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capitola beach

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.

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.

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:

Capitola Beach Senior Portrait Photography - Peyton

Capitola Beach Senior Portrait Photography - Peyton

Peyton's senior high school year has arrived, which means PHOTO time! She brought her childhood stuffy to the shoot, but mostly showed off her goofy, fun, flair-for-the-dramatic side for the rest of her senior portrait session at Capitola Beach. The weather was great, Peyton was fantastic in front of the camera with multiple outfit changes, and I think we ended up with a few keepers that Peyton and her family will treasure forever. Here's a few of my personal faves from the senior session:

Capitola Beach Family Portraits – Verona and Kids

Capitola Beach Family Portraits – Verona and Kids

I've had the pleasure of seeing these boys grow up over the years and take a few photos along the way. Their personalities really come out in this beach photo shoot in Capitola. I love getting people to come out of their shell a little so I can capture their true essence. Here's a few of my faves from their beach family portrait session below!

Klia, Anthony and Kids - Capitola Family Photos

Klia, Anthony and Kids - Capitola Family Photos

Sometimes kids are shy, sometimes they're sad, and sometimes they're CHOCK FULL OF ENERGY and PERSONALITY! I had a blast capturing these guys in the morning on Capitola Beach. We had the whole place to ourselves... except when about 100 Junior Guards kids ran up and down the beach. But, you'd never know it because creative cropping and timing is everything in this business. Enjoy some of my favorites from their family session below:

Kailey's Senior Portraits at Capitola Beach

Kailey's Senior Portraits at Capitola Beach

Kailey is starting her senior year this Fall, but since they don't get out to the Santa Cruz area too often, we snuck in her senior portrait session last week at Capitola Beach. Kailey is a little shy, not a huge fan of the camera, but I focused on her deep reserves of snark and sass and let the magic happen. She's so great, I know she's going to have an amazing last year of high school. Enjoy the pics!

Capitola Beach Maternity Portrait Session

Capitola Beach Maternity Portrait Session

She's ready to pop! Only two weeks to go, but Tea was in great shape for today's maternity portrait session. We shot at Capitola Beach with her husband Paul and their two little pups, which we included in the shoot. We did a mix of natural light (hour before sunset) and "lit" shots with my off-camera Profoto B1, the best on-location setup in my opinion. Can't wait to meet the little one at our next portrait session!

Capitola Beach Family Portraits - Three Brothers

Capitola Beach Family Portraits - Three Brothers

These three brothers came together to get some formal and fun portraits at Capitola Beach for their mom. It was cold, it was early, but these guys were great and I had fun taking their portraits. We focused mostly on the group shots, both under the pier and out in the open, but I took a few individual shots as well. Check it!

Capitola Beach Senior Portraits

Capitola Beach Senior Portraits

I last photographed Arianna with her family about six years ago – she was just a spunky little kid then. Fast forward to this moment, and you see a beautiful young woman poised to take on the world. It's so special to see families grow over time, and extremely fulfilling to capture key moments for my clients that they'll treasure forever. This was a really quick senior portrait session since we stared out with some updated family photos – but we got some great variety. Check out my favorites below!