Carmel Locations
Get Ready For Our Photo Session
Over the years of photographing I have noticed that some of my clients are unsure of what to do and what to expect. It’s very important to me that you are extremely satisfied with the results and for that we need to be prepared before and at the day of the shoot.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT HEAD TO THE LOCATION IF WE HAVEN’T TEXTED EACH OTHER THE NIGHT BEFORE OR THE DAY OF OUR SHOOT.
Phone Number: (650)278-9096
Most Important, bring your best happiest self. You cannot lie on how you feel in the camera. I will take the time to have a little chat to get to know each other and break the ice. The first few minutes of our shoot is going to be mostly testing so you are getting comfortable and warmed up.
Arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. This will give you time to find parking, use the restroom and to freshen up from the car ride. Our starting time is the time on the contract or the time we discussed prior to our shoot. Most of the time I have double bookings and I may need to head to the next client, so it is very important that we start and finish on time.
Arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. If you have kids arrive earlier to get them ready. Please don’t wait till our shooting time starts to do that because it decreases our shooting time.
Keep in mind the traffic. We live in the Bay Area and no matter how prepared we are we can get stuck in traffic or in an accident. Golden hour shoots are time sensitive since the lighting is limited.
Come hair and makeup ready. You are spending money and time to have this photo session so make sure you are going to love how you look in the photos. You don’t need any professional work done but if you prefer to have some help I can send you some suggestions.
Remove all objects from your pockets. Once our shoot starts please have all the objects removed from your pockets.
Bring a towel and water to remove the sand from your feet after our shoot.
Bring comfortable shoes/flip flops to get to our shooting spot and you can change once we arrive. Some locations require a little bit of a hike and the ground can be challenging.
If your outfits get wrinkled, please put them on once you arrive.
• If you are wearing sunglasses please bring makeup to cover the marks.
Please check out all the available locations.
Carmel and Big Sur are some of the most breathtaking locations along California’s coast, offering dramatic backdrops, golden light, and endless ocean views. While both areas are stunning year-round, it’s important to know that during the summer months they can often be overcast, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. This soft, diffused light can actually be beautiful for photography, giving images a dreamy, romantic quality, but it’s good to set expectations so you’re prepared for the natural coastal mood.
For Big Sur sessions in particular, many of the most iconic spots are right along the cliffs. This means it can be breezy, and in some cases, quite windy. The wind adds movement and energy to photos, but it’s essential that you feel comfortable being near cliff edges. While I always prioritize safety and never place clients in risky positions, you should be okay with some heights and the sensation of being close to the ocean’s edge. Wearing clothing that moves well in the wind and choosing shoes that are easy to walk in will make the experience even more enjoyable.
Whether you choose the charming, storybook streets and beaches of Carmel or the wild, rugged coastline of Big Sur, each location offers its own magic. By being prepared for the coastal weather and natural elements, we can focus on what matters most—capturing genuine, meaningful moments in some of the most incredible scenery in the world.
I often mention some of Carmel’s most popular beaches and scenic spots, but the area is also full of other beautiful and unique locations such as bars, venues, golf courses, and private estates that I’m more than happy to photograph.
If you like whites beaches go with Carmel Beach.
If you want rocks and white sand go with Carmel river beach, Asilomar (my most popular) or Ribera beach.
If you want dramatic cliffs choose Big Sur cliffs.
If you want timeless architecture and elegant charm, choose the Carmel Mission Basilica or one of the area’s beautiful venues.
Big Sur-Cliffs
Big Sur- beach
Carmel River State beach
Asilomar beach
Carmel beach
Ribera beach
Seal Rock Creek beach (entrance fee)
Lovers Point Park (it can be very busy)
Marina Dunes beach Monterey
Del Monte beach
Carmel Mission Basilica (Permit is needed)
Asilomar
2.-Big Sur
3. Venue
4. Carmel River State Beach
5. Carmel Beach
Outfit Ideas
Wear something picture cute. I LOVE LOVE LOVE flowy dresses and skirts….also the camera loves these 2 choices. We can be playful and super cute. If you are not a dress person show up with your own unique style.
Styling Webpage: https://styleandselect.com/ Visit their instagram page for free ideas: style_and_select
Webpages for clothing:
This company is pricey to buy dresses but you can rent. Their stuff are AMAZING:
wearereclamation.comOther options:
balticborn.com
freepeople.comOutfit color suggestions:
Off-white, Ivory and beige hues are always my top recommendation for photo sessions — they photograph beautifully, stay timeless, and flatter any setting or season.
For cliffs/rocks:
Green, burgundy, Ivory, off-white colors, white, dark brown, reddish brown, maroon, (pumpkin) orange, red are perfect.
Meadows :
Beige, ivory, off-white colors, light brown, brown/red, (pumpkin) orange, maroon, (pumpkin) orange, red are perfect.
For beach:
Beige, ivory, Off-white, red, brown, (pumpkin) orange, baby blue, baby pink, green.
If you like the warm look on the photos, wear warm colors. Blue outfits create bluish edits. Light/warm colors give the best editing results for my editing style.
Off-white colors are better choice than white.
Avoid: Black, dark blue, yellow.
Scroll at the End for Guy’s outfit ideas.
Web Photos:
