A true fall day in Orange County means overcast skies and wind coming in off the ocean. This family wanted to celebrate their baby’s first year by the water, somewhere that already felt special to them.
They chose this Dana Point spot for the dramatic cliff backdrop, and because it’s close to home, which made it easy to plan around naptime. (If you love this stretch of coast, you can see another session I did nearby at Capistrano Beach.) When you want something simple and low stress, I’m always happy to work around whatever feels best for your family.
Since this location is full of soft, neutral tones, I suggested adding a few pops of color to their neutral outfits, like their daughter’s deep red sweater which she had already picked out. A gray day actually works in your favor here, because colors look richer and more saturated against a cloudy sky. (Curious how this coastline looks in full sun? Here are some golden hour San Clemente family photos at Calafia State Beach, just a few minutes south.)
A cozy break near Baby Beach
We spent about 20 to 30 minutes on the beach, then took a break from the wind up on the bluff near Baby Beach and the Ocean Institute. There’s a sweet little picnic area there with an ocean view, and it turned out to be exactly what this session needed. It gave the family an easy place to rest, gave their daughter room to explore, and added some nice variety to their gallery.
Their little one was more than happy to soak up all of her parents’ attention, and we wrapped up the session with a few sweet Polaroids for them to take home.
Booking your Dana Point family session
If you’re dreaming of relaxed, candid family photos along the Dana Point coast, I’d love to hear from you. 2027 dates are now open, and you can book your session here.
