MM.Rogers Photographs: Sonoma

August 4, 2013

Petaluma (California)

A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot

When you plan to visit Sonoma county, you got to plan it right. There are several cities you could drive through for a quick walking tour and even an overnight. Prior to the Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Festival, my family and I spent a night at Petaluma - a small old town in Sonoma County, minutes away from the balloon fest venue. I read that Petaluma is popular for butter. Though I was curious, I didn't get my hands on some blocks of butter due to a tight schedule. Butter, you can let go but don't miss out on Water Street Promenade-Historic Downtown-Putnam Plaza tour for dining (especially along Petaluma River) and get a taste of what the city has to offer to a foodie like me (ok, I define foodie as someone who loves watching cooking channel but doesn't do well in kitchen and her love for authentic food is an undying affair).

Photos were taken with a Nikon Coolpix point and shoot.

July 20, 2013

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013

A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot

To photograph hot air balloons at the break of dawn has been on the top five of my photography list ever since that day I picked up a camera thinking I finally found a lifetime hobby. Now in California, I know hot air fest is just within reach, possibly road trips away because of its ideal climate and geography. And I was right. I googled events happening in this state and I was able to pull up several hot air events happening this year. However, I didn't want to travel miles and photograph 2 or 4 balloons while they silently float away. I wanted dozens at a time and I wanted to get confused by the splash of colors and quantity. It wasn't hard to come across Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013. Decided, I google mapped it, bought pre-sale tickets for six bucks (instead of $10) and drove 3 hours two days before the event. To make it a weekend-long fun escape, I also visited the nearby towns of Petaluma and Napa Valley. Waking up at 4am for the festival-it was all worth it!

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