the wirsig family • beach portraits

beach, little ones, outdoors, we are family

The first time I met up to shoot Heather & Johnny’s family, the winds were gusting and the coast was a brisk 60 degrees! We were caught by surprise–the sun was shining beautifully, & we all anticipated a perfect So Cal day…but no go. So as they say in Hollywood, “Take two!” Our second meeting was warm & overcast–great conditions for being on the shore & shooting. Their daughters Taylor & Maliah were totally natural in front of the camera, fearless in the cool water. And little Noah was such a lovebug, mellow & so agreeable, just contentedly falling asleep in the embrace of his parents & sister to the sound of the waves. I hope I captured what a warm & loving family this is! They were a joy to shoot!

winter beach • the lynch-flynn family • beach portraits

beach, little ones, outdoors, we are family

I’ve got a thing for redheads. And our friends Colleen & Jim have one of the cutest redheads around–their daughter Harper! I remember the first time I got to do portraits of her & her mommy; Harper was about a year-and-a-half with a short crop of already bright hair & these huge pools for eyes. My favorite shot of her from that shoot was one in which she’d come up so close to the camera to peer at me that only part of her face was in the photo–but one big eye was featured. And now, she’s almost four with the same red hair, much longer, and those green eyes. This time, I got to do the whole family–including baby brother Grady, who has the best bald head ever–at the beach. The sunset set their hair afire, & they just did their thing. I’m in love with so many of these shots!

indian summer • the becker family • beach portraits

beach, little ones, outdoors, we are family

My husband met the Beckers at the (unfortunately now defunct) raw food restaurant Terra Bella in Redondo Beach. He would often come home talking about Luc, this cute red-haired kid that he loved to play with while his parents partook of the delicious meals. When I finally got to meet Jeff & Mary, she & I were both pregnant with our second children. We all hit it off immediately, sharing in common some uncommon interests–like homebirthing. Little Luc & our daughter Zoë became fast friends. The Beckers have now relocated, & we miss them, & especially the chance for our second children to grow up knowing each other, but we stay in touch often & are amazed at how we’re still living parallel lives, just now on different coasts. These are some of my all-time favorite beach portraits of them just being the fun, sweet, loving family they are…