Timeless Bay Area Wedding & Newborn
Photography That Feels Like You
I'm a passionate photographer located in Northern California and serve the Bay Area, Napa, Sonoma and Worldwide. I believe every season—every laugh, glance, milestone, and tender in-between moment—deserves to be captured and cherished. These fleeting chapters are what make your story beautifully, uniquely yours.
With over 8 years behind the lens, I’ve gained both technical skill and a deep intuition for spotting the moments that matter most. I love finding beauty in everyday life—whether it’s the quiet anticipation of motherhood, the way two people lock eyes on their wedding day, or the belly laughs of kids being unapologetically themselves.
My sessions are relaxed and genuine, so you can show up exactly as you are. Whether we’re chasing golden-hour light or piecing together the perfect wardrobe to tell your story, I’ll guide you every step of the way. My goal is simple: for you to feel comfortable, have fun, and leave with images that reflect your authentic connection—photos you’ll treasure not just today, but for generations.
Welcome I'M
Vanessa Montano
Meet The Photographer
Vanessa Montano
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As seen on
My Approach
Fun • Memorable • Authentic
When choosing a Northern California photographer for your wedding or family sessions, you deserve someone who makes you feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated—someone who captures the genuine love and connection that make your family unique. You want to laugh, snuggle, and enjoy the moment while trusting that every detail is being beautifully documented.
That’s exactly what I’m here for. From soft, natural guidance during your session to helping plan outfits and locations, I’ll make sure the experience feels effortless and meaningful. Think of me as the calm, organized friend who keeps things flowing smoothly—with a few silly jokes and plenty of heart along the way.
If you’re looking for a fun, relaxed, and timeless photography experience you’ll treasure forever—welcome. You’ve found your photographer.
mY bACKGROUND AS A fINE aRT wEDDING AND pORTRAIT pHOTOGRAPHER
It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed, but photography has been part of my heart for years. What started as a way to capture my own family’s milestones quickly grew into a deep passion for preserving life’s most meaningful moments for others.
As a Northern California Wedding and Portrait Photographer, I’ve had the honor of documenting love stories and families through each beautiful chapter—from emotional wedding days to tender newborn moments and everything in between. Every session reminds me that these seasons of life are fleeting, but the memories we create together will last forever.
Based in Northern California and serving the Bay Area, Napa, and Sonoma, I approach every session with warmth, patience, and genuine care. My goal is to create an experience that feels relaxed and natural—so you can simply be present while I capture the love and connection that make your story uniquely yours.
Because at the end of the day, these photos aren’t just pictures—they’re pieces of your story.
Your story deserves a backdrop as Beautiful as the memories you'll share
Wedding Venues I Love
If you're planning a wine-country celebration, explore my work as a Napa Wedding Photographer or Bay Area and San Francisco wedding photographer as well.
A classic Livermore venue known for its elegant vineyards, charming architecture, and beautiful sunset portraits.
Sweeping valley views, golden hills, and modern ceremony spaces perfect for intimate or large weddings.
European-style architecture, romantic vineyard backdrops, and stunning courtyard receptions.
A rustic, intimate winery setting with gorgeous rolling landscapes and warm, golden light.
Luxury boutique venue with olive groves, soft light, and romantic rustic-chic details.
A historic estate with lush vineyards, stone architecture, and beautiful ceremony options.
Rustic ranch charm mixed with wide-open spaces, perfect for couples wanting a relaxed wine-country feel.
Vibrant vineyards, romantic ceremony spots, and intimate wine-country ambiance.
A hidden gem offering cozy vineyard views and gorgeous golden-hour portraits.
Grand vineyards, tall palm-lined entry, and luxurious indoor/outdoor spaces ideal for larger weddings.
One of Livermore’s most iconic wedding venues, offering dramatic architecture, glowing reception lighting, and breathtaking photo locations.
Grab your FREE Wedding Planning Timeline
"Vanessa was amazing! She was so easy to connect with. I needed a photographer for my wedding fast! My wedding got bumped up 5 months and She was so nice and made the process easy, if you planned a wedding you know it can beyond stressful at times and booking her was so easy and made one less thing stressful. During the wedding she was awesome, great attitude, very positive, and willing to do whatever to make sure you felt special. Our photos are gorgeous! Thank you Vanessa!"
Caitlyn
"I got married in Napa Valley and didn't know who to hire for my professional pictures. The venue recommended a few names and after contacting Vanessa I knew that is who I wanted to work with. She was very caring and patient. She was on time and didn't disrupt the moment when I was getting ready, instead she made it special. She gave us poses to do and talked to the venue to make sure we could go to a little bridge I wanted to take pictures at. I highly recommend her!! destination."
Sara
"From start to finish, working with Vanessa was an absolute dream. We knew our wedding photos would be important, but the moments she captured completely exceeded all of our expectations. From the very first consultation to the final delivery of our images, every step of the process was seamless, professional, and filled with care.
On the day of our wedding, Vanessa was not only incredibly skilled but also a calming and positive presence. They blended into the day perfectly, capturing candid moments without ever being intrusive. The photos are a perfect mix of breathtaking portraits and those spontaneous, emotional snapshots that tell the story of the day. From the laugh-filled getting ready shots to the tender first look, every photo is a work of art."
Lucy
"Vanessa was the best. She constantly communicated with Ash and I. She was very patient, and took very detailed pictures.
I would recommend Vanessa for wedding photography. "
Pooja
"Vanessa photographed our outdoor wedding. Although lighting es a challenge, Vanessa's great eye made all of the pictures perfect. She was professional, nice and a good communicator. "
Debbie
"Vanessa is hands down the most professional and easy going photographer we’ve ever had. She is so good at her craft and puts so much work into the entire wedding day! I can’t say enough great things about her. "
Jessica
"I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Vanessa! From start to finish, she went above and beyond to capture every moment of our wedding day with such beauty, care, and artistry. If you’re looking for a Napa wedding photographer or planning a Sonoma wedding, she is the person you want behind the lens.
Every photo told a story—we laughed, cried, and relived the magic all over again when we got our gallery. The candid moments, the golden hour portraits, the little details we missed on the day—they caught it ALL. Not only are they incredibly talented, but they made us feel so comfortable and at ease throughout the day. It truly felt like we had a close friend documenting our love story. "
Lena
"Vanessa was recommended to me by a fellow photographer. So I immediately thought she would be good. She was able to accommodate our budget which was huge for us as we had a destination wedding. She was on time and immediately took charge of her role. I didn’t have to ask her or supervise her in any way. She took pictures of everything that was happening plus the venue and the flowers, rings, dress, shoes, etc. She found what she needed without giving me more work on my special day and did an amazing job! She even took amazing pictures of the building for our memories. Vanessa was friendly, caring and very helpful giving us poses and ideas. I am so happy with the way she made us feel during our private session. It all seemed natural and easy. I highly recommend her!!"
Paula
I can’t wait to hear your story. Fill this out and I’ll be in touch soon!
I respond within 48 hours with gentle help with dates, pricing, and planning.
Currently booking 2026–2027 weddings in Northern California!
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