Some of my favorite family sessions start long before we ever reach the sand. This Laguna Beach family reached out wanting a relaxed, lifestyle family photoshoot at Victoria Beach. Their kids are high energy, so we came up with a plan: walk down to the beach for a few photos. Then we would head back home to wind down, which would also give us a little more time to photograph.
We began in the morning, while the light was still soft and slightly overcast, before the afternoon sun came out. A quick prep call about a week ahead gave me insight into how to time everything. Morning worked best for this family, since Mom felt the kids would not be at their best for a late afternoon golden hour. Also, the filtered sunshine we got that day ended up being perfect for them.
A walk down to the cove
Living just a few steps from the beach gave us the advantage of photographing in two completely different settings without tiring the kids out. And when you live this close to Victoria Beach, it is hard to resist a few carefree family photos in the sand. We made our way down the neighborhood street, past the bougainvillea and a quiet garden path. We also stopped for photos on a stone bench before heading down to the water. These little in-between, unplanned moments are almost always the frames families end up loving most.
Victoria Beach in Laguna
Victoria Beach is one of those tucked away Laguna Beach coves you would walk right past if you did not know where to look. A small staircase takes you down to the sand, and the rock formations give the whole cove a storybook feel. We let the kids explore for a few minutes. While they explored, I photographed Mom and Dad on their own, which they had requested.
Letting the day be for them
I try not to pose families more than I have to. Instead, I set up the conditions, let everyone’s personalities come through, and follow what happens. Your kids holding up a plumeria flower they found, collecting seashells, or pressing footprints into the sand. These unscripted moments are what make your family gallery feel like yours. My job is to stay ready for them, and at a place like Victoria Beach, they keep arriving. When you stay curious right alongside your kids, it lets me capture the photos you will actually want to frame.
Ending the day at home
We wrapped up back at their house, which is something I often suggest for families with younger kids. Once we settled on their front porch, I asked them to bring out a few favorite stuffed animals to share, which gave the kids something familiar to ease into. It kept everyone calm and engaged after a busy morning. And, those easy, wind down moments gave me room to keep photographing while nobody felt like they were working for the camera.
Victoria Beach family session FAQs
Is Victoria Beach a good spot for family photos? Yes, it is one of my favorites in Laguna. The cove, the rock formations, and the storybook tower give every session a sense of place. Plus, the tide pools keep curious kids happily busy. Parking here is almost all residential aside from the main road, so build in a little extra time to arrive.
When is the best time for a beach session in Laguna? I plan around light and tide rather than the clock. Golden hour gives the softest color, and a lower tide opens up more sand and tide pools to explore. Once you reach out, I will scout the timing for your specific date.
Can we combine an at-home start with a beach session? Absolutely, and this family is a perfect example. Beginning at home eases everyone in, then the beach gives us room to explore. It is one of my favorite ways to tell a fuller story of your family. You can read more about how those work in my post on at-home family sessions in Orange County. I highly recommend booking my one or two hour documentary session to allow enough time.
Do you help with styling? Yes, styling help is included with every session. We can hop on a scheduled FaceTime call where I help you pull and coordinate pieces you already own and suggest any filler items to tie everything together. Once you book, I will send over my Outfit Guide with color schemes and outfit inspiration for your family. For this session, we did the call option. Mom had already found a beautiful dress, and she sent over a few clothing ideas she had pulled for the kids and her husband. From there, I suggested colors drawn from her dress so the whole family would complement one another.
Planning your own Victoria Beach family session
Victoria Beach is one of my favorite coves to photograph, and I would love to be your family photographer for a morning like this one. Whether your session begins at home, at the cove, or both, you can book your session here and we will start planning your day together.
