Endless rolling hills of bright orange poppies underneath a baby blue sky–that’s the promise of a super bloom at Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster. And when it’s really on, it delivers California vibes of the highest order. We had tried for seven years to see the golden hills, only to be disappointed by no or few blooms. Then this April it all came together. We jumped in the car one Saturday morning and took the long drive. It was worth it! Just like expansive ocean views, flower fields that stretch to the horizon, have a humbling and soothing energy.

 We walked the fields in stark daylight. However, I still managed to get some beautiful photos of our family. In terms of styling, for myself I chose a quintessential California outfit: Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots in a buff suede; a cream knit dress with embroidered sleeves; and Wolford tights in nude with cream embroidery. Understated but dressy, and the neutral color is perfect for a picture in flower fields. Evelyn, herself, chose a white tunic dress. I helped her pair it with jeans leggings and a straw hat. She loved running around the hiking trails. We even saw a bunny.

And in the end, my family let me know that it was time to stop photographing and enjoy the sight by flashing me some magnum. There are more important things than pictures after all!