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santa cruz

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!

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.

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.

Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz Senior Portrait Session

Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz Senior Portrait Session

With the pandemic and devastating fires, it’s hard to imagine finding islands of happiness, but it’s important that life goes on and we recognize and celebrate life’s milestones. Natalia reached out to me via email to schedule her own portrait session, and we determined that Wilder Ranch had the right feel for what she was looking for. Her mom tagged along and we had a really fun senior session exploring the various distressed surfaces found all around the iconic historic buildings. Here’s a few of my favorite photos from her Senior Portrait session, enjoy!

Twin Lakes Beach Santa Cruz Newborn / Family Photography

Twin Lakes Beach Santa Cruz Newborn / Family Photography

Okay, so most newborn sessions happen at home, but lately I’ve been doing newborn(ish) family sessions on-location, in a redwood forest, or in this case, on the beach! Working with little kids means I don’t go into a session with a preset idea of exactly where it’s going to go. I may have some loose ideas, but it’s all about interacting with my subjects and deciding on the fly the best path to take at that moment. Maybe kids are in a “pay attention” mode and I’ll take advantage with some posed (directed), well-lit shots. Maybe that falls apart quickly and we transition to fun, candid playtime. Flexibility and a good attitude is essential to a successful portrait session with kids! The gallery below is the perfect example of the pace and random nature of a typical family session. For the baby, I made sure the parents brought along a blanket, and I was able to find a shaded spot behind a large piece of driftwood; dad held my light-source low so I could control the light for those shots (thanks dad!). Anyways, enough words, enjoy the pics:

Shaina, Sam and Kids (Family Photography) @ Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Shaina, Sam and Kids (Family Photography) @ Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California

I love repeat family portrait clients – it means I am continuing to serve my community well, and clients are excited about what I can produce for them. It's not easy having family photos taken (I know, I've got three kids myself), so I appreciate the effort made by small families like Sam and Shaina here to get dressed up, take time off from work, and meet me at the beach to take some photos, regardless of how crazy their day/week/year is going. I pride myself in being quick, efficient, and getting the best side of peoples' personalities without being forced or awkward. It's just a matter of patience and experience, I think. It was great having Shaina's parents and sibling's family out for this year's family portrait session – a greater challenge, for sure, but worth it!

Below are some of my favorite photos from the family photography session. Thanks for checking it out!