Darcy + John Family Portraits

Back in March I had the opportunity to do a family portrait shoot in one of the quaintest little towns in Northern California - Carmel-By-The-Sea. If you have had a chance to visit this little gem of a spot, then you know just how special it is. It neighbors with Monterey and follows along the beautiful west coast coastline.

Darcy and I have followed along with each other on social media for some years now. She and her husband had just welcomed their first child and she had reached out at the beginning of the year about wanting to get some portraits done. Originally we had talked about spots in San Francisco, since that is where they live. But after learning that Carmel is the place where John proposed to her and they celebrate their anniversary there every year, I asked how they felt about doing it there. No surprise - they said yes! I thought it would be such a beautiful full circle moment to take this place that was their beginning and have it now be where they get to have memories with their daughter as well.

This year the weather was insane! California was getting hit with major rainstorms that were causing tons of flooding. There was a rainstorm in the forecast for the day of the photoshoot and we weren't sure if it was going to happen. We chanced it though and I am so glad we did! The weather was absolutely beautiful. The sun was out for the entirety of our time together and the rain held off until after we said our goodbyes.

We started off at this cute little park that was set in the middle of the town. It had this beautiful oak tree as the centerpiece and a fence lined rose garden. We then made our way through the town - exploring hidden alleyways and awing over the character filled town. We ended our time together at Carmel State River Beach. By that time, the weather had begun to turn and it was getting windy. Their daughter had fallen asleep in the car on the short drive over so while it didn't end how we had planned I was able to snap some sweet photos of just mom and dad together.

There's so many things I love about my job, but I think the thing I love most is getting to meet and interact with people through it. What started as a following with Darcy has now turned into a friendship. And capturing these special moments for her and her family in this beautiful little town is an experience I won't soon forget.