This was my first session back at the beach after the nor’easter we had, and it was definitely a little different than the last time I was there. The storm had changed parts of the beach, but even with everything looking a little different, it was still beautiful. We also lucked out with some really great weather.
The session turned into one of those shoots where I found myself spending just as much time watching the kids as I did photographing them.
We did the posed family photos, of course, but in between those, the kids were full of energy. They wanted to run around, play, and just be kids. And honestly, those are the moments I enjoy photographing the most.
I like seeing kids in their natural environment, when they're not being told to smile or stand a certain way. You get to see their personalities come out, and you never really know what they're going to do next. Sometimes the best photos happen when you just let things unfold instead of trying to control every little moment.
It also brings me back to my own childhood sometimes. Watching kids run around without a care in the world reminds me of what it was like to be that age. You don't really think about those little moments when you're living them, but years later, they're the things you wish you could go back to.
That's a big part of why I enjoy family photography. Sure, everyone wants a nice photo of the whole family looking at the camera, and those are important to have. But I also want to capture the stuff in between — the personalities, the interactions, the laughs, and the little moments that make each family different.
Sea Girt is a great place for sessions like this, and with weather like we had, it was easy to let the session take its own direction.
