The {T} family decided to have their family photos in Manhattan Beach, right next to the pier on the sand. The difference between their session and other family photos at Manhattan Beach is the absolutely CRAZY SUNSET we got that day. A huge wildfire had been raging that day and smoke was drifting over the ocean, right between Manhattan Beach and the setting sun. The colors we got were crazy and surreal.

Starting with family photos under the Manhattan Beach Pier

We started with family photos under the Manhattan Beach Pier, with the daughter holding some flowers. Look at that laugh!

Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo of Daughter

Using a Tent in Family Photos

Here is a tent that they made for the family photo session, for their cute little baby boy.

Manhattan Beach Family Photo with Tent
Manhattan Beach Family Photo with Tent
Manhattan Beach Family Photo with Tent
Manhattan Beach Family Photo with Tent

A most unique Manhattan Beach sunset

Here is the instagram post that day of Judy shooting this family:

That post is taken with her cellphone, so you can see what we had to start with. Oh and Judy was super duper pregnant with Hayden at that time.

Sunset Family Photo Manhattan Beach
Sunset Family Photo Manhattan Beach
Family Photo Manhattan Beach
Family Photo Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Family Photography
Manhattan Beach Family Photography

We had them walk it out along the beach waterline.

Manhattan Beach Family Photo Walking
Manhattan Beach Family Photo Walking
Manhattan Beach Family Photo Walking
Manhattan Beach Family Photo Walking
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo Walking
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photo Walking

And how cute are these mommy daughter family photos!?

Mom with Daughter at the Beach
Mom with Daughter at the Beach
Mom with Daughter at the Beach
Mom with Daughter at the Beach

More Manhattan Beach Family Photos

As the sun set under the clouds and smoke in the background, we got more remotely lit family photos with sun fading away.

Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset

And here are some super cute daddy daughter photos.

Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Sunset
Father and Daughter Family Photo
Father and Daughter Family Photo
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Pier
Family Photo Manhattan Beach Pier
Mom with Son at the Beach
Mom with Son at the Beach

We went back to our little picnic setup with the blanket, tent, and stuffed animal toys.

Baby Boy at the Beach with a Tent
Baby Boy at the Beach with a Tent
Two Kids with a Tent at the Beach
Two Kids with a Tent at the Beach
Two Kids with a Tent at the Beach
Two Kids with a Tent at the Beach

And more family photos of everyone all together before wrapping up the shoot.

Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photography
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photography
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photography
Manhattan Beach Pier Family Photography

Family Photos – Manhattan Beach

Here is a great example of Manhattan Beach family photography in Los Angeles County, but also a great example of how a good photographer can take advantage of a unique situation. The sunset that day was very unique due to the huge wildfire happening in Orange County that day. The smoke drifted out over the ocean, giving a soft haze that the sun would diffract through. We saw other family photographers that day that didn’t use any light to take advantage of that unique scenario. This leads to images with a white background (like the ones seen above of the family walking along the beach), which has a place and makes for good photos. But the difference between a good photographer and a great photographer is in that ability to adapt and capture that moment and setting.

Make sure to look around our blog for more examples of Manhattan Beach family photos, along with family photography with sunsets.