A Sunset Family Session in Carmel-by-the-Sea

These wonderful faces make me so happy!  I was so excited to see them that day for this sunset Carmel-by-the-Sea Family session. I wondered how they had been … and how much they had grown? Where had the past year taken them? What are their interests now and what are they excelling in? Where are they the happiest? 

Individually, they are so different from one another. Collectively, they fit together perfectly. They really are just the coolest; I thoroughly enjoy chatting with them. They are talented, and funny, and kind. I love Perrie’s sass and confidence, Porter’s curiosity and imaginative spirit, Prescott’s incredible warmth and magical energy, Pierce’s intense gaze and huge heart … and Parker’s strong, nurturing (best oldest-brother) presence.

And somehow Mom and Dad, in the midst of it all,  are always so calm and collected … and such fun! I don’t think I will every fully understand how they do it all. What a wild and beautiful ride! I am truly in such awe of them and this wonderful team they are building together. 

That late afternoon on the beach, those handsome kiddos, bundled in their sweaters and layered jumpers, leapt into formation, hand-in-hand along the boulders, from oldest to youngest. I looked up from my camera in disbelief. While I hadn’t yet said a thing, there they were, smiling and ready to go! I was so taken aback, I quickly started snapping the shutter before I even had my glasses on. Confused, looking through my watery viewfinder, I quickly popped on my frames and those wonderful smiles perfectly came into focus. 

I recently discovered that little Perrie has a thing for pelicans (though I’m unsure if this was a brief phase or still ongoing). It was pretty ironic, as that beautiful beach was practically a sanctuary for them! As we explored throughout the rocks, teetered along large pieces of bleached driftwood and danced over a pebbley-layered (somewhat ouchy!) underfoot … they flew overhead in formation. One pod after the next … with Perrie’s little smile lifted to the sky. I remember smiling and thinking that perhaps this serene and serendipitous moment might be ingrained in her memory for a very long time …

The kiddos are so comfortable with taking pictures and are always so easy and accommodating. However my favorite part, is that they are always down for an adventure. I love hearing their silly stories and seeing those more hidden parts of their personalities shine as we explore!

Towards the end of the evening as the sun was setting, we all walked back toward the wooden staircase at the top of the beach, stopping at the ultra-steep embankment that had been carved out by the tides over the past hour. The kids got such a kick out of it! They mischievously glanced over at Mom and Dad, wondering if it was ok to slide down? After they both smiled and nodded, the kids took off runnnnning. They spent the next 15 minutes laughing, and tumbling, and surfing the sand dunes at sunset. I stood there looking on, thinking how incredibly lucky this beautiful bunch is to go through life together. What a gift!  ~ Kent Avenue Photography