As a Del Mar family photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many amazing families over the years, but there’s one family that has a *special* place in my heart—Marina, Brandon, and their adorable girls. Our story goes beyond just a typical family photo session; it’s got a little bit of drama, a whole lot of laughs, and some seriously sweet moments.

Let me take you on a journey through our *first* photo session mishap, how we became fast friends, and how much their family has grown in the last couple of years.

So here’s the thing—back in 2022, I was supposed to meet Marina and Brandon for their family photos at Del Mar Beach. I was pumped! It was going to be a gorgeous shoot. I had all my gear packed up and was on my way, feeling good about the day… until, of course, *life* happened.

As I was driving to our location, *BAM*—I got into a car accident (don’t worry, everyone was fine!). I was completely shaken, but I managed to pull off to the side of the road. The only problem? Marina and Brandon were already waiting for me at the beach. The kicker? I didn’t know what they looked like (we had only communicated through email), and they had no idea what I looked like either!

In my slightly frazzled state, I quickly shot them an email from the side of the road, explaining that I wasn’t going to be able to make it. Meanwhile, Marina and Brandon were waiting on the beach, looking around wondering where I was. They even saw another photographer shooting a mini-session nearby and thought, “Oh, this must be our photographer!” But as time went on and they noticed the other photographer wasn’t approaching them, they finally realized, “Wait… this isn’t her. This is definitely not *our* photographer!” 

So, no family photos that day. But hey, life happens, right? It made for one heck of a story!

Fast forward a week later. We rescheduled, and I was extra excited to finally meet Marina and Brandon in person (hopefully without any more accidents this time). I got to the location and immediately made a joke to break the ice: “Sorry, I had a sandwich before I got here, so I probably smell like pickles.”

To my surprise, they both burst out laughing and said, “Oh, don’t worry, we had shots before we got here, so we probably smell like tequila!”

Right then and there, I knew we were going to be fast friends. It was the perfect way to kick off a session, and from that moment, I could feel the comfort and chemistry between us. No nerves, just a lot of good vibes.

Our session went smoothly, and the photos turned out beautiful! But honestly, the best part was just spending time with Marina and Brandon, laughing together, and feeling like part of their family for the day. We shared jokes, stories, and even a few more laughs about the previous week’s mishap.

Fast forward to 2024, and I had the privilege of photographing their family again—this time, with their newest addition, Camilla. She is the *cutest* little thing, and I couldn’t believe how much their family had grown in just a couple of years. This time around, Marina and Brandon were totally relaxed, and as they mentioned, they didn’t even need a shot to get comfortable in front of the camera! (Though I’m not saying no to tequila shots in the future )

The session was a dream. We headed back to Del Mar Beach, one of my favorite locations for family photos. The weather was perfect, the light was golden, and their smiles were contagious. Camilla was the star of the show, stealing all of our hearts as we captured moments of her giggling and playing in the sand.

What I love most about working with families like Marina and Brandon’s is getting to see how they change and grow. From their first shoot in 2022 to this new chapter in 2024 with their beautiful little girls, it’s an honor to document their journey. The dynamics shift, the kids grow, but the love and connection stay the same. And it’s so fun to witness!

Being a Del Mar family photographer is such a rewarding experience because I get to see families evolve. Whether it’s a new baby joining the family, a kid’s milestone birthday, or just a family wanting to capture those everyday moments, I get to document their stories. Marina and Brandon’s family is such a wonderful example of that.

To Marina and Brandon, thank you for trusting me to capture your family’s story. I’ve loved every moment of our sessions together—and I’m so excited to see where your journey takes you next. And to anyone else who might be nervous about family photos—just remember, we can always start with a few shots of tequila… or pickles. Whatever works for you! 

Until next time, families of Del Mar (and beyond)! Keep making memories and laughing together—I’ll be here with my camera ready to capture it all.