Post-Thanksgiving Multi-Generation Family Portraits @ Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz CA

Post-Thanksgiving Multi-Generation Family Portraits @ Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz CA

Wow. What an amazing family to photograph at iconic Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz tonight. I always have families meet me at the rear entrance so we can get some forest-vibes shots before we head over to the beach. I’m SO glad I did because the sun coming through the trees + some fresh grass was absolutely beautiful. This was a big group, with grandma at the top, 4 adult kids, each with their own families. It’s tough to get all the combos, but I feel like we most definitely did. Enjoy my 50 favorites from the session, in both forest and beach environments, below. And if you’re looking for a photographer in the Santa Cruz are to expertly capture your rambunctious family, I’m your guy!

Holiday Family Portraits @ Filoli Gardens, Woodside

Holiday Family Portraits @ Filoli Gardens, Woodside

I’ve worked a lot with Crystal over the years, mostly on big corporate gigs and a few weddings – but I’ve never had the privilege of photographing her and Gerald’s lovely family. Even though we’re almost in December 2023, it was sunny and 62 degrees for this morning’s family portrait session in Woodside, CA. Crystal wanted to explore the expansive, amazing property of Filoli Gardens, which is one of the few private locations that are actually pretty friendly to professional photography (as long as you purchase an entrance ticket). This means we had to dodge around a few other families of like mind, but the place is so huge this isn’t a big deal. Oh, they don’t allow dogs, but there’s some cool areas adjacent to the parking lot so we were able to include their best friend Lexi in a few photos at the start. Their 2 1/2 year old son kinda stole the show with his adorable grin, which required only a little M&M-fueled inspiration at key points during the hour-long session :)

I’m really happy with how the photos turned out, and I hope the family is thrilled with the results as well. It’s good to know that Filoli still looks amazing in the wintertime – even though there’s no blooming flowers, there’s so many nooks / archways / doorways / walls with tons of character to explore, I didn’t miss the flora one bit. Enjoy may faves below, there’s so many more than this in the full collection!

A Vibrant Tapestry of Moments: Capturing Family Memories at Capitola Beach

A Vibrant Tapestry of Moments: Capturing Family Memories at Capitola Beach

As I arrived at Capitola Beach, the day seemed to promise a session brimming with color, emotion, and scenic beauty. It was going to be a somewhat atypical family shoot - centered mostly around the verge-of-adulthood teenager, almost echoing the essence of a senior portrait session, yet intertwined with moments that encapsulated the family's close-knit bond. The anticipation in the air was palpable, as the family eagerly awaited to explore the picturesque corners of the beach, creating a vibrant tapestry of memories that would be cherished forever.

The beach was more than just a setting; it was a character in their story, adding layers of texture and color to each photograph. We ventured to moss-covered rocks that bore witness to the passage of time, each mossy nook holding secrets of the ocean. Under the sheltered tranquility of the shaded wharf, the family found moments of connection, where candid smiles and spontaneous laughter were captured, becoming the precious tokens of their bond. The colored buildings that stand as iconic witnesses at Capitola Beach added a whimsical and vibrant backdrop, harmonizing perfectly with the joyous spirit of the session.

As the shoot unfolded, it became a beautiful blend of individual portraits and group shots, a dance between posed elegance and candid charm. Each frame encapsulated the personality of the individuals, as well as the special synergy that they radiated as a group. The session transformed into a series of memorable snapshots, a melange of singular moments that, together, painted a vivid portrait of love, unity, and the vibrant hues of familial bonds. As the day drew to a close, we left with not just photographs, but a rich narrative of a family, beautifully etched against the colorful canvas that is Capitola Beach.

Senior Portrait Photography Session in Santa Cruz – Streetlight Records, Lighthouse Field and Dog Beach

Senior Portrait Photography Session in Santa Cruz – Streetlight Records, Lighthouse Field and Dog Beach

This was a three location senior portrait session, starting at a rather unusual spot (in my experience). I met Emma at Streetlight Records on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. She’s a bit of a vinyl aficionado, and the store was excited we wanted to take a few pictures there. We shot outside with the cool murals before going inside for a few creative shots while Emma browsed records.

Next, we headed over to Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz, this time in a new outfit selected just for the spot. This time of year the field looks amazing, tall green grass and blossoming flowers abound. This is where Emma really started opening up and getting into the fun of her senior portrait session.

Last, with one more outfit change, we headed across the street to take a few photos at the lighthouse and then down at Dog Beach (aka Its Beach). We dodged the doggos and took photos in the water and against the picturesque rock cliffs. We ended with a big splash in the rushing waves with a bunch of great photos to choose from!

Family Portrait Photo Session @ Capitola Beach, CA

Family Portrait Photo Session @ Capitola Beach, CA

Sometimes I’ll have a family that is applying for adoption or want to show their family interaction to a prospective private school. The reasons don’t really matter to me, but I take pride in really bringing out the true personalities of everyone I photograph. Sometimes it takes a little while for people to warm up, but once they are comfortable, the real them starts to show through. Capturing that is always one of my goals, and is very satisfying. This family of three was photographed at Capitola Beach, one of my favorite photography destinations.

Senior Portrait Photo Session @ Capitola Beach, CA

Senior Portrait Photo Session @ Capitola Beach, CA

This is a natural light senior portrait session at Capitola Beach – the sun was hiding behind clouds so the natural light was beautiful, no need to add extra lighting to bring out this young woman’s beauty. This location is a great option for lots of photo settings in one place – rocks, cliffs, above and below the pier, and of course the iconic colored buildings of the Venetian Village.

Family Photo Shoot @ Panther Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

Family Photo Shoot @ Panther Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

Finding a moment between winter storms, this family of three were open to shooting at a new location (for them) in Santa Cruz. Panther Beach, while difficult to access, is well worth the effort. From the iconic hole-in-the-wall to the amazing rock formations found throughout, it’s as much a landscape photographer’s destination as it is a great family portrait spot!

Family photos at Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola, CA

Family photos at Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola, CA

Not every family shoot involves little kiddos, sometimes the kids are all grown up! But that’s no guarantee there won’t be tantrums… I met this client at the top of the stairs of Shadowbrook restaurant in Capitola and we made our way down the winding path, taking photos along the way. We were in-between storms so the light was naturally soft from the overcast sky.

Multi-Generation Family Portraits @ Stanford Campus near Palo Alto, CA

Multi-Generation Family Portraits @ Stanford Campus near Palo Alto, CA

The toughest shot to get is always the one with the “most eyeballs.” So when we have multiple families coming together, I try to get that most difficult photo done as early as possible in the session. Especially if there are little ones that may end up in tears or just not having it – at some point during the shoot. I met this family near The Oval on the Stanford campus – a great location as it is photographer-friendly and has lots of interesting architectural elements / settings to use. When you have a group this big, though, you aren’t exploring a bunch of different settings all over the place. You pick one central location you can do most of the photos at, and have nearby locations within easy walking distance for when you break the shoot down to the individual families. It’s also hard with these large shoots to include a bunch of candid photos since there’s so many permutations of different groups we want to accomplish – but I still managed to get a few in-the-moment shots in-between the more formal posed groups.

Christmas Card Photo Shoot in Santa Cruz Home

Christmas Card Photo Shoot in Santa Cruz Home

Sometimes a client just needs a couple formal Christmas Card photos taken in their living room. The challenge is the space needs to be clutter free without any elements that will distract from the portrait itself. Luckily my client’s kids are grown so the house was pretty clutter-free. We went outside to get a few photos from the back yard as well. Also, even though our goal was the xmas card photos, I always try to take individual photos for potential headshot or otherwise professional (or personal) use.

Forest and Beach Family Photos @ Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, CA

Forest and Beach Family Photos @ Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, CA

Natural Bridges is a great spot as you can start in the forest/field setting at the rear entrance, and end at the beach. The beach is often crowded, especially the money-shot angle that has the natural bridge in the background, so I always start with the more private forested region off Delaware Ave.

This family I swear could all be models, and I had such a fun time capturing how much they adore each other. They even pulled off some pretty well-matched outfits, which is always risky. I think they nailed in, and I’m pretty sure they think I did too!

In-Home Maternity Session @ Santa Cruz, CA

In-Home Maternity Session @ Santa Cruz, CA

Most of my maternity shoots happen in the great outdoors, but if a client really wants to do it in their home, I can set up a studio (if there’s room). I set up the lighting to give us a couple different looks throughout the shoot and through three outfit changes. I strive to show tenderness, love and intimate connection as this is a couples’ shoot, but also contains the promise of new family. I was really happy with the results, and I know these two were thrilled as well.

Multi-Generation Family Photography @ Private Residence in Aptos, CA

Multi-Generation Family Photography @ Private Residence in Aptos, CA

This is the second time I’ve photographed this multi-generation family at and around their home in Aptos – it’s so great to see clients’ families grow over time, and satisfying to capture who they are at that moment. I captured a few photos of the whole clan in different settings, as well as the separate families and of course the kids running around being kids.

Maternity / Family Photo Session @ Nisene Marks Redwood Forest in Aptos, CA

Maternity / Family Photo Session @ Nisene Marks Redwood Forest in Aptos, CA

I love the color and vibe from this young family’s maternity / family session in the lush, dark redwoods of Nisene Marks in Aptos. Their young daughter stole the show with her cuteness and kept us all on our collective toes as we explored the forest together. It was hard to pick my favorites, and I’m sure it was even tougher for them! Enjoy my selection below:

Capitola Beach Family Photography Session

Capitola Beach Family Photography Session

I love this family, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph them many times, since before there were kids – I feel a photography relationship often starts with the engagement/wedding, and if we can keep in touch, it just grows over the years. Kaelin is a successful real estate agent in the Santa Cruz area, and I have really enjoyed seeing her grow professionally along with the creation and growth of their family. Here’s a few of my favorite photos from their most recent family portrait session at Capitola Beach:

Family Portrait Photography @ Lover's Point Park in Monterey

Family Portrait Photography @ Lover's Point Park in Monterey

Usually when I have photo shoots at Lover’s Point Park, it’s an engagement or couples session of some kind. This young family was staying in town and wanted photos near their hotel, so I suggested the location. It was a sunny, but chilly morning, and my primary focus was their toddler son. Little kids can be tough as they’re constantly on a roller-coaster ride of emotions in-between bouts of falling down and getting hurt. So I know that my time is often limited, so I have to be quick – both metaphorically and literally, as I’m running around with my camera held low to the ground for the most interesting vantage point of a 2 year old. Anyways, here’s a few good ones from their family portrait session…

Santa Cruz Family Photo Session @ Wilder Ranch

Santa Cruz Family Photo Session @ Wilder Ranch

I’ve photographed this family every year for over a decade and it brings me so much joy to document their lives, it’s truly an honor to be their go-to family photographer for so long. We’ve historically always shot at Seacliff Beach, so it was nice to change things up this year and explore Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz. Enjoy a few of my faves below:

Wilder Ranch Family Portraits in Santa Cruz, CA

Wilder Ranch Family Portraits in Santa Cruz, CA

After a while, families in the Santa Cruz area have done the beach shoot, done the forest shoot, and are looking for something a little different. Enter the rustic farm-y destination of Wilder Ranch, just north of Santa Cruz off Highway 1. I last photographed this family about 10 years earlier, so it was a bit of a shock to see the kids all grown up, but so great to reconnect with this lovely family. We explored the old buildings and pastures and had a great time making new family memories in a unique Santa Cruz spot.

A Man and His Motorcycle (Photo Shoot) @ Vasona Park, Los Gatos, CA

A Man and His Motorcycle (Photo Shoot) @ Vasona Park, Los Gatos, CA

This fine gentleman wanted to print a photo of himself on his motorcycle for his adoring granddaughter, so I helped him pick just the spot for the portrait session. The fall leaves were ablaze when backlit by the sun, so the timing for this morning shoot couldn’t have worked out better. The client was thrilled, and I imagine his granddaughter was, as well.

Hidden Beach, Aptos Family Photography

Hidden Beach, Aptos Family Photography

It’s always an honor and great responsibility to be a client’s first ever family photographer. I mean, their experience will literally set the tone and frequency for their next 18 years of shoots. If it goes horribly wrong, they may not do it again, with ANYONE, for years. But if you make the experience fun and easy, they’ll come back to you every couple of years and refer you to boot. I’m pretty sure this lovely family falls in the latter category, but for now let’s just enjoy a few precious gems from this shoot – especially the keepers of their first furbaby, who’s getting on in age.