The {T} family was traveling from the east coast and wanted vacation family photos on the beach. Family photography at the Santa Monica Beach and Pier is something that we are very experienced with, since we have done countless engagement and wedding photo sessions in that spot! The Santa Monica Pier is an iconic landmarks and we got amazing photos using this popular tourist spot.
Starting on a Blue Wall on the Santa Monica Pier
We eased the family into the portrait session using a well-shaded wooden blue wall on the pier.
![Santa Monica Family Photography](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-1-1024x683.jpg)
![Funny Santa Monica Family Photography](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-2-1024x683.jpg)
![Santa Monica Pier Family Photography](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-3-1024x768.jpg)
![Santa Monica Pier Family Photography](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-4-1024x683.jpg)
And we got individual portraits of each kid while we were at it.
![Portrait of Daughter](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-5-1024x683.jpg)
![Portraits of Sons](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-6-1024x768.jpg)
Family Photos on the Sands of Santa Monica Beach
We then walked down to the sands of Santa Monica Beach, which is a great opportunity to get the kids to stretch out their legs and run!
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-7-1024x683.jpg)
But some not as well as others…
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach Black and White](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-8-1024x683.jpg)
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach and Pier](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-9-1024x768.jpg)
And we absolutely love the way the Santa Monica Pier looks in the background of these family photos! It fills the frame well and is distinctly Santa Monica.
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-10-1024x768.jpg)
The Santa Monica Beach Boardwalk
After that we walked down the wooden boardwalk, with the sun starting to set in the background. The solar flares looked awesome.
![Family Photography Santa Monica Pier](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-11-1024x683.jpg)
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach and Pier](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-12-1024x683.jpg)
And then they flipped the youngest son upside down and started tickling him!
![Family Photography Santa Monica Beach Boardwalk](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-13-1024x768.jpg)
![Funny Family Photo of Kid Getting Tickled](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-14-1024x683.jpg)
![Family Photos Santa Monica Beach](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-15-1024x683.jpg)
![Family Photos Santa Monica Beach](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-16-1024x768.jpg)
The Monkey Bars and Swings on Santa Monica Beach
There are public monkey bars and other playground/gym equipment right there on the boardwalk, so we used them for some fun family photos.
![](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-17-1024x683.jpg)
And yeah that little boy can climb!
![Family Photos Santa Monica Rope Climb](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-18-1024x768.jpg)
![Family Photos Santa Monica Rope Climb](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-19-1024x683.jpg)
![Family Photography Santa Monica Rope Climb](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-20-1024x768.jpg)
![Santa Monica Family Photography Swings](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-21-1024x683.jpg)
![Santa Monica Beach Family Photography Swings](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-22-1024x768.jpg)
Sunset Family Photos on the Beach
We then went over to the other side of the Santa Monica Pier for sunset family photos.
![Santa Monica Beach Family Photography Sunset](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-23-1024x768.jpg)
And a wave came up and surprised them while we were taking pictures.
![Santa Monica Beach Family Photography Wave](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-24-1024x768.jpg)
![Santa Monica Family Photography Wave](https://www.dreamsanddarlings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tu-santa-monica-pier-family-photography-25-1024x683.jpg)
Family Photography Santa Monica Beach
This is a great example of Santa Monica family photos at the infamous Santa Monica Pier and Beach. We took family portraits on the pier, along the wooden boardwalk, the Santa Monica Beach gym equipment (monkey bars, rope climb, and swings), and then got the sunset along the waterline. This is a family with three children (one girl and two boys), wearing white with pastel tones. The historic Santa Monica Pier was in the background of many of the family photos, giving the pictures a very distinct southern California look and feel.
Make sure to check out our blog for many more examples of our family photography. We have tagged many of the articles to help you see family photos closer to what you want for your own portrait session, for example seeing family photos with sunsets in them. When you are ready to book a session, don’t hesitate to contact Judy!