Maternity Magic: Hermosa Beach Photoshoot

When I was contacted by Sam and Janine for a maternity session, they had one request: they wanted it by the beach. Being from the South Bay area of Los Angeles, I knew it had to be Hermosa Beach Pier: the site of the famous scene in the movie La La Land. The iconic sunsets there are incredible, and you will see local volleyball players, surfers, and people on rollerblades cruising the boardwalk as if it were the 1990s.

For this shoot I used my favorite camera: the Contax 645. Something about film hits the soul differently, and I base my signature look around it. Film will give a painterly look, especially at sunset, and that look is a must for capturing the Southern California vibe. The organic colors that the film captured added to the storybook atmosphere in this shoot, and when I look at these photos I can feel the moment, taste the sea, and smell the sunset.