journal

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

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 “Uh-oh! Now what?!”. 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

What a gift to recently be introduced to the dreamiest cove in one of my all time favorite seaside towns for this perfectly misty, Carmel-by-the-Sea Family session!

As soon as my plane landed back in CA that Fall afternoon, I excitedly picked up my rental. I grabbed some fresh sushi for the road (and an extra large water to rehydrate after that cross county flight) and headed directly over to the coast.  I can’t tell you enough how much I longed to see that Pacific Ocean that I had been missing so incredibly much. I was looking for something in particular that day and was prepared to find it.

I drove up and down the 17-Mile Drive hugging the coast by Pebble Beach. With each and every familiar jaw dropping turn, I hoped that this was quite possibly going to be the spot. There was someplace specific I was looking to take some Family pictures that Fall. I just couldn’t seem to find it.

However, my friend Willow soon swooped in and changed everything. 

During a chat that day, she exclaimed she knew exactly the place I had been describing. And boy was she right. I pulled over to the side of the road when she texted me the video that she took at sunset from her little town. I was in complete awe. This was it. I played the video over and over and over. I was mesmerized. I could not have been more grateful. And excited!

Carmel is one of those places that can take a moment to catch your breath. At least it does for me. I have always been extra sensitive to my environment. I am especially sensitive to light. And temperature. And color. And texture. And this warm, light-infused, dreamy coastal enclave checked all the boxes and then some.

I could tell you story after story after experiencing it’s magic over the years. Of conversations with local artists as they setup their easels facing the water. And widowed neighbors walking the shoreline barefoot, enjoying the eucalyptus-scented ocean breeze and expansive views. Of visits with young families as they built sandcastles on the hill. And a handsome LA musician spreading his mother’s ashes in the place where she grew up as a child. I met a local woman who eagerly shared with me her basket of collected NY Times from the backseat of her vintage Mercedes station wagon and all the exciting bits about her upcoming retirement to France after a 40+ love affair with Carmel. 

I mean, this place. It pulls you in with both hands. It makes you feel something ~ quite possibly, everything. It’s truly beautiful on every level. I love it with with my whole heart. And to share an afternoon here with so many families this season, like the Dinsmore family, made it even that much more memorable!

Kristin is a wonderfully talented Bay Area photographer, whose path I had the pleasure of crossing many years ago! I have photographed her growing family several times, both at their beautiful home and in my own sweet little South Bay neighborhood. This particular afternoon, she was kind enough to meet me at the cove as we celebrated this time in her family’s lives.

The waves lapped at the shore and there was a coastal mist that might otherwise have appeared a bit bothersome. But here, no. It only seemed to add to the dreaminess of this little artist colony, as it swirled about the Cypress trees and settled gently over the sea. There were large pieces of sun-bleached driftwood strewn about and trees that whimsically grew right out of that c-shaped stretch of sugar like beach.  There were oversized crumbling rock formations and otters floating playfully on their backs out in the water, as Carmel Valley’s Santa Lucia Mountains stood proudly in the distance. It was like something out of a dream, really.

We played until sunset that day and then drove into the village for dinner, tucked neatly away in a storybook-like courtyard.  My heart was full. Thank you Dinsmores for sharing your hearts with me! And for that burger. That was pretty good too. Love you tons. ~ Kent Avenue Photography

Kodak Portra 400 scanned by the wonderful Richard Photo Lab.

I could not wait to spend time with this beautiful couple and their young daughter, for this meaningful, Santa Cruz Family session!

We had emailed a bit leading up to our session date, so I was familiar with their story, relocating throughout the country and landing here on the west coast. I really couldn’t wait to finally put faces with names, and share this gem of a beach with them! Documenting this exciting next chapter in their lives together was such a priveldge. 

It was a very quiet day down by the water. You never really know what you will find. The weather, and the surf of course, often drives how many visitors take the 1/4 mile trek from the parking lot, down that gravel-lined, graduated hill to the shore. On any given day, you may find heaps of surfers resting comfortably on their boards in the water awaiting that perfect wave. Beachgoers and their pups will perch at the base of the dramatic bluffs enjoying the sun and sand.

That particular day in Santa Cruz, the water was relatively still. 

Nature, per usual, was showing off in the most beautiful of ways. And while it was brilliantly sunny, we were the only ones there to enjoy the beach (with the exception of a couple otters playfully bobbing in the surf and pods of pelicans flying in formation overhead). I mean, what a gift to have that whole stretch of sand and sea to ourselves!

I knew that their daughter was just warming up to the coast. Mom and Dad had mentioned that in preparation for our time together, they had visited the shore earlier. They were eager to share their love of the ocean, and help her become a bit more comfortable with her new environment before took our photos that day. Well … bravo Mom and Dad! This worked beautifully. Even though she was not quite ready to let her toes hit the sand juuust yet ….that beautiful smile and piercing blue eyes fixated on that Pacific said everything! Somehow I had a feeling, that as the days would pass, she was destined for a newfound (deep) love of the ocean.

Documenting these moments of their family together was such a joy! Life is full of so many firsts. I really hope that these memories of this first chapter as a family of three along that stunning Northern California coast, will live in their hearts forever. ~ Kent Avenue Photography

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
~ Jacques Yves Cousteau

The Film Guide I Wish I’d Had 10 Years Ago.

My First Roll of Film (& the Leap of Faith That Started It All). Over fourteen years ago, I loaded my very first roll of film with my fingers crossed. I wasn’t terrified exactly — more young, exuberant and blissfully unaware. I had a gracious model, a stunning vintage dress, and gorgeous light. I just had absolutely no idea if I could figure out my film camera.

With a voracious appetite for learning and eagerness to dive in, I was hoping for the best and excited to fully commit, wondering how to learn film photography without making every mistake in the book.

Here’s the wild part: for this session I had invested in a gown, flowers, studio rental — the whole nine yards — and I didn’t shoot any digital backup (you know, just in case it didn’t work out). I went all in. 100%. I was completely committed to figuring this out.

And you know what? Every session thereafter, I shot 99.9% film. I was completely hooked.

Why Film Photography Captivated Me
(& Might Captivate You Too)

I’d read every “Film Photography for Beginners” / “How to Shoot Film” book I could find, but honestly? Most of them felt too technical, too intimidating, or just didn’t address the real questions I had as a Family photographer working with young children and unpredictable light.

I was limping along through the camera bits, committed to never making the same mistake twice. What I really needed was more of a beginner’s 101 guide to medium format film photography.

So I did what any determined creative does — I learned by doing. And second-guessing. And taking tireless notes. Lots and lots (and lots) of notes.

Learning Film Photography Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Here’s what I wish someone had told me: You don’t need to be a technical wizard to create beautiful analog photography. You just need to understand a few key principles and have someone who’s made all the mistakes guide you around the pitfalls.

For hundreds of sessions now, I’ve sat down after each and every one and analyzed each set of negatives that came back from the lab. What worked? What didn’t? Why did one image sing while the other fell flat? I’ve filled countless notebooks with observations about light, settings, and those magical moments when everything just clicks – the best film photography tips for beginners come from real experience. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to work with experienced labs like Richard Photo Lab, whose consistent results have helped make this kind of thoughtful process possible.

My Top Film Photography Tips for Beginners
(Learned the Hard Way)

The funny thing? The cover image of my film guide – one of my favorite portraits (of one of my favorite people) with skin tones, colors and quality that made me swoon – came from my very first roll of film. I was just in beautiful light and got lucky. But here’s the thing: luck isn’t a strategy. Understanding why that image worked is.

What I’ve learned is this: Film photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about slowing down, understanding your light, and trusting the process. And yes, it’s about having someone who’s been there whisper in your ear, “Try this setting,” or “Watch out for that.”

Understanding Light, Film Stocks, and Settings
(Made Simple)

I created this guide because I remember that photographer crossing her fingers and hoping for the best, and I want to save you years of trial and error. I want to give you the confidence to walk into any lighting situation with your film camera knowing exactly what to do. I want you to stop second-guessing and start creating with intention.

Learn Tips & Tricks for Capturing Stunning Film Images Quickly

• Build your confidence & gracefully sidestep the beginner stumbling. Save time and start creating those creamy images you have been lusting over.
• Take control of your session with knowledge on how to use the light (inside or out) in your favor.
• A comprehensive look at using your film camera, film stock & your talented film lab to help craft (& strengthen) your personal brand aesthetic.

Don’t Rely on Luck — Learn to Create Intentional Film Images

If I could create something beautiful on my very first try,
imagine what you can do with a decade of learning in your hands.

Your film photography journey doesn’t have to be guesswork.

Let me show you the way with this beginner’s guide to learning film photography
Getting Started with Film.