A Rugged, Monterey Peninsula Family Session

A rugged landscape, brilliant sunshine that warmed from the inside out and a family whose blinding love and incredible energy spilled from every part of their being. This Monterey Peninsula Family session filled my cup in so many ways!

Admittedly, I had been terribly homesick for California. I was eager to return to see friends, visit those local artisanal spaces that held such a special place in my heart, and have the incredible opportunity to work with those families who had commissioned me to create meaningful family art for their homes.

After a fairly quick, cross-country flight (blissfully reading through all the design magazines that had piled up at home and one of Jay Shetty’s inspirational books) we arrived. The plane glided through the valley and descended through the undulating, golden hillscape. We slowly taxied to the gate and gathered our belongings as the door swung open and the ladder extended to the blinding pavement below. I emerged into the warm sunshine, feeling instantly calm as I drank it all in.

Every part of the country offers such unique experiences and perspective. It is the west coast that had me at the landscape. Those dramatic lines, curves (and crumbles) of that Pacific-facing topography make for such beautiful backdrops. I was staying a bit farther south with a wonderful friend during this trip, so I had the pleasure of shooting at some different coastal locations. I had hiked down this way for years, however it always seemed a bit far to take families for sessions. However, the timing of this trip was perfect.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather that afternoon. It was magnificent. I requested we meet a bit early so that we could take our time. I did not want anyone to feel rushed in the event that we had unexpected kinks with beach traffic. Surprisingly, we had plenty time! We decided to park and take the children out along the cliffside to see the seals below. Their open mouth smiles said it all. Awesome was an understatement ~ spiritual was more like it. I shook my head in utter disbelief trying to take it all in.

After some time enjoying the view, we hopped back in the car and made our way down along the coast to that sun-drenched beach. We basked in the sun capturing moments, while the children laughed, exploring the tide pools and the layers of bleached driftwood that had washed ashore.

Love, in my humble opinion, is one of the most rewarding elements to capture. There is something unique and incredibly powerful about every single stage. Young love has the power to move mountains. Bearing witness to this, breathes life into your soul. It is magnetic. It is open, uninhibited and wildly beautiful. That shared sparkle in their eyes that day said it all. Thank you Hrncir Family for inviting me into your world and allowing me to capture a little bit of that brilliant love you share! I was moved beyond words. ~ Kent Avenue Photography

Fall in love with someone who is both your safe place and your biggest adventure. ~ Atticus