Wood Valley Custom Home

Truth be told, I’m not a morning person—but when I see first light at a place like this, the early alarm is worth it. We were on location from pre-dawn through evening twilight, watching how the architecture and landscape shifted through the day. Cool blue light at sunrise, the warmth of morning sun, the clarity of midday, and the soft glow of twilight—each had its own mood. In post, I worked hard to preserve those transitions so the images reflect the real experience of being there.

Some rooms absolutely glowed at certain times of day. My approach was to lean into that natural light while adding just enough of my own to ensure every space looked its best—faithful, but elevated. In interior spaces that don’t necessarily get sunshine this time of year, we helped them along with a bit of manufactured sunlight of our own creation. That’s part of the fun, and that’s something I bring to the table on every shoot. One unforgettable touch: the owner pulled his silver Porsche 356 into the front circle and left it there. Suddenly, those already striking Sonoma exteriors became lifestyle shots. The twilight frames with that car are among my all-time favorites.

Huge thanks to my clients—Matt Sevenau, Maurice Tegelaar, their team, and their clients—for going the distance with early starts and late finishes to make this such a successful shoot. Photographing architecture like this in Sonoma is a privilege, and I’m grateful every day that this is my work.