Santa Cruz Family Photographer

A Family and Maternity Session at Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz

Lighthouse Field State Beach gives families one of the most beautiful settings in Santa Cruz for a sunset session. The Shugart family chose this spot to celebrate their own new chapter. They had just moved to Santa Cruz from Denver a few months earlier, and they were settling into coastal life with their 18 month old daughter while preparing to welcome a baby boy in January.

November light at Lighthouse Field stays soft and golden well into the evening, and it gave us the perfect setting to capture this in between moment for the Shugarts. We started in the tall grasses of the field and let their daughter lead the way. She stayed curious about everything around her, the trees, the birds, and the ocean in the distance, and those small toddler reactions became the heart of the session.

We walked down to the beach as the sun started to dip low over the water. The fog held off just long enough to give us a soft glowing light that Santa Cruz sunsets are known for. I photographed the Shugart family on both digital and 35mm film throughout the session. Film works especially well for maternity sessions. It slows the pace down, adds a nostalgic softness to the colors, and turns simple moments into lasting keepsakes.

The Shugarts played in the sand, snuggled together, and shared quiet moments as the sun slipped behind the cliffs. The whole session felt like the start of something meaningful for their family.

Lighthouse Field and the surrounding beaches work well for Santa Cruz family sessions because they offer open fields, dramatic sunset views, and easy beach access all in one location. The gentle walking paths and soft natural backdrops make it just as strong a choice for maternity sessions, and toddlers get plenty of room to run without anyone feeling rushed.

This session stayed away from posed, perfect moments. It focused on telling the real story of a family settling into a new home, connecting with the coast, and soaking in this chapter before everything shifts again.

If you’re looking for family photos, maternity photography, or a combined session in Santa Cruz, Lighthouse Field, Natural Bridges, Davenport, and the redwoods all make beautiful locations. I photograph every session in both digital and film for a mix of vibrant modern images and soft nostalgic tones.

Let’s talk about your family session.