Owner of Sharolyn Townsend Photography. I've been photographing family, pets, empowerment and branding in Santa Rosa since 2017.

I’ve been a student of photography since my days in art school, but it wasn’t until I became a mother to my two daughters that I truly understood the weight of a photograph. For years, I realized I was completely invisible in our family’s story because I was always the one behind the lens. I had no document of myself mothering or cuddling my girls, and the few images I did have just sat on a hard drive, adding to the "mental load" of things I never had time to finish.

That experience is exactly why I’m so passionate about giving back to our Santa Rosa community. I want to take that burden off other families, ensuring they are seen, celebrated, and captured in a way that lasts.

When I’m not with my clients, you’ll find me at home with my husband, our two girls, and our dog. I’m usually playing the ukulele, drawing, or soaking in the California sun. After moving here from Ontario, Canada, I still can’t get enough of our beautiful mountains, the moss, and the shade of the oak trees.