If there is one golden rule of parenting, it’s that no matter how carefully you plan, toddlers will always keep you on your toes.


As a photographer, I love capturing gorgeous, connection-filled moments for my clients... But when it comes to photographing my own three kids? Well, let’s just say things rarely go according to script.

Two young children holding hands and playing on a sandy beach near the ocean on a sunny day.
Smiling man with glasses and mustache holds a baby girl in pink dress on a sunny beach.



Our original plan was to head down to La Jolla Cove for a dreamy beach session. But life had other ideas. Between a sudden potty accident, a timely wardrobe malfunction, and a flurry of pre-session toddler tantrums before we even left the car, our schedule went completely out the window. We had to pivot our plans on the fly, winding up at the stunning Torrey Pines Beach in San Diego instead.


Once we got down to the sand, the kids were infinitely more interested in exploring everything except looking at my camera. And honestly? I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Two young children hugging and playing on a sandy beach, wearing navy and olive outfits, with ocean waves in the background.
Toddler girl in pink dress holds adult hand while walking barefoot on a sandy beach near ocean waves.
Two young children splashing and running in ocean waves on a sandy beach during a sunny day.

Our littlest girl is just learning how to walk, and she spent the session holding tightly to her daddy’s hand, bravely toddling along the shoreline with the biggest grin. Meanwhile, big brother and big sister were full of high energy, playing games of "ring around the rosie" in the sand and splashing wildly in the shallows.

A baby girl in a pink dress takes her first steps on a sandy beach at sunset, guided by adult hands.
Father helps toddler girl in pink dress take first steps on sandy beach with ocean waves in background.

And then, of course, there was our toddler boy. Channeling his inner dinosaur, he proudly marched around until he lost his balance and fell backward right into the waves. Without missing a beat, he walked to shore, shook off the water, and let out a huge, ferocious roar—completely unfazed and entirely proud of himself.

Two children playing in ocean waves on a beach, girl in blue dress and boy sitting in the surf splashing.
Excited toddler boy with arms outstretched on sandy beach wearing turtle-print shirt and khaki shorts.

Despite all the detours and distractions, we stayed out on the beach for as long as we possibly could. I wanted to make the absolute most of blue hour. While golden hour gets all the fame, blue hour is my signature style for a reason—it offers incredible, soft light diffusion that creates the dreamiest, most cinematic mood.


Parenthood is messy, unpredictable, and rarely goes as planned. But looking back at these images, all the meltdowns and wardrobe changes melt away, leaving behind the sweet, chaotic, beautiful magic of childhood.

A happy young girl in a navy seashell print sundress stands barefoot on a wet sandy beach, smiling brightly.
Family of four wading in ocean waves at sunset on a sandy beach, with children and adult enjoying the shoreline together.
A young blonde toddler boy in a dark floral shirt stands on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.