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!

Using a Tent in Family Photos

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

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.

We had them walk it out along the beach waterline.

And how cute are these mommy daughter family photos!?

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.

And here are some super cute daddy daughter photos.

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

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

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.

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Starting at the Huntington Hyatt Regency

We started the session at the large water fountain at the Huntington Hyatt. Here are their two loving daughters hugging each other.

And it’s always fun having the two children play during a shoot. It breaks up the family photography session, making it easier on the kids.

Family Photos at the Huntington Hyatt Bridge over PCH

We then walked over the bridge that connects the Huntington Hyatt resort with the beach (of Huntington Beach). It has great converging curved lines that frame a family photo so well.

We can see the sun starting to get closer to the horizon, so it’s off to the beach to capture that sunset.

Family Photography under the Huntington Beach Pier

We did some quick family photos under the Huntington Beach pier, right before the sunset. Again, the Huntington Beach pier has awesome converging lines that help frame a family photo so well.

Sunset at Huntington Beach

Then we caught the sunset, which was a glorious rich orange tone that day. We love how the sunlight was bouncing off the swash zone and beach face.

Huntington Beach Family Photography

This is a great example of Huntington Beach family photography, starting at the Huntington Hyatt Regency Resort and ending at the Huntington Beach Pier for the sunset. We got family photos at the Huntington Hyatt water fountain and the bridge that spans PCH, along with under the pier. Make sure to look around our blog for many examples of family photography, including more examples of family photos with piers.

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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.

And we got individual portraits of each kid while we were at it.

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!

But some not as well as others…

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.

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.

And then they flipped the youngest son upside down and started tickling him!

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.

And yeah that little boy can climb!

Sunset Family Photos on the Beach

We then went over to the other side of the Santa Monica Pier for sunset family photos.

And a wave came up and surprised them while we were taking pictures.

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!

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Starting Family Photos at their Home

We started in their home, which was an old home (like over 100 years old). It has those characteristic wooden frames, wood flooring, and even an original oven that is as old as my grandparents!

She had red balloons as a prop for the birthday photos, along with a chalkboard.

We then started to make our way outside, stopping at the front porch for more family photos.

Walking the Streets of Redondo Beach

We walked done to the beach (talk about location!) and got some more family photography along the street to Redondo Beach.

Family Photography at the Redondo Beach Pier

The Redondo Beach Pier actually holds a special place in our hearts, since we frequent it for good seafood! We started on the sand right in front of the pier.

And then got some family photos under the pier for AMAZING shots with the sun gleaming off the water and waves. Just look at that glow and warmth!

Redondo Beach Sunset Family Photos

We wrapped up the Redondo Beach family portraits with the setting sun. This is why we always bring a remote strobe light to our sessions. It’s essential for capturing the sunset.

Once the sun had set, we took family photos on a lifeguard tower, which is very southern Californian.

Redondo Beach Family Photography

This is a great example of a family portrait session progressing from their home residence to another nearby location, in this case the Redondo Beach Pier. This is in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, which is known for numerous beaches facing the sunset over the ocean. Our family consists of the parents and one daughter (only child). We took them underneath the Redondo Beach Pier for amazing family photos with the sun bouncing off the water, reflecting bright yellow tones among the wooden pier structure. We finished off the session with the sunset and also with the lifeguard towers that line (and define) the beachfront.

Please take a look around for more examples of our work. We have taken a lot of time to tag all of the articles, letting you narrow it down. So if you wanted to see only family photos with an only child, we have a page for that! Judy has over a decade of experience capturing families of all types, configurations, and in many different locations.

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Starting at their home in Manhattan Beach

We started at their home residence, getting more lifestyle photos of their son in his natural and comfortable environment.

I think that guitar is a little big for him!

And here they are getting ready for a walk down to the beach.

But not before getting a family photo on their bed.

Walking down to the Beach for more Family Photography

We then started walking along the streets of Manhattan Beach, getting family photos when opportunities presented themselves.

And on to the boardwalk of Manhattan Beach.

Family Photos with the Manhattan Beach Pier

Underneath the pier, the columns created beautiful converging lines and patterns, along with soft shade for our family portraits.

But even then we like to use remote lighting to get different and better photos when we see the opportunity for it.

Manhattan Beach Family Photography

This is a great example of a Manhattan Beach family photography portrait session. It started at their home residence, with us walking down to the beach, walking along the boardwalk, and then walking under the Manhattan Beach Pier and along the sands of the beach. Manhattan Beach is part of the South Bay and the Beach Cities, including the neighboring Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and El Segundo.

Make sure to look around our website for more articles of family photography in many different locations and settings. For example, here is page that just has family photos with piers. If you are planning a family portrait session and wanted an idea of how Judy can help you execute that vision, take a look.

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