East Bay Wedding, Maternity & Newborn Photographer | Based in Brentwood
I'm Vanessa Montano, a wedding, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Brentwood, CA, serving couples and families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Tri-Valley, Livermore wine country, Napa Valley, and Sonoma.
My work is rooted in genuine storytelling — unhurried, intimate, and true to who you are. Whether you're exchanging vows among the rolling vineyards of Livermore, celebrating at a Napa Valley winery estate, or welcoming your newest family member at home, I document it all with a calm, editorial eye and a timeless aesthetic.
For wedding couples, I specialize in wine country and vineyard weddings across Northern California's most sought-after destinations — from the sun-drenched estate grounds of Wente Vineyards and the romantic charm of Serendipity Cellars, to the world-renowned beauty of Napa Valley and the rustic elegance of Sonoma wine country. I also love an intimate Livermore winery wedding, a golden-hour elopement in the East Bay hills, or a micro wedding tucked into one of the Bay Area's hidden gem venues. My approach blends light posing with documentary-style photography so your gallery feels both polished and alive — full of real moments, laughter, and the quiet in-betweens.
For growing families, I offer luxury maternity portraits and in-home lifestyle newborn photography throughout the East Bay and Tri-Valley — including Brentwood, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Livermore, and Concord. From golden hour maternity sessions in the rolling hills of Livermore wine country to the tender stillness of your baby's first days at home — no studio, no stiff poses, just light-filled images that capture exactly who your family is right now.
Based in Brentwood and available throughout the Bay Area, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Livermore wine country, and beyond — I'd love to be your photographer.
Welcome I'M
Vanessa Montano
Meet The Photographer
Vanessa Montano
My Approach
Fun • Memorable • Authentic• Timeless
When searching for a photographer, you deserve someone who makes you feel at ease from the very first message. Someone who shows up calm, prepared, and genuinely excited about your story — not just the photos.
That's what I'm here for. From helping you plan outfits and choose locations to keeping your wedding day timeline running smoothly, I take care of the details so you can actually be present. Think of me as the organized, warm-hearted friend behind the camera — with a few silly jokes thrown in along the way.
If you're looking for a fun, relaxed experience that results in images you'll treasure for decades — you've found your photographer.
I photograph weddings across Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Livermore wine country, and the San Francisco Bay Area, along with maternity, newborn, and family sessions throughout Northern California.
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, I photograph weddings and portrait sessions across Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Livermore Valley wine country, and the San Francisco Bay Area. 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.
"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 typically respond within 48 hours with gentle help with dates, pricing, and planning.
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