Family Photos at Home

Judy started with the newest addition to the family by herself. Look at that smile and those cheeks!

And these photos of the three children all together on the bed is probably one that they’ll recreate in 20 years.

Walking to the beach in Manhattan Beach

After their home, we started walking to the beach, where there were trails available for more family photos.

Manhattan Beach Family Photos

We caught the sunset at Manhattan beach for some amazing sunset family photos on the beach. We do a variety of photos, including both natural light (this first series) and strobed, off-camera lighting (the sunset photos after). The strobed lighting allows us to get more dynamic range into the photo, since the sun is too bright (and HDR can look to fake sometimes).

Here are the sunset family photos that use strobed, off-camera lighting. Notice the gorgeous colors and tones.

And how cute is it when kids go running after seagulls at the beach?! The low tide and low beach slope made for a prefect reflective surface.

This shows us doing Manhattan Beach family photography with a gorgeous sunset. We started at their home for more casual, lifestyle family photos, followed by a short walk to the beach, and ending with a multi-colored sunset and a reflective, mirror-like beach. This is a growing family with three children (two boys and a baby daughter).

For more examples of Los Angeles Family Photography, make sure to check out the rest of our blog and the many family portrait sessions we have done. You can also find more examples of family portraits done in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding beaches.

You can also find more examples of our recent family photography and portraits on our Instagram.

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Family Photos in their Home

Whenever we get the chance, we like to do lifestyle family photography in their home, especially since it will always have a special place in their heart.

They have two sons, so we also got photos of the two of them in front of that orange wall. So adorable!

After that we walked down to the beach.

Manhattan Beach Family Photography

We started at the swings, which always makes for fun family photos with two little children. One of the secrets of doing family portraits is keeping young kids entertained, as if they aren’t doing a family photoshoot.

Annnnnnnnnnndddddd….. he’s out.

The older brother started running after the seagulls on the beach.

Sunset at Manhattan Beach

The sun started setting enough where we could get some awesome silhouette photos (where our family is completely black against the colorful sunset), along with remotely lit family portraits with the sunset.

This next family photos with seagulls IS NOT PHOTOSHOPPED! It was a pretty cool moment capturing the seagull flying right through the frame during a silhouette photo.

We then went over to a lifeguard tower to finish the family photos on the beach.

Notice the moon in background!

And here is one we lit up even more, making the sky darker and the moon more prominent.

This shows Manhattan Beach family photos in Los Angeles County. Family photography along the westside beaches (or South Bay) is something we’ve done for a while, including the many neighboring beaches. This includes family photos at Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach to the south of Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo Beach, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Beach to the north. All of these beaches get an amazing view of the sunset every evening, so having family photography portraits at one of these beaches should always have lovely sunset family photos.

Make sure to check out our blog for more examples of family photography done in Los Angeles County. We also have more examples of recent work posted on our social media, such as here:

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Starting under Grand Ave in Downtown Los Angeles with Family Portraits

We started under Grand Ave. for some portraits of the three sisters.

Walt Disney Concert Hall Family Photos

From there we headed up to the garden level at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The green tree leaves contrast nicely with the smooth, curved metal panels of the concert hall.

And here are individual portraits of each daughter. You can guess who the goofball is….

And look at how they walk in this family photo. It’s an amazing shot.

Sunset at the DWP Building

The DWP (Department of Water and Power) building in downtown Los Angeles has a view of the sunset and the LA skyline. The sunset that day was incredible.

And here is that colorful sunset with the Los Angeles skyline in the back of this awesome family photo.

Grand Park Water Fountain at Night

We finished the session at the water fountain at Grand Park. The colors were perfectly lined up with the blue hour (after sunset) and the colorful ambient light of the massive water fountain.

Downtown Los Angeles Family Photography

This family portrait session in downtown Los Angeles showcases how we handle such a modern and urban environment, even in low light situations. We use remote lighting to light up our family to match the awesome colors of the sunset, along with the amazing colors of the Grand Park water fountain. You can look around our blog for more examples of downtown Los Angeles family photography, along with more examples of family photos at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Also look for more examples of family sessions at the colorful Grand Park water fountain.

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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 on the Streets of Downtown Los Angeles

We started with the family strolling down Grand Ave. They have two grown daughters, but you can tell that they are a close family.

Walt Disney Concert Hall Family Photos

We then went to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for more portraits at the front entrance.

Up to the Garden Level

We then proceeded up the stairs to the Garden level, which features the nice contrast of the green trees with undulating reflective metal panels.

We love how the tree was blooming beautiful red flowers, casting them softly on the ground below.

Sunset Family Photos at the DWP Building

After the Concert Hall, we walked over to the DWP building, right in time for the amazing sunset and the array of blues, pinks, and purples that graced the sky.

See how the colors get progressively more saturated and beautiful? We live for moments like this, and this is where it pays to have a family photographer that knows lighting and timing for a sunset.

The water fountains of the DWP building came on that night. We have shot at this location for many years (over a decade), watching as they suspended the water fountains during times of drought. We loved watching them come back on to grace the Los Angeles skyline for amazing downtown photos.

Grand Park Family Photography

We then walked over to Grand Park to finish the family photography portrait session. The lighting of the blue hour was in perfect alignment with the ambient light from this massive and … grand … water fountain. Look at how amazing those colors are, which is a rare thing in most family photos. This is what urban and modern family photography looks like.

Downtown Family Photos – Los Angeles

This is an amazing example of how urban and modern family photos in downtown Los Angeles can look, varying from soft, natural light family photography at the Walt Disney Concert Hall to dramatic and rare sunset family photos at the DWP building (with a view of the Los Angeles skyline) to the colorful and modern family photos at Grand Park at nighttime. This also shows a portrait session with two daughters, but grown children (that listen a lot more than our toddlers!).

Check out more of our website for examples of many types of family and maternity photography, including photo sessions in downtown Los Angeles.

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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 Maternity Photography at Victoria Beach

We started with some maternity photos in the “swash zone,” or where the water comes in and out of the beach.

Because of how beautiful the clouds already looked before the sunset even started, we busted out our remote lighting early in the pregnancy photos to get that dramatic and unique look.

Maternity Photos in Laguna Beach Tidepools

We then captured them standing in tide pools at Victoria Beach, getting the light reflection in the still water along with the green from the algae. We advise each person to be careful to not disturb the wildlife, while also pointing out the sea animals in the tide pools. We find that with an understanding and love of a natural environment comes a respect for it.

Beach Sunset Maternity Photos

And the sun started to set with a strong yellow hue…

…that was surrounded by dramatic clouds and a blue sky.

And here is where the sunset really starts to come in, where the horizon and the layers of atmosphere soften the intensity of the sun.

Here is the half-disk sunset as it finally dips below the horizon.

They brought one of the baby toys to pose with it.

Along with other props like letters and the name of their baby, Penelope.

We ended the maternity photos with a blue hour (after the sunset) photo with a backlight.

Laguna Beach Maternity Photography

This is a great example of how we handle a beautiful Orange County sunset during a Laguna Beach maternity photography portrait session. Victoria Beach is one of the best beaches for pregnancy photos and is also the most common one that they issue photography permits for. Our expecting mother wore a light green or turquoise maternity dress, which was light and airy along with comfortable (very important for our pregnant mothers). Make sure to look around our blog for more examples of maternity photos with pregnant mothers.

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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 Disneyland Family Photos in Fantasyland

We started the family photos in Fantasyland, which is always fun for the children.

Just look at those deep blue eyes!

And it’s always fun going on King Arthur’s Carrousel.

More Family Photography at Mickey’s Toontown

We then went up to Mickey’s Toontown for some more family photos with the cartoony props and backdrop.

On to California Adventures for the Sunset

With the sun coming down, we quickly made our way south to California Adventures to make it in time for the sunset.

Here are California Adventures family photos with the sunset coming down across the ferris wheel.

And one the main reasons we use remote lighting is to get amazing photos of a sunset, especially when the clouds create such a unique texture in the sky.

Disneyland Family Photos

This is a family photography portrait session at Disneyland and California Adventures. Our Canadian family flew in from Canada to enjoy this southern Californian landmark and get their first family photos with their baby daughter (first and only child). We captured them in Fantasyland, Toontown, and in front of the ferris wheel in California Adventures. We absolutely love Disneyland and shooting there. We know how to deal with the large crowds and get amazing and memorable family portraits. We know how to capture a little bit of that magic that Disneyland creates.

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