antonella

Redwoods and Beach Portrait Session in Santa Cruz

One of my favorite things about being a Santa Cruz portrait photographer is getting to share the natural beauty of this area with people visiting from all over. Antonella traveled from Las Vegas with her mom and grandma for a special portrait session, wanting to capture two of California’s most iconic landscapes—the towering redwoods and the ocean. We started our session among the quiet beauty of Nisene Marks State Park, where the soft filtered light through the redwoods created such a peaceful and grounding atmosphere. There is something about being surrounded by those trees that instantly slows everything down, and it gave us the perfect setting to create portraits that felt timeless and connected to nature. Antonella moved through the forest with such ease, and the stillness of the redwoods created space for moments that felt natural and genuine. After exploring the trails, we made our way to Rio Del Mar to end the session by the water. The contrast between the earthy depth of the forest and the openness of the beach made this Santa Cruz portrait session feel especially dynamic. As the light shifted over the ocean, we captured a completely different energy—soft, playful, and full of movement. Having her mom and grandma there made the entire experience feel even more meaningful. There was such a beautiful sense of presence throughout the session, with three generations sharing this experience together while taking in everything Santa Cruz has to offer. Sessions like this are such a reminder of how photography can preserve not just beautiful portraits, but memories tied to a specific place and season of life. Combining the redwoods and coastline is one of my favorite ways to showcase the magic of Santa Cruz, especially for clients visiting from out of town who want to experience the best of both landscapes. If you’re visiting the California coast and looking for a Santa Cruz portrait photographer to capture your time here among the redwoods and ocean, I’d love to help create something meaningful for you.