Big Sur,
California
A series of panoramic photos showing a couple walking along a dramatic red rock cliff face in a desert landscape.

 

As the sun slowly rises above the Santa Lucia Mountains, we're enjoy the entire beach to ourselves

 

A couple shares joyful laughter together in a scenic mountain landscape during a romantic photoshoot.

Karinna + John escaped to California from the New York winter storms for a family wedding in San Diego and decided to extend their vacation (and sun exposure) a little longer with a trip of their own to Big Sur. I was shocked when they enthusiastically agreed to a sunrise session. Being photo-ready by 7am is no easy task but these two made it look effortless.

A couple in wedding attire poses together on rocky coastal cliffs during a romantic outdoor photo session.
A couple holds hands on a rocky beach at sunset, with the woman in a cream halter dress and the man in a dark suit.
A couple walks along a dramatic black sand beach at sunset with mountains in the background.

A wintery coastal escape


Karinna in her classy white dress and John in his tailored suit, they brought a sense of adventure and were ready to explore every big of Big Sur.


We had the whole place to ourselves, save for 3 fishermen finding lots of success in their catch for the day. There was no cliff unexplored, no rocks unclimbed, or river uncrossed.


There's something so special about a sunrise session, it's a different kind of calm as nature is slowly waking up with the sun. The energy is more peaceful, the lighting is softer, and the anticipation of what's ahead slowly builds.


It's hard not to fall in love with our landscapes, and Karinna and John especially loved the contrast of a tiny subject against the grand backdrop, so we made sure to get lots of those!


To finish our session, there was this glorious slice of light peeking through the mountaintops and created the most magical natural spotlight on this little portion of the beach.


These two crossed a river to dance, run, and play in this little piece of heaven before enjoying the rest of their weekend unplugged, leaving the rest of their work and  responsibilities at home (as they should).


Every year I'm reminded how lucky we are to have such beautiful California winters and for this area to be a place of reprieve for the rest of the world.

Couple in wedding attire walking along scenic mountain path during sunset at Golden Gate Bridge overlook.
A couple shares a romantic moment on a scenic mountain trail at dusk against a dramatic natural landscape.
A romantic engagement photo showing a couple in formal attire gazing at each other against a mountain backdrop.
A romantic couple embraces on the beach in a series of intimate poses against an ocean backdrop.
A couple stands together on a scenic mountain trail with green brush and rolling hills in the background.
A couple in wedding attire dances and embraces on a rocky beach with ocean waves in the background.
A couple shares romantic moments on a scenic coastal cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset.
Romantic couple shares intimate moments during sunset beach engagement photo session in Hawaii.
A romantic wedding couple embraces against a backdrop of rolling hills and mountains at dusk.
Winding coastal road along rugged cliffs and sandy beach at Big Sur during golden hour.
A couple shares a romantic moment against a dramatic coastal landscape with mountains and ocean at sunset.
A romantic couple in wedding attire poses together on rocky coastal terrain at sunset.
A series of scenic mountain landscapes with waterfalls and rocky terrain in a panoramic collage format.
A couple in formal wedding attire walking along a dirt path with rolling hills and mountains in the background at dusk.
Couple in formal wedding attire walking together on a scenic mountain path at sunset.