If you haven’t heard, our spring photo contest has started! Getting creative and having fun is the name of the game. This is the perfect opportunity to try out that fancy camera you bought for your vacation to Europe, to finally get some use out of that cool Polaroid camera, or to even try out portrait mode on an iPhone. The photo contest gives you a chance to win V. Sattui swag and, of course, bragging rights across Napa Valley. Make it a friendly competition between you and your squad, significant other, or family. First place gets you a VSW Wine Tote Bag complete with picnic accessories AND two Go-Vino glasses ($110 value). Second place will receive a VSW Circo Cheese Board with tools ($40 value), and the third place winner will get a VSW VacuVin Wine Chiller ($25 value). Feeling inspired yet? Here are our top five tips for taking the perfect photo for our Uncork Spring Photo Contest!

Make it Golden

The hour before sunset, also known as “golden hour,” is the prime time to get a majestic photo. Think about all of the gorgeous scenic overlooks, parks, and vineyards in the area you could visit to capture the beginning of a brilliant sunset. The Grape Crusher is a perfect example of a place to photograph during this magical hour. Play with some creative angles – maybe you want to focus on the vast, gorgeous sky, or even a bottle of your favorite V. Sattui wine held up in the foreground. Just remember, lighting is everything.

Au Naturale

Since lighting is everything, don’t stray away from natural light. Natural light makes every shot more attractive – especially food and wine. A great way to make use of natural light indoors is setting up near a window and shooting the photo in the opposite direction of the light source. This avoids backlight and basks your subject in the most natural light. This tactic will work best in our luxurious tower tasting room. Capture the essence of an exclusive, cozy wine tasting experience with added fresh spring touches. Another premiere, well-lit spot on the V. Sattui property is our terrace. With a view of the vineyards and gorgeous spring greenery, you’ll only have to put in minimum work to shoot a winning photo here. The natural light is perfect.

Bring in the Props

Complement your photo with objects that foster storytelling. Shooting at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone? Stop by the bakery first, then snap a shot holding a coffee with the building in the background. Planning on shooting at V. Sattui? Grab some meats, cheeses, and a bottle of wine and set up the perfect picnic – basket, checkered table cloth, and all. Props not only add layers to a photo but also help it tell a story.

Apps > Filters

Try using savvy apps made specifically for photo editing instead of a filter. If you have a newer iPhone, portrait mode is a handy way to make something ordinary look artsy. In apps like Snapseed and Afterlight, you can even take a photo in the app and edit it immediately afterward. These apps allow you to enhance the photos you take rather than cover them up, which is sometimes the consequence of using heavy filters.

Tell a Story

The most compelling photos convey emotion and tell a story to the viewer. Don’t be afraid to present uncommon elements in your photos that communicate your unique perspective. The way you see the world isn’t the way everyone else does, take advantage of that! Welcome the fog, don’t shy away from rain, and embrace authenticity.

This is where our help comes to an end, the rest is up to you. By now you should be an expert on how to capture the best spring photo and are more than capable of showing off those newly found photography skills! Remember, the V. Sattui Spring Photo Contest ends June 15 at 11:59 p.m, so submit your best work before the time runs out. Winners will be chosen based on a combination of creativity, artistic composition, and the number of public votes. Everyone who enters will not only have a chance to win swag, but also the opportunity to be featured on our social media!

You now have the perfect excuse to pay us a visit this season. At V. Sattui, we offer a variety of experiences making it the perfect setting for spring photos. We look forward to seeing your beautiful, well-lit faces on the property very soon.