photographer and pilot, he has an awesome studio in the middle of the wine country and let me crash on the floor.
A few behinds the scene shots (click image for a bigger view):
Night shooting; everyone got out their off camera lights and pocket wizard channels were overloaded!
So instead of using my flashes, I opted to shoot with my favorite low light lens (200mm f1.8) and get the mood of the street lights rather than the flash. I think it worked out.
There were also some kids posing…
Again, just lit by the fluorescent lights from a nearby bank parking lot.
We also had a chance to visit a couple beautiful wineries and work with some great ‘models’ (really friends and clients of the local CA photographers). What a treat! The first day I was a group leader, so I spent more time working with other photographers than actually shooting, I still got a couple shots I like of our model Kayla (who is actually a makeup artist from Sacramento — correct me if I’m wrong). Kayla had never modeled at all before (sorta like most of my clients, lol) and did an amazing job ~ Thank you Kayla!
The second day, Sunday, I had more time to shoot and our ‘models’ were all dressed as brides and grooms. Fun and relaxed bridals and couples portraits were the order of the day. These are the types of images that are hard to get on your wedding day when their is a tight schedule and lots of other demands. So doing a fun bridal after the wedding is an awesome idea, no stress and not a big deal if the dress gets a little dirty.
a few more:
A big thank you to everyone who came out to model and all the photographers that volunteered there time to help organize the event. I really enjoyed it ~ again.
Looking forward to next year.
~Bill
Awesome shots Bill. I just love seeing these images from your perspective and the result of that menacing 200mm f/1.8 you were wielding.
-David
bill!!!
see? erwin should of just carpooled with you cause he was stuck at the airport for like 3 hours because of delays. the drive looks awesome and i’m glad that you made it home safe.
twas a pleasure meeting you, bill. til next time.
//ed
Bill… You have some killer images….
I know.. I should’ve hit on the road with you
Maybe next year 
Alaska airlines killing me for 3 hrs delayed
It was all good tho.. Way Tooo Much Fun…
Hope to see you again bill at the OSP seattle meet
~erwin
Those are great!! Gotta love that monsterous 200mm you were using - the results are like ‘butta. So nice to meet you - hope to get the chance to meetup again.
Bill! It was such a pleasure to meet you! The images you’ve captured of Paul and I are breathtaking! I really like first one of us… it’s very “us”!
Great hanging out with you this weekend, Bill. Beautiful shots from Trefethen winery! I look forward to hanging out with you again. Peace!
Excellent work Bill! Love the night shots- and your artistic take on not using flash. You pulled it off perfectly! Nice chatting with you at lunch on Saturday!
Cheers,
Beth