It was a cool, blue-skied late afternoon. We decided to meet along the periphery of that charming, fairytale-like neighborhood that sat perched high above the Pacific, for this picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea Family session.
After parking, we made our way across the narrow, winding road that traced the edge of the ocean, heading toward the tall wooden staircase that descended to the beach. Local couples, bundled in their down Patagonias, strolled hand in hand along the coastal bluffs, their dogs happily pulling them down the cypress-lined, gravel path. With smiles, they waved to neighbors (and to us!) as we passed, embracing the warmth of that picture-perfect afternoon.
We eagerly made our way down the planks to that idyllic cove with the sounds of the sea lapping at the shore and the breathtaking views of Carmel Valley and Point Lobos beyond. It was enough to leave you both completely breathless and reinvigorated all at the same time!
I spent the afternoon catching up with these beautiful friends of mine … telling silly stories of our previous photography sessions together and how the past year had written itself with all sorts of serendipitous twists and turns.
Our portraits began in the late afternoon shade of the boulders and then ventured out to those brilliant, sun-soaked spaces in the open. Laugher echoed from that sweet cove as we explored throughout the rocks, slipping and sliding into those beautiful backlit pockets.
There is no stopping these little ones! They kept on, lost in play, as the ethereal fog began to drift in off the water. They truly are the very best of friends and have such fun together. Their infectious spirit always has me so excited to see them! There were special requests from Addie for a picture dancing in the rocks and another from Quinn of an image captured with her beloved stuffed owl. Jack took it all in as he sat comfortably in the sand, watching his sisters with that magnetic sparkle in his eyes and newly toothless grin.
Mom and dad burst into laughter behind us. I turned around to see that Mom’s dress strap had somehow completely snapped off! Looking over at me through fits of laughter, her eyes read “What now?!!”. I was convinced that her avant-garde, one-shouldered look, only added to these painterly seaside portraits. Perfect is overrated. Pretty backdrops are ok. However pretty backdrops with memories attached, breathe life into these still images in ways that I could never, ever have planned!
After chasing that last sliver of light, we made our way back towards the wooden staircase ~ sandy feet, windswept hair, and cheeks that ached a bit from laughing. I am not quite sure what I did to deserve crossing paths with such friends over the years. Grateful would be an understatement. Above all, it is these very connections that make this creative path more fulfilling than I could ever adequately express! ~ Kent Avenue Photography
Kent Avenue Photography is a Newborn, Maternity, Family & Brand Photographer sharing time between the San Francisco Bay and Charlotte, North Carolina areas. We serve the following cities, including but not limited to, San Jose, Los Gatos, Willow Glenn, Portola Valley, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Uptown, Ballantyne, Myers Park, South Park, Matthews, Plaza-Midwoord and Dilworth.We specialize in ultra-relaxed, home & outdoor Lifestyle Sessions and would love to photograph your family or brand! To see more of our portfolio, please take a peek here. If you would like to reserve your date on our calendar, please feel free to contact us here or email us directly atinfo@kentavenuephotography.com We are thrilled at the chance to work with you!
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