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Santa Monica Beach Portraits: Marissa – Just Because

Often, people arrange for portrait sessions to commemorate a wedding, engagement, new addition to the family, or some other special event in one’s life. Then there are the photo sessions that are planned just because– to document a person as they are at a certain time in their life for no particular reason. Sometimes people just want to have some great, fun, memorable photos.

Marissa emailed me a few months ago about scheduling such a session. She is from Canada and was planning a fun girls trip with one of her good friends down the coast of California and wanted to get some photos of herself done during her quick stop in Los Angeles. I immediately fell in love with this idea and was so happy that we were able to find a time that worked. After exploring San Francisco and driving down through the central coastal cities, Marissa and her friend found themselves in Santa Monica, which is where we shot her session.

Having never met Marissa, I wasn’t sure how to approach the session until we actually started shooting. I had a clue I would identify with her in some way knowing that she was planning this kind of a trip- definitely something I would do with my sister or one of my good friends. My main inspiration for portrait sessions is always the personality of my subject- knowing a little bit about the person before I start shooting is essential to capturing a person as they are, which I consider my main purpose as a photographer. In just a few moments, I quickly learned that she was kind and smiley, had an adventurous spirit, a desire to explore and a desire to experience life. We had a lot in common and when the session was done I was bummed that she lives so far away as I felt I had found a new friend. But, she invited me to visit her in Canada, which is an offer I’m sure I’ll take her up on in the future.

We had a lot of fun roaming around the Santa Monica Pier on one of the most gorgeous evenings I have ever experienced there. Here are some of my favorite images that capture Marissa as I found her to be that day- excited about life, open to experience new things, relaxed, beautiful and, above all, happy.

Her eyes were stunning.

Her laugh was lively.

She chose the perfect colors to wear in this setting. 🙂

This image makes me so happy… I hope it always reminds her of the fun she had on this little adventure.

This image reminds me of something my dad always says: “Relax and enjoy life.” 🙂

One of my favorite series… and one I’d like to see printed large and hung on a wall. 🙂

Marissa told me that she left Calgary when it was very, very cold… I secretly hope this image makes all her friends jealous that she got to frolic on the beach during one of the best Autumn heat waves So Cal has had in recent years.

The light… divine.

Love.

An incredible sunset.

Marissa- Thank you for finding me and for allowing me to document this time in your life. I hope the rest of your trip was so much fun and I look forward to one day getting to see Calgary! 🙂

For information on a Just Because portrait session, email me. 🙂

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