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A cozy living room with a brown sofa, brick wall, and a large moon art piece.

"Photographing the moon is always a quiet and peaceful experience for me. Through my lens, its soft glow becomes a reminder that beauty can be found even in the stillness of the night".

I AM A STORYTELLER

Everyday Moments & Lasting Memories Through My Lens

Welcome to my blog — a space where photography and storytelling come together. Behind every photograph is a moment, a feeling, and a story waiting to be told. Here I share the experiences behind the lens, from joyful family sessions filled with laughter to quiet encounters with wildlife, peaceful landscapes, and the loyal companionship of pets. Each session and every photograph captures a small piece of life as it happens — natural, genuine, and full of meaning.

Many of these moments take place in the beautiful outdoor settings that surround us. Whether it’s a golden sunset lighting up a family portrait, a senior celebrating an exciting milestone, or a quiet morning photographing nature, these experiences remind me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. Sometimes the most powerful photographs are not the perfectly posed ones, but the small, in-between moments — a child’s smile, the wag of a dog’s tail, or the way the light gently falls across a landscape.

My hope is that these stories give you a glimpse into the heart of my work and the moments that inspire me to press the shutter. Life moves quickly, and photographs allow us to hold onto those fleeting seconds that might otherwise pass us by. Through this blog, I invite you to follow along as I capture meaningful moments, beautiful places, and wonderful people. These photographs are more than images — they are memories, experiences, and stories that deserve to be remembered for years to come.

Golden Gate Bridge over water with hills in the background under a blue sky.

"A timeless icon rising through coastal light, the Golden Gate Bridge stands as a breathtaking symbol of strength, beauty, and the spirit of California".

Through my photography, I experience beautiful places, wonderful people, and unforgettable moments — these are their stories.

Timeless wedding photography

March 10, 2026

A Wedding by the Sea – My Monterey Experience There are certain places that stay with you long after you’ve left, and for me, Monterey, California is one of those places. Several years ago, I had the privilege of photographing a wedding there, and the experience was nothing short of magical. The coastline itself set the stage — waves rolling in with their steady rhythm, the salty ocean breeze, and the soft golden light spilling across the sand. Nature seemed to be ...

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Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe, California

March 10, 2026

The Morning I met the Sun at Emerald Bay There’s something humbling about waking before the world stirs. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of pine, and the stillness of Emerald Bay feels sacred. Standing at the water’s edge, I watched as the horizon began to glow—a faint whisper of light brushing the mountains.Slowly, the sun emerged. Golden rays spilled across the lake, chasing away shadows and turning the bay into a mirror of fire and glass. The little island in the ...

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Best Mendocino Area Photography Locations

March 10, 2026

Exploring the Beauty of Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Coast The Mendocino Coast is a place of endless inspiration — where rugged cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean, and every moment feels like a picture waiting to be taken. As a photographer, I’m grateful to live and work in one of the most breathtaking regions of Northern California. From the colorful shores of Glass Beach and the historic glow of Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, to the soft sands of Pudding Creek Beach and the vibrant ...

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Person with long hair in dark clothing, looking to the side in a dimly lit environment.

Creating Character: A Headshot Session with Layne

March 10, 2026

Sometimes a single portrait becomes more than just a photograph — it becomes a masterpiece. When Layne reached out to me about creating new headshots, he had a clear vision in mind. He’s pursuing roles in horror films and wanted images that reflected the darker, more atmospheric style often seen in the genre. As a photographer, I love when a client comes in with a creative direction—it gives us the opportunity to build something unique together.For this session, we focused on ...

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Learning the Art of Waterfall Photography

March 10, 2026

One of the things I enjoy most about photography is challenging myself to try new techniques, and recently that challenge has been photographing waterfalls... Lately I’ve been challenging myself by spending time practicing waterfall photography. At first glance, photographing moving water may seem simple, but once you step behind the camera you quickly realize how much patience and technique it takes. From finding the right lighting conditions to stabilizing the camera and adjusting ...

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The Meaning of Christmas: Remembering the Seasons That Shaped Us

December 17, 2025

Christmas has always been more than a single day. It is a feeling, a rhythm, and a season that settles into the heart—one that often becomes clearer with time. Growing up in the 1970s, Christmas felt simpler, quieter, and deeply rooted in togetherness. It wasn’t about excess, but about presence. The meaning of Christmas begins with faith—the story of Christ’s birth, a reminder of humility, hope, and unconditional love. A child born in modest surroundings carried a ...

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A coffee mug on a tray with a book and autumn leaves, next to a cozy plaid blanket.

The Beauty of Change

November 5, 2025

Beyond its beauty, fall carries a deeper meaning. It’s a gentle reminder that change is not only inevitable but also breathtaking. The trees let go of their leaves with grace, showing us that there is peace in release and strength in transition. It’s the season that teaches us to embrace the new, to let go of what no longer serves us, and to find beauty in every ending that becomes a beginning. Maybe that’s why fall feels so beautiful—it’s not just the colors ...

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Full moon glowing with a halo of colorful clouds in the night sky.

The Magic of Halloween Through the Generations

October 23, 2025

Capturing the Heart of Halloween, Past and Present There’s something special about Halloween—the way the crisp autumn air carries the scent of fallen leaves, the soft glow of pumpkins lighting up porches, and the laughter echoing through the streets. Long before it became a night of costumes and candy, Halloween began as the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, a time when people believed the boundary between the living ...

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The Untamed Beauty of Fort Bragg, Mendocino

October 3, 2025

There are places that never leave you, no matter how many times you visit. For me, Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast is one of those places. Standing on the edge of the cliffs, camera in hand, I can feel the rhythm of the ocean moving through me—the crash of the waves against the rocks, the salty breeze tangling my hair, the endless stretch of blue reminding me that nature is both powerful and peaceful all at once. What I love about Fort Bragg is that it always feels different. Some ...

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Through My Lens: Photographing the Golden Gate Bridge

September 19, 2025

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of those places that feels both familiar and new every time you see it. We’ve all seen it in postcards, movies, and travel guides, but standing there with a camera in hand is a completely different experience. The bridge isn’t just a piece of architecture—it’s alive with light, weather, and perspective. On this particular day, the fog had lifted just enough to reveal the rust-colored towers in full, glowing warmly against the cliffs and ...

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MARY LEE'S PHOTOGRAPHY WILLITS, CALIFORNIA 95490 MARY@MARYLEESPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 707-596-0680 MON-FRI 9AM-6PM, SAT & SUN, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY  
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