Senior Portraits at Crescent Bay, Southern California

This photo session with Jillian at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach will always stand out as one of those unexpectedly magical shoots—the kind where everything just comes together. It was actually one of my first sessions at this location, and from the very beginning, I could feel how special this spot was for making photographs. With the landscape and the light, Jillian and I created something beautiful—an evening she’ll remember and photographs that will last a lifetime.

Crescent Bay is tucked just off the main stretch of Laguna Beach and feels like a small, hidden slice of coastal heaven. Its serenity invites you to slow down and take in the rhythm of the waves and the sweeping views of the Pacific. It's a place that feels both expansive and intimate, which makes it ideal for senior portraits. There's space to move and explore and pockets of quiet where the light tucks in softly against the rocks and sand.

What I loved most about working with Jillian in this space was how easy and natural it felt to make photographs. From the start, she brought a calm and grounded energy that perfectly matched the ocean's feel. As we wandered the beach, the wind began to pick up a little, sending a breeze across the bay. Many seniors worry about wind during a shoot—understandably! It can feel unpredictable and unruly. But with Jillian, the sea breeze became a gift.

There's something so captivating about movement in a photograph. The wind played with Jillian's hair in the most beautiful way, adding softness and emotion to the images without ever feeling staged or forced. It was as if nature was participating in the shoot with us, offering just the right amount of energy and life.

We made use of every element Crescent Bay had to offer—the open beach, the weathered cliffs, and the tide pools. With the tide low, we hiked around to this beautiful spot on the other side of the rocks. Jillian was open to exploring and trying different spots, and that adventurous spirit added so much to the session. Whether she was sitting quietly by the water or standing tall against the wind, every moment felt authentic to who she is.

That's one of the reasons Crescent Bay has become a favorite of mine for senior sessions. It offers so much variety in a relatively small area, and the natural textures and tones make every photo feel rich and layered. But more than that, it's the way the location invites you to be present. There's a peaceful, untamed quality about it that brings out something genuine in the people I photograph there.

Jillian's session reminded me that sometimes the very things we think might get in the way, like wind, can become the most beautiful parts of a photo. And at Crescent Bay, beauty is always there, waiting for the light and the tide to meet it. Please reach out if you like what you see and would like a session with me! I would love to work with you.