A Sunrise Session in the Redwood Forest | Sequoia Park. Humboldt County

A Whimsical, etherial, fairy- like session in the redwoods:

Soaking in the morning light as the light rays filter through the redwood trees in Humboldt County, California.

Waking up before sunrise was essential for this redwood forest session in Humboldt County, California. As the first light of morning approached, we met at Sequoia Park in Eureka, one of my favorite locations for intimate, nature-filled photo sessions among the redwoods.

Jessie arrived and wore an elegant silk dress with long sleeves and a flowing train—perfect for a sunrise photoshoot in the redwoods. The morning air was crisp and cold, the kind that makes every breath visible. Soft clouds of breath hung briefly in the air before fading away. As chilly as it was, the cold made the morning feel even more alive and unforgettable.

As the sun began to rise, golden light filtered through the towering redwood trees in narrow beams, spilling across the forest floor. The leaves glowed with a warm brilliance, and tiny flying moths drifted through the light, sparkling like fairy dust. The air felt fresh, grounding, and quietly healing—one of those rare mornings where everything feels still and perfectly aligned.

From the start, I knew I wanted to treat this redwood photoshoot as a story, almost as if we had stepped into a fairytale. That’s often how I approach photography. When I truly connect with a session, a narrative forms in my mind, and the movements, prompts, and images flow naturally from there. With views this enchanting and redwoods this tall, it was impossible to imagine any other storyline.

We began by following the light. I had Jessie walk slowly toward each sunlit opening, encouraging soft, intentional movements with her hands. We moved from one pocket of light to the next, letting the forest guide us. In doing so, we discovered some of the most beautiful spots—places I had walked past countless times but noticed differently in this light.

One of my favorite moments happened near an unusual redwood tree with large roots raised above the ground. As we approached, we were greeted by the tree’s tiny resident: a curious squirrel we affectionately named Mr. Fibbly. Though cautious, his curiosity won out, and he darted in and out of the roots, watching us closely. His movements were lightning-fast, but I managed to capture one quick photo before he disappeared again into the tree.

Not far from there, we found a fallen log covered in moss, ferns, and vibrant green life. It felt like the most natural resting place imaginable. In my mind, Jessie became a woodland guardian—someone who watched the sunrise each morning, quietly welcoming the forest creatures as the day began.

Soon after, the dramatic sunrise light softened into daylight. While different, it was still beautiful in its own way. We continued deeper into a quieter, more mystical part of the woods. Here, the trees were thinner and heavily draped in moss, arching over the trail to form a natural canopy. A small, simple bridge appeared along the path, adding to the timeless feel of this part of Sequoia Park.

We made our way toward the duck pond, a place filled with childhood nostalgia for me. On the walk there, I noticed the wishing well—something I had completely forgotten about. The morning was so calm that the water was perfectly still, creating stunning reflections in both the well and the nearby pond. I couldn’t resist photographing the mirrored light and shapes.

I imagined Jessie making a single quiet wish as she gently touched the water. Whatever it was, it stayed with the forest.

At the pond, she walked slowly along the water’s edge. Her reflection shimmered beside her, ducks floated peacefully nearby, and a soft breeze finally stirred the air as the forest fully woke up around us.

Time moved quickly. Nearly an hour had passed before we realized it. As we headed back toward our cars, I noticed one final tree—its trunk nearly four feet high was completely wrapped in moss. In my mind, it became a fairy’s resting place. I asked Jessie for one last photo, and she gently curled into a sleeping position against the moss-covered redwood, finishing the session perfectly.

If I could relive this redwood photoshoot over and over again, I would. Light like this appears more often than people realize in the Humboldt County redwoods, especially in the early morning hours. The real question is—can you imagine missing a morning like this?

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