(beta) A Night in the Redwoods

Inspiration Series • Camping • Marin

This is a “beta” session

A new experience I’m excited about, but have yet to photograph. The mood board below may include images of my family, past work, and a few references that show the space or capture the vibe we’re going for.

I’ve done the homework, but we’ll need to stay flexible and embrace some surprises. It’s discounted accordingly.

Quiet, cool. The redwoods are deep here.

The creek keeps the grove cool while the rest of Marin bakes in the summer sun. Samuel P. Taylor feels like a slice of Mendocino, forty-five minutes from San Francisco — welcoming, spacious, and somehow still holding the hush of a deep forest even when the campground is full.

The redwoods ask for that.

The Basics

  • Location: Samuel P. Taylor State Park
  • Duration: Overnight (2pm–10am)
  • Effort: 3 – Easy
  • Suggested Medium: Film
  • Best For: Family, Adventurers
  • Logistics: Unique Gear Requirements, Seasonal
  • Cost: $3,475 $1,975 (beta)
Check Availability

The Session

For families who already camp. Who know how special the experience is for their kids. Who want photos that keep it alive once they’re back home.

This isn’t a photo session; it’s artful documentation of an experience that means so much to your family.

We meet at the campsite in the afternoon, setup camp together, go for a hike or splash in the creek, dinner, s’mores if that’s your thing. I’m here to follow your rhythm.

Photographer

DAVID ENLOE
(HE, HIM)

Easygoing, grounded.

David crafts experiences rooted in presence and quality time with your people.

More about David

Field Notes

✎ Ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok

✎ Samuel Penfield Taylor arrived in 1849 chasing the Gold Rush, then built the first paper mill on the Pacific Coast here in 1856 — Camp Taylor was one of the first places in the country to offer camping as recreation

✎ Lagunitas Creek hosts the largest and southernmost spawning run of Central California Coast coho salmon — still endangered, still being restored

+Video

Some sessions lend themselves to a short film, and this is one of them. Motion and sound, paired with your photos. I make it easy to add it when you book.

Play video sound on
Close-up of folded knitted sweaters on rustic wood, showcasing texture and warmth.

Come Prepared

Dress for the outdoors first, style second. Layers that work around a fire, flannel, fleece, broken-in denim, trail shoes or boots. You’re going to be moving, sitting on logs, and probably carrying something. Leave the white linen at home.

That said, there’s real room for warmth and texture here. A worn flannel shirt, a favorite knit, a well-loved jacket all photograph beautifully in firelight and morning mist. Earth tones are your friend. Bring a change of clothes (or three) for the second morning since kids will get dirty. That’s the point.

P.S. Throw in a round of extra puffy jackets at the end. Cold kids never ends well.

Don’t forget your kids, your partner, or your dog. Beyond the obvious, here’s what’s worth throwing in the car for this one.

Full camp setup
Firewood
Headlamps
Battery string lights
S’mores supplies
Puffy jackets
Swim shorts & water shoes
Camp coffee setup

A straw bag and towel on white sand beach, perfect for a relaxing day outdoors.

Location Specifics

Terrain

Drive-in campsite — short hikes available from the site.

Restrooms

Flush toilets and showers at the campground.

Dog friendly?

Dogs welcome in campsites and on paved roads — not allowed on trails or in the creek.

Cell service

Parking

One car per site with extra parking nearby.

Permits & Fees

Campsite reservation included — David books the site as part of the experience.

Orange sun watercolor art background
Seasonal notes

Summer only.

Check Availability

Questions. Answered

These experiences are built around real conditions — tides, light, flower blooms, coastal weather. A little fog or wind is often part of what makes them feel alive. Unless your experience includes Sunshine Insurance, we’re going to lean into what Mother Earth sends our way.

If conditions look truly unworkable or unsafe — typically a rain forecast of 30% or greater, or any weather warning — I’ll cancel and issue a full refund so you can book another date.

Depending on my availability and the realities of that particular experience, a reschedule may be offered.

If you need to move your session to a new date, a rebooking fee of 20% of the total session fee applies. Any payments already made can be credited toward an available session within six months of the original date.

If you cancel without rescheduling, payments already made are non-refundable.

If illness or something unexpected comes up, get in touch. I’ll always aim to handle things fairly and thoughtfully.

Each experience is thoughtfully paired with the medium, so check the top of the page to find out which one applies here.

Film is slower and more intentional. I take fewer frames and commit to the moment. The results tend to have a softer, more timeless look, with natural grain and texture. You may see a frame that’s slightly soft or imperfect in a way that feels human. That character is part of what people love about film.

Digital gives me the freedom to shoot a lot. That means I can work quickly with moving kids, handle low light, and deliver sharp photos in a wide range of conditions. It also gives me the luxury of finding the best split-second moment during editing.

If you want clean, sharp, and technically consistent, digital is the better fit. If you want something tactile, nostalgic, and emotionally textured, film is the one.

Photos for digital sessions are delivered within 4 weeks. If you purchase Rush Delivery, they are delivered within 7 days (sometimes less, ask for current availability).

Please allow up to 8 weeks for the delivery of videos and analog film photos.

Not every experience includes Sunshine Insurance — check The Basics section at the top of the page to see if it’s part of yours.

Typically, I don’t reschedule for fog or overcast — coastal weather is part of the experience. Sunshine Insurance changes that. If your session includes it, you can reschedule up to twice at no additional cost if conditions aren’t cooperating.

Let’s pick a date

A Night in the Redwoods runs from 2pm arrival to 10am departure — summer only.

Ready? Choose a date below and you’ll receive a booking file by email — agreement and invoice together. Your spot is confirmed once the retainer is paid.

***Selected dates are held for 24 hours pending completion of the booking file.

Deliverables

  • Session Length: Overnight (2pm–10am)
  • 75+ digital images
  • (or) 40+ film scans
  • Immediate family + 2 extended members included
  • Print release
  • Shareable online gallery available for 30 days
  • Cost: $3,475 $1,975 (beta)
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